Only 700 more days to go!

February 26, 2015

That title is the biggest joke I've ever seen but really though I finished my first month here at the MTC and it seems like the time has just flown by! I can't believe that Courtney is going to get here like a couple days before I leave! Tenny just got here a bit ago so that's way cool to see him! This week was a bit of a rollercoaster to be honest! The Finns who are basically like older brothers for me are all packed up because they are leaving on Monday and it's been really sad to see and to make matters worse I started thinking about when I leave and how I want to call home and I thought about talking to Grace and to be honest that's the first time I have cried at night since I have been here. Seriously talking about her kills me it's awful. 

I finished the Rubiks cube which was awesome! So Sister Ariza has been having a really rough go of it. I guess she has something wrong with her gall bladder and she finds out tomorrow whether she has to go home for surgery or can stay here. I really hope she can stay because I love her! Our Branch President can really rub me wrong sometimes but I also know that he is guided by the spirit and that if I listen to him I can grow. He got up on Sunday and decided not to give his talk and just asked us to have faith and fast that Motra Ariza, McBride Nover (Sister McBride, in Hungarian the tags are backwards), and the Finns who are getting anxiety (a couple of them are really freaking out about leaving). It was a super spiritual meeting so our whole zone fasted the next day that the Lord will bless them and I know He will but I know a lot of it depends on his timing. 

There's a group of Elders going to Brazil that are really cool but one of them has been talking to me about how he really struggles with the language and stuff and the other night he just started having a really bad anxiety attack.   He is doing way better now which was great but man I just continue to thank Heavenly Father for a strong and healthy emotional and mental system that can handle stresses because it's a way bigger problem than I thought it would be here. I am also grateful for companions that I can get along with most of the time. One of the Estonians right next door to me who is really cool has had a really hard time with his companions. He is one of my better friends here but one of his companions has had a hard time with emotional issues and is just hard to be around him a lot of the time and the other just doesn't talk nor does he seem like he really wants to be here! He ended up staying in our room one night for a while and just venting with us which was good for him. 

I am also no longer district leader (they switch at half) which has honestly been a little hard for me so far. I don't know I just feel like I have already built this relationship with everyone in my district where they can come to me and I can help them. I know it's an exercise of humility for me but I'll tell you what it really is going to be a little rough go of it for a bit. 

 We did another skype session yesterday with an Albanian and I really liked her she was mid 20's and had gone on a mission to Italy but she spoke pretty slowly for us and I could understand almost everything she said! She was working at a little kiosk thing while we were skyping so she would randomly get up and go talk to customers! and the branch president showed up for a bit! (she is his daughter). Afterwards our teacher talked to her and she said she felt like we had a lot of unity in our companionship which is good! On Tuesday we had the best devotional since I have been here! It was  way awesome, It was Bishop Cousse a presiding bishop and he just talked about how missionaries are super heroes and he told a couple stories about families being converted to the church and how they will always remember that missionaries name. That was just a big testament to me that I could be that missionary for someone who in 40 years is like my family was converted by an Elder Guymon and he changed our lives! How awesome would that be! The generations of converts would just go on! I have had a few times this week where I have just really felt that burning in my chest of the spirit testifying to me that what I am hearing is true and I need to listen and it's the most awesome feeling! I love that we are able to have the gift of the holy ghost with us to always testify that what we are doing is right! 

My favorite scriptures right now are in Alma 26:28-30 & 35-37...

28 And now behold, we have come, and been forth amongst them; and we have been patient in our sufferings, and we have suffered every privation; yea, we have traveled from house to house, relying upon the mercies of the world—not upon the mercies of the world alone but upon the mercies of God.

 29 And we have entered into their houses and taught them, and we have taught them in their streets; yea, and we have taught them upon their hills; and we have also entered into their temples and their synagogues and taught them; and we have been cast out, and mocked, and spit upon, and smote upon our cheeks; and we have been stoned, and taken and bound with strong cords, and cast into prison; and through the power and wisdom of God we have been delivered again.

 30 And we have suffered all manner of afflictions, and all this, that perhaps we might be the means of saving some soul; and we supposed that our joy would be full if perhaps we could be the means of saving some.

35 Now have we not reason to rejoice? Yea, I say unto you, there never were men that had so great reason to rejoice as we, since the world began; yea, and my joy is carried away, even unto boasting in my God; for he has all power, all wisdom, and all understanding; he comprehendeth all things, and he is a merciful Being, even unto salvation, to those who will repent and believe on his name.

