May 26 Email
CIAO MIO FAMIGLIA!!!!!!! (HELLO MY FAMILY)
Ok let’s see, here is the update on the toe. I went in for the surgery last week around 2 and I got out of there around 4:30 so it went really well!! The doc had me watch this bug movie because he said it would take my mind off the sounds I would hear, they were gross sounds and he said it would freak me out. So since it was God's creations I thought it would be ok and the Lord would understand, I feel ok about it. Anyway he numbed my toe...HURT SO BAD!!! The shots are intense!! But thankfully Anziano Kinzie let me smash his arm while he did it! Good man he is! So after that he cut both left and right side of my nail away and then killed the cells (cool picture of my foot after on the camera card lol) and then I was good to go! So it went great and it feels great! I'm going in today for the follow up to make sure everything is healing ok and everything is doing what it's supposed to do, so hopefully that is the last time that I have to go in! Thank you so much for praying for me! I really appreciate and feel that!!
So for today we (finally) cleaned our room which was nice. I’ve been doing pretty good but we keep failing our room inspections, but not anymore! WOO HOO!! lol it's all good! I LOVE LOVE LOVE THE MTC!!!!!! The new district is awesome, all great Elders, we are all getting close to them! Can you believe that after next Tuesday we (my district) will be the oldest ones here!! WOW!!!
Oh shoot time is going out! I better hurry...
I am SONO MOLTO FELICE!!! VERY HAPPY!!! I'm healthy and loving the MTC!! I got my first MTC hair cut (pictures on card) and that's feeling nice!!
Well time is almost up so I better say good bye for now!!
Have a great week and I'll talk to you later!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love,
Anz. Nielsen!!
COOL!!
Anz. Kinzie gave me his e-mail time! that's awesome of him!!
Let's see what else......
I guess I can tell you the rest of my day...we are going to go to lunch from here and then the Temple and then study/letters then dinner and more study/letters and then we are going to the devotional! I'm so excited!!
I've been in the MTC for a month!! WHOA!! Can you believe that!!! it's nuts!!!!
Ok so here are some other things that have been going on.
Yesterday was our first time teaching "solo in Italiano" the whole first lesson! It was great! The Spirit really helped us out and we could feel the gift of tongues and the gift of interpretation of tongues working! It was so awesome!!!!!! I Loved it! SO did Anz. K lol! There is no way we could have done what we did with out the Lord too so that's great!! I love How the Lord helps us! It's fantastic!!!!!!!!!! I love it!!!!!!
Also we are plying this SYL game called "Il nativo" it's so fun! We all speak in Italian and who ever we think spoke the most (since the native is supposed to speak the most) Italian we vote for as the native and if we guess right we get points and before we leave Fratello (brother) Garlik will give us a prize! He is awesome such a great teacher, so is Sorella Birdsall!! It's awesome!!!! I love it!!!!
Anything else...
It's so fun getting letters lol!! they are great!
Dad your pics are so awesome!! I loved seeing those and remembering that adventure and that trip to St. Geo. Everyone here except for Anz. Sponseller (he's from Michigan) loves St. Geo and we have been talking about it a lot it's great! We set aside 10 mins of every hour for "talking/bonding/break" because as our BP President Engerbretsen says we need a little time like that, they say to unwind but not unravel so that's great.
Speaking of the branch presidency, they are SO AWESOME!!!! I LOVE THEM!!!! we have:
Pres. Engerbretsen
F.llo West
F.llo Adams!
We see them every Sunday and Tuesday, and Friday nights they come to our house to just say hey and see how we are doing.
Also F.llo Adams' wife (according to him) makes the best homemade bread and jelly and he is bringing some for our district for after the Devo. WOO HOO!!! We are really excited!! Pres. E approved it this time!! :) WOO HOO!!!
Ok so now some Italian:
This is my testimony and a short lesson on prayer:
Quando Pregiammo, chiudiamo I nostri occhi, e chiniamo I nostri capi, e incrachiamo le nostre braccia. preche e monstra umilita.
Io so che questo vangelo e vero....
I gotta log off! Have a great week!!!
Love,
Anziano Nielsen!!!!
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
The toe saga continues
May 19 Email
HI!!!!!!!!
I’M IN THE MTC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Another cool experience:
I was in the RC and had another call come in. It was awesome!!! Her name is Bonnie, she doesn't speak that well because she got set on fire (HOLY COW, I KNOW!!!!) but she is grateful and acknowledges that God has let her live. She said that she has almost died 8 times too! and here is the really cool thing, I stopped talking and the Spirit took over, I remember hearing myself say things like "Bonnie you've been kept alive so that you can find the fullness of the gospel" and "you need to learn this so you can be the one that will make it possible for your family to live together for eternity" it was so cool !!!!! it was incredible, I have been calling her back to talk to her, and talk with her about the Church and just see how she is doing (that's what we do in the RC (referral center) we actually have investigators) it was soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo awesome !!!!!!!!!
Ok so the next thing, my toe:
Here is the deal; I went in on Tuesday to have that other side taken care of right? Well he did take care of that but he found that another toe on that same foot the "ring finger" toe had one too so he took care of that. But they were both infected pretty bad so he had to clean them up, and now I’m on amoxicillin and clauvul (sp?) which is an intense antibiotic (I feel pretty bleh) the doc said it's basically nuking my system, intense huh, but it's good because it will make it possible to serve my mission, and I’m willing to sacrifice a little to be able to do that. So the next part of the story is that I’m going in today to have the final surgery on my toe. Yep surgery. Fun huh? I need to have the cells killed so the nail won't grow back, but we couldn't do it last time thanks to the infection. So wish me luck with that today. It’s at 2:30 so pray for me then, I’m really nervous, the shots hurt soooo bad. But it's all good it will make it so I can serve my mission!!!!!!!!!!
So happy things now, the MTC is awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :) ) I love it here :) my comp is awesome, the teachers are awesome, this place is just awesome :D
Well just know that I'm happy, well, and loving the MTC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm almost out of time so I will talk to you next week!!!
BYE!!
LOVE,
HI!!!!!!!!
