We got a quick note in the mail today from Ryan telling us a couple more things he forgot to mention in his email. He said that Christmas Eve after the reinactment of the Nativity, all the missionaries sang this song: The 12 Things a Missionary Needs for Christmas. It was so cute, I wanted to share it. It goes like this:
On the first day of Christmas a missionary needs...
1 copy of the Book of Mormon
2 heavy bags
3 meals a day
4 referral calls
5 golden contacts
6 bowls of ice cream
7 sessions planning
8 teachers teaching
9 sisters singing
10 prayers for blessings
11 elders preaching
12 Apostles speaking
He said it was fun to sing with everyone.
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Monday, December 26, 2011
We became the oldest members of our zone today
Hey there!!
Sorry, I would've emailed earlier this morning but the network and server weren't working. I actually just got done cleaning the temple and that was really cool. We all got dressed in "doctor's clothes" scrubs haha all white too and I got to vacuum and clean the leaves on the plants in the marriage waiting room. So it wasn't too bad. :) Oh and Elder Haskell's district did it at the same time. :)
Thanks for the email, I loved reading it and hearing about the wonderful day you had yesterday. I'll tell you a little more about our afternoon. We had a "Christmas dinner" and it was alright, but it really made me appreciate your wonderful cooking that I was missing at home. :) Then we had a district meeting where we read the Nativity scene as a district. Then we had a little free time. Then we watched a recording of an old Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas Program with guest singer Sissel and that was a really good performance. I just loved listening to all of the Christmas music. The MTC Presidency has said no music in the dorms at the MTC, so I guess I'm really missing the music and so I always love to sing before devotionals and firesides. We always sing 3 songs before each big meeting and that is a great way to bring the spirit. Then we had a sack dinner for dinner and then had another devotional, this time by Stephen B. Allen, who is head of something of the Missionary Department. He talked about how we need to make sure that when we look back on our missions that we'll be able to look back and say that we served honorably. Then we watched Mr. Krueger's Christmas and this time I actually liked it as a missionary. haha Then we had a while back at our rooms for the night time so I used the DVD burner, thanks again, and made a DVD and sent it this morning with a couple of other things that I don't need for the field. I'll try and send another package home before I leave, I just need all the space and room that I can get. :) Thanks for preparing me temporally-wise before my mission. Everything is working great and I have not had a problem with anything yet. The DVD burner will really come in handy and now I feel like I can take a lot more pictures. Just email me if you have any questions about any or just want some commentary. haha :)
Sorry, I forgot to bring my journal so this is all from memory. The days and weeks seem to mesh together after a while, so honestly I can't remember that much from even a couple of days ago, even what we ate or exactly what we did in class. Monday was great last week, since we didn't have the temple we had a lot more time do get some things done. Then on Tuesday night, Elder L. Whitney Clayton from the Presidency of the Seventy came and spoke to us. He had actually been an Area Seventy down in South America and had been stationed in Buenos Aires. He and his wife said that it was really nice there. She said that we will miss the French cheeses that they put on everything the most, so I guess I thought that it was interesting. Then Wednesday came and I didn't see Dustin (his good friend, Dustin Draeger, arrived on Wednesday) and we just had normal class. Then it was actually Thursday morning at breakfast that I saw Dustin, he was looking great and it's weird that he leaves the MTC the day after I do. We found out that we have the exact same schedule except his is just a little different than ours...first of all no language instruction and a lot more TRC time. But they have gym and all of the meals with us, so it was fun on Friday morning because I was able to play basketball with Dustin again. Elder Scott, me, Elder Draeger and Elder Haskell (all friends from Lehi) all have the same schedule. :) It's been fun having people that I know to lean on.
How did the rest of the tournament go for Tanner and you all? What did you do for Dad's bday? I'm glad that everything is going well at home and I'm loving it here. It's wierd to think that life is just going on and I am here at the MTC. We got right back into the thick of things today and there is no stopping for the Christmas break, haha. Then Saturday morning was good, except we didn't have gym because the gym was set up for that night and the whole mail system has shut down, so if you sent any dear elders I probably won't get them till tomorrow night. So anyways, I love you and I hope that waiting for this letter wasn't too bad. haha
I can't wait to hear from you and hear about how the break is going and everything else that is going on. I am super excited to be almost done with the MTC and flying out. We became the oldest members of our zone today, as the last one just left early this morning. I probably will be released next Sunday as Zone leader and then it's on to being a greenie with a foreign companion. Oh, and I just found out this morning that I'll be a host on Wednesday (he will get to greet a new Elder at the curb and welcome him to the MTC) so I guess I'm at that stage in life haha, though it will be during gym time ;) oh well. Have a great rest of the day and know that I love you!!!!! ¡¡¡¡¡¡tenga un feliz nuevo año!!!!!!
Amor,
Elder Ryan Pittard or (pee-tard) how you pronounce it in Spanish haha :)
Sorry, I would've emailed earlier this morning but the network and server weren't working. I actually just got done cleaning the temple and that was really cool. We all got dressed in "doctor's clothes" scrubs haha all white too and I got to vacuum and clean the leaves on the plants in the marriage waiting room. So it wasn't too bad. :) Oh and Elder Haskell's district did it at the same time. :)
Thanks for the email, I loved reading it and hearing about the wonderful day you had yesterday. I'll tell you a little more about our afternoon. We had a "Christmas dinner" and it was alright, but it really made me appreciate your wonderful cooking that I was missing at home. :) Then we had a district meeting where we read the Nativity scene as a district. Then we had a little free time. Then we watched a recording of an old Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas Program with guest singer Sissel and that was a really good performance. I just loved listening to all of the Christmas music. The MTC Presidency has said no music in the dorms at the MTC, so I guess I'm really missing the music and so I always love to sing before devotionals and firesides. We always sing 3 songs before each big meeting and that is a great way to bring the spirit. Then we had a sack dinner for dinner and then had another devotional, this time by Stephen B. Allen, who is head of something of the Missionary Department. He talked about how we need to make sure that when we look back on our missions that we'll be able to look back and say that we served honorably. Then we watched Mr. Krueger's Christmas and this time I actually liked it as a missionary. haha Then we had a while back at our rooms for the night time so I used the DVD burner, thanks again, and made a DVD and sent it this morning with a couple of other things that I don't need for the field. I'll try and send another package home before I leave, I just need all the space and room that I can get. :) Thanks for preparing me temporally-wise before my mission. Everything is working great and I have not had a problem with anything yet. The DVD burner will really come in handy and now I feel like I can take a lot more pictures. Just email me if you have any questions about any or just want some commentary. haha :)
Sorry, I forgot to bring my journal so this is all from memory. The days and weeks seem to mesh together after a while, so honestly I can't remember that much from even a couple of days ago, even what we ate or exactly what we did in class. Monday was great last week, since we didn't have the temple we had a lot more time do get some things done. Then on Tuesday night, Elder L. Whitney Clayton from the Presidency of the Seventy came and spoke to us. He had actually been an Area Seventy down in South America and had been stationed in Buenos Aires. He and his wife said that it was really nice there. She said that we will miss the French cheeses that they put on everything the most, so I guess I thought that it was interesting. Then Wednesday came and I didn't see Dustin (his good friend, Dustin Draeger, arrived on Wednesday) and we just had normal class. Then it was actually Thursday morning at breakfast that I saw Dustin, he was looking great and it's weird that he leaves the MTC the day after I do. We found out that we have the exact same schedule except his is just a little different than ours...first of all no language instruction and a lot more TRC time. But they have gym and all of the meals with us, so it was fun on Friday morning because I was able to play basketball with Dustin again. Elder Scott, me, Elder Draeger and Elder Haskell (all friends from Lehi) all have the same schedule. :) It's been fun having people that I know to lean on.
