Bonjou neg yo li!

Dear family, friends, and creatures,

Lets get down to business.

This week, has gone by significantly better then the last... however long I've been here. I'm finally not feeling so sick, and I'd like to apologize for my very un missionary like letter last week.

It was really rough last week being on what felt like the verge of death.

Wee.

So!

I'm almost recovered fully from my sickness. I still have issues breathing at times, and I'm fairly fatigued (But who's to say thats not just from working my butt off?)

They got me on an inhaler. My Conpanion has respitory problems, and his dad is a respitory doctor, so I was lucky on that one, I figured out how to use it and all that jazz.

I lost 10 lbs... I basically wasnt able to eat for a week, or excersize. So I'm stickly. Its gross. (dont feel like you need to send more junk food. I've survived off cookies the last 2 weeks.. It's all I could stomach...)

But, I'm feeling better, and my attitute is coming back full swing. I'll be 110% fairly soon.

Forgive me for being a bum last week.

Thanks so much for the letters of encouragement people!

It really helped.

Bishop and Sister Nyman, thank you especially for the cookies, and story!

And, as always, Mom, Kari, Kate, Granny Robin, and Steph! You give me more love then I can handle.

Thanks so much!

I really do love you all.

Mwen renmen ou tout tan!

Tracy! Im so glad to hear all is going well! Thank you for the words of encouragement. It means a lot to me :)

I'm SO EXCITED for Shane! after I got your letter, I went and bragged to everybody in our district that my Uncle is going to do a Solo for a song Pres. Packer requested!

Im SO EXCITED for conference now! (Not like I wasnt before, but now im super excited!)

Zoe, thanks so much for relating Seth leaving to the Sons of Mosiah when they split... It really came at the right time. And gave me great confidence, in the work we are all setting out to do. Elder Turek, Elder Hellbush, Elder Wright, Elder Cutler, Elder Turek, and Seur Johnson. Sons of Mosiah, Missionaries of the Lord. (Plus 1 girl.)

Donk!

(so!)

I'm getting significantly better at Creole. It's been a lot easier since I'm not on my death bed. So it comes a lot better.

I'm still basically incompetent. But it's coming a lot easier to me now. Especially when we teach. It's like a switch goes on in my head, and Creole starts flowing like a river in my head.

It's a lot easier to talk in Creole, when I'm completely submersed in it. When were outside of class, or were in class, its difficult, to turn the Haitian side of my brain on, and flow as well. But when we teach, and I'm forced to only use, think, and speak in Creole, it's amazing how much I can do, and say. 5 weeks ago, I had no idea how to say anything. And now, I can communicate fairly welll. (Mainly about the Gospel though, small talk is still forein to me...)

Yesterday, as we taught our investigator "Robert" I felt impressed to ask him: "Eske ou gen lafwa nan JeziKri?" (Do you have faith in Christ?)  Robert: "uhhh... wi." Me: "Eske w'ap batize?" (Will you be baptized?) Robert: "ummm...? wi."

It was crazy!

I asked my first role-play investigator to be baptized. It was really special. The spirit was really strong, and I was super excited. I felt like a real, full blooded missionary, out in the field, converting the hearts of many in that moment. What made it even better, is before I asked him to be baptized, I completely forgot how to think. I stumbled on my words so bad. But I got the message across. It was really something special.

I might be 19, not know a lot, and not be able to speak the language... But thats okay. The Lord wont let me fail. The spirit will accompany me, and it has accompanied me, each and every day. Without it, I wouldn't have been able to do almost anything here. I'm able to read the Book of Mormon in Creole, and slowly Translate things over! Reading Preach my Gospel is a lot easier though...

I've thought a lot about Elder Hollands "Missions are Forever" MTC talk I watched an eternity ago, and I felt impressed to share this with you all.

In his talk, he declared: "This is your chance, probably, your only chance in life, to be Truly Apostalic. And thats "Apostalic" with a lower case "a." Dont miss it."

I've thought long and hard about that.

This is my chance, and with the time remaining, I'd like to bear my testimony, and be absolutely clear, why it is I am serving a mission.

I am serving, because there has been too much in my life, to discredit how the hands of the Lord, have blessed me.