I’M IN THE MTC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Another cool experience:
I was in the RC and had another call come in. It was awesome!!! Her name is Bonnie, she doesn't speak that well because she got set on fire (HOLY COW, I KNOW!!!!) but she is grateful and acknowledges that God has let her live. She said that she has almost died 8 times too! and here is the really cool thing, I stopped talking and the Spirit took over, I remember hearing myself say things like "Bonnie you've been kept alive so that you can find the fullness of the gospel" and "you need to learn this so you can be the one that will make it possible for your family to live together for eternity" it was so cool !!!!! it was incredible, I have been calling her back to talk to her, and talk with her about the Church and just see how she is doing (that's what we do in the RC (referral center) we actually have investigators) it was soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo awesome !!!!!!!!!
Ok so the next thing, my toe:
Here is the deal; I went in on Tuesday to have that other side taken care of right? Well he did take care of that but he found that another toe on that same foot the "ring finger" toe had one too so he took care of that. But they were both infected pretty bad so he had to clean them up, and now I’m on amoxicillin and clauvul (sp?) which is an intense antibiotic (I feel pretty bleh) the doc said it's basically nuking my system, intense huh, but it's good because it will make it possible to serve my mission, and I’m willing to sacrifice a little to be able to do that. So the next part of the story is that I’m going in today to have the final surgery on my toe. Yep surgery. Fun huh? I need to have the cells killed so the nail won't grow back, but we couldn't do it last time thanks to the infection. So wish me luck with that today. It’s at 2:30 so pray for me then, I’m really nervous, the shots hurt soooo bad. But it's all good it will make it so I can serve my mission!!!!!!!!!!
So happy things now, the MTC is awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :) ) I love it here :) my comp is awesome, the teachers are awesome, this place is just awesome :D
Well just know that I'm happy, well, and loving the MTC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm almost out of time so I will talk to you next week!!!
BYE!!
LOVE,
Anziano Nielsen
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Vincenzo di Francesca
When Elder Ryler heard about Elder Parker's call to Italy he suggested that we watch the Church movie "How Rare a Possession" which tells the conversion story of an Italian man. We were able to watch some of that with Elder Parker before he left. It is an amazing and powerful story! We wanted to learn more about Vincenzo and found some Church articles that had been written and we shared that with Elder Parker recently who said: "Thank you for sending the story of Vincenzo. I used that in a lesson yesterday!!"
Here are a few links if you'd like to learn more about Vincenzo and the Church in Italy:
Richard Tice, “How Rare a Possession,” Ensign, Jan 1988, 14
Vincenzo di Francesca, “‘I Will Not Burn the Book!’,” Ensign, Jan 1988, 18
Don L. Searle, “Buon Giorno!,” Ensign, Jul 1989, 34
Don L. Searle, “The Saints in Italy,” Tambuli, Apr 1990, 11
The Story of Don Vincent Di Francesca in His Own Words from http://www.bellasion.org/ (Beautiful Zion) an independent site whose purpose is to present the history of the Church in Italy and where I found this photo of Vincenzo Di Francesca as a Protestant Minister, about age twenty-six. (circa 1914)
If you want to watch the video I couldn't find it in the online Church catalog but it might still be available at the LDS Distribution Center under either of these titles:
How Rare a Possession
A Voice from the Dust
Here are a few links if you'd like to learn more about Vincenzo and the Church in Italy:
Richard Tice, “How Rare a Possession,” Ensign, Jan 1988, 14
Vincenzo di Francesca, “‘I Will Not Burn the Book!’,” Ensign, Jan 1988, 18
Don L. Searle, “Buon Giorno!,” Ensign, Jul 1989, 34
Don L. Searle, “The Saints in Italy,” Tambuli, Apr 1990, 11
The Story of Don Vincent Di Francesca in His Own Words from http://www.bellasion.org/ (Beautiful Zion) an independent site whose purpose is to present the history of the Church in Italy and where I found this photo of Vincenzo Di Francesca as a Protestant Minister, about age twenty-six. (circa 1914)
If you want to watch the video I couldn't find it in the online Church catalog but it might still be available at the LDS Distribution Center under either of these titles:How Rare a Possession
A Voice from the Dust
May 12 Q/A
With Elder Parker's older missionary brother we developed a system of grouping all our questions together in a questionnaire format to make it quicker and easier for him to give us the answers. When I asked Elder Parker if he'd like us to do the same thing (because I always have a LOT of questions! lol) he said:
"Use the questionnaires they're top notch!!"
Here's some of the things we learned from this one...
His comp is from Manti Utah and he likes pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, Heath bars and the Japanese hi-chew candies we get from the Oriental Market in Roy! He doesn't snore and he sleeps DEEP! (good thing! lol)
There are only 2 of them in a room designed for 4. He has the bottom bunk by choice (easier to make, get into, and pray), the bed is not comfortable and there are not enough pillows!
Everyone in his district of 6 will be serving in the Italy Catania mission.
The MTC cafeteria "food is great, most days lol =o)". Meals are at 7am, 11:30am and 4:30pm ("so early for din din")
About getting enough healthy food - "yeah but its only salad and I'm really sick of salad". Are healthy snacks available in between meals? "No only junk... i.e. soda, candy, chips. Send nutrition bars? "yes, please!".
They get to go to the Provo Temple on Tuesdays for any ordinance work but baptisms.
About the 10-12 pounds of training materials the MTC gives - "ha ha it's fine, its' all good stuff" and he is glad he took his backpack because there are "so many materials lol =o)"
For workouts (when able) he does bands, run, basketball and he enjoys it.
I asked about any form of FHE and he said "on Monday nights we just have classes and MDT (missionary directed time) so basically study. Tuesdays though we have a devotional with a GA (General Authorities) or an Apostle so that's sort of like that I guess!"
We also found out he can call us from the airport when he's on his way to Italy!!!!! He said the Catanians leave on a Monday morning early instead of Wednesday because they have further to go. He said they will fly to New York then to Milan Italy, then take a puddle jumper to Sicily then a bus to Catania!
About getting enough healthy food - "yeah but its only salad and I'm really sick of salad". Are healthy snacks available in between meals? "No only junk... i.e. soda, candy, chips. Send nutrition bars? "yes, please!".
They get to go to the Provo Temple on Tuesdays for any ordinance work but baptisms.
About the 10-12 pounds of training materials the MTC gives - "ha ha it's fine, its' all good stuff" and he is glad he took his backpack because there are "so many materials lol =o)"
For workouts (when able) he does bands, run, basketball and he enjoys it.
I asked about any form of FHE and he said "on Monday nights we just have classes and MDT (missionary directed time) so basically study. Tuesdays though we have a devotional with a GA (General Authorities) or an Apostle so that's sort of like that I guess!"
