Word from Erfurt - Dec. 27, 2010 & The Christmas Call

12-27-2010

So transfer calls came in just an hour ago! I am staying in Erfurt with Elder Owens and Elder Feher... But my trainer, Elder Dieduksman is heading down to Nürenburg to be a Zone Leader there. It is way sad but I know that it is right. I will then be companions with Elder Hohman who is from Utah. I've had several interactions with him during splits and he is totally different from Elder Dieduksman. This will also be his  last cycle which is weird that they are transfering him to Erfurt to be a Zone leader. They call that ghosting. I will have a different trainer for my last cycle as a golden which will be weird. Like being raised by two different fathers. Trainers are known as Fathers here and Goldens are the sons. So Elder Hohman is my stepfather. Crazy! Elder Hohman does like going out and doing stuff though so I might get some more sight seeing in. Not today though because Elder Dieduksman needs to pack :(

I loved the Christmas call but I have to admit there was just not enough time. Time was so precious and I feel like so much more could have been said! And I didn't really get a chance to talk to Grandpa or really adequately tell you how much appreciated my Christmas gifts were. I think I looked through the calendar like 20 times and I got some sweet pics with my Harry Potter tie. It looks awesome when I wear it with my gray sweater and wear glasses... and use a wooden spoon as a wand... and do dueling poses... but I digress! Long story short, Thanks! And I have things waiting for me at home! Kathy gave me a German Christmas pin and some money. Also gloves and a hat which I cannot wear sadly :( But if you get a chance to talk to her you should say thank you for me and I will do the same in a letter. I also got cards from Sister Hess and the Thomas' which I appreciated a lot.

I'm not sure what happens on New Years Eve but I know we are not supposed to go out after like 6 or something due to the drunk people. We had a pretty good Christmas though and that was enough for me. We made duck for lunch and used all the thanksgiving food you sent for our special Christmas meal. I got some really good pictures which I will send soon. They are better than the ones I already sent I think. I'll be glad once we are in the normal swing of things. I have a feeling that time will just go fast and faster.

I don't really know what else to say! You would think that a lot would have happened since we last talked but not really. We've done a lot of hanging around and the work doesn't pick back up till tonight at 6. Even then, Elder D might still be packing. I will get out there and see the sites, I promise.

Elder Evan

Dec. 25, 2010

Note from mom - The Christmas Call


It was wonderful to be able to talk to Evan today.  The missionaries are allowed two calls per year - one on Christmas and one on Mother's Day!  And naturally the families look forward to those two times of the year!!  We were able to put him on speaker phone which was really nice.  Honey, Babe, & Pork Chop each got a brief time to visit with their Uncle Evan.  G-pa, Heather, Chelsea, & Robb each got a chance to talk as well.  After that our end of the call was predominately taken up with Dad and Mom, and of course, Evan on the other end.  OK!  I was the biggest phone hog.  But hey - I did give birth to the kid!  I figure I'm somewhat entitled.


Altogether we managed to talk for a little over an hour, but with all the excitement of hearing his voice my adrenaline was running high, so I remember very little of the actual conversation.  There's a nine hour time difference between us and him - later on his end, which can present a challenge.  I'll try to share at least a couple things from the conversation (which is probably all I'll remember anyway.  He did say they were supposed to go to a church members home for christmas dinner.  Apparently this family lives in a rural area and the missionaries were going to be there for the slaughter of the Christmas dinner goose.  Unfortunately, there was a big snow storm and the Elders were unable to make it out there.  I was rather disappointed myself when I heard about this.  I would have loved to hear Evan relate the story on that one.


I asked Evan about the place where they go for internet access to read and send their emails to home and the mission president.  I don't know exactly what I expected it to be like, but it wasn't at all like he described.  He said the owner of the internet "cafe" is from India.  The place has a very India like atmosphere and they have to walk through a doorway full of beads when they go in.  Again - not at all what I envisioned!


After asking Evan about his mission president, he related a humorous story.  He said his mission president speaks very good German, but having previously lived in Texas, his German has a Texas twang.  Anyway, Evan got a kick out of it, but all kidding aside, he says the man is inspired and seems very nice.  Of course, given Evan's penchant and talent for imitating accents, he proceeded to speak to us in German with a Texas twang.  And, I have to say, "It was great!"


Well, as much as we enjoyed talking to him, the hour went by way too fast.  How soon till Mother's Day?!