How did the rest of the tournament go for Tanner and you all? What did you do for Dad's bday? I'm glad that everything is going well at home and I'm loving it here. It's wierd to think that life is just going on and I am here at the MTC. We got right back into the thick of things today and there is no stopping for the Christmas break, haha. Then Saturday morning was good, except we didn't have gym because the gym was set up for that night and the whole mail system has shut down, so if you sent any dear elders I probably won't get them till tomorrow night. So anyways, I love you and I hope that waiting for this letter wasn't too bad. haha
I can't wait to hear from you and hear about how the break is going and everything else that is going on. I am super excited to be almost done with the MTC and flying out. We became the oldest members of our zone today, as the last one just left early this morning. I probably will be released next Sunday as Zone leader and then it's on to being a greenie with a foreign companion. Oh, and I just found out this morning that I'll be a host on Wednesday (he will get to greet a new Elder at the curb and welcome him to the MTC) so I guess I'm at that stage in life haha, though it will be during gym time ;) oh well. Have a great rest of the day and know that I love you!!!!! ¡¡¡¡¡¡tenga un feliz nuevo año!!!!!!
Amor,
Elder Ryan Pittard or (pee-tard) how you pronounce it in Spanish haha :)
Sunday, December 25, 2011
A Christmas Surprise
Hey there Familia!!!!
Oh I love you all so very much and I loved receiving all of your gifts and treats and love this Christmas. We were given the oppurtunity to email our families on Christmas instead of calling :) So here I am. :)
We just had a wonderful devotional/sacrament meeting. This morning we woke up and opened all of our gifts that our district had received. Earlier this month, we decided to do a secret Santa sort of thing for everyone in the district--to make or buy a present for someone else in the district. I received a representation that Elder Pace had made of the el plan de salvation por supuesto en espanol. I gave Elder Paxman some really cool colored pens that I had figured out that he had really wanted, so it was all good. :) Then I opened your gift and loved both of them very much and I have loved receiving all of the gifts from these last 12 days. :) But presents aren't the main focus of today, I'm so glad to be here at the MTC on Christmas Day. The Spirit has been so strong and I have had an awesome experience these last two days and still many more to come!! Last night we had a big reinactment of the nativity with a bunch of elders and sisters dressed up and we sang songs as a whole MTC and it was awesome. Then we watched A Christmas Carol, one made in the 80's I think and it was cool because that was one of the books that President Monson had said that was one of his favorites. We had popcorn and so that was fun. :) Then this morning, after cold cereal for breakfast, haha we watched Music and the Spoken Word from Temple Square with the Tabernacle Choir and the orchestra and bells. I don't know if you watched it or not but it was really good and reminded me of when we sang songs on Christmas Eve and Day. Then the best of it all was that we were able to have sacrament meeting with Elder David A. Bednar! All 2120 of us missionaries squeezed into the gym and had a huge sacrament meeting. Then he and his wife spoke to us and gave wonderful talks. (Sorry so many people are emailing at the same time and so my typing freezes for a moment, but I'm still able to type and so sorry if I mess up any words) haha :) Alright, so Elder Bednar basically told us that we need to forget ourselves and go to work. He gave us 3 examples of when Christ in His life could have easily turned inward on himself and not have had compassion on anyone else. But He chose to turn outwards as He always did, and so we need to forget to look inwards on ourselves and look towards others and serve them and have compassion on them. He said that this mission is not about you. It's about serving Him. Then he talked about our testimonies and our own conversion. He said that if we go through this mission with only gaining and sustaining that testimony that we will have a more likely chance to fall away from the church. But like in Alma 23:5-6 where the Lamanites were not only brought unto the knowledge of the Lord but they were converted also. So conversion is turning away from the natural man, which is an enemy to God (Mosiah 3:19), and becoming consistently true to what we know we have gained from our testimony. Elder Bednar challenged each of us to not only learn about Christ but to learn of Christ.
I want to share my personal testimony and hopefully soon to be conversion, especially as I'm now down to two weeks until I'm in the country of Argentina. I know that my Redeemer lives and that He is my Savior. Around this time of year people forget the true meaning of Christmas. Jesus not only should be the center of our Christmas , but also of our entire life. He has given everything to us and I am eternally blessed to have that love and compassion from Him at this time. Right now I'm preparing to serve Him, my Master, for 2 small years of my existence and I know that I'm in the right place. I've loved receiving your letters and hearing about how life around the house is definitely going well. :) I want to thank each of you for your wonderful testimonies and the examples you have been to me. I am so honored and I love you all so dearly! I don't know what you guys have done so far today, I'm assuming that you guys have either opened presents already or you're having to wait till after Sacrament meeting. Maybe the meeting for you guys was earlier today. Whatever it is just try and remember the Savior on this holy day. Presents are definitely fun and I have always loved receiving them but what can you guys do today to serve each other? What can you guys do today and the upcoming weeks to serve others and be a good example to your brothers and sisters? Just remember Ryan out serving the people of Argentina everyday and try and be like him! :) One day all of you, my brothers, will have this same oppurtunity to share your testimony with the world about how Christ lives and his true Church is once again on the earth today! Build your testimony now every chance you get and the time you sacrifice now will only bless you in the years to come. Never forget why you came to this earth and always be grateful for being born into this great knowledge. You guys have it easy in life--you're not in darkness and you don't have to be found. But that still doesn't mean that you'll be perfect. You'll make mistakes and just know that Heavenly Father loves you and is always looking out for you. I wish I had realized that earlier in life and had come unto Christ sooner in my life. I would've been blessed so much more and even been more prepared for this mission. Just know that I love you and that Mom and Dad love you and they are only trying to help.
Thanks Mom and Dad for all of the years you have served not only me but also our family. You have given up earthly treasures for 7 eternal treasures and I thank you for your wonderful testimonies that you have provided, not only for me but for many people that you have touched in your life. Dad, keep doing what you're doing, you know what is best and you have always given the best counsel and so with whatever thing or advice that you ask from me, I just say, go to the Lord and do what you do. Mom, thanks for always being the wonderful mom that you are. Thanks for always being so selfless and looking to serve others before yourself. I'm so grateful for your love and a life of devotion that you have given me. When I saw that picture of us hugging on the 9th almost two months ago, the tears started to swell up and I just remembered the love that you have for me. haha crying in the computer lab. :) Just remember that Heavenly Father is eternally grateful for the service that you are doing for Him and for your children. They will all be strong leaders in the Church and will always remember your name with love and gratitude. Now for the whole family, I know that you miss me and I miss you so much!! Just promise that you'll stay strong in the Gospel and keep on living your lives the way that God wants you to. I promise that God will bless you for living in line with the will of God. Never forget to pray and always, always, always tell Mom and Dad that you love them and also tell your brothers and sisters that you love them. Do that right now and do it every morning and night. I promise that there will be an even greater love and spirit in your home and I know Heavenly Father will bless you and will be pleased with you. My time is short and I will write more tomorrow from my large plates, hopefully you've enjoyed some of my small plates and I look forward to hearing from you.
I love you so much and I know that Christ lives!!!