We also found out he can call us from the airport when he's on his way to Italy!!!!! He said the Catanians leave on a Monday morning early instead of Wednesday because they have further to go. He said they will fly to New York then to Milan Italy, then take a puddle jumper to Sicily then a bus to Catania!
May 12 Letter
P-day/Sunday schedules, call center, and toe update
Ok so here is how my P-day (preparation day) works!
6:30 wake up
7:00 breakfast
7:30 start laundry
7:40 clean room
8:10 switch loads
8:30 finish cleaning room
9:00 E-mail time !!!!!!!!!!!!!
9:30 letters/study time
9:40 finish laundry (dryer)
10:00 take clothes back to room (across campus)
10:30 letters/study time
11:30 lunch
12:15 Temple time!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2:00 study time/letters
4:30 dinner
5:15 study
6:00 devotional (last one was M. Russell Ballard)
7:00 district review
8:00 planning
9:00 back to room
9:20 zone singing
10:30 lights out =o)
So there is my P-day! It seems like I have oodles of time right? It's nuts how fast it goes! You start writing a letter or studying your vocab, it feels like 20 minutes passed, but it's been two hours! It's good though! I love P-day!
This coming P-day though I have a follow up with the podiatrist to check on my ingrown toenail. So the side I went in and had checked awhile ago is totally fine, but because my nail was cut weird, it grew into the other side! Fun!... NOT! But luckily I have the appointment and can get that taken care of once and for all! =o) Don't worry too much though I'm in the Lord's hands!
A cool thing too, we learned that God will take care of our families while we are away! I had been pretty worried like "What if this?" "What if that?" you know? But then I learned that the Lord will take care of you so I can rest assured that you will be ok!
[Dad] We've had so many similarities in the MTC so far!
Packages!!! Woo Hoooooo!!! I love em!!!! It's the best thing having the package slip in the box with your name on it!!!!!!!!
The advice book Holy Schmoly!! I love it!
(Thanks to everyone who shared advice for Elder Parker, I put what you said on a full page with a photo of you and made a book for him to be able to refer to often!)
Wow! I've been here for 3 weeks! That went FAST!!!! But we're learning so much!! It's so cool here!!
Ok next....Dear Elder letters! I LOVE them, send often!!!
(This is Anziano Kinzie)
Well actually this is Anziano Kinzie. First I want to thank you so much for the brownies, we enjoyed them immensely! I also want to thank you for raising such a great son, he is an amazing companion and an amazing example. Thank you. Love, Anziano Kinzie
(back to Elder Parker now)
See why I love him he is the bomb diggity lol!! He is such a fantastic Elder!!
Tomorrow is Sunday, here is that schedule:
7:00-7:30 breakfast
7:30-8:20 branch council (for DL)
8:20-9:10 leadership training (for DL)
9:10-10:00 Priesthood meeting
10:00-11:30 study
11:30-12:15 lunch
12:30-1:30 Sacrament meeting
1:40-2:30 district meeting (lesson)
2:30-4:30 study/Temple walk
4:30-5:15 din din
5:15-6:30 study
7:00-8:00 MTC fireside
8:00-9:00 movies (The Restoration, etc.)
9:00-9:30 planning
9:30-10:30 review the day
10:30 bed
What a day huh?! But so cool!! In our Sacrament meeting we have the prayers in Italian and the talks in Italian! We get the topic for next week and then prepare the talk because they randomly select missionaries to speak...INTENSE!! But cool!
Ok MTC stuff,
Mondays we go to what's called the TRC (teaching resource center) and practice teaching to volunteers who are considered "real" investigators. We have at the beginning a language scenario where it's Italian the whole time! Cool! Ours this week is called "the bus ride" it's pretty cool we go knock on the investigator's door, introduce ourselves and ask if they are ready to go to Church, then we go get on the bus (a next room) and talk with them, get to know them, and ask if they kept commitments, and if not why. Then "after church" we teach them (in English) the second lesson (The Plan of Salvation) I'm really nervous but excited too!
Also we have the RC (referral center) where people call with questions about the Church, or to order a DVD, or a Book of Mormon. Its so cool because it forces you to have faith! The phone will ring and your heart will jump out of your chest! But you take your own leap of faith by answering the phone and talking to REAL people with REAL questions! It's so cool!! They are so prepared! I had a really cool experience! Ooooh mission experience! Here it is...
The phone rang or wait actually I hadn't had a call FOREVER! So I said a quick prayer, I said "send me someone WE can help" and right as I closed the phone rang! Wow! Her name was Ann from Georgia! She had a cool accent. She had just seen a commercial for the lamb of God DVD and was calling in to get one. We went through the address stuff and names and stuff and then with the program on the computer we're prompted to ask why they called in. So we talked about that and then we got in depth it was so cool! She said she believed in a Church that had Apostles, a Prophet, and correct baptism... WOW!! It was so good! The Lord really does prepare His children! I made a lot of mistakes but I know He will help her! I asked if she wanted missionaries and she said yes! As long as it was true! So I bore my testimony and testified that it was true!!! She seemed...seemed...excited! Cool! IT'S SO TRUE!!!!!!! I LOVE THE GOSPEL!!!!! it was wonderful! So amazing!!!
With this letter I'm including the questionnaire, and my Sunday talk from last week so you can see a 5 minute talk in Italian! Woot! lol!
6:30 wake up
7:00 breakfast
7:30 start laundry
7:40 clean room
8:10 switch loads
8:30 finish cleaning room
9:00 E-mail time !!!!!!!!!!!!!
9:30 letters/study time
9:40 finish laundry (dryer)
10:00 take clothes back to room (across campus)
10:30 letters/study time
11:30 lunch
12:15 Temple time!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2:00 study time/letters
4:30 dinner
5:15 study
6:00 devotional (last one was M. Russell Ballard)
7:00 district review
8:00 planning
9:00 back to room
9:20 zone singing
10:30 lights out =o)
So there is my P-day! It seems like I have oodles of time right? It's nuts how fast it goes! You start writing a letter or studying your vocab, it feels like 20 minutes passed, but it's been two hours! It's good though! I love P-day!
This coming P-day though I have a follow up with the podiatrist to check on my ingrown toenail. So the side I went in and had checked awhile ago is totally fine, but because my nail was cut weird, it grew into the other side! Fun!... NOT! But luckily I have the appointment and can get that taken care of once and for all! =o) Don't worry too much though I'm in the Lord's hands!
