Friday, October 29, 2010

WEEK FOUR AT THE MTC !!!

Hey everyone!!!
Thanks so much for the Rome temple pics. We've been talking about it all this week just because this saturday was the ground breaking. :) It's such a blessing that the Italians will have a temple to call their own.  So I'll give you some details in case you don't know but it's going to be the church headquarters in Europe, there is going to be a hotel so people can stay the night and also there it going to be a visitors centre, which is great because from what i've heard Italians love visitors centers :) hahaha oh also I've known this for a while but it's just taken me a few times to remember when I'm at the computer but guess what... so there are now only 2 missions; Rome and Milan. And guess what Milan extends to... We reached to all of Tuscany now. :D Isn't that awesome! So now I get every city that I want. Haha I think my mission just got a bit cooler. :)
So yeah also I was at a fireside and after the fireside I ran into an elder by the name of Elder Browne. Guess what, he was the kid that got into the mtc a week after me and was in the ward that Jason is now serving in... isn't that awesome??? :)
So last tuesday night we had a devotional and Russell M. Nelson came and spoke to us. :) It was so amazing. I could feel the spirit so strong as soon as he came in.  He talked about missionary work as all the speakers do, so it wasn't really anything different but the spirit was so strong. I can testify that he is a true apostle of the Lord.. haha starting to sound a little brainwashed like Jason I guess haha but it's true he's such a powerful man.
Thursday for MDT (which is study time for comp/languauge study) my comp Anziano Neff and I went around the MTC bearing testimony in Italian to random people. It was so much fun! :) and it seemed like I was in Italy. :) Haha it made me want to go soooo badly!!!!
So for service this week it wasn't too bad. I just had to change garbages and also clean tubs but it was so fun when I went to the third floor to clean the tub. It was full of water and there were toys in it and army men EVERYWHERE!!!! It was so funny!!!! :) Hahahahahaha! So on Saturday, the same day as the temple ground breaking, we had zone conference because the older missionaries left today. It was spiritual and awesome they just gave us advice which was cool.
So this sunday was my first full sunday as zone leader. I'll tell you my responsibilities. So we have to make the schedule for church which includes songs, sacrement and prayers. Also we get to sit on the stand, which is a little weird but whatever haha. Also we have to get the sacrement bread for those preparing it. One of our more difficult jobs is making sure people are in their rooms and quiet at quiet time which is 10:15. So yeah we always get some that try and brush their teeth at 10:14 and I guess they will never understand that it takes more then 30 seconds to brush their teeth... oh well haha. We also have meetings... a lot of them. So we have them at 6:45 in the morning on Sundays, which is tiring but not bad. We have branch council on Sundays at 7:30 and a traning every Tuesday night at 9. We have to interview all the DL's to see how the districts are doing and if we can help and give council for anything. That's about it for my responsibilities.
Let's see what else... OH YEAH!!! THANKS FOR MY PACKAGE!!!!! I got it yesterday and I really appreciate it. I love getting pics; so awesome!!! I'm so grateful for all you give me and that you write me. It makes everything so much easier knowing my family supports me. Can you thank the Blakemores and the Perras for deareldering me. It gives me hope when I get letters from people in our ward. So TRC was yesterday and it was our last time teaching in English. The lesson went well and the spirit was strong. We committed him to baptism for November 19th (random date) and he accepted! :) So that's awesome! I'm not going to lie, I'm a little nervous to be teaching in Italian next week hahaha.
I'm so happy for Chris and I can testify that he is needed in the Philippines and that there are people who need to hear the gospel from him only... Its a call from the Prophet of the Lord and I know that he is going to do great. I'm also going to write him this week but just tell him how proud I am of him and that I love him. 
Also can you send me a jacket because it is getting a little colder here like it's going to snow any day now haha so yeah. I can say that I truly love the MTC. The spirit here is so strong but I can't wait to go to Italy and preach the gospel to those who need the message that families can be together forever. I testify that this is true, that Jesus is the Christ. He died for me as he did for all of you and it is ONLY through the atonement of Jesus Christ that we can return to live with our Heavenly Father, our Brother Jesus Christ and also our families.  It is only through our Saviour that we can obtain eternal life; I testify that this is true and that we can live much happier lives with the gospel. Joseph Smith was a prophet of God who restored this Church and brought back so many truths that had been lost, that Thoms S. Monson is the current Prophet  and he leads and guides his children today. I testify that I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I wear his name on my chest everyday and I've never felt more responsibility in my life; I will do all I can to represent our Savior and to bring our brothers and sisters home... I love this Church as I do all of you and I say this in the name of Jesus Chisrt, Amen.
It's weird how you just feel like bearing your testimony sometimes. It just feels great and thats what i'm most excited to do in Italy. I love you all and am so grateful for your support. Talk to you next week. I love you all
 
See you in 2 years
Anziano Glowa

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

WEEK THREE AT THE MTC.

