That's so unbelievable that J-Dub and Jessi are getting married today! I wish you both the best of luck...I hope everything goes well. Tell the extended family I say hello! I hope your week has been awesome because mine was...
Tell Grammy and Grandpa Turley that they have no idea how amazing those caramel things are! My zone is loving them! And tell uncle tom i loved his letter and he should be expected one from me soon...and tell will jensen that i got his letter as well and that i'll be writing him asap! So this week has definitely been pretty crazy. Everything is in Spanish now...all of our classes...the lessons we teach...basically any time we are wearing our ties haha
And our branch president asked me and elder Dangerfield to serve as zone leaders until we leave for Panama...basically we're here to welcome "nuevos" and take care of zone activities, plan sacrament meetings, ya know. It's going to be sweet because we have such a cool zone! It's kind of like starting over at the MTC though...i felt like I had no idea what was going on for the first little while-no i still feel that way.
I have to tell you that I've never thought about our James as much as I've thought about him here. It's not that I've been missing him but I just can't stop thinking about him and the work he's doing. I'm starting to realize how hard he's working I think. I'm so grateful for the knowledge that we'll see him again. The fact that he passed away makes lesson 2 in Preach My Gospel much more meaningful to me. I haven't doubted for one day that we would see each other again. I know he's been with us a lot more than we realize. When I read D&C 138...it's probably one of the greatest sections of scipture in the standard works.
Oh speaking of which...yesterday I opened up the Book of Mormon for personal study, and then I stopped to write down a question. I wrote "what can I do to better fulfill this new assignment?" or something like that, and than I turned back to my scriptures and suddenly every scripture was talking about leadership-amazing! I think it was 2 Nephi 5:18 or somethin around there.
So last Saturday we went to the TRC again and we challenged our investigator to be baptized. Even though they are just volunteers (a lot of the people there have served missions) it's still kind of crazy extending someone an invitation to be baptized. Oh and he accepted no worries.
Dad...you got an iphone. I'm proud of you. You're gonna be all mac when I get home! Then you'll be able to keep up with mom. Thanks for that part of Elder Gonzalez's talk about the Book of Mormon it's way awesome!
Oh I forgot to tell you...there's an elder in our room (Elder Huckaby) whose mom was pregnant but she just had a miscarriage yesterday. He's having a way rough time with it but he's staying stong. I absolutely love him. And he didn't know his mom was pregnant until he got out here in the mission field...he was so excited about it...it's pretty rough.
Well fam i'm running out of time here. I love you all! Send my love to all of our family members! J-Dub, Jess, I'm way happy for you two! I hope everything is incredible today! I'll be in the temple today to! How sweet is that?! I love you all so much!
Hey lib- Take care of Marsh-man after j-dub moves out. Keep him in line! Love you!
Much love,
Elder Tanner
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
{Me AnD JaMeS}
hey fam!
This week has been great! Haven't heard from you yet but I hope your week was as good as mine. There was this teacher who came in to our class a few nights ago who went to Panama and he wanted to talk to us about it. It sounds like such an awesome place! J-Dub he said he knows you...he went to Brighton i think the same time you did. His name is Brother Oswald...related to Tressa Oswald. Anyway he talked a lot about the people and the culture there and I'm way excited. Apparently the people in Panama City are really diverse.
I hope planning for the wedding is going well, eh? A week from today right? That's nuts! I wish I could be there but I'm busy having an awesome time learning Spanish/the gospel. A bunch of the elders in our zone are leaving next week for Argentina/DR/i don't know where else but i'm pretty sad about it they're way cool.
I don't know if you heard but Elder Holland is coming to talk with us on Thanksgiving! I can't wait to listen to him talk he's always so intense. We've had some really great speakers so far in the devotionals.
So I heard from Evan and Nate and they are both having good missions. Evan's mission is pretty crazy...he said there's a lot of anti-mormon people where he's at and that missionaries are constantly going home because of anxiety. It sounds really tough but he's enjoying it a lot and says it's flying by.
