Monday, May 27, 2013

May 27th, 2013

Happy Memorial Day!

The temple was closed today so I had more time to write.  Preparation day ends at 4:00 p.m. and then it's off to dinner and back to class for the evening.

Last Tuesday 10 Elders, who were all going to Paris, loaded a bus and headed for the airport.  We got to the airport about 4 a.m. and nothing was open, not even security.  We had a quick breakfast at McDonalds and then boarded a 5:50 flight for San Francisco.  When we arrived in San Francisco we were picked up and taken to the French Consulate which didn't open until 9:30 so we waited.  It only took 25 minutes for all 10 of us to give them our passports, take a picture and get finger printed.  After we went to Pier 39 and had lunch and then back to the airport.  When we got to SLC at about 4:30 the airport was bustling!  As we were coming down the escalator there were about 10 families waiting to greet returning Elders and Sisters.  As they saw us they started to cheer for us.  It was hilarious but made me realize how cool it will be to come home and be able to say, "I did my best and I have no regrets" and see friends and family cheer for me.

When we finally arrived back to the MTC it was time for our devotional.  Shelly and Marcus Nash spoke to us and talked about not holding anything back and in Proverbs 3:5-6 we are told to trust the Lord and turn your heart over to him!  He talked about how the Lord knew us and that we were called long before this life to be missionaries!

On Wednesday the new Elders and Sisters arrived.  I saw my friend, Elder Ostler, and gave him a big hug!

On Thursday we got a new teacher, Soeur Worsham.  She returned from Paris in August and is attending BYU.  It is great to have two teachers now because they teach in different ways and so we can all learn.

Saturday was our service day.  It included cleaning and straightening chairs in every chapel.  We learned how to teach the restoration in French better.

Sunday was church meetings and a devotional with Nancy and Steven Allen.  It was awesome.

I leave on June 24th on Delta Flight 89 direct to Paris.


Monday, May 20, 2013

First week at the MTC

May 15th, 2013

I arrived at the MTC today.  I unloaded my luggage and within 10 minutes was in a classroom listening to a teacher who was speaking French.  We had tons of orientations that day, including one where we observed 3 investigators being taught.  The spirit was so strong.

There are 10 of us in our district.  4 Elders and 6 sisters.  We are on a floor that is all French speaking including missions to Tahiti, Montreal and France.

At the President Welcome Orientation we sang, "Army of Helaman" and it was so cool to have us actually be "missionaries bringing the world it's truth."

My companion is Elder Rigsby.  He's a cool guy and we get along.  The other 2 elders in our room are Elder Brown and Elder Garner.

On Thursday we had more orientations, classroom study, individual study companionship study and teacher time.

On Friday we started a little more normal schedule.  We used the computers for TALL, the church's rosetta stone.  We got to go to the gym, lesson from Frere Magre and more study time.  We taught our first investigator Friday in French!!!  We know how to pray in French, bear our testimony in French and know most of the first vision and missionary objective in French!  Sweet!!!

Sunday was different to say the least, but good.  We had sacrament meeting in French and sang in French.  We sing a ton and I think it is one of the best ways to invite the spirit.

I went to choir practice and will be singing in the choir when the GA's come and speak at devotionals on Tuesdays and Sundays.

Breakfast is at 6:30 a.m. with lunch at 11:00 a.m. and dinner at 4:00 p.m.

May 20th, 2013

Well, today is Day 6 at the MTC.  There's a saying that goes like this, "The days are long but the weeks fly by at the MTC."  That seems about right.

We went to the Provo Temple this morning.  Such a pretty temple and I really could feel the Savior's love.  After study time we had lunch and then laundry.  Tomorrow I leave for San Francisco but will be back later that evening.

I know that this church is true, that our Savior mad the ultimate sacrifice for us so we can live with our Heavenly Father again.  I know that Joseph Smith did see the Father and the Son and that the gospel has been restored on the earth today.  May we all choose to be happy everyday and "invite and help" others to come unto Christ.

Love you all!!!



Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Deux Semaines Pour Aller

Two Weeks to Go! Finals and work are finally over and...Two weeks from today I'll report to the Missionary Training Center at 1:45PM. I can't believe it's almost here! For those of you wondering about my farewell:


Elder Player's Farewell
May 12, 2013 @ 11:00AM
Cottonwood Stake Center
1680 East 6400 South


I'd love to see you all there and afterwards there will be food at my house.
Thanks for all of your support!