This week I heard 3 general authorities, two of them were apostles.
Richard Edgley, Dallin H. Oaks, and Jeffrey R. Holland.
I loved those talks. I would love to write all of those things for you but I don't have two hours to write emails today. But lets start with last friday evening and go from there. TRC(Teaching evaluation) night is where "volunteer" investigators come in and we practice a specified prompt for them. They never follow the prompt. So Elder Jensen and I meet our investigator and talk to him in Spanish and continue on into the room where we are going to teach. We were supposed to do contacts, but ended up coming and and started teaching, when the real investigators showed up...and in Spanish I proceeded to teach most of Lesson 1 and got up to reciting Joseph Smith's first vision before I had to go into English. Elder Jensen was still in shell shock by the time the lesson was over, but he was able to help as best he could. I felt good, but at the same time felt bad, for leaving him behind. After that on Sunday Elder Jensen got put in as District Leader, and I got to finish my interview with President Shumway. I really need to be a better companion and I have to figure out how to do that now with two companions. We had three Elders leave for the Domincican Republic MTC and that left us with an extra and we got moved. It is working out well, but with the intense double Pday we just had I can't really tell yet. I will write a hand letter over the next week during journal time, and attempt to get you some of the things I want to share with you about those talks.
Les amo,
Elder Ludlow.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Saturday, November 21, 2009
November 20, 2009
I have had an interesting week. In one sense I finally started to miss home(yeah wierd huh) because I have realized things that I needed to take care of, and to be there with you all. I know though that I may miss you but I am here for the right reasons, and because I love the Lord and his Gospel, and that its has been restored and I am to go to Argentina to teach it. I am starting to adjusted to the schedule even if I have to write it down daily to make sure it is going to be ok. Did you get my letter I sent you yet? I had to send that when I found out that my email had been stupid and asumed that your email address wanted to be @myldsmail.com instead of gmail. I am actually writing in my journal and doing my laundry and hanging up my clothes and eating properly and exercising(Volleyball is so much fun) and stuff like that. My companion Elder Jensen I have learned a lot more about. He is from Logan, but moved from Vegas(7 years) and Wyoming(11) and he used to be about 325 and is now 267(and dropping) so he has worked so hard to get here he wants to absorb everything(which is not my mode) he is also not the best at learning spanish... He like is only now getting the whole 'H is silent' thing. My teachers are Hermano Osuna(from Mexico City and went to North Carolina) and Hermana Davis(from Colorado and went to Ecuador). They are both spiritual and linguistic giants to me. I love the things I am learning. The spirit is incredibly strong and in the past week I have taught and learned so many times and so many things I can't even remember. I love this gospel.
Alyson- I want you to know that this is the true church. I know that Joseph Smith was a Prophet and that Thomas S Monson is a prophet today. I know that the Book of Mormon is the most true book on this Earth and that is was translated by divine power. I know that you know these things too. I am so proud of you and who you are Alyson. Love you kiddo!
PS Sarah is my favorite sister at the moment she wrote me a letter. wheres mine from you? =P
Sarah- Thank you so much for the letter. I haven't run into any of your buddies, but I did meet a Brother Martinez who served in Matt Pepper's mission and knew him. Its so 'Sarah' to write your letter in stages. I miss the family humor so much. Most people just think spazzing is funny here... Thank you for saving my clothes. no...no one calls them threads =P I love you and want to make sure you know that I know that the gospel is true. I know you know it and have an incredibly strong testimony of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon, and Joseph Smith and the Prophet and of the Atonement most importantly of all. Love you, and miss you.
Mom- So packing on the LBs? =P
the camera is being funky and would work like 2% of the time. I am glad things are going well in the world of 52 card shuffle.
I love you Momma and miss your food and comfort.
Dad- I am doing well and am enjoying the MTC, its interesting finding things in the rafters and above the ceiling tiles and behind the electrical outlets from when you were here at the MTC. I love the power and spirit that you know and feel as you teach. I am so glad to be here and to be doing this work. I love you Dad.
Adios familia! Cuidense!
Alyson- I want you to know that this is the true church. I know that Joseph Smith was a Prophet and that Thomas S Monson is a prophet today. I know that the Book of Mormon is the most true book on this Earth and that is was translated by divine power. I know that you know these things too. I am so proud of you and who you are Alyson. Love you kiddo!