Elder Ryan Pittard
Oh I love you all so very much and I loved receiving all of your gifts and treats and love this Christmas. We were given the oppurtunity to email our families on Christmas instead of calling :) So here I am. :)
We just had a wonderful devotional/sacrament meeting. This morning we woke up and opened all of our gifts that our district had received. Earlier this month, we decided to do a secret Santa sort of thing for everyone in the district--to make or buy a present for someone else in the district. I received a representation that Elder Pace had made of the el plan de salvation por supuesto en espanol. I gave Elder Paxman some really cool colored pens that I had figured out that he had really wanted, so it was all good. :) Then I opened your gift and loved both of them very much and I have loved receiving all of the gifts from these last 12 days. :) But presents aren't the main focus of today, I'm so glad to be here at the MTC on Christmas Day. The Spirit has been so strong and I have had an awesome experience these last two days and still many more to come!! Last night we had a big reinactment of the nativity with a bunch of elders and sisters dressed up and we sang songs as a whole MTC and it was awesome. Then we watched A Christmas Carol, one made in the 80's I think and it was cool because that was one of the books that President Monson had said that was one of his favorites. We had popcorn and so that was fun. :) Then this morning, after cold cereal for breakfast, haha we watched Music and the Spoken Word from Temple Square with the Tabernacle Choir and the orchestra and bells. I don't know if you watched it or not but it was really good and reminded me of when we sang songs on Christmas Eve and Day. Then the best of it all was that we were able to have sacrament meeting with Elder David A. Bednar! All 2120 of us missionaries squeezed into the gym and had a huge sacrament meeting. Then he and his wife spoke to us and gave wonderful talks. (Sorry so many people are emailing at the same time and so my typing freezes for a moment, but I'm still able to type and so sorry if I mess up any words) haha :) Alright, so Elder Bednar basically told us that we need to forget ourselves and go to work. He gave us 3 examples of when Christ in His life could have easily turned inward on himself and not have had compassion on anyone else. But He chose to turn outwards as He always did, and so we need to forget to look inwards on ourselves and look towards others and serve them and have compassion on them. He said that this mission is not about you. It's about serving Him. Then he talked about our testimonies and our own conversion. He said that if we go through this mission with only gaining and sustaining that testimony that we will have a more likely chance to fall away from the church. But like in Alma 23:5-6 where the Lamanites were not only brought unto the knowledge of the Lord but they were converted also. So conversion is turning away from the natural man, which is an enemy to God (Mosiah 3:19), and becoming consistently true to what we know we have gained from our testimony. Elder Bednar challenged each of us to not only learn about Christ but to learn of Christ.
I want to share my personal testimony and hopefully soon to be conversion, especially as I'm now down to two weeks until I'm in the country of Argentina. I know that my Redeemer lives and that He is my Savior. Around this time of year people forget the true meaning of Christmas. Jesus not only should be the center of our Christmas , but also of our entire life. He has given everything to us and I am eternally blessed to have that love and compassion from Him at this time. Right now I'm preparing to serve Him, my Master, for 2 small years of my existence and I know that I'm in the right place. I've loved receiving your letters and hearing about how life around the house is definitely going well. :) I want to thank each of you for your wonderful testimonies and the examples you have been to me. I am so honored and I love you all so dearly! I don't know what you guys have done so far today, I'm assuming that you guys have either opened presents already or you're having to wait till after Sacrament meeting. Maybe the meeting for you guys was earlier today. Whatever it is just try and remember the Savior on this holy day. Presents are definitely fun and I have always loved receiving them but what can you guys do today to serve each other? What can you guys do today and the upcoming weeks to serve others and be a good example to your brothers and sisters? Just remember Ryan out serving the people of Argentina everyday and try and be like him! :) One day all of you, my brothers, will have this same oppurtunity to share your testimony with the world about how Christ lives and his true Church is once again on the earth today! Build your testimony now every chance you get and the time you sacrifice now will only bless you in the years to come. Never forget why you came to this earth and always be grateful for being born into this great knowledge. You guys have it easy in life--you're not in darkness and you don't have to be found. But that still doesn't mean that you'll be perfect. You'll make mistakes and just know that Heavenly Father loves you and is always looking out for you. I wish I had realized that earlier in life and had come unto Christ sooner in my life. I would've been blessed so much more and even been more prepared for this mission. Just know that I love you and that Mom and Dad love you and they are only trying to help.
Thanks Mom and Dad for all of the years you have served not only me but also our family. You have given up earthly treasures for 7 eternal treasures and I thank you for your wonderful testimonies that you have provided, not only for me but for many people that you have touched in your life. Dad, keep doing what you're doing, you know what is best and you have always given the best counsel and so with whatever thing or advice that you ask from me, I just say, go to the Lord and do what you do. Mom, thanks for always being the wonderful mom that you are. Thanks for always being so selfless and looking to serve others before yourself. I'm so grateful for your love and a life of devotion that you have given me. When I saw that picture of us hugging on the 9th almost two months ago, the tears started to swell up and I just remembered the love that you have for me. haha crying in the computer lab. :) Just remember that Heavenly Father is eternally grateful for the service that you are doing for Him and for your children. They will all be strong leaders in the Church and will always remember your name with love and gratitude. Now for the whole family, I know that you miss me and I miss you so much!! Just promise that you'll stay strong in the Gospel and keep on living your lives the way that God wants you to. I promise that God will bless you for living in line with the will of God. Never forget to pray and always, always, always tell Mom and Dad that you love them and also tell your brothers and sisters that you love them. Do that right now and do it every morning and night. I promise that there will be an even greater love and spirit in your home and I know Heavenly Father will bless you and will be pleased with you. My time is short and I will write more tomorrow from my large plates, hopefully you've enjoyed some of my small plates and I look forward to hearing from you.
I love you so much and I know that Christ lives!!!
Elder Ryan Pittard
Monday, December 19, 2011
It's totally a different experience and definitely a way awesome experience
Como estan? Feliz de semana de Navidad :)
First of all I want to say thanks for everything you sent!! I loved receiving the gingerbread house and all in one piece too. :) It looks awesome and it really looks good next to my Christmas tree. :) Also, I've been loving all of the gifts (12 Days of Christmas), that was so thoughtful and I love opening one each day.
I'm glad to hear that Tanner is doing awesome!!! Keep it up! Driving and cooking and passing road tests and receiving your Eagle and scoring and having fun in the varsity games. Sounds like the whole family is doing great! I'm always excited to hear about how both he and Alex are doing this year. :)
So to answer some of their questions, I'll write a full letter today, but just so they can get one today...Tanner: I'm doing great here. It's totally a different experience and definitely a way awesome experience. My companion is great and we really work well as a team and we are both doing really good at keeping all the rules. It's amazing to think that some missionaries don't keep all of the small and simple rules of getting up on time and going to bed on time. And sometimes they feel like they can do something whenever even when we aren't scheduled to do something till later. So some advice...is always be obedient, your life will be so much more happier. :) The food is starting to become all the same but it is still better than the food, at least that I've heard, at the other MTC's. I get at least a chocolate milk every meal haha, it's way cool! Well, we actually just went to the temple for the last time last Monday, but at least my district gets to clean it on Dec. 26th. :) So that should be interesting. My favorite devotional speaker has been Brother Yamashita. I just thought how this guy was living in Japan just a couple of months ago and now he's speaking a different language to all of us! I really paid the best attention to him cause it was hard to hear and I didn't want to miss anything. :) The language is always a struggle but I'm doing great!! I have many hours throughout the day to learn it and with my goal to speak only Spanish when I leave the MTC, hopefully that can improve it. :) Alright, I promise I'll write more in your letter and I'll say hi to Alex then too. :) Thanks for the letter last week.
Alright, now to the real email...
