Leaving the MTC

Tyler called home at 9:34 a.m. the morning he left for Chihuahua, Mexico as I was just finishing my Visiting Teaching!!!  I just basically ran out of her house!!!  Then, when receiving his call, I hung up on Tyler 2 times!!!  I was so excited and I was trying to conference Chad onto the call!!!  Then I kept putting each of them on hold, first Tyler then Chad, then Tyler again!!!  Luckily, I finally figured it out!!!

Well, he sounded very happy.  He told us that they never went to sleep that night.  They had to leave the MTC at 2:30 a.m. so they figured they rather not sleep.

Out of the 10 Elders in his District, only 5 went with him to Chihuahua.  He was very sad and was going to miss those Elders a lot.  He said that they really got along great and had become close during their stay at the MTC.  He told us about a tradition they have at the MTC passing down items.  For example, someone had to wear an old t-shirt all day long that had not been washed.  Tyler had to carry around an old ball.  Someone else had to smell and take care of an old fruitcake, etc. (Tyler really lucked out).

Tyler really enjoyed the teachers and will miss learning from them but he said he feels ready.  He felt that he could understand Spanish pretty well, but was still struggling with speaking it.  Chad told him to just wait until he gets to Mexico, and he might not understand anything at all.  He did remind us of his setting apart as a missionary that he was promised the gift of tongues.  He was told that he would hear a word only 1 time and that he will be able to retain that new word.  He told us how he felt that it was really working during class and that he always  knew what a word meant when asked.

He also mentioned how his testimony has grown at the MTC and how they studied the gospel A LOT!!!

Tyler was telling us that he was hoping to get a Mexican native companion to be forced to speak Spanish the whole time.  Part of him says it would be easier to have an American comp, but learning the language would be more important in the long run.  He told us a little bit about some people that he saw at the MTC and said he met a lot of people from his old Bingham High school.  He said that it was fun seeing them all there getting ready to go serve on missions.

They made Tyler the travel leader and he told us he had no idea what that meant.  

We spoke for quite a while and my impression was that he sounded way excited and ready to go!!  He said he was starting to feel very tired. Haha, I wonder why?

It was great to hear him all excited about his Mission…so now for the wait!!!

Week 5 (MTC)

TYLER:   I'm on for a bit if you want to email.

TYLER:   I got my travel plans, we leave the MTC for Chihuahua at 2:35 in the morning. Today Elder Gumm and I packed up. I don't have to worry that much about exceeding the weight limit, I think I'm well below. I got the package with all of the ties and food, thank you. I really liked the ties that were sent. I also got a package from the Wendt's. They sent me a cool tie, a letter, and a lot of candy. This morning I stuck a letter in the mail for Emily but I have no idea when it will get there. Today I saw Matt Hansen and I talked to him for a bit, it was cool to see him.

MOM:   Hi Tyler, so what day are you leaving?

TYLER: We leave Monday morning.

MOM:   Where are you flying too? How long is the layover? That is probably the time you could call. Your dad send you a letter with a calling card in it.

TYLER:   We are flying to Dallas Texas, we are supposed to get there at about nine and there is supposed to be a three hour layover.

MOM:  You actually liked the tie? I thought you would exchange them.

TYLER:   I did like them they were all pretty cool.

MOM:  Is that the new tie I sent?

MOM:  Are you all set for Monday? Is there anything you would like us to send to you before then?

TYLER:   I don't think I need anything, I think I have everything that I need.

MOM:   Have you gotten dads letter?

TYLER:   I haven't gotten dad's letter either.

MOM:  So how are you doing? Are you ready to go? Probably tired of the MTC? Or are you sad that you won't be seeing some of the elders anymore? I think you said half of your district is going to Puebla?

TYLER:   I'm doing great. I am definitely ready to go.  My Spanish isn't the best but I feel like the only way for me to progress at this point is to just be surrounded by people who speak it.  Ya it will be sad not seeing some of them anymore, but I'm excited to get out of the MTC.

MOM:   Have you gotten any letters from him before?