A cool thing too, we learned that God will take care of our families while we are away! I had been pretty worried like "What if this?" "What if that?" you know? But then I learned that the Lord will take care of you so I can rest assured that you will be ok!
[Dad] We've had so many similarities in the MTC so far!
Packages!!! Woo Hoooooo!!! I love em!!!! It's the best thing having the package slip in the box with your name on it!!!!!!!!
The advice book Holy Schmoly!! I love it!
(Thanks to everyone who shared advice for Elder Parker, I put what you said on a full page with a photo of you and made a book for him to be able to refer to often!)
Wow! I've been here for 3 weeks! That went FAST!!!! But we're learning so much!! It's so cool here!!
Ok next....Dear Elder letters! I LOVE them, send often!!!
(This is Anziano Kinzie)
Well actually this is Anziano Kinzie. First I want to thank you so much for the brownies, we enjoyed them immensely! I also want to thank you for raising such a great son, he is an amazing companion and an amazing example. Thank you. Love, Anziano Kinzie
(back to Elder Parker now)
See why I love him he is the bomb diggity lol!! He is such a fantastic Elder!!
Tomorrow is Sunday, here is that schedule:
7:00-7:30 breakfast
7:30-8:20 branch council (for DL)
8:20-9:10 leadership training (for DL)
9:10-10:00 Priesthood meeting
10:00-11:30 study
11:30-12:15 lunch
12:30-1:30 Sacrament meeting
1:40-2:30 district meeting (lesson)
2:30-4:30 study/Temple walk
4:30-5:15 din din
5:15-6:30 study
7:00-8:00 MTC fireside
8:00-9:00 movies (The Restoration, etc.)
9:00-9:30 planning
9:30-10:30 review the day
10:30 bed
What a day huh?! But so cool!! In our Sacrament meeting we have the prayers in Italian and the talks in Italian! We get the topic for next week and then prepare the talk because they randomly select missionaries to speak...INTENSE!! But cool!
Ok MTC stuff,
Mondays we go to what's called the TRC (teaching resource center) and practice teaching to volunteers who are considered "real" investigators. We have at the beginning a language scenario where it's Italian the whole time! Cool! Ours this week is called "the bus ride" it's pretty cool we go knock on the investigator's door, introduce ourselves and ask if they are ready to go to Church, then we go get on the bus (a next room) and talk with them, get to know them, and ask if they kept commitments, and if not why. Then "after church" we teach them (in English) the second lesson (The Plan of Salvation) I'm really nervous but excited too!
Also we have the RC (referral center) where people call with questions about the Church, or to order a DVD, or a Book of Mormon. Its so cool because it forces you to have faith! The phone will ring and your heart will jump out of your chest! But you take your own leap of faith by answering the phone and talking to REAL people with REAL questions! It's so cool!! They are so prepared! I had a really cool experience! Ooooh mission experience! Here it is...
The phone rang or wait actually I hadn't had a call FOREVER! So I said a quick prayer, I said "send me someone WE can help" and right as I closed the phone rang! Wow! Her name was Ann from Georgia! She had a cool accent. She had just seen a commercial for the lamb of God DVD and was calling in to get one. We went through the address stuff and names and stuff and then with the program on the computer we're prompted to ask why they called in. So we talked about that and then we got in depth it was so cool! She said she believed in a Church that had Apostles, a Prophet, and correct baptism... WOW!! It was so good! The Lord really does prepare His children! I made a lot of mistakes but I know He will help her! I asked if she wanted missionaries and she said yes! As long as it was true! So I bore my testimony and testified that it was true!!! She seemed...seemed...excited! Cool! IT'S SO TRUE!!!!!!! I LOVE THE GOSPEL!!!!! it was wonderful! So amazing!!!
With this letter I'm including the questionnaire, and my Sunday talk from last week so you can see a 5 minute talk in Italian! Woot! lol!
(if anyone out there can translate this please let us know!)
So with my toe the gym situation was that all I could do was the bike. Well they are re-doing the floor in the gym and its closed for a month! Dang! All we can do is the field which sucks when you can't do anything! But it's ok Anziano Gurney (he was in the Army for 2 years, joined when he was 17) anyway he is so...sweet (not a good word but it's all I could come up with) he walks slow with me, he forgoes his activities to stay with me! he is totally an awesome example of Christlike love and charity! He is great! Of course so is my companion I love him!!!!! He's great!
I hope you have a great week! Talk to you later!!!!
Love, Anziano Nielsen
May 12 Email
Ok so first off, Tell Kim and family I am so so so so so sorry, but I love the way dad put it in that he got his mission call. The news was pretty hard since we all love and care for him so much but we as cousins are serving the Lord together. In the TRC (teaching resource center) we are teaching the plan of salvation right now, or as we are taught to call it the plan of happiness. Anyway this is hard news but at the same time really exciting news, I never got to know my cousin in his earthly form but I CAN NOT WAIT to get to know him in his perfected form, I know that he will help me on my mission, and Elder Ryler too. He is a missionary now sharing the gospel with our family members who haven't had the chance to hear themselves. I love my cousin!!!!! And tell Kim and fam I love them too!! I will send a letter to them, but still let them know I love them and I love Ky-man, and I KNOW that he is so happy right now, and he is with out Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ in the Spirit world!!! I am so grateful for this plan, and this gospel so that we can know for our selves that we will see Kyle again!!!!!!!! I am so grateful for that testimony, and I know they all have it too, so they will be ok, it's still very hard though so please send my love!!!!!!!!!!!
OK what else.....
This week has been great!!!!! We went to the TRC on Monday (that's our scheduled day) and taught the plan of salvation to these people, it was great, because we weren't the one's teaching!! It was the Spirit, the true teacher!!!!!! It was fantastic!!!!!!!! We both had a really great experience!!! and we hope that the "investigators" really did too!!!
So for my toe, the side (I said wrong on the tape) was the right side, and that's fine now, but because of the weird cutting he did it grew into the other side and the same thing happened, so I'm getting that cut out today, and hopefully that will take care of it for good this time, the Lord has really blessed me in how quickly it healed and I Know it will be that way this time too!!!!!!