 36 Now if this is boasting, even so will I boast; for this is my life and my light, my joy and my salvation, and my redemption from everlasting wo. Yea, blessed is the name of my God, who has been mindful of this people, who are a branch of the tree of Israel, and has been lost from its body in a strange land; yea, I say, blessed be the name of my God, who has been mindful of us, wanderers in a strange land.

 37 Now my brethren, we see that God is mindful of every people, whatsoever land they may be in; yea, he numbereth his people, and his bowels of mercy are over all the earth. Now this is my joy, and my great thanksgiving; yea, and I will give thanks unto my God forever. Amen.

One of my favorite things my mission president says mostly pertaining to girlfriends but I think it applies to everything is "Do you think God is going to withhold blessings from you for going on a mission? NO!" and I had never really thought about it like that. He isn't ever going to make our options worse for going on a mission which is really comforting! 

I've really missed you all and love you so much! I get a little homesick a couple times per week and I really miss Grace but I'm good!  One thing is do you think you could send me a little picture of Grace once a week, they don't even have to be current and if it's not easy don't worry about it but I'd love to see her! It sucks though every time I think of her I get choked up! 

I got a package from the Fraga's! Did you tell them what to put in it because it had like my favorite stuff!!! I don't have their email address so will thank them for me! 

Kyra Toyama writes me every week which is really cool, Emma Williams has started writing me, Austin, Cameron , Trevor, and I have a group message that we write in. This week in specific I heard from: Sarah Blake, Grayland Martin, Michael Hopper, Courtney Dittman, Taylor Thomas, and Britney Perez!

Thank you for all the love and the stuff you send! It means a ton honestly I really love you mom you are the best! I miss you tons!

Week 3 in the MTC!

Pershendetje!‏

 So I apologize but I don't think I have a ton to write about this week. It was just pretty standard! First of all thank you so much for my Valentine's Day package! Seriously everyone was so jealous of me it was hilarious! Honestly though its awesome just to have little toys like that to help me unwind at the end of the day! One crazy thing that happened is Cameron officially left to Norway which was a lot more of a bummer than I thought it would be! Like I didn't get to see him all that much but it was still really awesome just to know he was here and we would run into each other every once in a while. 

One thing that was really helpful to me was on Friday after talking to my zone leaders I decided to hold a district inventory so essentially everyone in our district got together one night and we just talked about things that other people do that bug us but in a constructive way and it realllllllllly helped and everyone felt pretty good about it. My companion talked about some of his feelings towards the Sister who has been frustrating us and I think that she will make an effort to fix it. 

Also, Sunday night we had a great devotional and the guy speaking felt prompted to spend a lot of time talking about staying with your companion and it really starting to make an impression on me because my branch president has been talking about the same thing so I really feel like Heavenly Father is trying to tell me that something bad is going to happen if I don't stay with my companion which is kinda scary but it's not like I'm planning on breaking that rule. The speaker was just really cool though and it kind of felt like just a big moral boost and he threw down some pretty awesome quotes. One of them was "when you think you can't do it anymore, believe the thoughts that say you can"! 

I also found out the MTC is a little over 41% Sister missionaries! like holy cowwww! Last Thursday we did TRC which is where we go and essentially give a family home evening feeling lesson to some RM's from Albania! It was a seriously humbling experience but at the same time it gave me hope. They were super cool and would help us with words if we couldn't remember them or know them. Then this current week on Wednesday we got to skype with an actual Albanian and teach her a lesson. WHEW... that was soo freaky. The sister has been a member for 2 years and so we talked to her a little bit and then shared the message of the restoration. Honestly I don't think I understood half of what she said. But she was patient and really tried to help us understand! 

One thing that I have really gained an appreciation for since I have been here is my patriarchal blessing. I read it every night and it honestly has so much in there for me every time I read it I feel Heavenly Father just saying he is looking out for me and it is so cool! I have really been praying to receive and be able to listen to spiritual promptings on how to help the other missionaries in my zone and its been really cool being able to feel Him helping me out in almost everything I do! 

I am for sure glad that I am staying here as long as I am. I just hope its long enough honestly, the Fins are leaving in 2 weeks and they are really starting to feel some pressure and are getting nervous! Not going to like good looking sisters really are a struggle sometimes, there is a sister in my district that is so awesome and pretty dang cute and its so hard not to just openly flirt with her. Its also extra hard because everyone in my zone and my companions are really cool and sometimes we will see a girl and like all share the same thought and sometimes have to pull it back together. I'd say im definitely learning some patience and definitely learning how the Lord loves his children. I think one of my favorite parts about being here at the MTC so far is really getting into prayer. Like there are times where I am praying and I just know He is listening and it is just really cool to know He can bless me if I ask. 