This next week for you guys should be totally awesome!! Lucky that you get to go down to St. George for Christmas, well basically, and then how exciting to have Christmas!! I'll let you know in a second what I can expect for my Christmas. But first to answer some questions..."middle part Wednesday" (they all parted their hair down the center) was a one day thing only and now I just do the Bednar comb-over and that's been fun to change things up a little bit every week. :) Oh, and they gave me another water bottle in the package I got on my first day from the MTC, which real fast included: Spanish scriptures, and a Spanish Preach My Gospel, pamphlets in both languages, two daily planners and a MTC experience book. Also, a dictionary and all three of my language books. :) And, they have a hanging weight scale on my floor so I'll be able to check it (the weight of his luggage before he leaves) Also, thanks for the pictures!! I really love seeing the pictures and I want to see as many as you can send these next two years!! Oh, and I love the new jerseys Alex, and 13 looks good on you Tanner. :) (Ryan wore #13 last season)
Well Monday, we went to the temple for the last time, in English haha, and then had a great P-day!!
Tuesday we met with the Consul of Argentina and he was interesting. Not in a bad way, but still it was fun to get a little taste of the culture of Argentina. He said that most Argentines don't know really anything about the Church, he's not LDS, so I'm excited to get down and to start doing work! That night, Sister Dalton came and spoke and had an excellent talk.
Wednesday, me and Elder DeFriez welcomed in a new district. They are all going to Chile or Guatamala. That has really helped our companionship a lot and it has been a fun thing to do. We might be able to do one more that week that we leave, but we'll see. :) Oh, and earlier that day, our whole class was a little rowdy and so our teacher, after teaching us the main part of the lesson, took us outside and we played missionary tag. haha That was a fun thing to do because I don't know why, but we had so much energy. Don't worry, I wasn't being the problem. :)
Thursday, we had another real spiritual experience at TRC, oh, and our TRC in only on Thursday. We actually got to teach a young woman that was struggling to go to church every week. We had actually just taught her mother in the first 20 minutes and so in Espanol we were able to invite the Spirit and I think we really got her thinking that she needs to attend church this next Sunday. So hopefully we actually did some real good this last week. :) That night we also did our tour with the new district and that was fun to do again, thinking that was me like 6 weeks ago and to see how far I've come. :)
I basically have finished all of the grammar terms on TALL and so Friday I started doing them all over again. :) So that was exciting. I love Friday's because we have an early gym and then we don't have a night class so it's just TALL and study. :)
Saturday I just barely noticed that everyone comes to me with all of their doctrinal questions and so I'm just grateful for you Mom and Dad for taking me to church and reading and explaining the scriptures to me all of my life. :)
Sunday, great spiritual day. The oldest district is leaving Dec. 26th and all of our Sisters in the Zone and so we sent them off officially this last Sunday because of our special schedule next Sunday. :) I was able to play the piano again, and sorry mom, but I don't sing in the choir because they practice at incovenient times and they have to sit in the bleacher seats which my legs hang over the edge when I sit down. Haha so way uncomfortable. :) Then last night we watched Mountain of the Lord and that's fun to always be watching the movies that I know so well. It's amazing that so many people have not seen these movies before, so it's fun that the MTC shows all of the classics every Sunday.
Christmas Eve we have a devotional and then a movie. Then for next Sunday, Christmas, basically we will be watching The Music and The Spoken Word and then having sacrament meeting with a general authority. :) Then after Christmas dinner at lunch we will have some personal time and then we are having a special performance from the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. :) Then we have dinner and then another devotional and another Christmas movie that night. So it should be way fun and I'm excited to see Dustin this week and get another week closer to my departure date. :) haha That might be scarier than coming to the MTC. haha
I love you all so much and good luck this week!!
I LOVE YOU!!!
Elder Ryan Pittard
First of all I want to say thanks for everything you sent!! I loved receiving the gingerbread house and all in one piece too. :) It looks awesome and it really looks good next to my Christmas tree. :) Also, I've been loving all of the gifts (12 Days of Christmas), that was so thoughtful and I love opening one each day.
I'm glad to hear that Tanner is doing awesome!!! Keep it up! Driving and cooking and passing road tests and receiving your Eagle and scoring and having fun in the varsity games. Sounds like the whole family is doing great! I'm always excited to hear about how both he and Alex are doing this year. :)
So to answer some of their questions, I'll write a full letter today, but just so they can get one today...Tanner: I'm doing great here. It's totally a different experience and definitely a way awesome experience. My companion is great and we really work well as a team and we are both doing really good at keeping all the rules. It's amazing to think that some missionaries don't keep all of the small and simple rules of getting up on time and going to bed on time. And sometimes they feel like they can do something whenever even when we aren't scheduled to do something till later. So some advice...is always be obedient, your life will be so much more happier. :) The food is starting to become all the same but it is still better than the food, at least that I've heard, at the other MTC's. I get at least a chocolate milk every meal haha, it's way cool! Well, we actually just went to the temple for the last time last Monday, but at least my district gets to clean it on Dec. 26th. :) So that should be interesting. My favorite devotional speaker has been Brother Yamashita. I just thought how this guy was living in Japan just a couple of months ago and now he's speaking a different language to all of us! I really paid the best attention to him cause it was hard to hear and I didn't want to miss anything. :) The language is always a struggle but I'm doing great!! I have many hours throughout the day to learn it and with my goal to speak only Spanish when I leave the MTC, hopefully that can improve it. :) Alright, I promise I'll write more in your letter and I'll say hi to Alex then too. :) Thanks for the letter last week.
Alright, now to the real email...
This next week for you guys should be totally awesome!! Lucky that you get to go down to St. George for Christmas, well basically, and then how exciting to have Christmas!! I'll let you know in a second what I can expect for my Christmas. But first to answer some questions..."middle part Wednesday" (they all parted their hair down the center) was a one day thing only and now I just do the Bednar comb-over and that's been fun to change things up a little bit every week. :) Oh, and they gave me another water bottle in the package I got on my first day from the MTC, which real fast included: Spanish scriptures, and a Spanish Preach My Gospel, pamphlets in both languages, two daily planners and a MTC experience book. Also, a dictionary and all three of my language books. :) And, they have a hanging weight scale on my floor so I'll be able to check it (the weight of his luggage before he leaves) Also, thanks for the pictures!! I really love seeing the pictures and I want to see as many as you can send these next two years!! Oh, and I love the new jerseys Alex, and 13 looks good on you Tanner. :) (Ryan wore #13 last season)
Well Monday, we went to the temple for the last time, in English haha, and then had a great P-day!!
Tuesday we met with the Consul of Argentina and he was interesting. Not in a bad way, but still it was fun to get a little taste of the culture of Argentina. He said that most Argentines don't know really anything about the Church, he's not LDS, so I'm excited to get down and to start doing work! That night, Sister Dalton came and spoke and had an excellent talk.
Wednesday, me and Elder DeFriez welcomed in a new district. They are all going to Chile or Guatamala. That has really helped our companionship a lot and it has been a fun thing to do. We might be able to do one more that week that we leave, but we'll see. :) Oh, and earlier that day, our whole class was a little rowdy and so our teacher, after teaching us the main part of the lesson, took us outside and we played missionary tag. haha That was a fun thing to do because I don't know why, but we had so much energy. Don't worry, I wasn't being the problem. :)
Thursday, we had another real spiritual experience at TRC, oh, and our TRC in only on Thursday. We actually got to teach a young woman that was struggling to go to church every week. We had actually just taught her mother in the first 20 minutes and so in Espanol we were able to invite the Spirit and I think we really got her thinking that she needs to attend church this next Sunday. So hopefully we actually did some real good this last week. :) That night we also did our tour with the new district and that was fun to do again, thinking that was me like 6 weeks ago and to see how far I've come. :)
I basically have finished all of the grammar terms on TALL and so Friday I started doing them all over again. :) So that was exciting. I love Friday's because we have an early gym and then we don't have a night class so it's just TALL and study. :)
Saturday I just barely noticed that everyone comes to me with all of their doctrinal questions and so I'm just grateful for you Mom and Dad for taking me to church and reading and explaining the scriptures to me all of my life. :)
Sunday, great spiritual day. The oldest district is leaving Dec. 26th and all of our Sisters in the Zone and so we sent them off officially this last Sunday because of our special schedule next Sunday. :) I was able to play the piano again, and sorry mom, but I don't sing in the choir because they practice at incovenient times and they have to sit in the bleacher seats which my legs hang over the edge when I sit down. Haha so way uncomfortable. :) Then last night we watched Mountain of the Lord and that's fun to always be watching the movies that I know so well. It's amazing that so many people have not seen these movies before, so it's fun that the MTC shows all of the classics every Sunday.