Things are going great for me!!! Can you believe that I am already at the 3 week mark!! Holy schmoly!!!!! We are getting a new Italian district tomorrow!! Hooray for not being the newbies anymore!!! lol!! We are all really looking forward to meeting them and working with them!!!!!!
We had a really great Tuesday devotional last week...M. Russell Ballard!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! it was great!!!!!!!!!!! I loved it!!!!! So powerful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I LOVE THE MTC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The food is treating me well! It's good most days, and on the days that it's not we have what's called the salad island, where you can get a salad or a wrap (basically like subway!) which is awesome!!!
Being a DL is going awesome.
Anziano Gurney has been a real blessing for me this week, he is in our district but not my companion. Anyway since I'm gimpy he has been walking really slow with me, hanging with me at gym time, and just being really kind to me!!!! He is a great Elder!!! All of them are but he's just really great to me this week!!!!!
I LOVE THE MTC AND MY MISSION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Talk to you next week!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :) :)
Love,
Anziano Nielsen!
OK what else.....
This week has been great!!!!! We went to the TRC on Monday (that's our scheduled day) and taught the plan of salvation to these people, it was great, because we weren't the one's teaching!! It was the Spirit, the true teacher!!!!!! It was fantastic!!!!!!!! We both had a really great experience!!! and we hope that the "investigators" really did too!!!
So for my toe, the side (I said wrong on the tape) was the right side, and that's fine now, but because of the weird cutting he did it grew into the other side and the same thing happened, so I'm getting that cut out today, and hopefully that will take care of it for good this time, the Lord has really blessed me in how quickly it healed and I Know it will be that way this time too!!!!!!
Things are going great for me!!! Can you believe that I am already at the 3 week mark!! Holy schmoly!!!!! We are getting a new Italian district tomorrow!! Hooray for not being the newbies anymore!!! lol!! We are all really looking forward to meeting them and working with them!!!!!!
We had a really great Tuesday devotional last week...M. Russell Ballard!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! it was great!!!!!!!!!!! I loved it!!!!! So powerful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I LOVE THE MTC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The food is treating me well! It's good most days, and on the days that it's not we have what's called the salad island, where you can get a salad or a wrap (basically like subway!) which is awesome!!!
Being a DL is going awesome.
Anziano Gurney has been a real blessing for me this week, he is in our district but not my companion. Anyway since I'm gimpy he has been walking really slow with me, hanging with me at gym time, and just being really kind to me!!!! He is a great Elder!!! All of them are but he's just really great to me this week!!!!!
I LOVE THE MTC AND MY MISSION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Talk to you next week!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :) :)
Love,
Anziano Nielsen!
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Called to Serve
This post is dedicated to Elder Parker's cousin Kylewho was “called home” on May 10 2009
Kyle with Ryler and Parker
Approx ages 5, 6 and 7
Approx ages 5, 6 and 7
The last picture we took of Kyle,
while Elder Ryler was in the mission field
(cardboard photo as his stand in)
and just before Elder Parker left to serve his mission
April 19 2009
while Elder Ryler was in the mission field
(cardboard photo as his stand in)
and just before Elder Parker left to serve his mission
April 19 2009
Kyle was born with Lissencephaly. He spent most of his life in a wheelchair and required total daily care. He was not expected to live beyond the age of 8. Kyle was blessed with parents, siblings, extended family and many friends who each provided him with more love and care than you can possibly imagine. Kyle died at the age of 19, the milestone missionary age and we rejoice that he is now free of the limitations of his earthly body Alma 40:11-12; Alma 28:12 and that now he too can serve a mission! in the Spirit World D&C 138:57
In honor of Kyle’s 19th birthday, older brother Clint and his wife Jamie asked friend and gifted artist Roger C. to paint a portrait of Kyle as he might appear in a body without limitations. This image of Kyle has been a great reminder to all of us of the great and noble soul that he is! We believe the result is an accurate representation of what Kyle may look like today in the Spirit World.
We rejoice in the knowledge that Christ came to earth to conquer sin and death. 2 Ne. 9: 10-12 We know that God created for us “The divine plan of happiness [which] enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.”
~ The Family: A Proclamation to the World, The First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Kyle taught our whole family many valuable lessons John 9:2-3 and he will be greatly missed! Doctrine & Covenants 42:45-46
We have faith that if we live righteously we will one day see Kyle again! Doctrine & Covenants 130:2 and we believe that at the resurrection his spirit will be reunited with his body and it will be restored to its perfect form! Alma 40: 23
If you would like to know the purpose of life, if there is life after death, about our relationship with God and answers to life’s greatest questions, please visit this website where you can also learn how to know for yourself the truth of these answers:
www DOT mormon DOT org
~ The Family: A Proclamation to the World, The First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Kyle taught our whole family many valuable lessons John 9:2-3 and he will be greatly missed! Doctrine & Covenants 42:45-46
We have faith that if we live righteously we will one day see Kyle again! Doctrine & Covenants 130:2 and we believe that at the resurrection his spirit will be reunited with his body and it will be restored to its perfect form! Alma 40: 23
If you would like to know the purpose of life, if there is life after death, about our relationship with God and answers to life’s greatest questions, please visit this website where you can also learn how to know for yourself the truth of these answers:
www DOT mormon DOT org
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
If you see this car...
Future Missionary
Dont' kiss me 'til 2011
Viva Italy!
We love you!
See ya broCan't touch this!
This is the handiwork of a few of Elder Parker's friends from Okinawa from the night of his farewell party! They did a great job decorating his car and he was so surprised and delighted when he discovered it after the party that night! Since he left for the MTC we haven't had a chance to clean it off and when I had to drive it the other day I felt kind of strange and couldn't help wondering what people thought seeing me behind the wheel of a car that said all that! lol Then when I drove it again yesterday I just enjoyed the humor of it all and found myself smiling behind the wheel as I drove along! lol A neighbor jokingly asked if we ever planned to wash it off and I realized then maybe subconsciously I didn't want to because now it has sentimental value too!! =o)
I should mention what a huge blessing this car was to Elder Parker's missionary preparation! Jay's sister Kathy kindly suggested us to her Mother in law when she was planning to donate her used car to someone in need and it was absolutely perfect timing for Elder Parker to not have to use precious missionary funds in the short time he had left! It was heaven sent and he was so grateful to have his own transportation to/from work! "Big Red" was an answer to our prayers and served him well, now we're hoping she'll hang on long enough to help Elder Ryler out when he returns!
