Opportunity of a lifetime

Well I’ve got quite the story this week and hopefully I can type fast enough. Sorry for bragging but I had the opportunity of a lifetime on Sunday. I have seen the prophet of the Lord. This week is the new mission presidents training week and there is an unusual amount of excitement here and I was suggested as one ready to participate in passing the sacrament. Thirty out of 1900 elders got this chance. So on Sunday is the big opening meeting for the seminar and it a sacrament meeting. I was at one of the three tables with the sacrament breaking the bread but not the mouthpiece. There were 480 people total, 128 new mission presidents, a big handful of seventies including the entire presidency of the seventy, the presiding bishopric, then ten of the quorum of the twelve were there and the full First Presidency... sink that in I'm not lying. I have seen them all. It was incredible. Of course I was staring at Presidents Uchtdorf and Eyring while we were waiting for President Monson and president Eyring looked my way a few times and one time both of them looked at me and smiled for a while... oh my the authority and peace I could see in their eyes, I wish I could've shook their hands but I haven’t got the chance. President Monson talked after the sacrament and even though he was talking solely to the mission presidents I was in awe. I saw him and heard his voice. He spoke in his familiar loving story telling pattern. It was so cool. And was over way too quick... I'm still trying to sink in what I've seen.

Yesterday after lunch we were walking back to the class and elder Hoyt says, "I think I saw Elder Oaks" I stared running and sure enough there he was in one of the hallways and he waved at us. Therefore if I can find elder nelson I will have seen all the apostles. The church is so real! I can now testify that we have a prophet on the earth and I have seen him and heard his voice and I know God speaks to him.

Ok... changing gears mom this next bit is optional upon what you feel. Elder Hoyt had quite the dream the other night and I wish I had time to explain it better. But it ends up he had to go home to get surgery and on the way back here we stopped to say hi to you and so we visited for a while and me an him decided to go on the porch which from his description sounds keenly like the cabin and London was there. She ran to me yelling Prest! Prest! How was he to know that’s what she called me? He said we talked but he could not hear what she said and all he heard me say was I'm gonna work extra hard just for her... I don’t know but it was pretty realistic sounding and then we were in Mexico teaching a middle-aged women when I woke him up. He said the spirit was so strong...

ok things are great here. Starting to feel the wind down. Three weeks left and its staring to sink in. We all realized we have NO idea where we are going, and the visas are almost caught up... says the rumors. Well I love you all thanks for the support I feel it. Momma get some sleep quit killing yourself" for it is not meet that man should run faster than he has strength" now for everyone else it says run not walk. Keep Running! And the Lord will support.

Paz ---Elder PT Solomonoh and someone find me Ben Davis’s email thx!!!!!!!!!

change of heart

Well, howdy everyone, how are we doin? Sounds like the Arizona is whipping everyone’s rear ends. Not really missing it… the weather is wonderful here. I’ve been a bit under the weather lately but nothing too bad.  Stuffy nose leads o sore throat to tiredness, but it’s not affecting my work at all, it’s just hard to walk back to the room at the end of the night. Kinda like it that way to tell you the truth.

 

Spanish is coming wonderful. We taught the first lesson in Spanish on Wednesday.  We went in to teach it to an evaluator/teacher brother yesterday and he was impressed. He said don’t even worry about your Spanish; he thought we were in the accelerated class! He also said to bear testimony every chance.  Reminded me of Helaman 5:17-18. Some of my many heroes.

 

I got a new study journal, a bigger sized one so I’m really trying to fill that sucker up, there’s just not enough time in the day. I’ve been getting Dayton’s emails. It seems like there is two new ones every time I log on... still trying to figure that out, oh and what he’s saying too.  I know my mind is all Spanish (I start writing in it when im not thinking) but what in the world is he saying? Hahaha… sounds like he’s doing good, love to hear it, Elder Dees is doing good too, he’s been emailing me.

 

Family is sounds like you guys are doing awesome.  Be an example for righteousness always. We got a new district leader. He was probably the last one every one thought it would be. He’s a big passive loving guy who always has his arm around you, he’s a wonderful elder and it goes to show you never know when you’ll be needed… always be ready. Elder Hoyt and me had a good study on a "change of heart" and read the article in the newest ensign. Its fantastic, (I’ve also been reading in Alma, just got past chap. 5). Its wonderful to see the change in him and in me. The other night I was lying in my bed thinking about my first month in the mission and I realize I have no regrets. That’s how I want it for my whole mission. When you have a change of heart rules no longer become fences they become guardrails.