Christmas Eve we have a devotional and then a movie. Then for next Sunday, Christmas, basically we will be watching The Music and The Spoken Word and then having sacrament meeting with a general authority. :) Then after Christmas dinner at lunch we will have some personal time and then we are having a special performance from the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. :) Then we have dinner and then another devotional and another Christmas movie that night. So it should be way fun and I'm excited to see Dustin this week and get another week closer to my departure date. :) haha That might be scarier than coming to the MTC. haha
I love you all so much and good luck this week!!
I LOVE YOU!!!
Elder Ryan Pittard
Monday, December 12, 2011
So cool to think that we, only 19 years old, can use that amazing priesthood
Hola! Como estan? I love you all!! Oh and excellent Spanish madre! :)
Oh, wow, what a busy week, it just flew by!
Alright, first to answer some of your questions. No, I don't need the histories right away but it would be nice to have them. I think it's for use in the field. Oh, a question for you, when did our ancestors join the church on both sides? Do we know the names of the missionaries? Just wondering. haha I actually haven't used my contact lenses yet, but yes, please send them just in case.
Alright, honestly you can never talk enough sports especially when I get nothing else here at the MTC. ;) Congrats Tanner and Alex for playing awesome in their bball games!! And wow, Tanner is scoring up a storm! haha And I'm glad that they won, and I'm anxious to hear how they did on Thursday night. Oh, and I'm sure that Braden and Dad are tearing it up in their league. (Cary is coaching Braden's city league team) It's fun hearing about all of that and I never realized how much I loved playing high school bball until I can't anymore. Can't wait to get any sort of pictures soon!
Now about my week. Me and Elder DeFriez did great with the new district, taught them really well on Wednesday and Thursday night. We took them on a tour on Thursday night and in about 4 weeks I almost knew everything that they needed to know. Yes, I have seen all of my friends that have come in. I saw Elder Christofferson and Elder Eastmond (both going to Mexico) both last night at dinner and then I saw Elder Tanner Garlick (going to Cambodia). (all three were friends in high school) So the MTC is infested with Lehi people right now, in a good way. :) Oh, and I see Elder Thabaud everywhere too. (he was in our ward in Florida and his family joined the church while we lived there) Now I'm excited to have Dustin come in really soon. Hopefully I'll get to see him once. :) I got my first haircut this week. I took a picture, but it basically looks like Mom did it, so I guess it'll be alright. I also dry cleaned my blue suit. It's amazing how dirty it can get in just a couple weeks of wearing it, but I am switching off between the two.
Oh, and just so you know, the last day that the MTC is accepting packages from local carriers is Dec. 23rd, so if you do happen to send me a little something, just do it before that date. Also, just a reminder that I won't be calling home for Christmas, because I'm at the MTC, but I will be calling 2 weeks later when I'm about to fly halfway around the world on January 9th. :) It's exciting to think that it's coming so fast!! Today is our last temple trip, it's closing from the 17th to the 3rd and we leave that next Monday the 9th, so that is how it's going to work out.
Ok, this week...This last Tuesday Elder Steven E. Snow of the Presidency of the Seventy came and spoke to us. Mom would love this, I always remember her saying that if I joined this choir that she would fly out to watch every one of my performances. Yup, BYU Men's Chorus came and sung to us last night for a special fireside event. They all bore testimony through singing the songs of Christmas and they really brought the Spirit on their last number which they said they only do for the MTC. They played a movie about Christ's life as they sung and the Spirit was so strong. Then after that we went and watched an old world-wide training video of Elder Holland teaching a group of general authorities and General Women's leaders how to teach. Then we had an awesome experience. Elder Pace is having foot problems and is needing to go into physical therapy 3 times a week to get them healed. So last night he asked for a blessing from his companion Elder Smith. We all met in their room and it was a spiritual experience as we missionaries called upon the power and authority of God and Elder Smith blessed him that he would be able to complete his mission without any more pain. So it was cool to think that we, only 19 years old, can use that amazing priesthood.
We had a really cool teaching experience this last week, oh and on Thursday we got fingerprinted for our visas and we will be signing them in front of the Consul of Argentina tomorrow. :) Anyways, after that on Thursday, we had TRC. Our second lesson went amazing. We were teaching members how the LdM (Book of Mormon) could bless their lives through revelation. Our second one was an older lady of Mexican descent. When we first asked her what her favorite scripture story was, she answered when Jesus came to the Nephites, which was awesome because that was the one experience that I was going to share, so I quickly had her read through a couple of versiculos of 3 Nefi 11 like when God says this is my beloved Son, hear Him! And then when Jesus first speaks to them and says that I am the light and the life. She then started tearing up, and said, in English at this point, haha, and said that the reason this was her favorite story was because she once had a dream of where she was there when Jesus appeared, she said that she knew what the voice was and she thought she was a spirit because everyone was walking right through her, but she could feel the love of the Savior. She said that when He looked at her, it was like He was taking an x-ray of her and she could just feel all of that love!! So that was an awesome experience because we were able to touch her heart and she touched ours.
My Spanish is rapidly improving every day. I can now basically read from the scriptures, at Camryn's speed of course, but it's coming. :) Then I'm able to understand a lot of what is being said, most of the time. Of course I'm just used to the way my teachers speak and that won't compare to when I get out there, but it's an awesome feeling. Speaking will come the last, but I'll be patiently waiting for that day to come. :) I was able to write my last talk all by myself in Spanish and I had just a few grammatical errors.
Buenos suerte esta semana, cada uno. :) I hope que ustedes juegan bueno esta semana en bball. :) Te aman muy muy mucho. (Good luck this week to each of you. I hope you play well this week in basketball. I love you very very much.)
Hasta luego!!
Elder Ryan Pittard
Oh, wow, what a busy week, it just flew by!
Alright, first to answer some of your questions. No, I don't need the histories right away but it would be nice to have them. I think it's for use in the field. Oh, a question for you, when did our ancestors join the church on both sides? Do we know the names of the missionaries? Just wondering. haha I actually haven't used my contact lenses yet, but yes, please send them just in case.
Alright, honestly you can never talk enough sports especially when I get nothing else here at the MTC. ;) Congrats Tanner and Alex for playing awesome in their bball games!! And wow, Tanner is scoring up a storm! haha And I'm glad that they won, and I'm anxious to hear how they did on Thursday night. Oh, and I'm sure that Braden and Dad are tearing it up in their league. (Cary is coaching Braden's city league team) It's fun hearing about all of that and I never realized how much I loved playing high school bball until I can't anymore. Can't wait to get any sort of pictures soon!
