MTC Week 4

This week has gone by so fast! Today is the last day of the first month in the MTC. The older elders are leaving so soon! Some in only a few days, then we'll be responsible as the older district when 58 new elders come in soon.

On Monday we had a Speak Your Language Chinese-only day. It was rather hard, but it was really helpful. It's amazing how words sometimes can just flow. Of course, only a few words flow, since our vocabulary is very limited.

Saturday morning we teach the 3rd lesson in Chinese. We just keep pushing, keep learning how to teach those lessons.

Elder Gibbons and I taught in English at the TEC twice this week extremely powerfully. They were very positive experiences, we've been having progress bringing our teaching styles together and having unity as we teach. We've been doing this by asking lots of questions, and having a rule that when you ask a question, the other companion has the turn to teach. That way we keep focused, don't wander with what we talk about, and don't get annoyed when somebody decides to *cough* talk for like 10 minutes straight. We still a lot of times need work, but progress is the key, and it's happening.

I really like my district. You couldn't find a more different bunch of guys, but we have a lot of unity. It's always good to be with them. Our district leader, Elder Otte, and his companion, Elder Edwards, are going to be the new Assistants to the President, so we'll be getting a new district leader this week. I'm betting on Elder Fraser. I think most people would agree.

I got the news that you're moving to Washington on Saturday morning. Have you started cleaning and packing? That's not much time you have until Dad starts work, good luck. I hope you realize that though you think it may not be the best place to be in life, Becky, Lisa, and Michelle, but you'll come to realize you've got some opportunities that you couldn't have had otherwise. And it'll make you stronger because everybody has to move eventually, whether college, mission, marriage, whatever... and next time you won't be so scared. You'll make new friends, and someday soon, you won't be able (or want to) imagine what life would have been like had you not left. So, try not to worry too much. I know it's hard to leave your friends (and I would know, wouldn't I), but you'll be okay and you'll be happy.

In the RC, I had an inbound call from a lady calling for the free "Finding Faith in Christ" video. She was "looking forward to reading it" because she loves to read. When I made her understand that it was a video, not a book, she was disappointed and asked if we had any books I could send her.

Can you guess what I sent her? Yes, a Book of Mormon, mission successful!

Another elder in the district, Elder Willardson, ALSO got a letter this week informing him that his family is moving to Springville from California. It seems a higher law regulates the population in Utah.

Have a great week. Write back!

Love,
Elder Myers

MTC Week 3

The MTC has been going fairly well. Still learning a lot.

This week the MTC was reorganized in a lot of ways, and as part of that, we moved buildings. That seemed kind of dumb, but I'm sure it will make the future easier. All the Mandarin missionaries are together - and there's a lot more than there used to be. Our job is to make sure that the church is alive and well among the Chinese before China is open. The people we teach, if they move back to China, can teach their families. It's very exciting to be part of the preparation period, because China will be a HUGE project. If all 100 elders learning Chinese went to China, each would have 13 MILLION people to teach. That's one companionship to more people than in California. If we had double the elders we do now in the world, and sent the new 50,000 to China, there'd still be tens of thousands of people per elder. It's a huge thing, but it will come someday, and we know that it couldn't without our efforst... that's encouraging.

I've had both bad and good experiences in the RC this week. None quite so unique as the pastor experience, but I did invite a very openhearted young lady to talk to the missionaries and attend church this Sunday. She accepted and I was thrilled because she really does seem interested. The bad experience I refer to is a very anti-mormon lady who really went after me, but she didn't have much of substance to say and she was very meanhearted, so I eventually realized I couldn't let it get to me.

Keep keeping me up to date on what's going on, you all have been keeping me very informed. Thanks.

Things are still going smooth. We went to the temple today. It was a good experience. The menu has rotated (it's a 3 week menu) so now we get repeated menus. But that's ok... as I've said, I like the food.

What else is going on at home?
Love you all,
Elder Myers

MTC Week 2

I hope you're all doing well. I'm sure you've heard by now from Bethany that I am fine.

My problem was that behind my back bottom right tooth it was painful and swollen. I thought it might have had to do with a bone fagment from the wisdom tooth operation, which they said might have happened. However, he said it was a viral or bacterial infection probably related to the strep I had had. HE wrote me a perscription for an oral dental paste and it helped a lot: It doesn't hurt anymore. Anyway, it made for an adventurous Friday.

Last Thursday, we ate lunch with two Elders in our branch. One said he was from Midland, Michigain. I said mom was from there... any way, we got talking, and it turns out we visited his ward, and I was in his Sunday school class. His name is Elder Pierce. The funny thing is, that he had always looked familiar.