Word from Erfurt - Dec. 20, 2010

Dec. 20, 2010

That is indeed our phone number. _______________. Definitely try it out if needs be. The country code is 49 I think, and you might need to know an area code. But to be honest I have no idea how that works. Elder Dieduksman's Mom called this morning. It was pretty funny. We're the only two using that phone though and his family is on the same time zone we are so you can call pretty much whenever. The 25th is the busiest day but you can still call I think. The first presidency approved Skype for calling home but I think it is too late to try and figure out what to even do for that. Next call we can try. 6-8 our time we'll be at the Branch president's house. So if you call around 8-9 our time that might be better, but whatever works. You could even call on the 26th if you wanted to. It might be too late to plan for that though, IDK. Try the number though! I don't want to miss the call. Elder D almost missed his last year because his number didn't fit in his family's phone plan. Luckily he could do it at a member's house.

Caroling has been one of the craziest experiences ever! So many weird and socially awkward people live in these apartment complexes where we carol. Lot's of cool things happen... but weird stuff too. For example! It was my turn to talk so I klingled and waited for the door to open. It opens and I start talking to this lady who I didn't realize was naked at first. Completely naked. Then I turned away and looked at Elder D who looked back at me. I tried to say something but couldn't. There was this long awkward pause and then Elder D said, 'Wir gehen weiter (we're moving on).' And we left! I don't think she was all there. Elder Owens said we sinned because we turned away the naked. Very funny Elder Owens. My brain is scarred for life!

On the other hand...

We talked with this one guy who didn't speak very good German and at first wanted to turn us away because he didn't understand why we were there. But once it was clear that we were singing he agreed. He happened to be on the phone at the time when we sang and this person on the phone was like, 'come over to my place and sing for me!' So we ran across the street while this guy was shouting directions from his window and eventually found the place. This lady was so cool! She was from Iraq and spoke perfect German. She's catholic but just loves talking with anyone about Christ, especially at this time of year. Now we have a return appointment with her! It was so random but really cool.

Our singing has gone a long way. We've spent a long time preparing this one song and sang it at our ward party. While caroling this concierge lady loved it so much she asked us to come to her church and sing it. Which we did! IT was so cool. It was this tiny Christian church where everyone is like, 'Praise the Lord!' 'The Lord is good!' Stuff like that. It was weird at times but also really interesting. Oh! And that ward party... So there is this one Elderly Man who is a member and has a 30 year old lady friend (weird I know) who is an investigator. And she brought these chocolate ball things. I was sitting with Elder Owens at this one table and he tried one. He said it was interesting and unexpected. In the Elder Owens way of saying things he's like, 'Try it, just try it Elder Peterson.' So I did and it was unexpected and interesting. Right after that Elder Feher comes over and is like, 'Don't eat the chocolate balls. I'll tell you why later.' What were the odds! Elder Owens and I laughed at the situation but apparently there was Rum in these so called chocolate balls. Und natürlich the missionaries didn't find out till after they ate them. Hey I ate Rabbit too. That was later though.

I am warm. Right now I think I'm good on thermal garments, but thanks for the thought! Right now I am in love with this only using a comforter thing. So wonderful!  Note from mom - most places in Europe don't use top sheets on there beds. They just use a bottom sheet with a comforter on top.  Terry loved this as well when he served in Denmark years and years and years ago!  He claims there's no top sheet to get tangled up in!

Love you all!

Elder Evan

Word from Erfurt -Dec. 13, 2010

12-13-2010

I don't remember Elder Schultz or Williams but I bet if I saw them I would. That is crazy that he even looked me up and very nice of him. Phone call! I think you said last week that you wanted to call around 6 or 8 my time which should be ok. We have an eating appointment around then but we should be either finished or the members won't mind if I step out for a call. Later might work better but it is hard to say. You will actually call our cell phone which is only being shared between myself and Elder Dieduksman. The other Elders have one as well. Elder D will be calling his family in the same time zone so our times shouldn't conflict. Our number is ----. They said it is better if you call us. We are under a service called e plus or something like that so  hopefully that is covered under Verizon. You might also need a country code and an area code but we don't know what those are. We get around an hour to talk on the phone. That is all I really know! If I missed any details please let me know.