P.S. the "bullet holes" you see in the first photo are a remnant from the recent April Fool's that I pulled on Elder Parker while he was in an Institute class, another fun surprise that he enjoyed once he realized it was only a joke lol
I should mention what a huge blessing this car was to Elder Parker's missionary preparation! Jay's sister Kathy kindly suggested us to her Mother in law when she was planning to donate her used car to someone in need and it was absolutely perfect timing for Elder Parker to not have to use precious missionary funds in the short time he had left! It was heaven sent and he was so grateful to have his own transportation to/from work! "Big Red" was an answer to our prayers and served him well, now we're hoping she'll hang on long enough to help Elder Ryler out when he returns!
P.S. the "bullet holes" you see in the first photo are a remnant from the recent April Fool's that I pulled on Elder Parker while he was in an Institute class, another fun surprise that he enjoyed once he realized it was only a joke lol
Sunday, May 3, 2009
1st Audio Tape from the MTC!
It was sooooooooooooo great to hear Elder Parker's voice! He sounds really happy! Here's a few things he told us on the tape...
It's cold there!
He has discovered fellow Brian Regan fans at the MTC! "Take luck!" lol
They are learning the language very quickly thanks to great teachers and the Lord's help!
Mail arrives at both lunch and dinner time and is a time of GREAT excitement! =o)
Several Elders have already received "Dear John" letters =o(
Their zone meets each night before bed and sings hymns together in Italian!
He is really focused on the work and his testimony has grown a LOT!
Sundays and P-days are his favorite
They get to watch LDS movies on Sunday evenings
Last week they watched The Testaments and next week will be The Restoration
They got to do an Endowment session at the Provo Temple
The devotional speakers are usually one of the General Authorities, the Seventy or the Twelve Apostles!
His first day in language class the teacher spoke Italian ONLY!
His companion has been teaching him Italian too and that has really helped!
The infection in his toe had spread to his ankle so its good he had it taken care of now!
Elder Kinzie gave him a Priesthood blessing that has helped him to heal quickly!
He said "the planners come in handy"
They are in "summer dress code" and only need to wear suit jackets in certain situations
They get up at 5:45 am and are in bed by 10:30 pm
He's already lost a little weight with all the workouts, walking a lot and less junk food!
He has learned that EXACT obedience is the key
He asks "Please keep sending the dear elder letters"
He says "It's such a blast, this is the best place I've ever been!"
Saturday, May 2, 2009
1st Photos from the MTC!!
I narrowed it down to 25 pix from the first 110 Elder Parker sent us! To see more click on the photo in the side bar and it will take you to the Picasa website. To see the newest photos there scroll down to this shot of Elder Parker in his suit at the giant MTC map. I think I overloaded the blogger site trying to upload so many pix on one post and I ended up having to add them one at a time which took forever! So in the future I'll probably just put a few in the posts and you can always link to the rest through the sidebar. =o)
Traditional MTC pose - "I'm going to Italy!"
Elder Parker soon meets up with Elder Jones, who is his new Zone Leader! They worked together at Cold Stone before their missions!
Elder Parker enjoys taking photos of lines and angles like you see on this MTC building
2nd night in the MTC Elder Parker and his comp ended up in the ER!
Elder Parker and Elder Kinzie share this room designed for 4 Elders
Traditional MTC pose - "I'm going to Italy!"
Elder Parker soon meets up with Elder Jones, who is his new Zone Leader! They worked together at Cold Stone before their missions!
Elder Parker enjoys taking photos of lines and angles like you see on this MTC building
2nd night in the MTC Elder Parker and his comp ended up in the ER!Elder Kinzie got something in his eye that cut his cornea!
He was just walking by construction at the MTC when the wind kicked up and something blew into his eye but thankfully all is well now and his eye is completely OK!
Elder Parker and Elder Kinzie share this room designed for 4 EldersJust the 2 of them so far!
Parker chose the bottom bunk "because its easier to make"
Taking a break...their room is on the 4th floor and with all those stairs and all those books on their backs it can be a little tiring!
Beautiful MTC campus
Training with the T.A.L.L. system
Parker chose the bottom bunk "because its easier to make"
Taking a break...their room is on the 4th floor and with all those stairs and all those books on their backs it can be a little tiring!
Beautiful MTC campus
Training with the T.A.L.L. system(Technology Assisted Language Learning)
The arrival of mail at the MTC is always cause for rejoicing! lol
Go Cougars!
(view from one of their classrooms)
Beautiful spring tulips on MTC campus
Recent snow storm!
Crazy Utah weather!
Statue on the MTC grounds
A lesson on peace building (artwork by Elder Parker)
Elder Kinzie in one of the classrooms
Cool mirrored shot of his name badge
A photo hanging in the MTC of a baptism surrounded by ice!
Now that's faith!
Elder Parker at the foot doctor
He says they sing a LOT of hymns at the MTC
The arrival of mail at the MTC is always cause for rejoicing! lol
Go Cougars!(view from one of their classrooms)
Beautiful spring tulips on MTC campus
Recent snow storm!Crazy Utah weather!
Statue on the MTC grounds
A lesson on peace building (artwork by Elder Parker)
Elder Kinzie in one of the classrooms
Cool mirrored shot of his name badge
A photo hanging in the MTC of a baptism surrounded by ice!Now that's faith!
Elder Parker at the foot doctor
He says they sing a LOT of hymns at the MTCWhat a great way to invite the Spirit!
Elder Parker in his new MTC logo jacket!
Elder Parker in his new MTC logo jacket! In all his letters he writes: "I love it here!!!"
1st Package from the MTC!
These 2 items will help us share our son's mission journey in a wonderful way! After enjoying so much the audio tapes we have sent ba
ck and forth with Elder Ryler, one of the first mission items I bought for Elder Parker was a micro cassette recorder! Then for his 19th birthday we gave him his "missi
on camera".
It is such a delight to be able to "hear" him through these tapes and "see" him in photos! I love technology!
ck and forth with Elder Ryler, one of the first mission items I bought for Elder Parker was a micro cassette recorder! Then for his 19th birthday we gave him his "missi
on camera".It is such a delight to be able to "hear" him through these tapes and "see" him in photos! I love technology!