HEY!!!!!
Just to start off, I kind of need a coat, so if you want to send that one we looked at, that would be awesome!! :)
So this week was nothing special ha-ha ,we switched to studying the 2nd lesson which is the plan of salvation.
I was having trouble learning how to switch from each topic but our teachers told us to just apply the atonement into each aspect and it really works.  I'm not going to say I'm the best or anything but I feel really good about my self when teaching the 2nd lesson.
So my teachers names are fratello(brother) Merrell which is elder Merrell's cousin, the one he wanted me to call and also fratello Calder. I love both my teachers they both served in Milan which is awesome because they sometimes just talk to us about the area.  This week in Italian we learnt how to follow up and re-commit investigators and also we learnt how to repent in prayers.
This week has also been a little weird. In case you didn't know I had 10 people in my district and there were 12 people in the other district but 3 people have gone home in the other district.I think its better that way because they're getting a chance to cleared up things that they needed to.  
So this week for service, I had the grossest job EVER!!!! I had to clean the drains of the showers which means pulling out the hairs and gross stuff like that. It wasn't too bad but it was pretty gross. Oh well I love service any ways , so it was awesome.
I have even more exciting news to tell you, because the other anziani are going home next week they needed new zone leaders and guess who that is!!! that's right everyone, me :) hahaha
There are a set of Italian zone leaders and a set of Portuguese zone leaders going to Brazil. As zone leaders we are in charge of watching over 100 people so its pretty awesome.
I'm doing all I need to do to serve the Lord. It's weird to think this way but I can't imagine the MTC without the extra responsibility that I've been given.  So yeah, besides that nothing really happened. 
I miss you all so much and I wish that I could have watched Ron Burgundy with you dad ,hahaha.
Anyway so you know I just sent out the pictures this Friday. It was the 15th or 16th or something ,so you might get them this week.  Also Temple walks are cancelled on Sundays because some stupid elders have been meeting their parents for picnics. It is so retarded, so they are cancelled till further notice.
Oh I almost forgot to tell you about my TRC yesterday thats when I teach a fake investigator, I didn't make anyone cry this time but the spirit was so strong and we bore really strong testimony on the atonement!! I love teaching the 2nd lesson! :)  Tell the Feths that I'll be praying for them ,I hope all is all right and it's nothing too serious. Dad I'm sorry you had to build the tempo by yourself I wish I could have help you just like the good old days when I helped you with the back yard. Make sure it stays nice and leaves don't get in there :P 
I love you all and I'm praying for you all everyday. I love this gospel with all my heart and I feel as though in Alma 29:1. I just want to preach with the trump of God. I love you my family with all my heart. Take care and I'll talk to you next week. Thanks for the DearElders! :)
 
Ciao Anziano Glowa :)
LOVE YOU ALLL! :)
P.S. Please thank John Blackmore for the dearelders. Hey just so you all know, I have lost weight .I'm down to 154 to 156 it varies but I'm keeping it under control. I now know how to control what i eat (somewhat) hahaha. I love you all and I can't wait to hear from you.



Wednesday, October 13, 2010

WEEK TWO AT THE MTC !!!


Hey! So how is everyone?  
So first off I don't have time to read everyone's e-mails every-week so unless you're sending pics I would rather you send dear elders (dearelder.com) just so I have time to send e-mails more. So let's see what happened this week: Wednesday we learned how to talk about our families so I'm learning more and more Italian. It's so awesome and I truly feel the gift of tongues :)
Also I'm really good friends with this older missionary in an older district going to Milano and his name is Anziano Healy he reminds me of myself :)
I love the food and I've gained so much weight I've gained 7 pounds, so I'm going to have to fix something or I'll come out of here pretty fat hahaha
My companion and I had a cool experience of teaching our zone leader.  He was being a fake investigator, and we bore strong testimony as he was talking about not being able to pray or that he didn't want to because he was comfortable living the way he was without prayer, and I was directed by the spirit to ask him where we would be if people stayed comfortable? Where would we be if Joseph Smith didn't pray, or if the other prophets stayed comfortable, so yeah that was awesome.
Friday we do service and me and some people in my district cleaned showers it was pretty fun because we had to spray them down with a huge hose and then scrub them :)
Oh and one of my elders found a really cool scripture that you have to read Hebrews 13:24 I'm not even going to tell you what it is because it's so amazing :)
Yesterday was TRC did I explain what that was? I'll re-tell you, it's when you go in for the first introduction and set an appointment in Italian and then teach a lesson in English to a real member pretending to be an investigator.  So the Italian part was pretty funny because I understand a lot but I can't say too much or I think I can't but when I'm put in the situation I always pull through.  haha
The lesson part was so spiritual :) we taught to this guy and were trying to understand his needs, he was concerned with God really loving his children and I bore testimony that I know everything happens for a reason and gave experience on how when you have trials you gain patience and experience, and he started to cry.   I don't know if he was faking it or if he was a member that needed to hear something that I said, so I guess I'll never know but it was an awesome experience. haha
So I'm going to be sending pictures with the letter I write to Courtney this week I should be sending around 50 of them I haven't decided if it's going to be a CD of pictures of the actual pictures.
Thanks so much for the pictures, I loved them, I miss you all so much but I know that I'm here for a reason and I'm glad that I'm doing the lord work.
 