I got both my packages! I got the thanksgiving one at zone conference and the Christmas one just today. It was at our neighbours place for a couple of days. Thank you so much! I sent my package off last Monday and I have no clue how long it will take. It's a pretty lame package full of old German proselyting materials and a couple treats. But at least it has more photos! I wish I would have sent one of the English pamphlets and German ones so you could compare. The photos in the English ones are all multi-racial/cultural and then the German ones are filled with all of these beautiful white people positioned in the same poses as the other ones. I got a good laugh out of it. I must say you know exactly what to send. I was telling Elder D that families, especially moms, are as much a part of the missionary work as the missionaries. Thank you for everything! The snow shoes, peanut butter, thanksgiving dinner, music... AH!! So exciting! I appreciated the usual carefully instructed notes that remind me of how much you care :) I liked reading the letter from Chelsea too. Good to know that Regal is treating her well and that she is getting along with everyone. It is weird to think that she is interacting with those people that I interacted with for so long. Twilight zone or something! Not really. But still weird. 

I must say that those speakers that g-pa gave me for my birthday a few years ago are a lifesaver. I'm getting a good fill of Christmas music. 

Cookies! Sorry, one last request. Could I get a chocolate chip cookie recipe? That one slipped my mind. Although it is difficult to make cookies when they only sell sugar that is brown and not brown sugar. And cream of tarter is something you buy in a back alley next to a dumpster. But we are experimenting and finding our own solutions. Cookies are just not as big here in Germany. I have come to realize, however, how big Christmas is (in Germany). Every Sunday in December is an advent day and an excuse to get together to celebrate the fact that it is one week closer to Christmas. Then St. Nick comes on the 6th to leave stuff in your shoes. Then there is Heilige Nach (24th) and Weihnachts (25th) and 2nd Weihnachts (26th). Then! There is something after that to close everything and get excited for next year. These three days the missionaries have free to visit with members and do out of the ordinary things. We as a four-some want to go around on the 24th and talk to all the lonely people and possibly do some caroling. We've been working on the different parts for some songs to get a quartet going on. We watched the Christmas message from the first presidency and it got me really excited for Christmas and the opportunity we have of sharing the gospel at this time of the year. I listened to what dad said and it helped me change my perspective. What also helped was a letter from James who helped me understand that I am not the only missionary having the same types of feelings and concerns about the work. Like, are we actively engaged in finding and teaching? Or do we just coast and do the work so that is out of the way. It is something I have to ask myself but I'm glad I am aware of it.

This week was a weird teaching week as we were gone a lot with Zone Conference. No we don't teach 30 lessons a week (like Elder V in Africa), but we have some at least. This one guy we are meeting with is about 19 or 20 and lives with his 18 year old girlfriend. They have a 6 month old son and have let us in to talk with them. This experience with them has been unexpected but they show potential. I am out of time but I wrote a letter in that package explaining more about the work. A lot goes on I just don't know what to write about. Talk to you later!

Elder Evan

Pictures

Just wanted to share some pics!  These first two we received from the mission home 

in Frankfurt, about a week and a half after Evan arrived in Germany.

Elder Peterson with President and Sister Ninow.

With his new companion Elder Dieduksman
who is from the Netherlands.

We received the following pics from the young man pictured at the left below.  He 

found Chelsea on face book and hoped that she was indeed the sister of the Evan Peterson who is currently serving in Erfurt, Germany on an LDS mission.  We thought it was extremely nice of him to send these pictures to us! 

                            l. to r. Marc Schultz (hope the spellings right),
Elder Peterson(Washington), Elder Dieduksman(Netherlands), Elder Owen(South Dakota), and Elder Feher(sp?) (Hungary)

l. to r.   Br.Williams, Marc Schultz, Elder Peterson

Word from Erfurt - Dec.6, 2010

Erfurt in the snow!

Yes I've heard that we're supposed to experience the coldest winter of the millennium. Just in time! I am extremely grateful for my coat this is true. I'm afraid that Elder D has not taught me Dutch yet, but I'm sure he will eventually. We do live right across the street from the Martin Luther church! Although we haven't had much time to do any real sight seeing. P-Days(preparation days) are still pretty busy... and cold. Elder D. isn't really a fan of historical sights and things. He says it's history and that that is all it is. This is coming from the same Elder who said it doesn't matter if it tastes good as long as it is healthy. But he is a great missionary and we get along great! He said if I want to go to any of the cool historical places he would go with.

Thank you for the recipes! I haven't had a chance to look through them all but I'm sure it's just what we need. Thanks!

Happy birthday mom! On Thursday that is. Thursday is the 9th right? Sorry I couldn't get you anything but I am sending a small christmas package your way for everyone.