I know, with all the power and surety that I have in my body, that this Church, The Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints, is the True Church of Christ here on the Earth. I know, with all the power my heart and soul can muster, that Jesus the Christ, lived, and died for not only myself, but the whole world. And that living His commandments, we can be truly happy in this life, and be happy in the life to come. I know that the Atonement works. I have witnessed first hand, the mercy, the comfort, and the reality of the great work the Lord suffered for me. I have gone through Gethsemane for my sins, and my pains, and called hopelessly on the saving grace of the Lord, and in my darkest hour, he forgot me not. 

I have felt what it's like, to receive forgiveness. I have felt the comfort of the great comforter, and I know, that we can be forgiven, and live again, with God.

I know that God is our loving Heavenly Father. I know that He has a plan, not only for me. But for all His children here on the Earth. I know that he loves us beyond comprehention. Every one. And wants all of us. To be happy. After all, That is his great work, and glory. "To bring to pass the imortality and eternal life of man."

Moses 1:39

I also know without a shadow of a doubt. That the Book of Mormon is the Word of God. And that Joseph Smith was a true prophet, called of God. I know this because I have prayed for myself. And worked hard, for myself. And tried, having great faith in the Lord, and relying upon him for an answer. I prayed countless times to know. And It didnt come all at once. But, It did come. I had my answer. This work is true.

I know It with all my heart.

And because I know, how can I not sacrifice all my time, my might, and my life, to share the great Truth of it?

I know this is true.

And you can know for yourself.

Pray to know.

Pray with sincerity.

God will give you the answers.

Nan nou, JeziKri, amen.

Mwen renmen nou.

Bonswa!

 Cheri Fami mwen,

Hey peoples!

So, to start this beautiful email off, remember how I told ya'll I was sick last week? Yeah... I don't think any of you realized what I meant by that. I wasnt just a little under the weather... I was seriously messed up.

I fought as much as I could, but eventually had to go to the Doctor... I got some medications, and was told it would help. Nope, It got worse. It got so bad that I had to go on a grand adventure to the BYU Student Health Clinic off the MTC campus. It was a really weird experience walking out of the MTC, and strolling around in the real-world. I had an X-ray taken on my chest, and blood drawn.

I apperentely have a "Bronchital" (Dont know how to spell it) Infection. It was nasty. I was coughing so hard I bruised a rib/muscle thing, and it hurt seriously bad wether I coughed or not..

This letter is off to a bad start, but lets go deeper.

As I spent this week in complete misery, I ended up missing a couple class times, study times, and teaching times...

It was heart breaking.

I felt like I was going to be really far behind...

It was heart breaking also to miss teaching our investigators too.

After missing 1 or two, (when I say I missed it, I mean I was too sick to teach, so I went back to the Residence to rest.) After missing 1, or 2, investigator teaching appointments... I was completely sick, of being sick. I forced myself to get to all the classes, and stay awake, and concious during all the study times, and everything. I was trying so hard. I didn't want to miss teaching again. I need to learn. I need to get better. I need to not give up...

The closer it got to our teaching appointment with "Robert", the bi-polar illness decided to hit me as hard as It possibly could. I was hunched over in my desk, trying so hard to keep it together. "I wont miss, I wont miss, c'mon!"

At the last second, as I slouched in my desk... I had to give up. I knew there was no way I could teach. I couldn't even breathe, let alone think straight. It was awful.

My companion jumped in with Elder Brockbank, and they taught a short lesson, without having any time to plan ahead... 

I sat there in my desk... World spinning, completely devestated.

For the first time, I got homesick, and missed my family, my friends, and my home...

I felt completely devestated. Like I was being the worst missionary in the world. And that, I'm being a dissapointment to the Lord, and myself... I was so mad, and upset, and frustrated that I had to miss this. To be honest, I cried.

I cried like a baby, sitting there with my head burried in my arms.

I got so worried and scared, that I was going to be Quarentined. Or, worse, Expelled. (Sent home.)

I didn't want this.

I was trying my best!

I was forcing myself to do the best that I could do. I got myself to class. I got my head up. I focused as hard as I possibly could in class, despite the feeling like I was on a harbored boat, in a hurricane.

What was I doing...?

I think as a missionary you blame yourself, for everything.

Even if it's completely not in your control, you blame yourself.

I don't know why.

I think it has to do with the fact that, as a Missionary, you are called to rely wholey, on the Lord. 

And when anything bad happens, you automatically assume its your fault.