PS Sarah is my favorite sister at the moment she wrote me a letter. wheres mine from you? =P
Sarah- Thank you so much for the letter. I haven't run into any of your buddies, but I did meet a Brother Martinez who served in Matt Pepper's mission and knew him. Its so 'Sarah' to write your letter in stages. I miss the family humor so much. Most people just think spazzing is funny here... Thank you for saving my clothes. no...no one calls them threads =P I love you and want to make sure you know that I know that the gospel is true. I know you know it and have an incredibly strong testimony of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon, and Joseph Smith and the Prophet and of the Atonement most importantly of all. Love you, and miss you.
Mom- So packing on the LBs? =P
the camera is being funky and would work like 2% of the time. I am glad things are going well in the world of 52 card shuffle.
I love you Momma and miss your food and comfort.
Dad- I am doing well and am enjoying the MTC, its interesting finding things in the rafters and above the ceiling tiles and behind the electrical outlets from when you were here at the MTC. I love the power and spirit that you know and feel as you teach. I am so glad to be here and to be doing this work. I love you Dad.
Adios familia! Cuidense!
November 13, 2009
Hey there guys
Proud of you mom! *pats on head*
Yeah I caught Elder Haws on wednesday.
And thats pretty funny about the hunting lodge in Cordoba.
ok so down to the nitty gritty of things in my room. I need the power converter(its in the little gray bag and has my converters and my camera battery charger), the pair of jeans that I left on the chair in the dining room(the ones that don't have a rip started in the knee), three pairs of white socks(one of them is my baptismal socks grandma got me, also I need you to get my camera box and look for the receipt and get the warranty form filled out so that I can send it back to be repaired. Its kind of acting funny with the lens motor, but I can take pictures if I really want to. I will try and send one of my chips home for thanksgiving so that you cna have some pictures. also Sarah could you find me a sweater vest(black or charcoal)? You would be my favoritest 21 year old sistah ever. Alyson could you find me that Red Paisley Tie that we saw at JCP? I really want a solid red one.
Yeah thats pretty much all my wants and needs. I have cash and money and everything in the MTC bookstore is 40% off of an already ridiculous low price for missionaries. I got a backpack and a scripture case for like $30. Know anyone that needs some scriptures for christmas? I can get for you cheap yes. My other suit came in fine, its great, Now I can wear whatever tie I want....
The language is actually coming really easily Sarah, and I am totally expecting to be blown away when I get to Argentina, but my teacher is a native speaker, so we are learning tons. I love my teachers, Hno Osuna. and Hna. Davis, and my district. We are having Ugly tie Tuesdays, and Suspender Saturdays now. fun stuff. The important things that I am learning are not in Spanish though. I am learning so much more about the Gospel. Like everything that you thought you knew and understood before coming here is relearned with the Spirit and it makes so much more sense. I love the Lord and have relyed on him so much this week, as I have learned the gospel anew. I have also learned how to be a companion. My companion Elder Jensen doesn't get a lick of spanish. It was difficult for me to work with him because the spanish I remembered from high school and from Dad and Sarah talking comes back to me instantly and when I try to help him he just gets frustrated and I end up telling him the answer(which isn't helping him( I love my companion and for my strengh in spanish he makes up for with his amazing knowledge of the gospel, but we both need to still get the working as a companionship thing down. The only problems I have had have been more Fire Chicken and its aftereffects(thats usually a night where I eat cereal) and I have been feeling a little sick with sinus problems. The zyrtec doesn't work. It may take getting used to but I get EXtrememley tired. I love you guys, but my time is almost up. Oh I also got to go to the temple this morning and have Celestial Omlettes. SO GOOD. and its snowed(near the mountain like by the temple)/rained(at the MTC)last night. Hence my request for a sweater vest(I think I need an XL)
I love you all!!!!
Proud of you mom! *pats on head*
Yeah I caught Elder Haws on wednesday.
And thats pretty funny about the hunting lodge in Cordoba.
ok so down to the nitty gritty of things in my room. I need the power converter(its in the little gray bag and has my converters and my camera battery charger), the pair of jeans that I left on the chair in the dining room(the ones that don't have a rip started in the knee), three pairs of white socks(one of them is my baptismal socks grandma got me, also I need you to get my camera box and look for the receipt and get the warranty form filled out so that I can send it back to be repaired. Its kind of acting funny with the lens motor, but I can take pictures if I really want to. I will try and send one of my chips home for thanksgiving so that you cna have some pictures. also Sarah could you find me a sweater vest(black or charcoal)? You would be my favoritest 21 year old sistah ever. Alyson could you find me that Red Paisley Tie that we saw at JCP? I really want a solid red one.