Not a lot of time to write right now but I have to tell you about this crazy lady we met. One of the many strange but nice people in Erfurt. This lady had this short spiky blonde hair and she was incredibly animated when she spoke. She would like stick out her bottom lip or her top lip when she was getting really intense. The thing is that she sat next to me at this appointment. She was a friend of this less active member who was going back to his old JW ways. She kept saying how nice it was that there were these two young men in such nice clothing talking about wonderful things. She would rub my back, a little low mind you. Then on occasion she would grab my arm and then my inner thigh. Then! She got all dramatic and like swung her head down on my shoulder. She was very emotional. 'Entschuldigung' she said. IT was very uncomfortable but memorable! Anyways. Sorry I can't write more but we have lots to do! I'll write more next week.

Elder Evan

Word from Erfurt - Nov.29, 2010

I'm glad to hear that I'm not missing out on Harry Potter and that Angel Moroni disapproves :) However, I have heard from one of the young men here that it was excellent. This young man doesn't like movies either so that is saying something. I won't think about it though... worrying about other people's salvation is better. I think...

I must say I was hoping to get you before you sent the Christmas package. Our name on our klingle box says Kirche Jesu Christi so my fear is that they won't see our name and then the package will be lost! There might be a way to squeeze my name in there or something. I'll have to see. I probably won't see the thanksgiving package until next week during Zone Conference when we see the APs. Most stuff that gets sent to the office is held until the APs or someone from the office comes in contact with the missionary, so maybe once a cycle. We didn't really have a thanksgiving :( But that is ok. Elder O and I wanted to do something but there is of course no time. The other two elders don't have thanksgiving so it wasn't a big deal anyways. One thing I've noticed here is how precious time is. Always I#m wondering if it is a good use of time. Thank you for even sending me something! I'm way excited. It is always nice to know that I am thought of. Sometimes I forget that I am in a foreign country. I've gotten used to the idea that everyone around me is speaking German and that I can't say much back. I understand a lot though! I've learned that listening actively and talking when possible helps.

My companion is Elder D. He is dutch and speaks fluent English and German! So that is a bonus. He is great and really patient with me and my learning. I can't really describe his personality. He is very calm and very wise. His humor is a little different too. But we get along great! When ever we are doing “finding time” there is always the attitude, “someone is ready”. We are going to find someone.' Which is the way I like it. It keeps me focused and it's a good way to start off the mish. I heard from a lot of leaders at the MTC that the first part of your mission will be a lot of sitting and listening to your companion teach and then bearing your testimony. Not so with Elder D. He makes sure that I am involved and that I am communicating as much as possible. While it is difficult and extremely out of my comfort zone, I appreciate it. I'd rather get all of that uncomfortable stuff out of the way now. Which most of it is gone! I'm pretty confident when doing doors and talking with people on the street. Even when they say 'Kein bedarf!' or 'Kein intressant.' My favorite is when they think we're the Jehova witnesses and then slam the door in our face. It is really too bad because A LOT of people think we are. We say we're from the Church of Jesus Christ but it is all the same to them.

Last Sunday we met with this awesome Turkish teenager named B whose mother let us in and fed us some food from her garden (not a fan) and made us tea and stuff. Yesterday we went back to talk to him again and as soon as we 

got there his mom rushed off to the kitchen to make us something. She made us soup, served us bread and seasoned tomatoes, more tea and some dried fruit to take home. So nice! I liked the food more this time. They just talked and talked and talked with us and we would bring up the gospel and they were really interested. But they are strong in their own faith so Elder D thinks it won't go anywhere. We'll go back again and have a Christmas message or something. Hey! While I remember, would you be able to do me a huge favor and send me in the next email a list of our favorite cookie recipes? Including a gingerbread one if possible.  And possibly some fun FHE (family home evening) activities we did when we were little?  We want to make cookies for members and for some of our investigators. It will be tough though because I know a lot of our favorites involved peanut butter and peanut butter is hard to come by here. When you walk into an American store you have a large variety with different brands, sizes and types. Here we go to this one store to get it which has one small row of this weird off brand in a tiny little jar about the size of a baseball. It's better than nothing I guess. Nutella is 

in large supply here which is like my new favorite thing! I like to toast two pieces of bread and put peanut butter on one side and then Nutella on the other and then sandwich them together. It melts a little bit and it... I don't even know! It is like the perfect combo.   

