MTC Week Three

Hello everyone! The time has come once again to send the email! I never get down everything I want to say in the 30 minute time period! I'll try and hurry. I will start again with people's questions. Do you like the way I am formatting these emails? Should I do it differently?

1. What is pday like?

We wake up and have scripture study, then breakfast, then comp. study, then we go to the temple. It is a great way to start the day. Then, I come back, eat lunch, and then check the mail. After that, I come email you guys. We don't have time to play sports on pday. We don't have to stay together as a district. We have to stay with our companions though. The sister missionary is in a companionship with some Hungarian sisters. Well, they are going to hungary. They are American haha. After emails, I write letters and go to dinner. P-day ends at 6. At 6 we go to class and then go to bed. It's a never ending cycle of craziness ha.

2. When I said there were 46 missionaries in my mission, does it include sisters?

Yes it does. There are 6 sisters there I believe.

3. Do I excericise every day?

Yes I do. Everyday we have gym time (except p-day). I run for at least 2 miles every day and then I either play soccer or 4 square. You won't believe me, but 4 square is so intense. I have seen more blood in 4 square than I did in football.

4. Do I get letters everyday?

Yes! It is great. Some days I only get 1 or 2 but other days I get even more! It is so awesome to come to the mail and see that people are thinking about me.

5. Do I still see Shawn Kebker?

I do! I actually just took a picture with him a few days ago. I'll be sending some more pictures in the next week or two. He is doing great!

6. What building do I live in?

I live in 5M (Snow Building)

7. How do they find people who speak Albanian to help us teach?

All of the people who come have served missions in Albania. There are a good chunk of them here at BYU and so they just volunteer to come talk with us and show us how much Albanian we don't know! haha
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I Think that covers most of the questions. Sorry if I didn't get to all of them. I am kind of in a time crunch. I have a very interesting story to tell you but for the sake of time and the fact that I don't want you to freak out, I will probably just write it in a letter and send it home haha.

Albanian Phrase of the week: Si Je (see yay) - It means how are you?

The MTC is great! I have been learning so much about the Gospel of Jesus Christ! I Can't wait to get to Albania and help the people there. I heard a good quote this week. "You leave your family for 2 years so that other people can live with their families for eternity." How true is that!? The Albanian is coming slowly but surely. I feel like a 3rd grader again or something but it's fun. Albanian is such a crazy language. I am excited to speak it to you all in 2 years! Then I can tell you what I really think of you, and you won't know what I'm saying ;) haha. But for real, I know that God loves us all. We are all spirit children of God. He knows us like we are his children, and that is because we are his children. He wants the best for all of us.



Dad- hahahahahahahahaha I was laughing so so so hard when I read your letter about riding my Longboard. I can just picture it so perfectly. I think you should keep riding it. It is way fun once you get the hang of it. Also, thank you for sending so many letters. They are so awesome to get every night. I enjoyed seeing the rankings! I keep telling everyone Ohio State is taking it this year. They don't believe me. I hope I don't have to eat my words haha. Fringo Fare is just a slang Albanian term that means Totally Fresh. I am told that if I say that to the Albanians they will love me and laugh at me because they will know I'm new to the area. Does my zone/district like certain care packages? -- Um, Not anything specifically but I do love getting packages. IT's the best. I think I might even just start mailing my self packages just so I can look cool. I enjoyed reading about your drive down river road. I miss how green Ohio is. River Road is so awesome.
I love you Dad!

Mom- I'm glad the women's conference went well! Sounds like you had a blast! I don't think i have heard Brad Wilcox speak before but I'm sure he is an amazing speaker. I think it's funny that you listen to my music! It's pretty cool though ha. Yeah, Broken is about that situation. I think that song had some awesome potential. Hopefully I will have the oppertunity to re-record that one someday. Anyways, I think I answered most of your questions in the top part of the email! I love you mom! You were seriously the greatest mother ever. I miss you so much and think about you tons!

Ashley/JD- Okay, I was DYING when i read about your encounter at the grocery store. One of the funniest stories ever. I can just picture it all in my head. I wish I could have been there with you. One of my teachers here is seriously a spitting image of JD. He has all of his same expressions too! It reminds me of home. Good stuff! Also, thanks for all of the quotes and scriptures you send me. They really help. You are an awesome sister! I love you! Oh, and I couldn't help but laugh when you said you watched the ski masks video. I was immature.. Okay fine, I still am. But still that was a pretty funny night.

Alexis- HAHAHAHA You hit Renee's car?! You are hilarious. Did you leave a note on it that said you accidentally broke it? haha Just kidding. That was kinda mean to say but that's probably what she would have done. Anyways, You didn't write me this week you freak! And you haven't sent me family pictures yet! You gotta remember that I don't have facebook here and I can't see any of your faces anymore! IT's craziness! Alexis, You rock. Keep the burg awesome with Eckel"ness" and tell all of your friends who are my friends I say hello, and that they should "Dear Elder" me. I would love to hear from Lucas and John, or maybe even my best friend EVAN! hahaha.

Brian/Michael Martin- THanks for the letters! I enjoyed reading your letter Michael! It was a good pick me up. Brian, I am so pumped for you to go to BYU. It is what you make it, so make the best of it! You will love it there. Make sure you go to all of the things you can (orientation, devotionals on tuesdays, and FHE) Oh, and pay attention in Book of Mormon class. IT is LEGIT! haha. Yeah you and Steve should make a video. Also, is the Static stuff on iTunes? Just curious. Anyways, I hope to hear from you soon! Listen to Andrew and Bryce for me!

Betsy Lathrop- Hey Betsy! Thanks for the letter! I was not expecting you to actually write me! haha Is that bad? I knew you said you were going to but i thought it was one of those "hey we haven't hung out in forever, we should hangout sometime" things that you say to people from school when you see them in the summer! hahaha. Anyways, If you find any good Albanian Facts let me know! I am glad you are doing well, and that you are still cooking! Cooking rice isn't easy haha. I miss that class

Grandpa/ Grandpa Martin- Thanks for the letter! It sounds like you are having some awesome Missionary experiences! I wish I could be there with you when you are teaching him and talking to him. Your advice to him was awesome. JUst take it a day at a time. I have found that it is a very crucial thing to do when you are learning a new language. One day at a time. Do your best and forget the rest!


Baker Family- I love you guys!!!! I got your letter and loved it. I am writing you a hand written letter today! You should get it sometime this or next week! I loved the newspaper clippings!