Today (Saturday) we got the first camera card and audio tape from Elder Parker!!! There was also a regular handwritten letter, 6 pages long, both sides!! Man the mail from him has been great so far! =o)
I should mention this now so you aren't always wondering if what you are reading is from Elder Parker or the ramblings of his Missionary Mom (MM)... to differentiate I will try to always post what Elder Parker writes in italics and when its just me talking it will NOT be in italics. We'll see how that goes anyway...
I love getting mail! lol It's such a weird thing, it feels like I have been at the MTC FOREVER but its only been a week, and then at the same time its like "holy macaroni it's been a week already! where did it go?!" lol
I've committed to study as hard as I can! and its working! Thanks for shooting off a DE (dear elder letter) so soon too! It was fun to get mail so soon! =o)
Thanks for the update on the blog I loved reading and hearing about what others would be reading and seeing! I was able to get a short letter/email (both) off to Elder Ryler on P-day congratulating him on his call! How awesome is that!! =o)
Anziano Kinzie's folks taught him Italian for about 6 years but he had forgotten most of it, it's starting to come back now though and its awesome! I LOVE IT HERE!!!!! This is the coolest place!!! its wonderful!
Thank you soooooooooooo... much for the letters you sent right after hearing about my toe!! Its going great now! The infection is gone and its in the healing stage. Yet another miracle and blessing from the Lord!! I got the letters right when I got back from the podiatrist, hooray for missionary mail!
Elder Kinzie's eye is totally fine now and its all good! The hard thing is the construction is EVERYWHERE! Its all good though its the Lord's work and I really think that part of it was for the BMX YM! He was alright! Hurt but not horribly!
Its so cool feeling the Spirit work in your life for your betterment! i.e. I have been trying to focus, really focus on feeling the Spirit in everything, its so cool. In our devotional on Sunday (SO AWESOME!!!) we were singing "A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief" and I started to bawl, the part where the Savior asks will you die for me, I thought ya know what, I would! But don't worry I doubt that's going to happen! But still it was awesome!
The Lord has really blessed me to learn this language! It's so cool! and such a beautiful language too! Its cool to see how the Lord blesses His children.
I have a cold lol I'm fine though and getting over it quickly! So don't worry! =o) Anziano Kinzie has been really helpful!
Other than that things are going awesome! I love the MTC!! This is the Lord's work!! It's really awesome!!!!! I love it!! This is where I am supposed to be!! It's true, I wake up and am so confident this is where I am supposed to be!!!!!! I love it!!!!!!!!! Love, Anziano Nielsen!! Ciao!
Note from MM: In this letter he also wrote out an entire door approach in Italian, it was really amazing! He also mentioned his brother's new calling, you'll have to check that out on Elder Ryler's mission blog! (see first link in side bar)
I should mention this now so you aren't always wondering if what you are reading is from Elder Parker or the ramblings of his Missionary Mom (MM)... to differentiate I will try to always post what Elder Parker writes in italics and when its just me talking it will NOT be in italics. We'll see how that goes anyway...
I love getting mail! lol It's such a weird thing, it feels like I have been at the MTC FOREVER but its only been a week, and then at the same time its like "holy macaroni it's been a week already! where did it go?!" lol
I've committed to study as hard as I can! and its working! Thanks for shooting off a DE (dear elder letter) so soon too! It was fun to get mail so soon! =o)
Thanks for the update on the blog I loved reading and hearing about what others would be reading and seeing! I was able to get a short letter/email (both) off to Elder Ryler on P-day congratulating him on his call! How awesome is that!! =o)
Anziano Kinzie's folks taught him Italian for about 6 years but he had forgotten most of it, it's starting to come back now though and its awesome! I LOVE IT HERE!!!!! This is the coolest place!!! its wonderful!
Thank you soooooooooooo... much for the letters you sent right after hearing about my toe!! Its going great now! The infection is gone and its in the healing stage. Yet another miracle and blessing from the Lord!! I got the letters right when I got back from the podiatrist, hooray for missionary mail!
Elder Kinzie's eye is totally fine now and its all good! The hard thing is the construction is EVERYWHERE! Its all good though its the Lord's work and I really think that part of it was for the BMX YM! He was alright! Hurt but not horribly!
Its so cool feeling the Spirit work in your life for your betterment! i.e. I have been trying to focus, really focus on feeling the Spirit in everything, its so cool. In our devotional on Sunday (SO AWESOME!!!) we were singing "A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief" and I started to bawl, the part where the Savior asks will you die for me, I thought ya know what, I would! But don't worry I doubt that's going to happen! But still it was awesome!
The Lord has really blessed me to learn this language! It's so cool! and such a beautiful language too! Its cool to see how the Lord blesses His children.
I have a cold lol I'm fine though and getting over it quickly! So don't worry! =o) Anziano Kinzie has been really helpful!
Other than that things are going awesome! I love the MTC!! This is the Lord's work!! It's really awesome!!!!! I love it!! This is where I am supposed to be!! It's true, I wake up and am so confident this is where I am supposed to be!!!!!! I love it!!!!!!!!! Love, Anziano Nielsen!! Ciao!
Note from MM: In this letter he also wrote out an entire door approach in Italian, it was really amazing! He also mentioned his brother's new calling, you'll have to check that out on Elder Ryler's mission blog! (see first link in side bar)
The toe update
I got your letters and man I love getting mail!! =o)
I wanted to write and let you know about my toe. It started to hurt really bad so I decided to have it checked and it turned out it was infected and the infection had begun to travel up my leg. They gave me a very long, painful shot in the butt (yep the butt) that was a super antibiotic to kill the infection so hopefully that works! Well it will, I'm in God's hands! So then they got me an appointment with the podiatrist and that went GREAT!!!! Holy cow, he was quick and painless! Well, the shots hurt really bad but better that than having the nail removal hurt! I sat in the chair probably 15 minutes and my toe is doing great! He gave me an antibiotic ointment to clear up the infection and told me to come back in a couple weeks, so please don't worry I'm fine! I'm in the Lord's hands!
I also have to follow up with the MTC doctor on the shot of fun (lol!) tomorrow to make sure its working, so things are great! Please don't worry!
Sorry (this letter is) short, I just wanted to quickly update you on the sitchamacation. lol Love, Anziano Nielsen
Note from MM: He sent us the above photo and told us the other missionaries were all very amused by this and were all taking photos too so I figured it would be okay to post it! lol
1st Email from the MTC! He's ok!
