-No I didn't audition. The
first day we were asked who could play piano so I volunteered for the
orientation stuff. Word gets around fast when there are only five or so
wives in the MTC. Sister Jewell has been a Godsend. I miss old
ladies.
-I got e-mails from Delaney, Brooke, Aaron, and Danny, but not Bethany.
-My
companion's name is Tyler James McKinley, I have pictures today.
Brooke's advice was to take only people, but this first go around I had
to take scenery pictures.
-He is from San Diego area, but a suburb I don't know. He only
lived there a little while. He takes a lot of pictures of scenery, so
that influenced my number of scenery pictures.
-We eat in a
cafeteria. Our casas are bare minimum really, but its not the dorms I'd
have to use if this was summer time. The food is really alright.
Nutella is always around for those questionable dishes, but as I said
last week, it agrees with me. No BYU chocolate milk, but really, I have
Nutella, so I'm okay. I'm not sure if I'll gain or lose weight here.
-Yeah, you should mail that tie too. Do I need the rest of my temple clothes?
-As
for my plaque. I will tentatively say the one in Romans, "I am not
ashamed of the gospel..." I will really let it be known next week for
sure though.
Well that is all the questions, now to the meat of the e-mail!
Wednesday- Last P-day
Lets
see, you can tell father I guess I finally understand barbershop music
now. Me, McKinley, Hooper, and Lee started singing hymns in almost 4
part harmony after our lesson with our investigator "Alejandro." We
just kept singing and it was really quite good. We might audition to
sing Friday if I can force us to work enough, but if not, it will be
okay. We also got our "investigator" to commit to baptism!
Thursday
Morning lessons
are grudgingly long. Being with our morning teacher Hmo. Ramirez is a
bit tough. Its just a long time to be sitting. But of course, by Gym
it was better. We played Ultimate Frisbee. The one sport I like.
Unfortunately, McKinley's leg has been hurting, so we went to the
clinic and its mainly just strained? Anyways, it just needs to heal,
and he needs to not sprint, which is hard for him. I think we teach
each other patience in things like that. We had our last Alejandro
lesson, and a big surprise that all the elders already knew was coming
Friday.
Friday the 21st
Same as
ever, worked hard. I auditioned for piano solo with "I Feel my Savior's
Love." It was for Hermana's Jewell, Gill, and Jones. Jewell and Gill
are the branch presidency's wives, and Jones was the first one I showed
my piano abilities to. They're great. Anyways, what is so cool is that
our first "investigator" is our evening teacher from now on. Alejandro
Hernandez is super amazing. I feel energized, and ready after his
lessons. He makes four hours go by in five minutes. Its funny when
compared to our morning class. Ramirez is also a great teacher, and
I've had better lessons this last week.
Saturday, the special day.
Our
new "investigators" (which are our amazing teachers acting) are Rodrigo
and Kevin. Rodrigo believes God is in all churches, and Kevin is just a
partying law school student. I sleep like a city boy. I don't wake up
to Mexican music, but a mosquito will snap me awake at four in the
morning. We napped during Gym time, because I'd ran enough, and
McKinley really can't do anything aerobic so running consists of me
running while he waits. Our district is still great. We let out humor
sometimes. Its funny how my humor kind of has reached a new low in
quality since being here. I don't have Parks and Rec or HIMYM to laugh
at. BTW, Bethany needs to send me a full synopsis of the last two
episodes. Anyways, We laugh to relieve the stress of being here, and it
works. I definitively (I never could spell that word) want to be in
the field, but this place is wonderful. I can only imagine how small
Provo is if this seems little.
Sunday
I love Sundays. I
played piano for sacrament meeting. We all have to prepare talks for
Sunday in Spanish, and then we find out who has to give them. Its good
practice. Our district sang Señor, yo te seguire, (Lord I would follow
thee) for the musical number. The Jewell's leave in a few weeks :(.
Monday
Same as usual.
Lessons, lunch, gym, dinner, evening lessons. I love how Hernandez's
lessons make me realize things in the gospel I didn't know I had to
realize.
Tuesday
Awesome lesson with
Ramirez on beginning teaching. Our service was kind of awkward because
there were so many of us and we didn't know what to do while the
workers looked for the hose on the pressure washer. Then only two
people were need to work it, so we went and just put down chairs in the
cafeteria.
I don't know what else to say, but thanks for all
the love and support. You are all in my prayers! The gospel is true! I
can't wait to be able to share it! I've been reading in Acts in my
spare reading moments, and it is amazing. I've read it before, but it
makes more sense when you understand what a Jew is. You have a good
name dad.
Your most favorite elder,
Elder David Austin Barlow
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| The B, for Benemerito on the mountain. Just like Bountiful! |
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| Richards and Fisher, going to Conception Chile |
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