1-24-2012

Hello family!!! 

 

This is such a weird thought, that I'm leaving the MTC and that this is my last P-day! 

 

Last Thursday we got our travel plans :) we leave a day earlier than we originally thought! We leave next Monday! Which was a huge surprise! We report to the travel office at 4 in the morning on Tuesday. Our flight leaves from Salt Lake at 7:30am and we'll arrive in Detroit (random) at 1 pm about (Detroit time). Then we have a 2 1/2 hour layover there and after that we fly to Buenos Aires, a 14-15 hour flight hahaha, that'll be fun. We'll arrive there at 7:55 am, Buenos Aires time. So hopefully I'll be able to call after I arrive! I don't know the schedule or what, I just know we get on a bus after that and go straight to Rosario. If you have any questions can you let me know? I don't fully understand the phone card. Is it expensive? How will I call from Argentina? Will I be able to?

 

Elder Millheim is in our travel group so I'll be with him the whole time! There are 17 total in our group but guess what, we are replacing a group of 35 elders who are all coming home this weekend. Which is insane! I heard that's the biggest group of missionaries the mission has ever had come and go. 

 

I'm sorry but I won't be able to send a video this week :/ Elder Dodge broke his camera and I lent him mine until later this week so I can take pictures before we leave. Sorry! Just a heads up.  But I heard some super cool news! I heard that 'Dear Elder' letters to Argentina are free! Can someone give it a shot to see if it does work? If it does, that would be awesome because then you don't have to pay for every letter! or even stamps and things like that :) It'll take longer than it would if it was going here but that would be nice haha.

 

Can somebody put the mission address on fb or something? If a dear elder is sent here after I leave (which would be Thursday since I can't get the mail from over the weekend) it gets thrown away. Which stinks! 

 

I don't know where that passport holder thing I had from Peru is :/ I thought I had it but I guess I didn't bring it. Sorry! It may be in one of my boxes in my room.  I feel bad I forgot that and that you have to find it! And is it legal for Missionaries to take sleeping pills?Because I think I may need some for the travel.  I can't sleep on planes... I'm nervous I won't get any sleep! 

 

(Genki desu ka?) I forgot what that means... Lauren wrote me and put that in a letter and said that I should at least know that hahaha but I can't remember! I'm losing what little Japanese I knew! hahaha :P There are some Japanese Elders here from Japan and they are so funny! They are going on their missions to Japan but I guess the MTC is closed so they got sent here, then they'll go back to Japan! I gave them some of the crackers you sent me and they got so happy!! hahaha It made me laugh because everyone here doesn't know what they are. One of them when they saw it got so excited and said with a thick Japanese accent "I love you so much" haha,it made me laugh :)

 

Thanks for telling me about Ethan Smith! Chile, that's awesome!! 

 

There is a teacher here who went to Rosario on his mission,and he came to our class to talk to us. We were so excited to talk to him! But the ENTIRE time he was so negative!! It was terrible. It made us all depressed. I can't explain it fully, but he was just super depressing and negative. Almost like he didn't enjoy his mission. I asked what the best part was about his mission and he just said "fulfilling my purpose" and didn't really expound on that. Idk, it was just pretty disappointing. Then a couple days later a teacher came in who works in our zone who went to Rosario (we haven't talked to him because he's been sick) but wow that was a huge difference!!! He was SO excited for us, couldn't even express how much he loved his mission, and explained with such enthusiasm parts of his mission and what the place is like, the people and culture, and great advice. He ended by saying, no matter where we go, it is what we make of it.  Just seeing those two different teachers talking about the same mission, one being negative and the other totally positive, helped me see that more than anything else.  It was a huge difference! It got me SO excited to go to Rosario :) He made it sound like even the hardships are worth it, it made me excited to get out and work my hardest. That was a cool experience I had this week :) 

 

I was chosen to give the talk in Sacrament meeting this past Sunday. It was pretty cool haha about enduring to the end. This next Sunday we are singing our farewell song to the branch :) should be exciting. After Sacrament meeting we watched "The Testaments" and wow I cried! I forgot how good it was :) 

 

I memorized my favorite scripture in Spanish, Alma 26:12. I'm not going to lie, I'm pretty proud of myself! Even in Spanish, this scripture provides comfort to me, and motivation. I love it :)

I'm out of time!! I love you all :) Thank you so much for everything you have all done for me :) I hope and pray you are all doing better! I pray for everyone individually every day. 