Now about my week. Me and Elder DeFriez did great with the new district, taught them really well on Wednesday and Thursday night. We took them on a tour on Thursday night and in about 4 weeks I almost knew everything that they needed to know. Yes, I have seen all of my friends that have come in. I saw Elder Christofferson and Elder Eastmond (both going to Mexico) both last night at dinner and then I saw Elder Tanner Garlick (going to Cambodia). (all three were friends in high school) So the MTC is infested with Lehi people right now, in a good way. :) Oh, and I see Elder Thabaud everywhere too. (he was in our ward in Florida and his family joined the church while we lived there) Now I'm excited to have Dustin come in really soon. Hopefully I'll get to see him once. :) I got my first haircut this week. I took a picture, but it basically looks like Mom did it, so I guess it'll be alright. I also dry cleaned my blue suit. It's amazing how dirty it can get in just a couple weeks of wearing it, but I am switching off between the two.
Oh, and just so you know, the last day that the MTC is accepting packages from local carriers is Dec. 23rd, so if you do happen to send me a little something, just do it before that date. Also, just a reminder that I won't be calling home for Christmas, because I'm at the MTC, but I will be calling 2 weeks later when I'm about to fly halfway around the world on January 9th. :) It's exciting to think that it's coming so fast!! Today is our last temple trip, it's closing from the 17th to the 3rd and we leave that next Monday the 9th, so that is how it's going to work out.
Ok, this week...This last Tuesday Elder Steven E. Snow of the Presidency of the Seventy came and spoke to us. Mom would love this, I always remember her saying that if I joined this choir that she would fly out to watch every one of my performances. Yup, BYU Men's Chorus came and sung to us last night for a special fireside event. They all bore testimony through singing the songs of Christmas and they really brought the Spirit on their last number which they said they only do for the MTC. They played a movie about Christ's life as they sung and the Spirit was so strong. Then after that we went and watched an old world-wide training video of Elder Holland teaching a group of general authorities and General Women's leaders how to teach. Then we had an awesome experience. Elder Pace is having foot problems and is needing to go into physical therapy 3 times a week to get them healed. So last night he asked for a blessing from his companion Elder Smith. We all met in their room and it was a spiritual experience as we missionaries called upon the power and authority of God and Elder Smith blessed him that he would be able to complete his mission without any more pain. So it was cool to think that we, only 19 years old, can use that amazing priesthood.
We had a really cool teaching experience this last week, oh and on Thursday we got fingerprinted for our visas and we will be signing them in front of the Consul of Argentina tomorrow. :) Anyways, after that on Thursday, we had TRC. Our second lesson went amazing. We were teaching members how the LdM (Book of Mormon) could bless their lives through revelation. Our second one was an older lady of Mexican descent. When we first asked her what her favorite scripture story was, she answered when Jesus came to the Nephites, which was awesome because that was the one experience that I was going to share, so I quickly had her read through a couple of versiculos of 3 Nefi 11 like when God says this is my beloved Son, hear Him! And then when Jesus first speaks to them and says that I am the light and the life. She then started tearing up, and said, in English at this point, haha, and said that the reason this was her favorite story was because she once had a dream of where she was there when Jesus appeared, she said that she knew what the voice was and she thought she was a spirit because everyone was walking right through her, but she could feel the love of the Savior. She said that when He looked at her, it was like He was taking an x-ray of her and she could just feel all of that love!! So that was an awesome experience because we were able to touch her heart and she touched ours.
My Spanish is rapidly improving every day. I can now basically read from the scriptures, at Camryn's speed of course, but it's coming. :) Then I'm able to understand a lot of what is being said, most of the time. Of course I'm just used to the way my teachers speak and that won't compare to when I get out there, but it's an awesome feeling. Speaking will come the last, but I'll be patiently waiting for that day to come. :) I was able to write my last talk all by myself in Spanish and I had just a few grammatical errors.
Buenos suerte esta semana, cada uno. :) I hope que ustedes juegan bueno esta semana en bball. :) Te aman muy muy mucho. (Good luck this week to each of you. I hope you play well this week in basketball. I love you very very much.)
Hasta luego!!
Elder Ryan Pittard
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Christmas Traditions
Every year at Christmastime our family makes and decorates gingerbread houses.
I had fun making one to send to Ryan in the MTC.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Everything is going great here at the MTC!
Hola Familia!!
Everything is going great here at the MTC!! Oh my another week has already passed and gone!! We had a great week and I'll tell you all about it in one second. :) First, to answer some questions: My camera is working great and it'll work for the rest of my mission. And everything that you've sent with me is great. To tell you the truth, I lost my blue sweatshirt out at the field a couple of weeks ago and I couldn't find it. But this Wednesday, I was able to go out to the field and play soccer, and luckily they had my sweatshirt in the building up there. :) No, I don't know any of the BAN missionaries, but I know that there are a ton of people going to ARG. Actually there's another district right across the hallway fron us, different zone, and most of them are going to BAN and they are leaving the same day as us. For the last two weeks it's only been three districts in our zone, but in the next two weeks we have two new districts coming in. As ZL's we get to welcome the new district this Wednesday.
Thanks Dad, for the special note. I loved hearing from you and thanks for the wonderful counsel. I'm glad to hear that Thanksgiving went well!! Sounds like you all had a wonderful time playing bball and playing games. I was excited to hear about how well Tanner did!! Good job Tanner!!! I want to hear all about the next games and Alex's too. Also I want to hear how BYU did at Hawaii on Saturday. Also, I want to know how BYU Bball is holding up. Thanks for the letters this week and sorry that I haven't sent pictures yet. It's really frustrating because I ordered them before Thanksgiving and they still haven't come, so I might just print new ones soon, so I'll get them to you asap.
Alright, my week, Monday, I did initiatories again this week, this time with the whole district. Then I assigned out everything for our Sunday meeting. It was cool cause we prayed about who should do what next Sunday for sacrament meeting and me and Elder DeFriez had the same people in mind. :) Tuesday, we had a normal day. We had 3 hrs of class from 10am-1pm and then after lunch we had language study for an hour and what I've been working on is the different endings that there are. We had a workshop about how we need to map out our investigators' conversion so we can know what to teach them next. We are really focused on teaching to our investigators' needs and so that's what we focus on around the different lessons that we have to teach. Not only have they been teaching us straight Spanish but they've also taught us about our purpose as a missionary. Which is: Invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, Repentance, Baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end. :) Our main goal is to baptize and to get them on the right path, that's our main purpose. Then that night we had Elder Yamashita from the 70 come and speak with us, his wife came also, and after 4 months of English training she was able to give a very simple talk to all of us and so that made me realize that's how I sound to a Spanish speaker, it will only come with time. He had better English, but it was still cool to see someone other than an American bearing the same testimony that I had. He talked about being a good PMG (Preach My Gospel) missionary.
Wednesday was great, our whole district thought of ways to make the new missionaries feel welcome. haha So I put on my old orange sticker which disignates a newbie and walked around like I was new, haha. I got a couple of people asking me where I was going and everything. We were told yesterday that we couldn't do that anymore, oh well, it was fun. I saw John Clark (a friend from school). He came on Wednesday, and it was fun to realize that he was a floor above me and Elder Haskell. I was able to play some soccer and that was fun and I scored a goal. :) Then we taught Juan and that lesson went really well!! We focused on why the Book of Mormon was true and if that was true, wasn't Joseph Smith true and then therefore isn't the Church true!! It was an awesome feeling, cause we really had the spirit with us. It's amazing to think that in 5 and a half weeks I'll be out there doing it for real! Thursday, December! Wow, the time has flown!! We had our first experience with TRC this last week, where we first taught a teacher like he was a member and we were just sharing a message and then we actually got to teach a lady from Cedar Hills about how through prayer we can receive revelation.