I definitely do enjoy learning Albanian although I wish they went at a quicker pace to be honest, they have really slowed up. The only thing frustrating to me is when I'm in the middle of a lesson and really getting a point across and then get stuck at a word I just dont know. it sucks! One thing I struggle with is humbling myself and leaving room for the Spirit to do the teaching. I just want to get all my message out so that they understand and I need to learn to step back a bit and leave time for the true teacher to do His job. 

So I made an official calendar for my stay here at the MTC so here is the DL, today is my 23rd day here and I have 63 total days (we leave March 31st). I am going to have 8 PDays while I am here and this is my third which makes it sound way shorter than it feels sometimes, but weeks really do go by pretty quickly now. Jason visited me yesterday and we talked for a while he showed me all those pictures of Gracie at her birthday you posted on Facebook and I'll be honest I almost started crying. I just really miss her a whole lot which sucks but it will be awesome to see how much she has grown when I skype on Mothers day! Another cool thing is Caroline Bushman from BYU is now here! I took some pictures with her which I'll post later but I see her everywhere and she has so much positive energy it's just awesome to be able to talk to her every once in a while! I definitely have been blessed with my companionship because we are all still getting along great! Like these guys aren't my best friends or anything but we like each other which is much better than some other companionships we see. I'll finish by giving a little testimony in Albanian,

Une di qe Jezu Krishitit na eshte shpitimtare edhe ai eshte biri i parendise. Une besoj qe Jozef Smithi ka rivendosuar e ungillin edhe kyo kishe eshte e vertete. Une di qe Perendine udeqin sepse ai na deshmon. Ne emrin e Jezu Krishtit amen.

I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior and that he is the Son of God. I believe that Joseph Smith restored the gospel and that this is the true church, I know that God gave us comandments because He loves us. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

2nd Pday!

Weekly email numerat dy

    Well I'll tell you what this week was wayyyyyyy better than last week but at the same time I don't have as much to tell. I'll start with my rollercoaster of a thursday last P day. So it was going great and all and I got to read some emails but when I got back to my room and one of the Finns (they are basically our older brothers) came and told us that he was going home today. It was super sad because he has like miner OCD and had been struggling with anxiety and I guess he went to the councilor and they said if he went to field it would get worse. So we had to go see him off then a companionship in the Hungarian district was having some problems and the zone leaders had to authorize a temporary exchange and he slept in their room because he basically broke down. Pretty much everyone in the zone was sort of freaked out but luckily everything turned out alright! We also played ping pong because someone brought a net that attaches to tables and that was way fun. We finished teaching our "investigator" Anila and she came and talked to us in English about her experience and how she thought we did and she gave me a personal shout out and complimented me and said it felt like I was really interested so that's awesome! Weeks are definitely passing by quicker now which is awesome like its already week 3 by the MTC count so I'll be outa here in no time! Also this week our teacher told us when we got to Albania we would get new name tags with our names spelled phonetically with the Albanian alphabet so my new name with be Gajmen (with two dots over the e). Which is confusing but awesome. Also I heard a really good quote that made me even more excited to learn Albanian, "The language you were called to serve in is the language that you can best testify of the gospel in." or something to that effect. When I heard that I really felt the spirit so I know that that is true which gives me a lot of hope when I feel like its too much. Something kinda sad that happened was all the English speakers that came in to the MTC with us are now gone! But since then Jordan Lee has come in and Andrew Barton! So week one with the district felt great and all but now that we are over the whole "we don't know each other thing" some personalities are really coming out and the district isn't getting along quite as well as they used to. For me especially there is one sister that I am really struggling with and she actually made my companion full force punch a wall a couple days ago because he was so mad. Luckily he didn't break his hand on the brick wall but I think that I might need to talk with her. On the other hand we really get along with another companionship of sisters in my district and that is definitely a blessing. I actually did an illegal race, an 800 meter, the other day during gym because one of the sisters runs track for ISU and I definitely lost to her... I train every day now and am determined to beat her by the end of our stay here! You will have to thank Grandma and Grandpa Guymon for sending me a valentines because I don't have their emails! Also thank you for the package of apples (Jason)! Everyone was super weirded out but it really is awesome to have those! Also dad I don't know if you heard about this guy but he is here at the MTC right now and he is 6'7" 410lbs from Tonga. Like honestly this dude is huggggeeeeeeee and he's not fat like he is athletic! Apparently the coaches saw him playing basketball in Tonga and he played rugby there and he got offered a full ride to BYU even though he's never played football! I guess he's their biggest recruit ever or something! We only have 70lbs on him as a combined tripanionship!! I learned a new scripture that explains why everyone gets married so quickly at BYU and everyone in my zone says it all the time! If you are interested its 1 Cor 7:9. :)

The language is coming along pretty  well. I can pretty solidly say prayers and bear my testimony or do introductions. In our branch we have to write a talk every week and the branch president just randomly chooses people to give their talks after sacrament! Starting after week 4 you have to give your talk in your mission language!! It is good practice though for sure. 