Mission's are definitely trials of your personal faith. And If I said this before forgive me, but I believe that the biggest lesson this MTC/Mission experiance can teach me, is to have faith, and rely on the Lord.

I'll keep working on this.

I feel terrible that this email is to sad.

I don't know what good things to say.

Hmmm....

My instructor Fre Hall did however pull me aside later, and asked me how I was doing, the then  explained to me how that me being sick could just be veiwed as a personal trial for me.

He said I might have a conpanion on my mission that gets sick, and I'll be better prepared to work around it kinda thing.

He then told me...

That he knows the Lord is very happy, and proud of me, that I'm in Class when I was. And that I'm in the MTC at all.

That made me really happy.

Thank you for the few packages I got this week!

Kate, Kari, Mom, Nana, and thanks for the letters this week Mike, and Ester, and Dad!

I think I got less mail this last week then I have while being here.

Not to complain. 

But while I was sick that would have been super awesome to get some letters.

The Sunday Fireside this last weekend was awesome. I can't remember the name of the guy that spoke. W.Tracy something.

He showed us the opening song to some theatre awards last year, that was mocking Mormons, and had characters from that anti-mormon play.

He then showed us how in the playbill of the play... The Church bought adverstising on 3 different pages, and advertised stuff like "The book was better." and showed a picture of the Book of Mormon.

I thought that was awesome.

3minutes.

A lot of the letters I wrote last week, were partially written while I was out of this world. So I'f they were kinda crazy, forgive me.

Our district (The 6 Haitian speakers) has recently made really good friends with all the Tahitian missionaries.

We have "story night" every night at our residence, and Elder Giordano tells us awesome stories.

I really miss Seth.

I feel more alone in this place now.

It seems scarier.

But I'm so happy to know, that Seth is always just 1 step ahead of me.

It gives me some comfort knowing, I always have his example to look at,

I wish I had more time to see Elder Hellbush too...

Lastly, 1 minute...

Emily!

I cant wait to see you!

Also, when Is Jessica coming?

I love you guys, take good care, and remember Mom, I can't read your emails... Please, send me letters, or Dear Elders.

Im still recovering from being sick, so your support would be awesome.

i hope I have more to write about next week.

And I hope ya'll realize I can only reply on Tuesdays to stuff, so send letters before then!

Mail time, is the best time of the day...

I love you guys.

Cya

-Elder Turek

Elder McMullin

Elder Turek on his sick bed...

Cheri Fanmi mwen,

(I hope that's right.)

Week 4 starts tomorrow!

Crazy right? If I was an English speaker, I'd be outta here. But, I'm not. So, yeah.

7 more weeks of this.... place.

To begin, I cant really tell you what happened this week.

My brains are fried.

I have a few stories, but I forgot already... Clock is ticking....

I had an interesting experience yesterday though.

As you all know, My Creole is coming along as smoothly as sand paper on asphalt. But, yesterday, as we taught "Robert" (Ro-bear) our roleplaying teacher, the plan of Salvation. Usually my conpanion takes the meat of everything, since his experience in French gives him a huge upper hand, While I sit there staring blankly, completely lost in the conversation. After I had read off the words I wanted to say about the Pre-Earth life, and the Fall, I asked Robert if he had any questions "Eske ou gen keyson?" And he did. That usually means I choke and my conpanion answers it. I have no idea what the question was that he asked. I had no idea what he said at all. But, something happened. I instantly opened my mouth without any hesitation, and spoke, and spoke, and spoke, for a good minute. It all came out perfectly. Smoothly, and it was properly structured. I had no clue what he had just said, or what I had just said. But he nodded, and looked really surpised. Along with my conpanion. I just sank back into my chair and forgot about it. I apperently answered he question concerning Bondye, ak Adan ak Ev, perfectly.

I didnt realize this until after class when my conpanion explained to me what had happened.

The Gift of Tongues is a real gift.

It worked. I opened my mouth, and stuff came out.

I preached in his language, like the scriptures said missionaries would..

Somewhere it says that. I dunno.

I honestly hate when I'm speaking English now a days. It's not like I know what I'm doing with Creole. But, when were all in class, speaking nothing but Creole, my mind feels empowered, and I feel like I'm making progress. Like I'm actually starting to get it!