 

Elder Alek Clubb :)

1-17-2012

Hello family!! :D Como estan?? That was funny, I'm so used to saying that that I typed it. It's such a simple phrase, but hey it's Spanish! haha :) 

 

The mailroom is closed again due to MLK Jr Day, so I may be a little behind as usual!!  I hope your holdays have been awesome! From what I've heard though everyone has been sick :/ 'Im sorry, the whole family has been sick, right? That sucks! I really hope and pray everyone feels better soon. Throwing up is the worst, especially from what I've heard about Dad. So feel better or else! haha :) How is Deklan doing?

 

Thanks so much for the salsa and Cuties and candy, mom!! Best package ever! We have salsa parties every other night, haha it's fun.  That's the furthest we ever get to having a real party, sitting around a cup of salsa and cheese hahaha but its a lot of fun! 

 

Oh hey! Guess what! Elder Jordan Dodge is in the same building as me! He's a floor below me, so I've been able to go down and talk to him! I gave him one of the donuts you sent and invited him to a salsa party sometime, haha. Its pretty neat being able to see him! It's actually pretty cool. I was studying last Wednesday when I looked out of the classroom window and I saw a decorated white car drive by with the words "We love Elder Dodge" on it. haha it was so funny! Totally a Dodge thing :) After that I kept studying and then I wanted to go outside and see if a couch was available. So I got up to look, and every couch was full, then randomly I saw Elder Dodge! hahaha it was so funny. I was totally surprised and I gave him a big hug. Which I'm sure shocked him and probably scared him! :) That was fun. But we've talked a little bit whenever we see each other, which isn't often but it's pretty fun having him around! 

 

We had a great speaker the other day who said to tell our parents 'thank you', for sacrificing their sons to this service. So, "Thank you, Mom and Dad :)" I love you! You are the best. And I miss you so much, but I am so grateful for this opportunity I have. It's a blessing to me just this far. I'm learning so much and the love I have for others grows every day! I can't wait to go and share this message with the people of Argentina :) I still get a little nervous because  I know I'm far from perfect haha. We also had another pretty cool speaker come by! Elder Nelson! And WOW that was neat, he gave a great talk about the gathering of the 12 tribes and how it relates to missionary work. He gave a lot of scriptures but I learned a lot :) I love this scripture he shared: Isaiah 18:2-3. That's pretty neat, Isaiah is a pretty cool guy. 

I figured something pretty cool out! You guys should look in the Bible Dictionary and read the definiton of 'Grace'. In particular the part about the atonement and how it helps us. It has helped me :)

Mom can you send me a list of everyone's birthdays so I don't forget? I want to mark it on the calender you sent! :)

 

So guess what! We get our travel plans this week :) So next p-day I'll be able to let you know how and when I'm getting to Argentina! I'm super excited about that! We need to start brainstorming some ideas though! So are you going to be sending like a disposable phone or will I use a card or something? I'm just excited to talk to everyone! Oh, I also heard that if you send packages to Argentina, you can put the pictures on the outside but also put like Books of Mormon on the top of the package so when they open it they first see the books and they leave it alone. It's weird, idk if this is true or not but I heard it takes about a month for letters to get there. Was that what it was like for you in Japan? crazy!

 

The videos didn't work again :/ complicated camera!

 

There's an Elder in the newest district in the zone who played for Highland Rugby! Under the famour coach! He can tell some pretty cool stories :) And there are some missionaries in our district going to his mission where he is president! That would be pretty neat wouldn't it?. And we get another new district this Wednesday. So we'll have 41 Elders and 4 sisters hahaha. It's fun talking with everyone :) I'm not Zone Leader which relieves stress but I still get to make new friends!!

 

I finished the Book of Mormon last week :) It was awesome. I'm beginning to understand Spanish LDM pretty good! I'm improving a ton, still a long way to go but I've learned to have faith because I've really improved a lot. I watched a Mormon Messages video about the temple in El Salvador. You should all watch it! But that scared the crap out of me!! hahaha They all speak Spanish so fast!! The teachers talk super slow (for the most part). It was a good video but boy I think I might be a little lost out there :)

 

Well I'm out of time! I hope everyone is doing great :) Get better soon! I love my family :) you are all amazing. You are all in my prayers. Take care! :)

 

Elder Alek Clubb

 

I heard about the 49ers! Bro Doman, who I've mentioned before, his brother is the O coordinator for BYU and he played for the 49ers, so he was telling me about the game and wow!! that sounds intense!! I'm telling you, this is the year for them!! I've said it for years hahaha. Boy, I am sacrificing a lot ;)

Pictures January 3, 2012

January 10, 2012

Hola mi familia! (that's Spanish, haha)

So, how is everyone doing?? I'm so bummed! I forgot to bring my notes like I do to organize my thoughts! So, I'm sorry if this is a lame email haha. 