I know one thing that is both a pro and con of being a District Leader is the branch presidency meetings where all the district leaders and branch president come and all talk about all the districts "dirty laundry". It's nice because we get to help people and I get to know who needs help but at the same time sometimes ignorance is bliss!

Also my companions wanted me to thank you for the food you have been sending! haha

 Again thank you for all the emails and prayers they are really big pick me ups and it means a lot to me!

First P-day!!!

Hello all!

Holy Cow it feels like its already been a year here I'm not going to lie! So I forgot my notebook which had things I'm going to write about but I totally forgot it so if I forget somethings I guess i'll just have to wait till next week to throw them in. I guess I'll just beginning by talking about getting here and everything so Jake Hart was my host and brought my bags to my room and on the way there everyone was shouting at me WELCOME TO THE MTC which I later found out was because the little orange button on my tag meant I was new. I met my companions Elder Crandall and Elder Clemans who are both great guys! We are different in some ways but honestly I for sure can't complain about my companions they are both great and I don't mind being in a trio! I got to class and met my first teacher, Motra Hoopes, and she basically threw a bunch of Albanian at me and I'm sure my eyes were about as wide as they could get which is kinda embarrassing but what are you going to do? That first day just learning the alphabet was hard honestly. I also met the rest of my district! Like I said its just 3 elders and 6 sisters. I honestly really like basically my whole district we all get along pretty well. From what I've heard the mission is like 40 elders 20 sisters but that is subject to change so we will see! The food is like everyone said crappy version of the cannon but you know, its alright! The problem is I'm only in my room from 9:30p to 10:30p every night so there isn't that much time to eat other food! It's definitely nice being able to have a little something before I go to bed. The first 3ish days were pretty hard for me. I was really stressed out about the language and we had to teach a lesson on our 3rd day! but after Sunday we kinda settled into our schedule and realized there was no reason to stress the language would just come when it did and we found more time for scripture study which I now realize is the greatest time here at the MTC. We met our branch presidency friday night and it turns out I'm District leader! To be honest it really doesn't mean much when there is only me and my companions for elders but I do go to some meetings and try to magnify the calling. My branch president is kinda intimidating he is super big about exact obedience and it feels a little much sometimes but I'm trying my best. Something that is really special about the MTC is the spirit is always like right behind you ready to hit you. You can be totally off topic and then someone says something meaningful and you are just totally hit by the spirit. Its pretty awesome. I can also say I have never prayed as much or studied the scriptures so hard as being here which is an awesome experience for me I'm really enjoying my personal study time! I'm also really advancing in the language I can usually understand a sentence based on some words but im definitely needing some improvement. Our other teachers, Elder Knight and Elder Carver, are awesome Elder Knight is my favorite because his Albanian is the best and he is so easy to get distracted. We talk about basketball and stuff sometimes and funny stories in Albania about the mafia and stuff. One of his landlords was a member of the mafia! He says they are your friend over there so we're all good there. He also said it took him about 8 months total before he felt really good about the language which is hard to think about but I can do it! From what I'm told Albanian is tied with some others for the second or third hardest languages here at the MTC with Finnish being the hardest! The Asian languages aren't actually as bad once you get passed the characters because the grammar is way easier! There are lots of little times where you are bored and wanting something to do but I'm figuring it out, I've started making rubberband balls which is pretty fun but ya doing stuff like that because I can't exactly pull out my phone. What I miss most about my phone is being able to look things up whenever! Its just so convenient! I'm still struggling a little with keeping my mind set as a missionary all the time. Sometimes you look at a sister and think she's cute and your just like oops but honestly what am i supposed to do?! Another thing is I think about the LCS pretty frequently which is bad but I always just think how its going but I'm sure that will pass. Some days are pretty lonely here to be honest, today isn't one of those days but I had one the other day where I was just really wanting some friends to talk to or something and it was kinda hard. It seems like the majority of the guys came out here with girlfriends and sometimes when they are all talking about it I think I wish I had something like that but at the same time it would be so hard to have that additional stress I couldn't even imagine. I really love these emails you all have sent me and getting those dear elder letters is especially awesome. I get the mail once a day so its awesome being able to get little notes! (mom ill send you my address to insert here later in the day). I will be leaving the MTC on March 31st and don't even need a visa so thats pretty awesome! I love seeing friends here! so far i've seen Zach Harris, Jacob Baldridge, Andrew Barton, Glen Krebs, and Cameron! I also got to see Jason yesterday which was cool! I don't really get super homesick yet but I do really miss Grace sometimes. Everyone says that you will have some sort of breakdown by week 4 so I'm still holding out strong but we will see. I think the hardest time I have had at the MTC was when we went on our temple walk on Sunday. We get to go accross the street and hang out on the temple grounds for a bit and I could see BYU and I really felt it. Schedule wise Monday, Wednesday, Friday I have 3 blocks of class 4 hours, 3 hours, 4 hours which is reaallllyyy hard sometimes. Thats probably the area I struggle with the most is staying focused during that time, especially the last block because we don't have a teacher during that time. I'm working on improving but it is definitely hard not to just unwind. It has really surprised me how much time we have without supervision I guess since we are here as missionaries they figure they tell us what to do and we will do it so you don't have to do the majority of the things that are on your schedule to be honest! I'm not going to lie and I can see how people burn out of here, especially the harder languages! It's just a lot to process all the time and it can leave you feeling pretty drained a lot. We already lost a Hungarian which is too bad because he was really cool. Fitness time is truly a gift, holy cow I think I would go insane if we didn't have it! I play bump pretty much every time, sometimes I play some 4square but to put it lightly thats where the kids go who can't play any other sport... Well I think that's pretty much it I might add some more later today but I think I have pretty much covered it! Keep sending me mail I love to here from you all!