Right when classes end, I get sad... Because the second they do, all that Creole is gone from me. And all I can say, are things like "Mwen gen pou pou nan tet mwen," (I have poop in my head.) and "Mwen Samble Fre" (I look fresh) And, other stupid stuff like that.

What else happened this week?

Oh, I got sick as heck. I'f I dont write very well, it's because I've got a feverish thing going on in my brains. So, Forgive me if I sound stupid. I went to the doctor, and he hooked me up with some dwogs.

Please dont send me any more stuff... If you do, send pictures, or small things. No more food please people.... I love you all, but I'm going to fail inspection. I have enough candy to hand out to all the missionaries in my residence 2 times over. You guys rock. Letters please!

My tiny corner is completely covered, and I cant get to my desk at all. It's stressfull.

Sister Montez! You are the best. I now proudly fly the Haitian Flag over my desk. I love it so much! You're the best!

12 minutes left...

On Sunday, In a daze of feverish fun, I watched Elder Hollands "Missions are Forever" MTC devotional.

Watch it.

It struck me with immense determination, and motivation. I cried like a baby.

I hope Elder Holland speaks tonight.

After the Devotional, I had a surprise guest at my Residence.

Elder Turek and Elder Magnum stopped by to say goodbye to me. I had partially avoided Elder Turek this week, knowing that I'd have to be saying my goodbyes, but the sucker got me.

We took some pictures, and talked a bit. 

I taught him how to troll people in Haitian Creole "Bon Istwa Neg." Which is basically "Cool story bro."

And then he did something that seriously sank deep into my heart.

He bore his testimony to me in Mandarin.

I have no clue what he said, and I cant even try to peice it together. But as he spoke, I had another one of those feelings, where, even though whats being said is in a different language, one I dont understand, the Power of the Spirit was in full force. I was touched. It was beautiful. I can't even describe the feeling I got, staring up at this giant among men, who's worked hard to learn, and grow, and be the best Mandarin missionary he could be, as he bore his testimony. It was a confirmation to me, that this is the Lords work. And that this is the True Church. And that, there is no other power, save it be the power of God, that we can accomplish this work. Last week I said, "I never thought I'd be sitting in the MTC next to my cousin, singing songs about Missionary work." This week i'll say..

I never thought in my wildest dreams, that I'd be so blessed as to hear the testimony, of my greatest friend, and role model, In a language he's strived so hard to learn, for the service, and work of the Lord. In the MTC, before he departs to bless the lives of countless people. I cannot believe, how great a blessing it has been for me, to stand there, listening to him pour out his heart. With a 12 week knowledge. His hard work, has been rewarded truly. And his motivation, dedication, spirit, and sincerity, has blessed me, and helped me in my own conversion, just as much as any of the people who he has started serving this day.

This is the true church of God.

This is the true work, and glory of the Lord. 

I know this with all my heart.

I only hope and pray, that I can be as strong, and valiant as an example, to others, as Seth has been to me.

If at the time, when he bore his testimony to me, If it wasnt full of a hundred guys in their underwear, screaming and yelling, with the stench of hotpockets in the air. I would have cried like a baby.

But it's okay. I did it just fine, as I wrote this letter.

Seth is one of the greatest missionaries, and men, this world will ever know. Scott, Susan. I know your son is a true representative of Christ. I hope you know, how great he is.

Next is Jaxsons turn. ;)

I love you all.

Thank you for your prayers.

Send me letters!

No more stuff!

1 minute over... Im a sinner.

Cya!

 The Elder Tureks...

(this is from his first day there, when his cute cousin Elder Turek got to be his Host)

Dear Family,

Forgive me for my jumbled letters. If you even got them... I have a feeling like the mail swallowed up my letters last week, and they never got through. Kate, did you get my letters with the memory card, and letters to Savannah, and Avers the Assasin? I got your packages on Friday, but there was no mention of it.. which made me more nervous.

Getting down the business.

This week was hard. Plain and simple. But, what week isnt hard when you're trying to cram an entire language down your throat, and spit it back up in a way that invites the spirit?

Honestly, this week included my first hard days. However, Tuesday night was something special. Since I've been here, my favorite moments have been  during Firesides, and Devotionals. Singing songs about missionary work when you're surrounded by thousands of Missionaries, is an experiance that shakes you to the core. This last Tuesday was made even more special due to the fact that a certain Elder Turek sat next to me during the whole thing. Never in my life... Had I ever expected to sit next to my cousin, singing the most beautiful missionary songs, in the MTC. Not once had that thought, ever crossed my mind. It was certainly, an experience I will never forget.