 

I love bearing my testimony in Spanish, Brigg find out how to do that. It seems it becomes more personal and more simple and beautiful. I challenge you to bear your testimony in Spanish in church… you can do it. Thank you so much for the support and your prayers, I can feel them strengthen me so I can do things I usually wouldn’t be able to. yo sé que Jesucristo es mi Salvador y la iglesia es verdadero. I love you all so much. hasta ver

Hello

Hello everyone,

 

Things are going awesome here. As if there would be any alternative when you are living in a "school of prophets" -not as many of the incredible experiences as last week but there are some nonetheless. We’ve been really focusing on teaching the first lesson in Spanish and it is tough! We taught it to another companionship on Sunday afternoon. It went pretty well. I talked mostly but I did make up a lot of the words and conjugations. Hahaha! I love it it’s so fun. I’m sure they’ll understand me down there anyway. Other than that I found by just drinking water at meals then eating whatever, I feel a tons better. Kinda cool. I also found the weight lifting machines in the gym (up by the track) and so I worked out my legs a bit. So here five days later I cannot walk cuz of soreness! Little wimp.

 

Well family I’ve wrote you all individual letters (took the whola morning) hopefully you receive them before too long. Mom - I feel bad because you write me so much and I can never write back...

 

In class the other day we talked about the importance of the Book of Mormon. Everyone, I testify, THIS IS THE MOST INCREDIBLE TOOL WE HAVE FOR EVERY PART OF OUR LIVES!!!! If studied PRAYERFULLY it can become so incredibly personal and it really is a reflection of Christ’s love for us. It is the answer to our questions and the comfort we seek. READ IT EVERY DAY. Make it personal.  Our teacher told us about this investigator in Venezuela who was given a Book of Mormon, but it was a while before they could get to him (in person). When they did, he was so incredibly excited. He read the whole thing and carried it everywhere. When they first started talking about something he’d pull it out of his workbag and pretty much teach the concept to the missionaries from the Book!!! Incredible story of someone who made it his book and applied it to his personal life. Wonderful (maravilloso)!

 

 Dave when I write you I’ve got an awesome joke.... anywho…I got an email from Elder Dees, I was so excited. I love getting your letters. Everyone was jealous cuz I got nine last night. I was on cloud nine, and they were all so encouraging. To Aimee and Zack, our Spanish tutor here bought one of them scooter things for $150. He pays $2.50 a week for gas and absolutely loves it.  He calls it the Red Thunder " cuz it makes noise like thunder" and it only goes like thirty (not including down hill.) He’s awesome and is from Columbia.

 

I love this work. I love being Gods servant. We had a large group meeting and the sisters going to Italy were whining about a "successful" mission… they were worried about going to a low baptizing mission. I raised a hand and said we are not here to go home and be labeled a successful missionary. We are here to serve the lord. Then everything else takes care of itself. I get pretty pumped up here. I love it. I love you all thanks for the support. REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE!! YOU ARE SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF GOD! What does that mean? Study it out for yourself. Then ask. Strive to always always have the spirit with you. God loves you I know it cuz he loves me.

 

-Elder Solomon

June 3, 2008

Hey momma, family and everyone else, 

Things are goin awesome! Ya, ok, so last p-day after I sent all my letters, I got a stack of them I'm not even kidding! Huge. It was great to get a letter from all of Dave's kids, It made me happy. I'm really missing seeing kids around here. I miss my Primary class and their innocence. 

Well, we finally got a different classroom. Instead of the fifth floor we're now on the first floor which is so much nicer. However, me and Elder Hoyt came to a rude awakening on Sunday while at the temple…we noticed our faces are getting fatter! Mine not so much as his but it’s wierd cuz our bodies are the same, needless to say I haven’t pulled out the old camera for a while. We decided only one plate of food a meal and only water. Ha! Well the Spanish is progressing. We like going outside and stopping random missionaries to bear testimony to. The best part is most of them are Idaho elders heading for Phoenix so they have no idea what I’m saying! I do make some stuff up though and it works the same. Yesterday we went to the TEC (teaching evaluation center) and taught the second lesson (plan of salvation) and it was so good we've found out so many good things. First of all if you’re excited and absolutely love the message, so will the investigator and the spirit is there like that! 

Secondly the plan of salvation as centered about the Atonement, not so much pre-earth and after-life but it’s about Christ and inviting people to follow him. 

Ok, so Elder Hoyt... last week he found out his favorite uncle killed himself and it hit him so hard I tried to comfort him in the way I do and I think it helped but he was still hurting. He moped around for like two days and a Branch Presidency member came and visited with him. I’ll read from my journal... 