That night we taught Alexandra, and we went off for a 50 minute lesson where we were just testifying and got her to commit to read the LdM, el Libro de Mormon. Then we got her to pray after teaching her how to pray. Really exciting things are happening everyday in the MTC and I can't wait to go out into the field. It was fun on Friday, our teacher told us a story all in Spanish about her experience of going down to Argentina, she went to Salta, and her first, tired couple of days. It was cool because I was able to follow her somewhat. haha So that was cool! I'm now on page like 350 in Jesus el Christo. I hadn't realized that it had been written in like 1915, so much knowledge for so little resources!
Saturday we had our weekly service where we cleaned bathrooms in 11M and then emptied all the garbage. We had a pretty easy morning with TALL and gym and then lunch and then language study. Then we had 6 hours of class where we learned about the future tense. I already had learned those endings but we learned how we could apply it to teaching a lesson. It's cool cause every grammar principle we learn, we learn it with how to apply it to our lessons. It helps us learn Spanish and how to teach all in one. Then yesterday was a different Sunday for us being Fast Sunday. I did it too. =) We didn't have Priesthood but had a 2 hour long meeting in the gym where the bleachers are and we heard talks and had musical performances. Then after some meetings with the Branch Presidency as ZL's then with the DL's. We had sacrament meeting which was a big testimony meeting. It was also cool because we had President Brown, the MTC President, come and sit in on our meeting. So that was awesome. I gave my simple testimony in Spanish and also played the hymns. It was cool to think that the next testimony meeting that I will be able to expound a whole lot more in Spanish. As ZL's we get to sit up on the stand. Then we had our Temple walk and that was cool cause we had some Jesus promoters standing outside the entrance of the MTC. They were just yelling at cars as they drove by that Jesus loves them. Interesting, but a nice bunch. =) We talked with them as we went back and forth from the Temple. They love Jesus just as much as we do, but it was just interesting that they were on their "mission". haha I'm just glad that they were nice. Then we were able to eat and then watch the First Presidency Devotional. Cool messages and I loved hearing the prophet's voice.
Alright, I want everyone of you to know that I know I'm out here doing the right thing and I love praying to my Heavenly Father every night and feeling His wonderful Spirit every day. I love you all and good luck next week!!
Yo se que Jesu Cristo as mi Salvado y Redentor. Yo se que Jose Smith fue una verdad profeta. Yo se que Thomas S. Monson es una profeta viviente hoy. Yo se que mi mision sera un bendicion en nuestras vidas. Te amo!!!
Elder Pittard
(I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior and Redeemer. I know that Joseph Smith was a true prophet. I know that Thomas S. Monson is a living prophet today. I know that my mission will be a blessing in our lives. I love you!!!)
Everything is going great here at the MTC!! Oh my another week has already passed and gone!! We had a great week and I'll tell you all about it in one second. :) First, to answer some questions: My camera is working great and it'll work for the rest of my mission. And everything that you've sent with me is great. To tell you the truth, I lost my blue sweatshirt out at the field a couple of weeks ago and I couldn't find it. But this Wednesday, I was able to go out to the field and play soccer, and luckily they had my sweatshirt in the building up there. :) No, I don't know any of the BAN missionaries, but I know that there are a ton of people going to ARG. Actually there's another district right across the hallway fron us, different zone, and most of them are going to BAN and they are leaving the same day as us. For the last two weeks it's only been three districts in our zone, but in the next two weeks we have two new districts coming in. As ZL's we get to welcome the new district this Wednesday.
Thanks Dad, for the special note. I loved hearing from you and thanks for the wonderful counsel. I'm glad to hear that Thanksgiving went well!! Sounds like you all had a wonderful time playing bball and playing games. I was excited to hear about how well Tanner did!! Good job Tanner!!! I want to hear all about the next games and Alex's too. Also I want to hear how BYU did at Hawaii on Saturday. Also, I want to know how BYU Bball is holding up. Thanks for the letters this week and sorry that I haven't sent pictures yet. It's really frustrating because I ordered them before Thanksgiving and they still haven't come, so I might just print new ones soon, so I'll get them to you asap.
Alright, my week, Monday, I did initiatories again this week, this time with the whole district. Then I assigned out everything for our Sunday meeting. It was cool cause we prayed about who should do what next Sunday for sacrament meeting and me and Elder DeFriez had the same people in mind. :) Tuesday, we had a normal day. We had 3 hrs of class from 10am-1pm and then after lunch we had language study for an hour and what I've been working on is the different endings that there are. We had a workshop about how we need to map out our investigators' conversion so we can know what to teach them next. We are really focused on teaching to our investigators' needs and so that's what we focus on around the different lessons that we have to teach. Not only have they been teaching us straight Spanish but they've also taught us about our purpose as a missionary. Which is: Invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, Repentance, Baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end. :) Our main goal is to baptize and to get them on the right path, that's our main purpose. Then that night we had Elder Yamashita from the 70 come and speak with us, his wife came also, and after 4 months of English training she was able to give a very simple talk to all of us and so that made me realize that's how I sound to a Spanish speaker, it will only come with time. He had better English, but it was still cool to see someone other than an American bearing the same testimony that I had. He talked about being a good PMG (Preach My Gospel) missionary.
Wednesday was great, our whole district thought of ways to make the new missionaries feel welcome. haha So I put on my old orange sticker which disignates a newbie and walked around like I was new, haha. I got a couple of people asking me where I was going and everything. We were told yesterday that we couldn't do that anymore, oh well, it was fun. I saw John Clark (a friend from school). He came on Wednesday, and it was fun to realize that he was a floor above me and Elder Haskell. I was able to play some soccer and that was fun and I scored a goal. :) Then we taught Juan and that lesson went really well!! We focused on why the Book of Mormon was true and if that was true, wasn't Joseph Smith true and then therefore isn't the Church true!! It was an awesome feeling, cause we really had the spirit with us. It's amazing to think that in 5 and a half weeks I'll be out there doing it for real! Thursday, December! Wow, the time has flown!! We had our first experience with TRC this last week, where we first taught a teacher like he was a member and we were just sharing a message and then we actually got to teach a lady from Cedar Hills about how through prayer we can receive revelation.
That night we taught Alexandra, and we went off for a 50 minute lesson where we were just testifying and got her to commit to read the LdM, el Libro de Mormon. Then we got her to pray after teaching her how to pray. Really exciting things are happening everyday in the MTC and I can't wait to go out into the field. It was fun on Friday, our teacher told us a story all in Spanish about her experience of going down to Argentina, she went to Salta, and her first, tired couple of days. It was cool because I was able to follow her somewhat. haha So that was cool! I'm now on page like 350 in Jesus el Christo. I hadn't realized that it had been written in like 1915, so much knowledge for so little resources!
Saturday we had our weekly service where we cleaned bathrooms in 11M and then emptied all the garbage. We had a pretty easy morning with TALL and gym and then lunch and then language study. Then we had 6 hours of class where we learned about the future tense. I already had learned those endings but we learned how we could apply it to teaching a lesson. It's cool cause every grammar principle we learn, we learn it with how to apply it to our lessons. It helps us learn Spanish and how to teach all in one. Then yesterday was a different Sunday for us being Fast Sunday. I did it too. =) We didn't have Priesthood but had a 2 hour long meeting in the gym where the bleachers are and we heard talks and had musical performances. Then after some meetings with the Branch Presidency as ZL's then with the DL's. We had sacrament meeting which was a big testimony meeting. It was also cool because we had President Brown, the MTC President, come and sit in on our meeting. So that was awesome. I gave my simple testimony in Spanish and also played the hymns. It was cool to think that the next testimony meeting that I will be able to expound a whole lot more in Spanish. As ZL's we get to sit up on the stand. Then we had our Temple walk and that was cool cause we had some Jesus promoters standing outside the entrance of the MTC. They were just yelling at cars as they drove by that Jesus loves them. Interesting, but a nice bunch. =) We talked with them as we went back and forth from the Temple. They love Jesus just as much as we do, but it was just interesting that they were on their "mission". haha I'm just glad that they were nice. Then we were able to eat and then watch the First Presidency Devotional. Cool messages and I loved hearing the prophet's voice.