Moving on to the rough day: I was already kinda not feeling well due to over working in the Gym. (My 6 pack is coming in nicely though...Ladies...) On top of that, lack of sleep, and the malnutricious food was making me want to puke. It was rough. All of that was making it so I could barley keep my eyes open, or focus, or even smile. It sucked. I was in a bad mood. We were trying to learn the language, of which im probably the most behind. And I was just getting so frustrated, and upset. "Why the heck do I have to do this!? Why do I have to be here 9 weeks, and learn this ridiucilous language?! I could teach this lesson 30 times over in perfect harmony in English! This sucks. I wanna be an English Missionary." And all that moapy jazz. It was stupid. I was really jealous of the english missionaries. My teacher Fre Nelson noticed this and pulled me out into the hall. I flat out told him, I dont think I have what It takes to be a language missionary. But, he told me I absolutely am, and exactly why. Im not allowed to fail. And It got my spirits back up. I kept going. My district was acting like 10 year old pervs this night, and I was trying to focus, and study, with my new found energy, but I got pissed and told them all to grow up after a nasty joke got shot off. My companion and I had a little chit chat, and got things running back on top with the whole district.

15 minutes...

It was hard guys.

This is really, hard!

I was being a baby, and the whole time realizing...

I have 2 cousins in here for 12 weeks learning Mandarin, and Korean.... Haitian Creole is like the easiest language you could learn, and im still whining.

I know that the Lord will not let me fail.

And I know that I have no reason to complain.

And If nothing else, me having to learn another language for my mission, is just giving me the chance the Lord needed me to take, to learn how to better rely on Him.

Thats definitely something I need to work on.

I've decided also, my biggest thing I need to focus on, biggest attribute while here, and in Life, is Faith.

Getting on through the week, it was a good week. over all. 2 bad days maybe. No big deal.

This Sunday was probably the best day I've had here though.

It was perfect.

Since It was fast Sunday, we had mission conference.

Its basically like General Conference, thats done by the MTC presidency.

The Presidency and their wives gave the most amazing talks, and gave me some added confidence in this work, and in the Lord.

President Brown said it best though...

This will be his final conference before the new President takes over I think.

He said he had a talk prepared, but he dedcied not to give it. He called random missionaries to come and bear testimony.

But he did say this with great, great, power that shot down to the deepest darkest spots of my heart.

"The Lord never planned for ANY of you to fail."

And,

"Dont you DARE fail."

That burning feeling of the spirit?

I felt it for the first time.

It was like fire in my chest.

He also blessed us all, in prayer. That we might be protected, and guided of the Lord. It was incredible.

To end the night, we watched the 85th President Monson birthday celebration!

Which, was aboslutely, AMAZING.

I was breathless. The singers, Motab, the Orchestra, I had never heard sweetere music. And I don't know if thats biased since I have been able to listen to music for 2 weeks..

Nah, it wasnt.

I realized in that moment, how powerful music can be.

I believe music, especially MOTAB, has the power to make hell itself tremble and weep. And for a time, remove those listening from the world, and to a higher plane.

Im sounded philosipical and stupid maybe.

But Sunday night, those performers, and Motab, sang with the power, and force of a legion of Angels. Even if they were singing songs from the Music man...

I love music.

I wanna sing on that stage someday.

We topped the night off with a movie called "Labor of Love" Which was probably the cheesiest, most hilarious LDS made movie that has ever been birthed in this world.

It was so good.

I reccomend watching it.

Those mid 80's movies warm the heart.

My conmpanion and I also left 2 chocloates on the chairs of the sister missionaires sitting in front of us during the intermission.

We're evil.

They liked it.

It was one of the Sisters that was randomly picked to bear her Testimony.

Theres a lot of flirting that goes on here.

Its rididulious.

I'm a man on a mission.

No time for that.

Also!

People. I love getting packages. But im completely out of room! If you want to send stuff... Its gotta be small... Pictures would be awesome!

The timers running out, if i msised something, sorry...

Mwen renmen nou!

(I love you!)

P.S. Congrats on your callings Dad and Lisa!

NAWE PITA!