Also fairly humerous is an incident from that lunch time. An elder asked if anybody had any Mayo, and everybody said, "Mei-You" (pronounced as "Mayo") which means, no we don't have it. Frustratedly, the elder asked, "Does and Non-Chinese elder have and Mayo!?!"

I really like P-days and Sundays.

I have been playing 4 square at every single Gym period. It is amazingly fun and it really helps the days go by easier. I'm getting better at it, but some elders are VERY good.

Thank you so much for the Christmas package! Wow, I was amazed at how accomodating, and, dare-I-say, almost spoiling you you guys are. Everything on my wish list? you guys are gonna be careful or I'll expect to get every single thing I want. :) the speakers are wonderful, the CD paled is just like the one I'm used to! The ink saved my life; now I can write with my favorite pen again. The statue is amazing; everyone thought is looks just like Elder Gibbons. Becky, you are a great artist, keep it up.

It was also great to get letters from you! I love getting letters, which is why I've written.. 5 already today.

Oh, and the fruit by the feet are delicious, thanks!

Mom, how did you know Elder Gibbons is from Bainbridge Island?

I'm glad I don't have to listen to Michelle's EFY CDs this year, but Elder Gibbons has some, so I'll have to fight him off!

I got the cookies from Lisa too, they were pretty good! Thanks for having them delivered mom.

Chinese is going well. I have 300 flashcards now, and trying to get as much as I can learned. We taught in Chinese for the first time yesterday morning. It's very hard, but it's doable! We just have to trust that the Holy Spirit will more than make up for our ineloquence. We teach again on Saturday in the TRC with BYU chinese speaking students roleplaying. Never again do we practice in English.. kind of frightening, but I know we can do it.

I had a really amazing experience yesterday. Our district went to the Referral Center, hoping we could get the missionaries over to 20 people in an hour and a half. We only got 9, but we had some great experiences.

One of my calls was a follow up to a lady named Svetlana who had ordered a video. I was calling to offer another free video about strengthening famlies through the Gospel or something. She wasn't home, though, her husband answered in a heavily accented Russian Accent. When I explained why I had called, he amusedly replied, "I am a pastor!"

I thought I was in for some trouble then, but I was wrong. I asked him about his faith and church, and he is a Christian Jew, teaching the Jewish people that Jesus Christ is the Messiah. His congregation is 90% Jewish. We both felt we had a lot in common because we were both trying to spread the knowledge of Jesus Christ, and we had a respectful great conversation. and I don't mean respectful as in we were both well mannered and proper and innoffensive; there really was a respect for one another. As he talked, he said, "I know the Bible is true and the word of God because I prayed and the Holy Spirit testified."

Oh boy did I ever pull Moroni 10: 4-5 right then. I was able to bear my testimony and teach him more about our faith. Although after 20 minutes of talking he had to go and said he was too busy to talk to missionaries, I knew that I had really truly borne my testimony to a man who was at least somewhat open to what I had to say. When it was over, I was so adrenalized that I had to take a break. It was awesome. He was a RUSSIAN JEWISH MESSIANICAL CHRISTIAN PASTOR. And for 20 minutes, I taught him the gospel.

Anyway, that's about all for this week. It's going well. Love you all!
Love, Elder Myers

Dear Santa,

Please send:
-An empty memory card
-My Chinese learning set (it's in a small box in my room)
-A robot to clean my room
-If at all possible a small tape recorder and CD player in one.
-My consecrated oil.
-Retractable Gel Refills (Black ink, medium point) from Parker for my pen.

Love,
Elder Andy Myers
===============================================

Dear Family,
The passage of time is impossible to really measure, so I optimistically figured it COULD be about Christmas by now. therefore, I have included a wish list to be forwarded to Santa if it is, in fact, Christmas time. If not, maybe you guys could help me out with the list.

Lisa, Thank you for your heart craft you made for me. It is on my desk, of course! I will make sure to get that candy bar from you that you promised when I get home.

Becky, thank you for the clay statuette of me! It is awesome! Everyone I have showed it to really likes it, but nobody as much as me. Maybe when you see the picture of my companion you can make one of him too. I really like the thing you made of Link too. Keep sending me pictures of what you make, ok?

Also, thanks for thte brownies. They were so delicious, I didn't share much at all.

Today is our first P-day (and our NINTH day here... wow.) and the temple is not only closed but VERY closed. There is landscaping construction going on in the temple grounds, so our district's plan to go study by the temple today didn't work out. Oh well, we had a nice walk there and back.