It sounds like everyone had a fun New Years with the cousins and stuff :) Well, mostly everyone! Mom, it sounds like you made a pretty nice grab!! Nice catch! (Mom leaped to catch Deklan who was falling off the bed and tore a calf muscle) Those reflexes are probably where Dallyn gets her volleyball skills! :) I'm sorry about your calf :/ That's no fun. Then you got sick?? I'm so sorry! I am praying for you though, I hope you are doing better.  At least you had Erin and you could both be injured together haha! Idk if you knew this but Lauren wrote me saying that she and Luke were throwing up all New Years, too! It seems as though this family has started the New Years off rough!! Same with Deklan :/ Is he still sick? Poor little guy that breaks my heart! It is going to be so weird when I get back to see him!! It could only get better from here :) It's too bad it snowed after the cousins left!

Thanks, Dad, for your words of wisdom :) You also seem to be doing a pretty good job of taking care of everyone! Nice work! You get the super Dad award haha :) I'm not going to lie, I'm loving those sports updates!! It's interesting! Same with the politics haha, I never fully got into politics before. But it's interesting seeing where everyone is and how they're doing. That made me laugh that Jake and Dad talk to each other about politics!

Oh boy, I just remembered how you put the golf videos on and deleted my videos! That made me laugh, too! hahaha, good story! (We put Alek's videos on a thumb drive for Katherine. Steve didn't know and delieted the videos to put on some golf swing videos. When we gave the thumb drive to Katherine she was confused why we gave her golf videos instead of Alek's video!!) Thanks for sharing that paragraph with me from Braden's (Elder Cottle) letter. Wow! He is a strong Elder! I was mostly interested with how he said that he noticed whenever things get down, they always pick up, like it's a pattern.  The down moments always make us recognize the good a little better, don't they? He sounds like he's doing a great job down there!

I wanted to share something that I learned yesterday.  It opened my eyes and I thought it was super cool :) Since I didn't bring my notes I don't remember the scripture :/ but I'm sure you'll recognize it.  It's in the New Testament when Jesus said that he is the Vine and when we follow and cling to him (as branches) we bear fruit and grow with fruit. And when I read that I was like hey that's cool! And I remembered Lehi's dream, and how the fruit in Lehi's dream, which was the most desirable thing on earth, was the Love of God.  Which in itself is interesting because I would have thought it was like eternal life or something. So I related that to the scripture I read and realized that when we cling to Jesus Christ and stay connected to Him, then we bear fruit which grows, or the Love of God grows in us. And it was interesting how later in the scripture it talks about love and how much our Savior loves us!! That was neat :) So I just know personally, that this is true.  Whenever I feel close to my Savior, Whenever I repent or grow closer to Him, His love and the love of Heavenly Father are almost overwhelming at times.  And it just grows in me, and it really is something that I desire.  Love is the most powerful emotion, and I feel like I've grown in love for so many people. you, my family, Katherine, my friends here, the investigators I teach here and the people of Argentina.  I want to share this love with others, because I know it will bless their lives, and fill them with so much joy. I'm so excited to go to Argentina! 3 weeks left! haha. In 2 weeks you'll all know my flight plans! I still have a lot more to learn :P I'm working my hardest though, and I feel blessed because of it. Also deeply humbled... because I'm so so far from being a great missionary. But this already has been an unforgettable experience. I'm so grateful for my loving family :) the support you all are to me :) you are the best!

Thanks for sharing your personal experience with the spirit Dad :) that was really nice. I don't feel at that level... but I do feel the Spirit.  I'm so grateful for the Spirit :) you inspire me to be a better missionary!!

I love you all, I'm sorry I wasn't able to write everything that I wanted! I hope everyone is doing well, I feel perfectly fine now, so it's your turns to feel better! haha :) I got the socks and alarm clock, and the snacks!! Thank you so much! :) Well I'm praying for each of you, I hope you are all feeling fantastic and that the Spirit is abundant in your lives. Because that's how we feel God's love! :) I love you!!

P-Day #5!