TYLER:  And yes I have gotten his letters in the past.

TYLER:   I don't have a lot of time to talk, we did endowments at the temple today and that one takes longer. We are going out to eat right now, but if you have any more questions just ask. I will try and get on later and answer them.  I will also try to take a picture of my travel itinerary for you.

Week 4 (MTC)

TYLER:   I'm online for the next little while if you want to email.‏

MOM:   Just write us a nice letter!!! And please send us some pictures.

TYLER:   I am trying right now to send pictures, the computer sucks though and its taking forever to read my SD card.

MOM:   Keep trying!!!

               Has your district been split yet? Are you guys all going at the same time?

               I heard Chandler Call got to the MTC, he is going to Mexico, but not sure where, so is Matt Hanson. Have you been an escort yet?

TYLER:   Our district didn't split and it won't.  We only lost one elder yesterday who was sent home because he wanted to fix some things, none of us know details.   We are all leaving around the same time, we think.   We get our travel plans tomorrow.

TYLER:   I think I saw Chandler Call the other day, I wasn't sure if it was him he looks different, I will try and say something next time.

MOM:   Did you like the jacket?

TYLER:   Um I don't know. I haven't tried it on yet. I will probably send it back. The tie was cool but I already have a blue one like it one kid wants to trade ties so I will trade with him.

               Can you send me a few more ties?  It's nice to have a few to trade with people.

MOM:   I was hoping you could trade your ties. What color would you like? Also send a little email to Emily.

MOM:   What kind of ties would you like?

               Did you get that  letter from me, telling me you can return things ?

TYLER:   Ya, I did get that letter you sent. I got an email of it and an actual paper in the mail. Any kind of tie will do, just not too skinny, if I don't like the tie I can always trade it.

TYLER:   Any tie works. I have a blue(solid), grey(solid), red, black, green, and orange

MOM:   Do you just want solid colors?

TYLER:   Any would work, e.g. checkered, striped, ones that look like bandanas, or polka dotted ones.

MOM:   Have you heard from Viviana yet?

MOM:   Can I send you a calling card? That way you could call me at the airport on your layovers?

Also are you ok if we make a blog for you and post your letters, for other people to read?

TYLER:   Ya I have heard of a lot of people doing the calling card things, so that should be fine. I guess it would be fine if you make a blog, but they have a bunch of rules in our handbook about blogs and what you can and can't post, but i think it just has to do with taking out names and stuff like that.

MOM:   You still need to write us a letter, dad wasn’t too happy that we got chopped up info last time!!! How are the devotionals? Any good talks?

TYLER:   The devotionals are decent, they are a hit and miss. Some speakers are great and funny and others are boring and hard to stay awake for. What do you mean I need to write a letter and that the last one was chopped up info?

MOM:   Last week he only read our emails, and said he would have liked a letter with the info.

TYLER:   Ok, I will try to write a letter throughout the week I guess. What would you guys like me to include?

MOM:   Everything!!! Don’t wait. Just write a little summary on how your week went, and if there was anything special that happened with your testimony, or with your language. That way I can put that on your blog. it doesn’t need to be very long. Has it been hard to be with someone all the time, or are you getting used to it?

TYLER:   It's hard to summarize because so much happens between the times that we have to email. We do something every hour of the day from 6:30 until 10:30.

MOM:   Just try, anything would be great!!! Whatever you remember the most.

TYLER:   Ok, I will do what I can.

TYLER:   It hasn't been hard to be with someone all of the time, I'm used to it I guess. And it makes it easy that I'm friends with my companion and those in my district. We do everything as a district so it's good that we all get along.

MOM:   Do you feel ready to go to Mexico?

I think I will give you Abulelito and Abuelita's email. Maybe you can start working on them with sharing your testimony in Spanish!!!

TYLER:   I don't think I'm even close to ready Spanish wise, just because they talk so fast and the words slur together. But everyone in my district wants to get over to Mexico, and I feel the same way, I think the only way for me to progress beyond this point is to be totally immersed.

TYLER:   I don't think I would have the time to email them, Spanish takes me a little bit to think about, and it's hard enough to write down stuff in English.