My schedule is crazy i'm still not used to waking up early. Sunday we have breakfast at seven...study until nine...priesthood meeting from 9:10-10:00, study time until lunch at 11:30, sacrament from 12:30-1:30, District meeting from 1:40-2:30, Temple walk till dinner at 4:15, Study time and then a fireside at 7:00 and then we get to walk church movies haha. Mondays it's breakfast and then class from 730-1005, gym until 1105, lunch at 1130, class until 430, dinner until 515, and then class until nine.Tuesdays p day and then every other day is just about the same as monday with gym at different times.
I've been really enjoying Preach My Gospel, it is the best for planning lessons and teaching. Elder Dangerfield and I talked to a guy at the RC last night named Shane who had just moved to Utah. He was so awesome. He wanted to learn more about the Mormon church because he said he "missed jesus". We had a great chat with him.
Well family, I love you all! I've only got a few minutes left. Mom, Dad, J-Dub, Jessi, Marsh, Lib, Tucker, Abbey I love you guys...and James of course. But I feel like me and James are doing the same work right now. I think it's D&C 138 that talks about missionary work for the dead and as I was reading it I knew that's what James was up to. I'm really glad that i've got that knowledge of being able to see him again because everything else kind of just falls into place around it.
Much love,
Elder Tanner
This week has been great! Haven't heard from you yet but I hope your week was as good as mine. There was this teacher who came in to our class a few nights ago who went to Panama and he wanted to talk to us about it. It sounds like such an awesome place! J-Dub he said he knows you...he went to Brighton i think the same time you did. His name is Brother Oswald...related to Tressa Oswald. Anyway he talked a lot about the people and the culture there and I'm way excited. Apparently the people in Panama City are really diverse.
I hope planning for the wedding is going well, eh? A week from today right? That's nuts! I wish I could be there but I'm busy having an awesome time learning Spanish/the gospel. A bunch of the elders in our zone are leaving next week for Argentina/DR/i don't know where else but i'm pretty sad about it they're way cool.
I don't know if you heard but Elder Holland is coming to talk with us on Thanksgiving! I can't wait to listen to him talk he's always so intense. We've had some really great speakers so far in the devotionals.
So I heard from Evan and Nate and they are both having good missions. Evan's mission is pretty crazy...he said there's a lot of anti-mormon people where he's at and that missionaries are constantly going home because of anxiety. It sounds really tough but he's enjoying it a lot and says it's flying by.
My schedule is crazy i'm still not used to waking up early. Sunday we have breakfast at seven...study until nine...priesthood meeting from 9:10-10:00, study time until lunch at 11:30, sacrament from 12:30-1:30, District meeting from 1:40-2:30, Temple walk till dinner at 4:15, Study time and then a fireside at 7:00 and then we get to walk church movies haha. Mondays it's breakfast and then class from 730-1005, gym until 1105, lunch at 1130, class until 430, dinner until 515, and then class until nine.Tuesdays p day and then every other day is just about the same as monday with gym at different times.
I've been really enjoying Preach My Gospel, it is the best for planning lessons and teaching. Elder Dangerfield and I talked to a guy at the RC last night named Shane who had just moved to Utah. He was so awesome. He wanted to learn more about the Mormon church because he said he "missed jesus". We had a great chat with him.
Well family, I love you all! I've only got a few minutes left. Mom, Dad, J-Dub, Jessi, Marsh, Lib, Tucker, Abbey I love you guys...and James of course. But I feel like me and James are doing the same work right now. I think it's D&C 138 that talks about missionary work for the dead and as I was reading it I knew that's what James was up to. I'm really glad that i've got that knowledge of being able to see him again because everything else kind of just falls into place around it.
Much love,
Elder Tanner
Sunday, November 15, 2009
{It'S CraZy HeRe!}
Hey Family!
Sorry I don't have a lot of time to write letters... it's crazy here! Marshman I hope your back is feelin' better for basketball tryouts. You're so lucky to be teaching the Austins, they're the coolest! And sister Grant is way nice too.