Luckily we didn't have to wait long because his "preparation day" (aka "P-Day") was on Tuesday and he was able to send us an email then - which was the very next day! We had to read between the lines though, that his toe must be okay, because the only mention of it was at the very end! lol (if this makes no sense to you, read the post just before this one)
Here are some excerpts from that first email...
Hey! I'm writing you on my first P-day in the MTC!!! Holy cow!! It's so cool here!! I love it!! The Spirit is so strong, everyday I feel His influence stronger and stronger and it becomes a part of my life more and more!! It's wonderful!!!!
Things have been going great so far!! So much I have been learning!! I can now pray, bear testimony, and door contact in Italian!! WOO HOO!! ha ha!! The Lord is really helping me out!!!!
The best part of the day is at 11:30 and at 4:30 because that’s when the mail comes!! So since I will only be able to do email every Tuesday KEEP WRITING!!!! I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!! I don't have much time for e-mail, it's only a half an hour, and half the time was taken up in the setting up of the account.
Ok so my companion! Anziano Kinzie he is so awesome!!!!!! I love him!!! We are working really hard on the Italian!! We officially started SYL (Speak your language) yesterday for weekdays (except for P-day) and weekends except for Sunday! And while there is a lot of silence we are learning the language really fast!!
Ok back to Anziano Kinzie! He is the man!! It's been a little rough adjusting to having someone around 24/7 but he is so cool it doesn't even matter!! He has been really helpful to me since he already knows the language pretty much! Both his parents served in the Catania mission and he lived for a semester in Milano!! Cool huh!!!!
SO guess what? On the second night we spent most of it in the ER!! Anziano Kinzie got something in his eye that cut his cornea! WOW! They are doing some construction right now here at the MTC and they were cutting a cinder block when we walked by, the wind kicked up and well we went to the ER! We both had fun and took a lot of pictures!! The cool thing is we realized later that there was more that one reason for our being there! While we were sitting waiting to be seen there was a young man probably about our age who had been in a BMX accident and we talked to him and made friends with and it was great!! I wish I had a pass-along card or an English Book of Mormon to give him! But all I had was Italiano!!
There is so much more to tell you but the computer is going to kick me off in a couple of minutes so the rest will be in letter form! I can't wait for next Tuesday where there is something in my inbox lol!! But please still send letters!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I haven’t had a problem getting up yet....yet lol! We get up at 5:45 to make sure we can get a shower, especially a hot shower! The problem is that although there are two bathrooms with plenty of showers all of the ones in the first bathroom are really, really, really cold, and all the ones is the other are really, really, really hot!! So it's hard trying to find a happy medium! lol! But it's all good!! I LOVE IT HERE!!!!!
My teachers are amazing!! Sorealla Birdsall and Fratello Garlik!!!! (Garlick..perfect for an Italian missionary lol!!) Sorella Birdsall teaches everything in Italian...NO ENGLISH! It's wonderful though!! It is really helping me pick up on it quickly!!!! They both rock!! We spend most of the day with them, other than food and sleep!!
So far being a DL has been awesome! We have a great district it's wonderful!! I love it!!
Also don't worry I make my bed and brush my teeth haha!!
Have a great week!!!
P.S. the toe story is in a letter on the way!!! :)
Here are some excerpts from that first email...
Hey! I'm writing you on my first P-day in the MTC!!! Holy cow!! It's so cool here!! I love it!! The Spirit is so strong, everyday I feel His influence stronger and stronger and it becomes a part of my life more and more!! It's wonderful!!!!
Things have been going great so far!! So much I have been learning!! I can now pray, bear testimony, and door contact in Italian!! WOO HOO!! ha ha!! The Lord is really helping me out!!!!
The best part of the day is at 11:30 and at 4:30 because that’s when the mail comes!! So since I will only be able to do email every Tuesday KEEP WRITING!!!! I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!! I don't have much time for e-mail, it's only a half an hour, and half the time was taken up in the setting up of the account.
Ok so my companion! Anziano Kinzie he is so awesome!!!!!! I love him!!! We are working really hard on the Italian!! We officially started SYL (Speak your language) yesterday for weekdays (except for P-day) and weekends except for Sunday! And while there is a lot of silence we are learning the language really fast!!
Ok back to Anziano Kinzie! He is the man!! It's been a little rough adjusting to having someone around 24/7 but he is so cool it doesn't even matter!! He has been really helpful to me since he already knows the language pretty much! Both his parents served in the Catania mission and he lived for a semester in Milano!! Cool huh!!!!
SO guess what? On the second night we spent most of it in the ER!! Anziano Kinzie got something in his eye that cut his cornea! WOW! They are doing some construction right now here at the MTC and they were cutting a cinder block when we walked by, the wind kicked up and well we went to the ER! We both had fun and took a lot of pictures!! The cool thing is we realized later that there was more that one reason for our being there! While we were sitting waiting to be seen there was a young man probably about our age who had been in a BMX accident and we talked to him and made friends with and it was great!! I wish I had a pass-along card or an English Book of Mormon to give him! But all I had was Italiano!!
There is so much more to tell you but the computer is going to kick me off in a couple of minutes so the rest will be in letter form! I can't wait for next Tuesday where there is something in my inbox lol!! But please still send letters!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I haven’t had a problem getting up yet....yet lol! We get up at 5:45 to make sure we can get a shower, especially a hot shower! The problem is that although there are two bathrooms with plenty of showers all of the ones in the first bathroom are really, really, really cold, and all the ones is the other are really, really, really hot!! So it's hard trying to find a happy medium! lol! But it's all good!! I LOVE IT HERE!!!!!
My teachers are amazing!! Sorealla Birdsall and Fratello Garlik!!!! (Garlick..perfect for an Italian missionary lol!!) Sorella Birdsall teaches everything in Italian...NO ENGLISH! It's wonderful though!! It is really helping me pick up on it quickly!!!! They both rock!! We spend most of the day with them, other than food and sleep!!
So far being a DL has been awesome! We have a great district it's wonderful!! I love it!!
Also don't worry I make my bed and brush my teeth haha!!
Have a great week!!!
P.S. the toe story is in a letter on the way!!! :)
Please note:
We have since found out Elder Kinzie's eye is completely OK!
I have mailed some English pass-along cards to him =o)
Vocabulary:
(yes they have an MTC lingo with new acronyms to learn! lol)
(yes they have an MTC lingo with new acronyms to learn! lol)
DL = District Leader
(he was called to serve in this position of helping the other 5 Elders in his district, see previous post)
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