MOM:   Are you getting any letter or packets from other people?

TYLER:   I have gotten a package or two from grandpa and grandma, with cookies, licorice and little notes from all the little cousins.

TYLER:   All of the computers are taken up right now so I can't switch to one that will accept my SD card, so you will have to wait like ten minutes until other elders leave.

MOM:   Good that will give you the time to write about your week. Also write a little thing to Emily.

MOM:   Ok, so beside ties what else can we send you?

MOM:   Are there any pictures we could send you?

TYLER:   One minute let me log back onto a different computer.

TYLER:   Ok, I'm back.

MOM:   How is the laundry coming?

TYLER:   Laundry is easy. If you want to send me a little family picture from the last photo shoot thing that would be nice.

MOM:   You have the pictures we sent you last time, right?

            We haven't gotten the new ones yet.

TYLER:   That is Elder Rose in the background, he is from Utah, he played tennis.

       

TYLER:   That was of the temple earlier today.

MOM:   Love it, send more!!!

TYLER:   Are you getting the pictures?

MOM:   Yes!!! Keep them coming!!!

MOM:   Wow is that a selfie? I am impressed!!!

TYLER:   No, it's not a selfie, it was taken by Elder St. Pierre. He was being funny and got really close to me while taking the picture.

TYLER:   I need to start a new thread of emails real quick because it says it has run out of space.

TYLER:   This was the first one he took, he then just got closer and closer.

MOM:   What is the color tie you would like the most?

TYLER:   I don't care, anything works, even if I end up not liking it I can trade it.

TYLER:   One of the guys in my district gave me his indoor soccer shoes because they were too small for him.  His name is Elder Gomez, he gave me neon-yellow Nike Mercurials.

TYLER:   Today we played soccer and everyone thought I was amazing.  It was funny to watch because the grass was wet and everyone was slipping and sliding everywhere.

MOM:   You look happy!!!! Do you need more long sleeved shirts? What has been a hit or miss on your packages, so I can send you things you would like

TYLER:   Sorry I didn't see this message. I don't think I need more long sleeve shirts. We only wear them to the temples, it's too hot to wear them any time other than that.

MOM:   Do you only do Endowments or do you get to do baptism as well?

TYLER:   We aren't allowed to do baptisms, only endowments and initiatories. Today we did initiatories, we usually switch off.

TYLER:   Did you ask if Viviana has sent me anything?  I thought I saw that message somewhere but I can't find it, the Google mail is being weird.

TYLER:   If you did ask that the answer is no, I haven't received anything.

MOM:   Viviana asked for your address.

TYLER:   Ok, I haven't received anything yet but I will look out for something.

MOM:   Thanks for the pictures. You look happy. Let me know if there is anything you need before leaving for Mexico. I hope you continue having a wonderful time. Remember the times go way to fast. You are almost done with the MTC!!! Enjoy all the learning and the spiritual feast!!! Also enjoy your time at the temple, you won't be able to go for 2 years after the MTC. We keep you in our prayers all the time and are very proud of you and the person you have become!!!!   

MOM:   Hey, John Taller is going on a Mission, he is going to Buenos Aires Argentina!!

MOM:   Ok, love you take care!!!              

___________________

Emily Email:

EMILY:  Hi , this is Emily.

TYLER:   Hi Emily, thanks for sending all of the treats and for your letters. This week I'm going to try and send you a letter in the mail. How is school? Do you like your new teacher?

TYLER:   How do you like school?

EMILY:  She is really nice, but my chines teacher talks fast.

TYLER:   That is kind of how it is for me here at the MTC, except it's not the teachers that talk fast, it's the people we teach. We have to go and teach people in Spanish, and they talk really fast.

EMILY:  that is cool you get to talk in spanish!!

TYLER:   How is soccer?

EMILY:  it is good, it has been fun,

TYLER:   Sorry my internet froze on my last computer and I have run out of time we have to go to dinner. I am going to try and send you a letter in the mail. Tell everyone hi for me. See ya later.