The MTC continues

P-day e-mail                                                                                                              

Brayden Jackman                                                                                                                                                Jul 19 2014 (Saturday)

Hello all,

First point, my companion's name is Elder Harrison.  Second point, I now have two companions.  Last Sunday they announced that Elder Harrison and I would be in a trio starting Monday.  Our new companion's name is Elder Rameson (a as is apple). He is from Pleasant Grove. He was sent home from the MTC 8 months ago on medical leave with two herniated discs.  He is back now and will be serving in Mexico.  He was a professional Triathalon runner before his mission.  

We figured it out, and I am the youngest person in our district by one day.  Both my companions are 21. Go figure.

Elder Harrison is from Sacramento, California.

I don't have any specific requests at the moment.  the packages were great. It is so fun to get mail from home.

Saturday is our P day.  We get up at about 5:10 on P days, put a load of Laundry in at the Laundromat, then return and switch the clothes to the dryer before our weekly service project at 6:15. The service projects are cleaning the apartments that are used as classrooms.  We then get the laundry and change for the temple trip. The temple was open again this week and we did an Endowment session.  We also ate at the main campus cafeteria today.  The food is  better there, but they have much tighter restrictions.  I ran into several people I know while we were there, including Scott Johnson and Taylor Jones.  We have class again at 5:15 in the evening.

Sundays we do have devotionals.  My companions and I joined the MTC choir.  We practice ever Sunday and Tuesday evening, then sing in the Tuesday evening devotional. This also means that we don't participate in the weekly service that takes place on Tuesday evenings as in unfortunately conflicts with choir practice. Oh well. Sundays are very relaxing as we do not have class and most of the lessons are given in English. However, the Branch Presidency has a calender of predetermined topics for each Sacrament meeting.  Randomly, after the Sacrament, they select two missionaries from our zone to speak.  This pretty much means we have to have a 3-5 minute talk (in Spanish) prepared to give at literally a moments notice.  

Our investigator "Javier" progressed well.  We taught our fourth and final lesson with him on Wednesday, and the next morning he was teaching one of our blocks of class and going by the name of Brother Staute from Iowa.  My teachers are Brother Staute and Brother Reams.  We now have two of the three blocks of study as class, and one as personal/companion/language study.  

By the way, I have memorized the missionary purpose, the first vision, and the baptismal invitation in Spanish.  I enjoy learning a new language.  It is rather interesting.  

Apparently next week they are going to start a game to try to get people to speak more Spanish when they aren't in class (for practice).  Starting Monday, we draw pieces of paper from a hat, one of which says "native speaker" on it.  The person who gets this paper has to speak in only Spanish for the rest of the day.  At the end of the day we vote on who we think the native speaker was.  If the majority of people vote that they thought it was you, you get something from the vending machine.  The object of the game is to make people think that you are the native speaker even if you don't get the paper.

Dad:

Congratulations on the promotion.  After all of your hard work, you certainly deserve it.  It was great to read your letter and to hear your thoughts.  I miss being able to talk to you.  I am thinking that the two of us may have to go down to the Townhouse for a week after I get back.

Mom:

Thank you for all the time you take to write me letters, send me packages, and support me the way you do.  I want you to know that I am doing very well here.  My testimony is growing and I feel the strength of the spirit supporting me.  I love you.

Camden: 

You lucky son of a gun.  You break my car and all of a sudden the radio works.  Make sure you keep that list of movies for me to see when I get back. By the way, one of the Elders here in my district is a big LoL fan.  He is a mid-low level diamond player.  What a small world.  Just know that I think about you all the time.  You were always my best friend and I don't know what I would do with out you.  You have many wonderful characteristics that I envy.  Stay strong, and prepare yourself to join me in the service of the Lord.  I promise you it is worth it.

Brooklyn:

Thank you so much for your sweet e-mail.  I am glad I am finally rubbing off on you. Unfortunately, Spanish is messing with my English. You may have to correct me when I get home so I can learn to speak properly again.  I am glad to know that my service and testimony have helped you.  You have a powerful spirit and I love you dearly.  Keep going in music, it will serve you well.  Here at the MTC, you can audition for special musical numbers to play at devotionals.  Too bad they don't have any basses for me to play. Sigh...

Ashlyn:

I received your letter and, while it is a little bit inappropriate to ask a missionary on a date, I accept.  Try not to date too much before I get back.  I love you and I miss the excitement you find in life. 

Madilyn:

Thank you for including me in your prayers.  I miss your sweet smile, hugs, and witty retorts.  Thank you for the beautiful pictures.  I have them with the letters on my desk.  I love you Madi.

Starting this week, we will be teaching two investigators (the roles of which will be filled by our two teachers under different names in entirely Spanish).  We will also begin going to the Teaching Resource Center to skype with Spanish speaking members in order to practice teaching our lessons.  

I love you all.

Sincerely,

Elder Jackman