I love you all
Anziano Glowa :)
P.S. also who's to say if you were to send me a box of wonderful candies :) haha I love you! :)
P.S.S.OK I have time for one more cool experience. We have 3           sisters in our district and one of them wasn't feeling well so I had the opportunity to give her a priesthood blessing for the sick and I felt the sprit and the blessing I gave was truly from God . The sister's name is sister Steber so when I send pics you'll know who I'm talking about haha okay that'Is about all the time I have left.  I love you so much and remember DEARELDERS AND NOT E-MAILSS haha well some e-mails like one but not too many until I enter Italy I love you!!!!!!!!!!!

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Benjamin's first letter from the MTC

Hello my family so as to quote Jason I only have 3 mins to write hahaha joking joking !!!!
I just started to I have 30 mins any ways so let me start off when I said good bye to you at the MTC. So they bring us into this gym and it feels like the holocaust because they move us from line to line filling in info and stuff until we get our name tag and my name tag read Anziano Glowa pretty awesome eh!
so yeah and then we went to our class room to meet the other people in my district oh and guess who my language teacher is it's elder Merrell's cousin the one I was supposed to call but never did so I guess everything just works out great :).
Lets see what to tell you about  my comp, his name is Anziano Neff and he looks like the kid from James and the Giant Peach which is pretty awesome he's a cool kid and we're learning a lot of the gospel.  In our district we have 10 people including me there are 3 sisters and 7 elders and guess who the District Leader is? that's right you got it it's your very own son Anziano Glowa :) At the beginning I was feeling a little home sick which was weird because I've never felt such an emotion but the letters from you and Courtney really help. I truly love you all.  I want to thank Nancy for writing to me it was nice to get something from someone in our ward. I also want to thank you for everything you've sent me, the chips, donuts, jerky, etc.. oh and the PIE!!! that was awesome I shared with with my district it was sooo good thanks for truly thinking about me :)
On Wednesday I learned how to pray and that's awesome because I got to practice the language, then the next day Thursday we learned how to bare testimony so now I can pray and bare testimony in a broke a Italian hahaha.  As a district we also memorized our missionary purpose found in peach my gospel page 1 all in Italian so that was awesome!  I love being district leader because I can be a leader and an example to my district.
How amazing was conference? I especially loved the priesthood session , I was not in the choir because they already had the choir but there were people in my zone that sang so that was awesome, oh and I have some excited news I heard  my mission president in Italy allows 2 hours of e-mail time and I can e-mail anyone I like, I guess because postage is expensive and it takes a long time ,so thats awesome, although it could also be a rumour but I hope it's not. My favourite talk at conference was on gratitude by President Monson it was so awesome I love that man he's a great prophet.
Another cool experience I want to leave with you is something that happened last night . Let me start by saying that for the companionships there is Neff and myself also there is Anderson and Sanders and then there is a threesome which is Hopper, Schwin and Mcaffee, so with the threeo Hopper is the senior comp and he's a bit different then everyone which isn't the worst and he just feels overwhelmed with the language because he can't get it as fast and he feels that no one respects him in his companionship. As a district leader I met with the senior comps so I was meeting with him and he broke down and told me all his heart aches and I felt the impression to give him a priesthood blessing so I gave one to him and I think he truly felt the love of the Lord and understand that we all just got here and that there is nothing to be worried about so I guess I did my job as district leader and helped out one of my fellow district members. One more thing , we had our TRC which is like a training session where we teach fake investigators and we had to do the greetings in Italian to get to know them which was fun and hard.  It was a real eye opener to how much I don't know the language but it was so awesome.  Then we taught the first lesson in English it went really well my comp and I split the lesson up and when he didn't know what to say I would jump in and when we answered the questions the investigators had I was the one who answered them because my comp is a little bit less experienced.  But yeah we're going to work on it more together.  The TRC training that i talked about is something that we do every Monday so it's something that we practice and work for and later on the investigators will take the role of someone they knew on their own mission and if we don't do a good job on teaching them they could actually drop us ha-ha.   It is a good motivation for us to work hard.  Anyway that's it i love you all so much and i hope this is the type of e-mail that you're all looking for ha-ha is it like Jason's e-mails? Ask me anything and I'll do my best to answer your questions i love you all so much.
 
Love Anziano Glowa
 
Other cool info- there are about 30 elders going to Italy 9 of them going in 2 weeks and 21 of us in 7 weeks and it's split pretty even. the mission has split to 2 parts Milan and Rome and Milan now gets everything that we hoped for it includes Tuscany just and everything down to Rome which is awesome.
I sleep on the bottom bunk and I love the MTC it's a powerful place and I've learned to humble myself and to pray always I love you all write to you next week :)
 
LOVE YOU MOM LOVE YOU DAD!!!! THANKS FOR EVERYTHING YOU"RE THE BEST PARENTS EVER and dad don't apologize you're the best dad ever and I'm grateful for the example and the things you've done to help me be closer to my Father in Heaven I love you both. :) <3