I sometimes forget which questions I have and have not answered so I apologize. I wrote you an e-mail today but I got your letter afterward.
Elder Dangerfield has four brothers and one little sister. His two older brothers both went on Spanish speaking missions. And he played soccer for the majority of his life... even into college at Utah State the past year. He's a way awesome companion-- we're working really hard on being unified in teaching.
I wanted to tell you of another sweet experience I had today in the RC. A man named Gregory called me from Texas to confirm a delivery of the Bible to his house. I started talking to him about religion... he had been baptized into the Church of Christ when he was 10 and just need[ed] a new bible because his old one was so worn out. I then asked him if I could send missionaries to his house and he agreed. Then I got to bear my testimony about how God loves him and knows everything going on in his life. He got pretty choked up and I told him to enjoy his meeting with the representatives of our church. Awesome experience! There's a lot of anti-mormons and atheists and such that you talk to in the RC but then there are also a lot of people who are interested. So tell me what Libby talked on in Primary! I'm sure she definitely was not weaksauce. Tell Tucker I love him!
Love,
Elder Tanner
P.S. I'll send a card with some photos with this letter, but I haven't backed them up so I hope they get to you. There are some pictures under my bed that I forgot. I would love it if you would send them back with the card. Thanks!
This drawing was at the bottom of his letter:
And here is the reply from J.W. & Marshall: (With a bit of photoshop work by J.W.)
Elder Tan Man,
We received your letter with accompanying drawing. I know you are drawing Marshall's muscles from memory, but in the time you've been gone, he's actually been working out quite a bit. He's on a diet where he eats nothing but BodyFortress protein powder (dry!) and drinks straight motor oil. It has added considerably to his physique. Love,
The Fam
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
{I'Ve AlReaDy GaiNed SeVen PouNDS}
Hey family!
Thanks so much for all the letters and the package! I've been loving the food and so has my district. This week has been way awesome...last night we went to the RC...Referral Center or something like that (Everything has an acronym here it's annoying). And my companion and I got to chat with this girl named Tiffany...she told us that her mother had passed away from cancer recently and she wanted to know whether or not she would see her again. It was hard to see someone who really didn't know what life was going to be like after this but it made me way excited to share the gospel with her. So we were able to share with her about the Atonement and what life is like after this. She felt like her mother had drank herself to death and was going to hell for basically committing suicide. We didn't have long to talk to her but we got her email and we're going to send an email to her today and hopefully set up another time to chat! I can't wait!
The temple was amazing last Tuesday with all the missionaries...this whole week has been sweet! I'm starting to get used to the schedule now...although six thirty is still way to early to be awake. The food here is so good...don't even worry i've already gained seven pounds (solid muscle of course because we work out every day for fifty minutes and then at night again). Sorry I haven't written you more than just the one letter and the email last week...it's been way busy. You did get the email though right? I hope i entered the address correctly :)
Dad...with regards to your questions:
1. Yeah we get mail every day...our district leader picks it up. (and ps it's definitely cool if you call me elder tanman haha it would be weird if you didn't)
2. I did get the letters you sent so thank you so much they've been really helpful
3. I got the package and it basically saved my life!
4. I could probably send back Jesus the Christ if you want to send me that other copy...
5. I was thinking Alma 29:9 for the missionary plaque scripture
6. I did get the ATM card so all I need is the pin. Oh and i got the yellow fever vaccination form so gracias!
Seriously thank you everyone for all the letters...they've been so great keep the mail comin'!
I love you all and I hope you have an awesome week!
Much love,
Elder Tanner
Thanks so much for all the letters and the package! I've been loving the food and so has my district. This week has been way awesome...last night we went to the RC...Referral Center or something like that (Everything has an acronym here it's annoying). And my companion and I got to chat with this girl named Tiffany...she told us that her mother had passed away from cancer recently and she wanted to know whether or not she would see her again. It was hard to see someone who really didn't know what life was going to be like after this but it made me way excited to share the gospel with her. So we were able to share with her about the Atonement and what life is like after this. She felt like her mother had drank herself to death and was going to hell for basically committing suicide. We didn't have long to talk to her but we got her email and we're going to send an email to her today and hopefully set up another time to chat! I can't wait!