I got a letter from K saying that C was home? :/   Which is really what I didn't want to hear. I'm not judging him or anything but it really makes me sad. IDK He did so much to get out there. It's rough. I understand that it's tough. This is one of the hardest things I've ever done and I think it is the not seeing the Family aspect that is the hardest for me. I have to admit as Christmas approaches that I've been a little homesick. Nothing extreme but I do miss the Christmas at home. Once we are out and working it's not a worry but it can be a little distracting back at the apartment. I think once I get into the swing of things and past the holiday season that it will go more smoothly. I know satan is working hard on me! If it is not one thing it is another. I did a lot of changing at the MTC. Now that I'm past that there is something as little as homesickness. There is opposition in all things! I won't give up, but I won't deny that this is hard work. We were out doing doors the other night for a couple hours and it was -7.5 degrees... celcius of course but that is still way cold. It's been snowing off and on here. I prefer it when it snows because it is a little warmer. We went to the Weihnachtsmarkt last week but really brief. We are going again tonight and will spend a little more time there. You might look out for a package from Germany!

I don't know if anyone has had a Döner... it is like a Gyro but way better. We're getting another one today. Lot's is going on but I need to wrap up! I'm sure I'll remember something later and have to wait a week with it on my mind. I'm taking pictures I promise. The other elders are the other Golden, Elder O from South Dakota. And Elder F from Hungary.

Elder Evan

First Word From Germany - Nov.23, 2010

Man I hate this German keyboard! Well so much has happened I don't even really know where to start. It's been a week already! Can't believe it. Feels more like a month. But a good month. 

I'm sorry but we don't know what our new address is! You might have to send the package to the mission office. Our first day here we had to move from the old place to a new one that fit 4 elders... 4! Yup. I am with one of the few foursomes. The reason we have a foursome is because there were so many new Elders that they needed zone leaders to be trainers. So the zone leaders are still together but they are training two new elders, myself and Elder O. There are other ZLs for other zones but I think we lucked out. However, since we live with the ZLs, we will be going on lots of splits. We had our first all day one yesterday. What a great learning experience and also a humbling one. The ZLs went to Frankfurt while we were in charge of 

The Anger area in Erfurt

Erfurt. Oh yeah! This is my area. Erfurt is an interesting place full of lots of crazy people and hard exteriors. It has character though. It's a medium sized city. But anyway. Yesterday two Goldens (new missionaries) were roaming the streets trying to talk to people in German. Not so bad. We have some approaches and depending on how old the person is we can usually make out what is being said. We have a car in our area too so we were required to use that to get to some appointments as well. So Mom you can rest safe and sound knowing your son is driving the crazy streets of Germany. It's not that bad really. But Elder O wouldn't drive so I will probably be doing most of that when we have our frequent splits.

I honestly don't know where to start. Mainly because I know it would take a lot of time to talk about everything. But right now I feel pretty useless. I can sometimes understand what is being said and throw in some sentences of my own every once and a while. Our branch consists of about 40 or 50 people. All are way crazy and weird but that is why they are awesome. Whenever someone talks to me I usually just smile and nod. It works and gets me through the day. I'm going to write my mission pres real fast then I'll write you all another email. I just don't want my comp to have to wait around.

Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2010 (2^nd email)

Thanksgiving is in a couple days! I am grateful for my coat. I am grateful for my fellow missionaries and for those people that are willing to hear what we have to say. Even those who aren't, they're OK too. I'm grateful for my family who I know loves me and supports me every step of the way. And of course I am grateful for my Heavenly Father and my Savior, who without I could not do this. I struggle a little bit each day but I know that weak things will be made strong.