'When they came back a blessing of comfort was requested. Of course, I was the chosen one.  my heart quickened and I removed myself momentarily to pray to Heavenly Father. We sang a song and I couldn’t utter a word.  Then a prayer and the whole district joined me.  I gave the blessing and was so surprised how the words came to me, my body was shaking but my voice was steady. I told him the Lord was pleased with him and is aware of him. I told him he will find comfort through Christ and earnest. It was wonderful. I love using the Priesthood, it is such a huge blessing in our lives if we let it be." 

 It worked and because of this experience he has taught of the plan with such testimony and conviction... however one request momma. He comes from a big family and it seems his mom is a little worn out. She’s only sent two letters and they’ve been just as short as Jackies one… but really you have no idea what it would mean if he were to get a package or even a letter... same address as me… just to him.   Thank you Thank you Thank you.  Well, I hope everything is going well. Heard it’s hot. It’s been in the eighties here and hasn’t rained lately. Course, I wouldn’t notice cuz I’m inside all stinkin day anyway... keep the letters coming- you have no idea how supporting they are. Love you all incredibly. Boys - read the Book of Mormon, no, don’t read it… devour it soak it in, study it!  If it is true then so is everything else.

I love you all so much.  See ya.

6:03 am

Hey there. Doin my Tuesday mornin laundry. It’s been a strange week. Definitely into more of a groove than last week. Less LGMs (large group meetings) and more study. We’ve been teaching the first discussion so much lately. Its kinda hard because your like "ok im just gonna say the exact same thing I said an hour ago" but im trying. Try talking without "um" in your language it is SO hard and I bust up laughing every time I do it. We’re really trying to work on “SYL” -speak your language, which means try to always talk Spanish. It’s kinda hard because I usually just make up stuff and most of the district cant understand me any way. They always ask me “how do you say this and why is that”, and usually my answer is just cuz 'that’s how they do it'

 

Bridgett- esta bien. yo aprendo tambien.

Brigg try and figure this one out and you will laugh a lot- Conoce el hombre de mollete? (Even my teachers couldn’t figure it out:)

 

Elder Hoyt is doing great. Out of those who haven’t taken any Spanish he’s definitely the best. We call him the Conjugator. He’s good in lessons and bears tender testimony. (Evens out mister factual doctrine…this is how it is).

 

Thanks for the cookies mom, however we had a district leave yesterday and they saw fit to bestow their riches upon us. So I have boxes of just junk. I always appreciate it though. I’m trying to figure out how long it takes to get letters from me then return them. When did u get the stupid chocolate card? I’ve only got letters from you guys since they don’t deliver mail on sat sun or Memorial Day. Hopefully I have something to reply to tonight.

 

I think I might of told you about the Mexican visa problems. Even some Argentinean visas are having problems.  There are missionaries going all over Utah, Vegas, Texas and Atlanta so far as ive heard. I finally found Jon Arnett. He’s really turned into a spiritual person and was so happy to see me. Had some good advice. I had a really good experience Sunday. We had a really good fireside, then after we stayed and watched the testaments. I was crying like a lot in it. It’s such a powerful message. The whole time I was thinking 'that’s my boss' it was awesome. This work is so real. We need not fear ever. Moroni tells us 'for perfect love casteth out all fear' Moroni... I forgot its in chapter nine I think. (I could tell u about seven scriptures on apostasy...) I love teaching about the first vision. Everyone- it did happen. There really is a true prophet on the earth. I testify of it. he knows us and wants us to be together forever. true story.

 

Love you all and am praying for u (mostly in Spanish mi familia:) hope everything is going well. oh ya the weather has been rainy here too. it snows on the mountain tops... excited to go to the temple even though its not the mesa one, brings a huge peace and focus to me. love you all so much Que la via bien!

to the brothers

"I tried a dessert called "Death by Chocolate," 

but it only made me stronger."

...Yep that sums up the food here.  Sometimes good.  Well mostly good.  The cookies are death though.  They make you sick.  Yes, it is hard sleeping on a top bunk with no ladder, a warped mattress, and I brought the wrong pillow.  To make things worse, there is no ceiling fan and it takes at least a half hour in bed to "wind down."  The showers are either burning or freezing.  It gets 90 degrees outside with humidity (Utah?). I'm suckin' wind at gym. 

 And somehow I'm the happiest I've ever been!

Alma 8:14-15 Lift up thy voice and rejoice!  The work is true and will go on.  Boys, constantly strive to have the Holy Ghost and your lives will be so much better.

Love you,

Preston