The temple was amazing last Tuesday with all the missionaries...this whole week has been sweet! I'm starting to get used to the schedule now...although six thirty is still way to early to be awake. The food here is so good...don't even worry i've already gained seven pounds (solid muscle of course because we work out every day for fifty minutes and then at night again). Sorry I haven't written you more than just the one letter and the email last week...it's been way busy. You did get the email though right? I hope i entered the address correctly :)
Dad...with regards to your questions:
1. Yeah we get mail every day...our district leader picks it up. (and ps it's definitely cool if you call me elder tanman haha it would be weird if you didn't)
2. I did get the letters you sent so thank you so much they've been really helpful
3. I got the package and it basically saved my life!
4. I could probably send back Jesus the Christ if you want to send me that other copy...
5. I was thinking Alma 29:9 for the missionary plaque scripture
6. I did get the ATM card so all I need is the pin. Oh and i got the yellow fever vaccination form so gracias!
Seriously thank you everyone for all the letters...they've been so great keep the mail comin'!
I love you all and I hope you have an awesome week!
Much love,
Elder Tanner
Alex, Bruno, & Tanner in the MTC (From Germaine)
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
{A MiSSioN iS HarD WorK}
Hola familia!
How is everything going?! These first few days at the mtc have been so amazing! The only thing i have to complain about is getting up early...and that's not all that bad. We've been so busy I can't even believe it! All those people that told me going on a mission was hard work should have told me that going on a mission is hard work. We have breakfast at 7:30 every day lots of class...an hour of personal study, comp. study, and then language study. Spanish is coming along...not really but it will. Our lunch is at 11:30 and then more class until dinner at 4:30. And then some more class. We get 50 minutes of gym time every day it's amazing! I'm going to be so good at sand volleyball by the end of these two months. Actually the field is closed soon but it's all good.
Thank you so much for all the letters they really boosted my week haha. Mail is a big thing here apparently so thanks! I loved all of the advice you all gave me and scriptures and such. Please keep writing frequently!
My companero is Elder Dangerfield...i know, sweet name, huh? He lives up to it too he's such an awesome Elder. Last night i went to the ER with him because the MTC doc thought he could have had appendicitis...or however you spell it. But he's good, just a viral infection or something in his stomach. And all the other elders of our district are the coolest guys ever...we were talking a few days ago when our district leader, elder Black, said he felt like we were all familiar to him...everyone said they had been feeling the same way. I know God knows what he's doing when he puts companionships and districts together.
You won't believe who I saw in the lunch room yesterday...Elder Lima! Yeah, Bruno Lima from elementary school, he's going to Cambodia. And Alex Billany just happened to be there at the same time so we got a picture of the three of us...so awesome. I never thought I would be with the two of them, and what are the chances we'd meet in the MTC?! I see Alex a lot and a lot of other elders from high school. I'm actually really surprised...
So far Sunday was the best day yet in the mtc. We got to go up to the Provo temple and just walk around... no obligations to be anywhere or do anything...it was really strange. Probably the most relaxing hour of my life. I heard someone define the MTC as "the hardest fun" they had ever had...so true. I absolutely love it here. The spirit is so strong in all of the elders in my district and i already feel so close to all of them. Our zone leaders just took off today to Argentina and Chicago. I was really bummed about that because they were so amazing. Another one of the elders that left today lives just down the street from us...elder Glade Snyder. He's so great...last night he came into our room and talked to us for a while. He got us really excited to do missionary work here.
H.S.I. Hablar su idioma...we have to speak our language as much as possible throughout the day here...it's sweet but with such a limited knowledge of spanish i can pretty much say "Open your mouth please", pray, and bear mi testimonio. I'm really feeling sorry for Matt that he has to learn Japanese hahaha
Oh and i kind of forgot a few things...