So. I'll just tell you a little bit for the sake of time. Yesterday when Elder O and I were contacting there was this one really awkward one I did. It was my turn and I could see these two people walking towards us, a man and a woman. They looked like a couple so I was like, 'sweet! I can talk to them about families and living together forever and happiness and all that good stuff the gospel is about.' I approached them and did my spiel saying that my colleague and I were talking about duh duh duh duh duh.... Then the guy said something like, 'we're not companions. We're colleagues too.' Then they showed us the badges on the arms of their jackets. We were like, 'Oh... OK! Tschuss!' They thought it was pretty funny. So did Elder O. It was an honest but awkward mistake. I don't know. There hasn't been anything much more embarrassing than that. On the train ride from Frankfurt to Erfurt my companion and I sat next to this really nice lady who asked us a lot of questions about what it is we do and how she makes all of the products out of cork for the weihnachtsmarkts. I listened and could understand quite a bit of what she was saying so I assumed this whole communicating in German thing wasn't going to be too bad. Then we get to the old wohnung and there was a member there who was getting ready to help us move all of our stuff to the new place. That's when I began to worry. His blonde spiky hair could describe his personality. He was very intense and loud and when he gave you some sort of instruction he peered into your soul expecting you to understand. Of course Elder O and I didn't because he talked so fast. But the night went on like that for a very long time and by the end I was exhausted. It's weird hearing German words actually put into use that you understand. When learning, IDK, I just never expected to hear them or something. Like, people actually say these things? It's a weird sensation but it is pretty exciting when you understand something. Then you know that progress is being made. A lot better than the German I spoke a few years ago at one of the train stations. 'Ich verstehe nicht.' At least I can do a little more than that. It is weird hearing all the little german kinder speak the language better than you. They think it's pretty funny too. I've already had some intense and awesome eating appointments with the very eclectic members in the ward. Oh! We have a stalker. Laugh out loud. Apparently this guy A had a crush on the Sister missionaries and the Elders baptized him and eventually it just turned into him wanting attention from all the missionaries. He was never sincere so he got baptized but never went to church so he hasn't been confirmed. He leaves notes and tries to give you stuff. I think we are going now so I will say goodbye. A lot is going on but no time to share. Love ya! Tschuss!

Elder Evan




Word From the MTC - Nov. 11, 2010

Flight Plan! Yes I do know Elder J. He is on a different flight however. The Frankfurters leave on Monday but are on two separate flights. The Berliners leave on Tuesday. Our flight leaves from Salt Lake  at 7:10 and we get to Chicago at 11:15. We then have an 8 hour wait until we leave at 7:35 and get there the next morning at 11:05. I imagine I will call from Chicago but nothing has been specified as to when we are supposed to call.

What the crazy! C is going to be working with all of my old co-workers? Assuming they are still there of course. Good to hear that the free movies will be returned to your possession. It is also good to know that you got the pics! I just picked my developed ones up from the Bookstore yesterday. I have some awesome ones that we took on Elder W's camera which involve some "light painting." Wish I could show you!

When you get the chance and when if it is possible for some, could you send me these addresses?

The H family

Sister M

the V's

My book of mormon teachers from BYU (again if possible)

there are some others I can't remember that I will ask for later

Oh! J A and Z T please.

2 Months have gone by! That is so crazy. I have learned so much here at the MTC but feel there is still so much more I need before heading out to the field. Since arriving here on the 15th of September I have seen 4 Apostles in person! I have read the Book of Mormon in 5ish weeks and have really developed a love for the scriptures. I have had to see 3 Elders go home from my Zone, which is rough. But I know they left for the right reasons and are on the right track. Elder W and I are no longer the Zone leaders! We have passed that calling onto two of the New Elders from the last intake. I've never loved a calling as much as the calling of a Zone leader. I really have come to understand the love of serving others and can't wait to do so in Germany. I have not gained weight! Seriously. I have been steady all the way through which doesn't make sense when you consider what it is we eat here. Really what the MTC has done for me has changed my heart. I've learned where my heart and my mind need to be if I'm going to be a representative of Jesus Christ. It is so intimidating! Realizing the magnitude of this calling has brought to my mind my many weaknesses and my many mistakes. I know, however, that the Lord can help me where I fall short and that He loves me more than I can comprehend.

Since being here I have really come to realize the power and purpose of the repentance process. I have made such huge strides in coming closer to Christ and in so doing will be able to help others come closer to Christ.

I love you all very much. I miss you and am so grateful for all that you do for me.

Elder Evan

Word From the MTC - Nov. 4, 2010

So my district and two others in our zone that have been here the longest had the opportunity to host the new missionaries that come in on Wednesday. Some of us chilled in a room first waiting to help the missionaries that came in via airplane.  And who should be one of those missionaries but Elder L! (Elder L is a friend of Evan's from home, who was called to a mission in Mexico). I totally got to host him and take him to his room and stuff. Pretty awesome.

I love this pic of the Elders doing somersaults in their suits! 