Being here feels more right every day. The first week is supposed to be hard for everyone, and it definitely gets better. Getting used to over 12 hours a day of study is a fairly significant undertaking. Getting up at 6:30 has never been a problem. Our room, however, is freezing cold. The air conditioner is broken in a way such that it is on all day and all night. I have had to double up on blankets.

Mom, thank you for your letters and keeping me updated on the family. It really means a lot to me. Also, thank you for the pictures. They were very nice to get.

On Tuesday, I met Elder Bednar. It was cool. He was just sitting in the corner of the cafeteria eating lunch with his wife. I'll send pictures next week.

Our district got a district leader called. He is Elder Otte, who has been attending the air force academy for the past two years. He's a good leader.

I've been learning a lot of Chinese, probably about 20 words a day, most days. I'm going to have to buy my third hundred-pack of flash cards soon.

Yesterday morning one of the older Elders in my branch taught me "She shi ni de baba", which is "who's your daddy?" in Chinese. I was able to use this new vocabulary later on yesterday in gym when I dethroned him in 4-square.

We have spent a fair bit of time at the RC or Referral Center. You know how people call this certain number from a commercial or pass-along card to get a free video or Book of Mormon, or Bible? That goes to us. So if you want something, and want to talk to me, and are fei cheng ji (very lucky), you might be able to ask ME for a free Book of Mormon.

I've been reading a lot of Jesus the Christ lately. It is a great book. Did you know that Elder Talmage wrote it in the Holy of Holies in the Salt Lake Temple?

Well, it's always great to hear from home. Thanks for the letters and package. I hope you all have a great week.

Love,
Elder Myers (and some Chinese characters that are impossible to type.)

Dear Family,

Well, it's Sunday. Since we didn't have a preparation day this week, they let us write today.

Sunday is supposed to be the best day of the week. We are allowed naps. How can one not keep the sabbath day holy when a "day of rest" seems so divine?

We've been working very hard. The days are like weeks, but it is often said about the MTC: "The days are long, the weeks are short."

I've run into Elders Powell and Gilbert a few times since I've got here and they seem to be doing very well. Elder Powell says he can't believe he's been here three weeks. I can't either, 3 weeks seems like an eternity.

The days seem long because, well, they're 16 hours long filled with things to do. We usually get up at 6:30 am (well, we always do that), eat breakfast at 7:00, go to class at 7:30, have lunch at 11:30, go back to class or study at 12:15, go to dinner at 4:30, back again to class or study at 5:15, end at 9:30, get in pajamas, district and branch and room prayer, write in journals, then lights out at 10:30.

I know you're wondering who my companion is. His name is Elder John Gibbons and he is from around Seattle, Washington area. He is a good companion.

Chinese is very hard, but we are making good progress. We can pray (and always do) and bear our testimonies in Chinese. We try to use it whenever possible.

The food here is good, in fact eating is usually a highlight of of the day. Today is fast sunday, so eating won't happen that much today, I guess but that's okay. We really got he extra mile at the MTC: we're fasting for 25 hours, because of our schedule.

Speaking of highlights of the cay, we also get mail tsice a day. I think I've gotten a letter about every day, and it really makes me happier, so thank you for all your letters and keep writing. Also, if it's hard to write ONLY once a week, write as much as you like.

When I got here, they informed us that there's a new shot all elders are required to have. It will cost 87 dollars, and I will be called in sometime soon to get it. I'll use the credit card. I was told this by Sister Gilbert, Grandma and Grandpa's next-door neighboor.

Do you think you can find a small tape and CD player that also records? If so, I would like one, If not, I will just buy a handheld tape recorder here for about $25. It will help with my Chinese, and I would like to send tapes home.

My Chinese name is Mai Zhanglao. I will probably get a nametag soon with this on it when I go to the field. Zhanglao means Elder. Mai means wheat.

We got to stay up late last night and watch the fireworks from the stadium of fire. It was nice.

My district is 10 people in the branch, and we all go to class together. We all are going to english-speaking places speaking Mandarin, so we have that in common.

Oh, Elder Gibbons ( or Ji Zhanglao in Chinese) is also going to Carlsbad, so I have to try extra hard to get along with him because we might be together a long time.

Other members of the district are going to California, New York, England, and Australia.

Thanks again for the letters, I love you all. Wo ai nimen. I'll write to you again on Thursday, my preparation day.

Love,
Elder Myers
Mai Zhanglao