Oh also!!! My branch 2nd councilor is Brother Leifson and I was like there is no way that is a coincidence so I talked to him and he is Thor Leifsons brother!!! (Trevor's grandpas brother) He is my favorite on the branch presidency too!! The other two are kinda serious but he pretty much never is! he just tells stories and it super nice which is awesome! just thought that was funny!

 I know these emails aren't going to be super "well written" but they are me being real which I thought is better. Missing my mechanical keyboard :( typing on this thing is rough! We just got back from the temple and the sun was out and it was amazing!! Thank you so much also for the food! my companions thank you as well! Oh I also forgot to include I gave my first blessing! That was one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had the spirit was so strong!! It is honestly was indescribable. I also see Nick VanAlfan frequently which is really cool!  Also do you think that you could send me a yoyo? haha I know its random but little things are a big deal here! Also this one is less important but if you could find a CTR ring in Albanian that would be really cool to have! Thank you so much for your letters throughout the week and if there is anything I leave out in these letters let me know because I'm not great at this stuff! This week has gone by pretty quickly so hopefully that continues!! I love you all so much! I know what I am doing is the right thing to do and if it wasn't trust me I would NOT be here!

First letter home!

Dear Family,

Look at this I'm already writing you!  And a letter no less!  They told us we needed to let you know we made it here safely but I'm assuming you already know that.  The first day was pretty wild...Elder Hart took me to get my badge and books and then took me to my room and from there I was on my own.  The layout is pretty confusing but I'll figure it out.  I made it to my class and basically had a bunch of Albanian thrown at me.  Honestly, I have no idea how long it's going to take me to get this.  There are very few resemblance to draw on but whatevs.  I'm in a tri-panionship with Elder Crandall and Elder Clemans.  They seem like pretty cool guys.  Crandall is more of a music guy tallish, strawberry blonde, he speaks fluent German.  Clemons is a wrestler and sports guy, short, brown hair, glasses.  We are the only 3 elders in our district!  There are 6 sisters!  Our zone is awesome - it's all the weird languages no one knows what to do with and we are a branch of 57, so ya, the forgotten crew.  It makes it a really tight knit group though.  Food is alright basically crappy cannon - like they said and snacks are definitely necessary!!  I might be asking for some t-shirts but hold off for now.  Also, my books weigh like 1,000 lbs.  Well sorry, it's only been 2 days so I don't have a lot to write about, but I tried!  My P-days are on thursdays so I'll email you with some pictures then.  There isn't any wifi here so I can't send pictures through the camera.
Lots of love with a smile on my face!!

Adam

Drop off at the MTC - Provo, UT

January 28, 2015
It was a strange morning.  Adam didn't have to be at the MTC till 12:30pm so we hung around with some family and he wanted to eat at In-N-Out one last time. :)

Farewell and Luncheon.

All these cute kids drove up from BYU to see Adam. :)

Opening the mission call

Opening the mission call!  We drove down to BYU and Adam opened his call in the lobby of his dorm surrounded by family and friends.  When he opened it we had no idea where he was going.  We all got on our phones are started researching it. :)