We just got back from the temple. Elder W and I did some sealings which were way cool. I got a letter from A saying that she and G and B were going to try and make it to our endowment session. I haven't had a chance to tell them that as awesome as it is seeing family, it is not allowed :( So Elder W and I just avoided the endowment session. Obedience is stressed here and they canceled Temple Walks for a while because some Elders were meeting their families. I didn't have the heart to tell K that she was breaking the rules. But I don't think it should be a regular thing. Sorry fam!

  

As far as my scripture goes... IDK! I don't know what to use. I kinda like 1 Nephi 21:2-3 now. I still like the Phill. one. I'm hopeless! Just use whatever I guess. I got some more pictures of myself. Most of them turned out really cheesy but one you might be able to use. I don't like serious pictures! I have no way to back up my sd card because there is no way to access those sorts of utilities on the computer. I'll have to send it this once and risk it I guess. If you don't want me to, send me a warning email straight away! I think it will be fine though. I'm printing out my favorites anyway before I leave.

Greenie (Golden) package

I got your package :) Thank you very much! Love the shirt and of course the goodies. Packages are the best because they are a sort bragging right. You can see everyone's eyes fill with jealousy >:) We're cruel in that way. I wouldn't mind some old family photos like the one that C sent of the three of us in the backyard. Those help a lot.

So there is a little more than a week left and the language is... well it is better than when I came in. I think what I've improved the most on is the pronunciation. I'm sure i'll realize otherwise when I hit the field but I consider myself to be pro about getting the Rs in the back of the throat and all the dipthongs etc. Brother L is one of the Branch Presidency counselors and he says I have beautiful pronunciation. I'm not sure if that is true or if he is just being the nice man that he is.

Elder W and I have a fear of not excelling in these last weeks as much as we did at the beginning. You tend to notice that  as you reach the end and wonder what more you can do to become a better missionary. But we continue to work and minister to the Zone. We find a lot of our time is taken up doing ZL responsibilities but we enjoy it. This is probably the first leadership calling I've had that I enjoy! And it is all thanks to the Elders we get to serve.

I've been making a list of soundtracks that I forgot to bring with me which I will probably send as a request later but I've been looking at the bookstore here and they don't have this MOTAB CD I want. It's called like showtime or something? They do music from movies and stuff. Sounds awesome. If you see it around sometime...

got to go! ten seconds!

Elder

 Pat - I think his time was cut off. He didn't even get the Peterson typed after Elder!!

Word From the MTC - Oct. 28, 2010

This week has been so much better! I talked to my Branch President and he gave me some sound advice but what helped the most were the letters and the support. I love you all so much and want you to know that you are all in my prayers. This past week has given me a lot to think about. I'm coming to terms with the fact that I'm imperfect and am having to change a lot of my childish behaviors. But what I've come to understand this week is that I'm not alone and that my Savior knows what I'm going through. I can testify that Heavenly Father knows us individually and knows what we need when we need it. So this past week or so I've been thinking a lot about the family and there was this one photo I kept thinking about that I really wanted. The one with H and C and me in the backyard at our old house when we are really little. I really wanted this photo and had intended on asking for someone to send it this week. I went to get my mail and low and behold there was a letter from Chelsea! First thing I noticed when I opened it was that very picture with H and C and me that I so desperately wanted but 

didn't tell anyone about. I felt this wave of comfort and love just wash over me! I have since seen many more blessings come from my Heavenly Father. I realize that I am being humbled and that this constant recognition of my flaws is reminding me, not that I can't do it, but that I can only do it with the Lord's help. All is well :) Since being here I have noticed my love for the scriptures grow and increase. Dad, if I could tell your seminary students anything it would be to develop that love for the scriptures now. If I could spend all of my MDT time studying the scriptures I would, but there are a lot of other responsibilities as well. Most of Elder W's and my MDT time is taken up by Zone leader responsibilities. We lost six Elders at the beginning of the week but gained 25 more and 7 more sisters yesterday. We are the oldest now having only 2 weeks and like 5 days or something till we head out. Elder Nelson talked at our devotional last tuesday and Elder Richard G. Scott came to the most recent. He gave us all this handout about how to recognize the spirit and follow its promptings. It's a paper filled front to back with a lifetimes understanding of the spirit. Goldmine! Best thing ever. It might as well be scripture.

I saw K at the Temple today! Not totally in line with the rules but seeing her definitely helped. She came bearing good news as well! I love hearing about the fam. Please send me more news about anything! Even if it seems mundane or insignificant I want to know.

I finally got a letter back from J. I was concerned that with his transfer he wouldn't have received my last letter but it sounds like it got to him.