Hey family!! :D

Wow! Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!! The big 2 decade mark!!! hahaha :) You're a rock star Dad ;) way to remember!! I hope you guys had a great anniversary! How was everyone's New Years? The mailroom was closed again yesterday for the new year which was a disappointment :p but it's ok haha, I just don't have the letters from the weekend yet so I may be a little behind on some things :)

That's so cool the cousins came over! oh man good times haha I'm glad you all had fun with them. I got a letter from Michele so it was really nice to hear how everything is going:) Oh yeah the weather!!  haha! I love it!! :D I'm hoping it stays warm until I leave haha, I bet a lot of people want to knock some sense into me ;) Hey, if I can't play in it, I'm just sad, I'm from California! I guess I'm a little selfish when it comes to weather, among other things :P I'm a very expressive person, If you cant tell from all of the faces I use!! hahaha :)

Ok. so the video didn't work on my camera :/ that was pretty disappointing. Is there some way super genius dad could find a way for it to work? I loved the pictures, Deklan is as cute as ever. It's crazy, I can't imagine how he'll be when I get back!

Idk how to send my pants back :P haha can you teach me? They fit at Mr Mac, idk why but the waist is just super tight, I can't fit it on. I'm a 32 30 with my jeans if that means anything haha. Oh, and they gave us all free water purifiers (those bottles) with an extra filter :)

Congratulations Erin!! With your job and with school!!! That's super cool :) you did better in school then I think I ever did! Congratulations!  :)

Ok, so you got a ping pong table and 'Psych' after Ieave! what is that all about? ;) haha that sounds fun. It makes me so happy you all had fun.

So 4 weeks from today, I will be leaving on a jet plane, on my way to Argentina! That's a crazy thought, but I'm so excited.  I really love teaching and the spirit I feel. I'm so grateful, I know I have talents to help the people there, and I just can't wait for the opportunity to bring others to Christ.  My experience here has been amazing, I have learned so much! about how to teach, Spanish, so many things and I'm so grateful to be here :) It really is a special place as dad always says :)

I haven't seen Patrick! Which is weird because I should have by now? Even Elder Mower hasn't seen him! Did he get his visa? Oh wow Elder Mower left yesterday!!! That is crazy, he'll do awesome out there!

So I had the opportunity to be with Elder Taai (the missionary from Kiribati - ti makes an s sound- Christmas Island to be exact) and wow, he is so awesome!! One of the funniest people I've ever met, and he barely speaks English! he just acts everything out super funny.  Well we taught the lesson as a 3-some, and he talked a lot! He said he followed the Spirit. It was a good lesson :) then we found out he was leaving... the next day. He saw the doctor and his knee was good to go.  So we hurried and packed his things and just like that he was gone. I hope I never forget him, he's such a great guy! I wish you all could meet him :) So after he left, out district is down to 4 Elders, 2 companionships. I got called as District Leader (which to be honest was a huge surprise, remember dad? I thought it would be my companion for sure. Maybe I have to learn something), and the other 2 Elders as Zone leaders.  There is only 1 district that have been here longer than us, and they leave next week, which is super sad.  We've been with them the longest and they've all been great friends. Then after that we'll be the oldest for the 3 weeks after that. There is a district of 12 Elders that just came in last week, which is huge!!! hahaha, It's funny seeing the comparison.

Can you send me the Christmas letter from Ma and Pa? and a little alarm clock, and some extra church socks? :P I swear the dryer eats them. I really loved your 3 trees story mom, that is powerful, I love to read it. And I'm not surprised Dakota got up every hour since 5 on Christmas :) that made me laugh so hard!! hahaha. I heard about the BYU Game!!! I hope you guys recorded it!! That sounds so amazing!! a memorable game for sure :) oh mom, now we are beginning to memorize DC 4 in Spanish haha, its a good one :)

Well it's cool you mentioned Galatians 5, because I use that scripture all of the time when I teach.  Its so important for them to recognize the Spirit, So that is usually how I start off a lesson.  We saw a video about Elder Bednar and he talked about following the Spirit. He's becoming my favorite speaker ever :) and he basically said don't worry about it! It'll come most of the time without even realizing it, and I've noticed that.  During lessons, if I'm patient, I'm lead to teach the right thing. Which is pretty cool experience :) Well I have to go! wow I wrote a lot hahaha its scary being timed!! I love you all, thank you for all of your love and care, prayers and letters. You are amazing and all the very best :) You are in my prayers every day. :)

Elder Clubb