1. T-shirts (the u of u shirt, harvard shirt, and for sure the pray for panama shirt)
2. socks, just white ankle socks
3. possibly my yellow fever card and passport if you already didn;t send them to SLC
4. addresses... if you can find the addresses of any of my friends somehow that would be sweet. or have them send it to me on dearelder...my mailbox number is 321
Well family, i love you all. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else in the world right now. There's nothing more satisfying than this work. Studying the gospel every day is so uplifting. That wonderful feeling of the spirit is pretty much 24/7 here...and my teachers, Hermano Anderson and Hermano Crapo, are the best. They know so much about the Gospel and how to teach it. Tell Libby I've been showing every single person her picture and how incredible she is. sorry i'm out of time...I love you all! Have an incredible week!
Elder Tanner
How is everything going?! These first few days at the mtc have been so amazing! The only thing i have to complain about is getting up early...and that's not all that bad. We've been so busy I can't even believe it! All those people that told me going on a mission was hard work should have told me that going on a mission is hard work. We have breakfast at 7:30 every day lots of class...an hour of personal study, comp. study, and then language study. Spanish is coming along...not really but it will. Our lunch is at 11:30 and then more class until dinner at 4:30. And then some more class. We get 50 minutes of gym time every day it's amazing! I'm going to be so good at sand volleyball by the end of these two months. Actually the field is closed soon but it's all good.
Thank you so much for all the letters they really boosted my week haha. Mail is a big thing here apparently so thanks! I loved all of the advice you all gave me and scriptures and such. Please keep writing frequently!
My companero is Elder Dangerfield...i know, sweet name, huh? He lives up to it too he's such an awesome Elder. Last night i went to the ER with him because the MTC doc thought he could have had appendicitis...or however you spell it. But he's good, just a viral infection or something in his stomach. And all the other elders of our district are the coolest guys ever...we were talking a few days ago when our district leader, elder Black, said he felt like we were all familiar to him...everyone said they had been feeling the same way. I know God knows what he's doing when he puts companionships and districts together.
You won't believe who I saw in the lunch room yesterday...Elder Lima! Yeah, Bruno Lima from elementary school, he's going to Cambodia. And Alex Billany just happened to be there at the same time so we got a picture of the three of us...so awesome. I never thought I would be with the two of them, and what are the chances we'd meet in the MTC?! I see Alex a lot and a lot of other elders from high school. I'm actually really surprised...
So far Sunday was the best day yet in the mtc. We got to go up to the Provo temple and just walk around... no obligations to be anywhere or do anything...it was really strange. Probably the most relaxing hour of my life. I heard someone define the MTC as "the hardest fun" they had ever had...so true. I absolutely love it here. The spirit is so strong in all of the elders in my district and i already feel so close to all of them. Our zone leaders just took off today to Argentina and Chicago. I was really bummed about that because they were so amazing. Another one of the elders that left today lives just down the street from us...elder Glade Snyder. He's so great...last night he came into our room and talked to us for a while. He got us really excited to do missionary work here.
H.S.I. Hablar su idioma...we have to speak our language as much as possible throughout the day here...it's sweet but with such a limited knowledge of spanish i can pretty much say "Open your mouth please", pray, and bear mi testimonio. I'm really feeling sorry for Matt that he has to learn Japanese hahaha
Oh and i kind of forgot a few things...
1. T-shirts (the u of u shirt, harvard shirt, and for sure the pray for panama shirt)
2. socks, just white ankle socks
3. possibly my yellow fever card and passport if you already didn;t send them to SLC
4. addresses... if you can find the addresses of any of my friends somehow that would be sweet. or have them send it to me on dearelder...my mailbox number is 321
Well family, i love you all. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else in the world right now. There's nothing more satisfying than this work. Studying the gospel every day is so uplifting. That wonderful feeling of the spirit is pretty much 24/7 here...and my teachers, Hermano Anderson and Hermano Crapo, are the best. They know so much about the Gospel and how to teach it. Tell Libby I've been showing every single person her picture and how incredible she is. sorry i'm out of time...I love you all! Have an incredible week!
Elder Tanner
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