Yeah thats pretty much all my wants and needs. I have cash and money and everything in the MTC bookstore is 40% off of an already ridiculous low price for missionaries. I got a backpack and a scripture case for like $30. Know anyone that needs some scriptures for christmas? I can get for you cheap yes. My other suit came in fine, its great, Now I can wear whatever tie I want....
The language is actually coming really easily Sarah, and I am totally expecting to be blown away when I get to Argentina, but my teacher is a native speaker, so we are learning tons. I love my teachers, Hno Osuna. and Hna. Davis, and my district. We are having Ugly tie Tuesdays, and Suspender Saturdays now. fun stuff. The important things that I am learning are not in Spanish though. I am learning so much more about the Gospel. Like everything that you thought you knew and understood before coming here is relearned with the Spirit and it makes so much more sense. I love the Lord and have relyed on him so much this week, as I have learned the gospel anew. I have also learned how to be a companion. My companion Elder Jensen doesn't get a lick of spanish. It was difficult for me to work with him because the spanish I remembered from high school and from Dad and Sarah talking comes back to me instantly and when I try to help him he just gets frustrated and I end up telling him the answer(which isn't helping him( I love my companion and for my strengh in spanish he makes up for with his amazing knowledge of the gospel, but we both need to still get the working as a companionship thing down. The only problems I have had have been more Fire Chicken and its aftereffects(thats usually a night where I eat cereal) and I have been feeling a little sick with sinus problems. The zyrtec doesn't work. It may take getting used to but I get EXtrememley tired. I love you guys, but my time is almost up. Oh I also got to go to the temple this morning and have Celestial Omlettes. SO GOOD. and its snowed(near the mountain like by the temple)/rained(at the MTC)last night. Hence my request for a sweater vest(I think I need an XL)
I love you all!!!!
Saturday, November 7, 2009
November 7, 2009
Ben's first email home from the MTC
Como estan?
I love the MTC! My companion is an interesting fellow. Elder Jensen is from Logan/ Las Vegas. my other roommates are Elder Clarke(SLC) and Elder Waldron(Huntington Beach). I border on being cliche or incredibly obvious, but the Spirit is so strong here at the MTC. On Thursday we were already praying and testifying in Spanish. I love the language I have been assigned to learn. It makes it that much easier to know that I was called to teach the gospel in Spanish. I am ok with the food, of course its not like home. Its basically BYU-Idaho again but with a little more variety. My companion is an interesting fellow. He is funny at times, but other than that he seems to not be entirely comfortable with spanish and I have to remind myself to slow down a little. I may only have two years(pitiful years yes) but I have also been listening to Dad and Sarah go back and forth. Oh and the easiest way for you to get ahold of me in the MTC is to send an email at DearElder.com, and they print it out and have it in my mailbox next day for free. Anyway... I hope you are all doing well, and that you got back home safely. Thank you again Mom and Dad for bringing me up here. Love you. Sarah and Alyson too.
You'll hear from me again next friday, as that is my regular P-day.
PS "no me calle bien"... translates to "I don't like you"
Como estan?
I love the MTC! My companion is an interesting fellow. Elder Jensen is from Logan/ Las Vegas. my other roommates are Elder Clarke(SLC) and Elder Waldron(Huntington Beach). I border on being cliche or incredibly obvious, but the Spirit is so strong here at the MTC. On Thursday we were already praying and testifying in Spanish. I love the language I have been assigned to learn. It makes it that much easier to know that I was called to teach the gospel in Spanish. I am ok with the food, of course its not like home. Its basically BYU-Idaho again but with a little more variety. My companion is an interesting fellow. He is funny at times, but other than that he seems to not be entirely comfortable with spanish and I have to remind myself to slow down a little. I may only have two years(pitiful years yes) but I have also been listening to Dad and Sarah go back and forth. Oh and the easiest way for you to get ahold of me in the MTC is to send an email at DearElder.com, and they print it out and have it in my mailbox next day for free. Anyway... I hope you are all doing well, and that you got back home safely. Thank you again Mom and Dad for bringing me up here. Love you. Sarah and Alyson too.
You'll hear from me again next friday, as that is my regular P-day.
PS "no me calle bien"... translates to "I don't like you"
Monday, November 2, 2009
The Moment of Truth
So... Ben's call came on the same day that the Harry Potter movie was released. Big day around here. Haha.
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