Have you checked out the new Mormon.org site? It is such a great missionary tool. The design and layout is very user friendly and much more appealing to someone who doesn't know a lot about our church.

  

I don't know when I'm supposed to call you at the airport because we will be there at like five in the morning. If you want to talk to me that early then I would be down. I won't know my actual  departure for another week or two. 

My time is running out but I want you all to know that I love you and am grateful for the support and the love and the prayers. I'm working as hard as I can and am realizing how much happier I am when I serve and think more about others and less about myself. I love mail!

Elder Evan

Word From the MTC - Oct. 21, 2010

Your hard drive!! That sucks. I don't really know how else to describe it :/ Please keep me updated. If you need to use my computer here on out it is ok with me.

I'm trying to remember which building the Mukilteo building is but either way that is awful. Does it have to do with the comment at conference about marriage being between a man and a woman? I heard there have been a lot of issues with that. Even from members, which I don't understand.

I'll work on the temple picture but they have canceled all of our temple walk trips and they discourage us from taking cameras to the temple when we do a session. I'll see what I can do though. I must say I'm proud of myself for taking a fair number of pictures. I have some good ones for sure.

I love this work! It is so important and this calling of mine is huge. I'm doing my best to stay focused. I love you all so very much. Pray not for me but for the people in Germany. That their hearts may be softened and that they might receive the message of the restoration.

Love

Elder Evan

Word From the MTC - Oct. 14, 2010

At this time tomorrow I will have officially been on the mission for a month! I'm still learning a lot but I won't deny I am ready to get out of here. Not that I don't like it but more I feel experience is what is needed now. Dad is right though. I won't get anymore intense scripture study than this. I'm constantly realizing how imperfect I am and how this work is so much bigger than me. I've come to the conclusion that the MTC is mainly for us to strengthen our testimonies of the doctrine. Again, it is the spirit that teaches and I've found that the best way to invite the spirit in a lesson is by testifying. Every minute of every day is filled with intense study yet at the end of the day it always feels like something was not accomplished. Room for improvement I guess.

K has been sending me a package every week and this last one was filled with Halloween decorations and candy and like four bags of cookies. There was also a cauldron so we use it in our room as the community snack bowl. Last week she asked me if I was among a herd of missionaries that she saw coming from the temple one time. I told her the usual time we head up to the temple on Thursdays so that she would know the time I was around that area. In this last package she mentioned that she was going to try to come to our usual session. Haha :) I didn't see her there but it didn't suprise me that she would make an attempt.

Mother, it sounds like you are learning a lot about the blogging thing! It's good to know that it is so... interactive (the weather thing)! Wish I could see it. And you are learning German! Is Chelsea trying it out?  Let me know how the dividing of the Stake goes. I didn't realize how far away from the world we are until one of our taechers mentioned something about a ton of people getting mad about a conference talk that mentioned that marriage is between a man and a woman. We really have no idea what is going on out there. But maybe that's a good thing? IDK.

I have not heard from Elder Rl! I'm worried that letter I sent might not have gotten to him if he transfered. Would I be able to get his new address?

I'm not sure if that is the scripture I want to use. I'm having second thoughts... IF it's too late then it's too late. I know you're eager to get it done.

Let me know about the trip to San Diego! How's Gpa doing?

So I don't know if you have heard of the P90X work-out but for the past 2 wednesdays Elder A (roomie/frankfurter) has been instructing us at the residence halls. It is this intense ab work-out that disables you after the first time. That time has past for me as I did it for a second time yesterday. The day after is never that bad but the second day... my whole torso felt as if it had been bruised and assaulted. The worst of it was the leg muscles right by the groin area. When your abs aren't that well trained you use more leg muscles than abs and it shows. I couldn't stand up straight for a day or two... But pain is just weakness leaving the body!!! At least that is what one of the Elder's marine shirts says.

What else...

German! So in the next two and a half weeks we will have completed all the German they teach us here and the last couple weeks will be for us to practice. We have our first teaching appointment in German on tuesday. We practiced in class and it made it a lot easier to teach simply. That is for sure.

I know I'll think of something I want to say after my time runs out. But that is life. I've been doing well with the no quoting movies thing. Instead a couple elders and I have been recreating the tunes for certain soundtracks since we can't listen to music here. That can't be the same, can it?

Anyways! Love you all! Want to hear from you!

Elder Evan