September 9, 2010

Excerpts from Oliver's latest letter:

Howdy Family! Here comes another P-day at the MTC. The weeks go past like days and I've already been here a month! Wow! Pretty soon I'll be hitting the halfway mark, which I'm excited about. I'm really ready to get out there, except I need more Spanish...

Most everything is the same. I'm working on the language, though it's hard for me to speak it more. I just need to renew my efforts. I want to learn more and become fluent, it just takes hard work and patience. I'm also loving learning more about the gospel and teaching with my companion, Elder Reed.

On a more somber note, someone in our district (a guy from Las Vegas) got the flu! It's really a big deal here, and he was put in to quarantine for 2 days and the clinic gave everyone else (10 of us) boxes of tamiflu pills as a preventive measure. The church really does not want a flu outbreak. I myself am feeling fine and healthy; I just need to take one pill each day. I'll keep you updated, but most everything is fine now (except for the sick elder - hope he gets well!)

Some more elders from our zone are leaving next week for Mexico. It's exciting but I'll miss them! They're very cool and fun guys. They've also given Elder Reed and I some wonderful advice on studying and teaching.

We had a great Devotional Meeting this past week from Lowell Snow of the Second Quorum of the 70. I sang in the choir for it, which was mucho fun! I look forward to doing it more. Anyway, he talked about "choice". Like, how have the choices we have made led us to where we are now? What have I learned about myself as a result of my choices? What have I learned about God? What choices will I make in the future? A really though-provoking talk; I really liked it. He also talked about a couple of other important things - like the essential importance of charity and the power of the scriptures.

So I think that's about it for this week. Sorry the letter isn't that long, but I do love you all and miss you bunches. I'm excited to be here and can't wait to get to Mexico - 5 more weeks!

Love,
Oliver