Alright, I want everyone of you to know that I know I'm out here doing the right thing and I love praying to my Heavenly Father every night and feeling His wonderful Spirit every day. I love you all and good luck next week!!
Yo se que Jesu Cristo as mi Salvado y Redentor. Yo se que Jose Smith fue una verdad profeta. Yo se que Thomas S. Monson es una profeta viviente hoy. Yo se que mi mision sera un bendicion en nuestras vidas. Te amo!!!
Elder Pittard
(I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior and Redeemer. I know that Joseph Smith was a true prophet. I know that Thomas S. Monson is a living prophet today. I know that my mission will be a blessing in our lives. I love you!!!)
Monday, November 28, 2011
Thanksgiving in the MTC
Hey there Familia!!
Wow another week has already passed. :) How's it going?!! I loved getting all of your letters and treats. Thanks so much!!! We had an awesome week here and I have so much to share. :)
First to answer some questions, Alex, my favorite food so far was the guacamole burger with curly fries, which I washed down with my regular glass of chocolate milk. My companion is great and we are getting along just fine. My roommates are awesome too and luckily so is all of my district. My favorite parts of the day, well, is personal study time which we get a lot of everyday. Though I really love movie night on Sundays! The last three Sundays we've watched, Legacy, The Joseph Smith Movie, and last night was The Testaments. It's just a cool awesome spiritual experience!! Yes, I've seen Matt Haskell and I've taken a picture with him and I'm going today to pick up my pictures that I ordered a while ago so you should be getting some pictures from me within the week. :) And yes, I play basketball a lot--everyday almost--but I also love playing 4 square!! Oh and guess what?! On Saturday while playing basketball I was able to dunk it in a game, twice!! haha maybe it's because I've gained 10 pounds since I've gotten here. :) Don't worry though, I'm doing push-ups and sit-ups every night to counter all my eating. :)
Alright Mom, church starts at 1:45 for us and goes till 2:45. I played the piano again yesterday and without incident. Luckily I have not had to speak in church yet, but yes, everyone in the whole zone needs to prepare a talk each week just in case. It's been easy so far because I've been able to copy out of Preach My Gospel, until I know more Spanish then I'll write my own. :) Way to go Tanner and Alex for making the basketball teams this year!! I was surprised how early in the day the games were this year for Lehi. How did they do? How did Tanner play? And good luck to you, Alex, this week against Timpview.
Now from my last week:
Monday, I went and did initiatories at the Provo Temple, then wrote letters back to people that wrote to me and then did my laundry, which is a new experience. :) (meaning in a laundromat environment)
Tuesday was an awesome day!! I actually played some volleyball that morning, then the best part of all was we had an apostle come speak to us for our Tuesday night devotional!! Elder D. Todd Christofferson came and spoke to us about his mission in Argentina and some experiences that helped him as a missionary!! It was totally awesome because I was just sitting 10 yards or so away from the pulpit so we were really close! He mentioned how he had just gone to speak in Argentina, and then I remembered reading about how Elder Biggs said that he was excited for Elder Christofferson to come speak in their mission. So that was really cool!! Then afterwards we went as a District and discussed it and again really felt the spirit!!
Wednesday: This was a normal day for us. Started with personal study time. I'm starting to read Jesus the Christ and I'm loving it and already 200 pages in! I just love learning about our Savior's life and all the cool little neat things that we don't see while reading the scriptures. Then we had TALL time and I worked on grammar principles. Then we had gym time which is always fun now because I can relieve some stress. Then we had 6 hours of class with a 30 minute dinner break in the middle. We taught two investigators that night, Guadalupe and Juan Jose. This was our second time teaching Guadalupe and for both times we only had 10 minutes to teach them. So we are practicing how to begin teaching right now. :) This week we are starting TRC (Teacher Resource Center) where we get to teach a volunteer a first lesson all in Spanish again. :)
Thursday, Thanksgiving :) Well that day was a way different experience. I honestly missed home a lot and doing the normal day routine but it turned out to be good in the end. :) We started off the morning with a bang! Elder Russell M. Nelson came and spoke to us!! We had a morning devotional and the rumor was that it was going to be an apostle from the head of the missionary department, which is either Elder Nelson or Elder Holland. So again, we were sitting 7 rows back just right of the pulpit and it was a really neat experience!! He talked about how he was grateful for lots of things but especially how when he was a new apostle President Benson assigned him and another Seventy to be in charge of growing the Church in Europe especially advancing the Church in the communist countries, including trying to get into Russia. It was miraculous how the Lord prepared a way for His will to be accomplished. :) Eventually the Church was recognized in Russia. Then that day we did a service project for the Humanitarian division of the Church. We made in total 8000 injury kits for people in Sudan and that surrounding area! My job on my table was to put 2 band aids into a plastic bag that was being passed down the table. Just our table made 160 and we did this in about 30 minutes. :) Then that night we had kettle corn popcorn as we watched 17 Miracles, which was awesome with a bunch of missionaries.
Friday: There was no black Friday for us, the bookstore wasn't even open. haha We had 6:35am gym time, which usually means that I play 4 square cause it's too early in the morning for me. :) Then it was just a normal day after that where we ended again with teaching investigators at night--which are going really well. :) Now that Thanksgiving is over they turned on the Christmas lights in the main open foyer and I've taken pictures and will get you some of those asap.
Saturday, was our day of service which we basically cleaned bathrooms in building 11M starting at 6:30am until we were done. :) Then we had class again for 6 hours at night with the 30 minute dinner break. Wednesday and Friday nights are the hardest but it's all good because me and Elder DeFriez taught a really good first lesson to our teacher, Juan.
Sunday: day of the big surprise! So yesterday we had interviews with the branch presidency like scheduled. And I got a big surprise when I was asked to be Zone Leader along with Elder DeFriez!! This came as a blessing and as a humbling calling. haha So yeah, now I'm Zone Leader. It's nothing big in the MTC, but just thought you should know. We were announced in Sacrament meeting and then right afterwards we got some overall training. We were trained with another 40 or so new ZL's, which I guess isn't surprising, seeing that there are 57 zones in the MTC. :) Our basic responsibility is to watch over the new missionaries that come in and then prepare sacrament meeting every week. :)
So that is that and I hope everyone has a great week this next week!! Please let me know how everything is going!! I just know that what I'm doing is the right thing!! Thanks for all of your support and I love you!! The Church is true and my message is true and this work is the work of God and Jesus Christ.
Love,
Elder Ryan Pittard
Oh and Go BYU!!!
Wow another week has already passed. :) How's it going?!! I loved getting all of your letters and treats. Thanks so much!!! We had an awesome week here and I have so much to share. :)
First to answer some questions, Alex, my favorite food so far was the guacamole burger with curly fries, which I washed down with my regular glass of chocolate milk. My companion is great and we are getting along just fine. My roommates are awesome too and luckily so is all of my district. My favorite parts of the day, well, is personal study time which we get a lot of everyday. Though I really love movie night on Sundays! The last three Sundays we've watched, Legacy, The Joseph Smith Movie, and last night was The Testaments. It's just a cool awesome spiritual experience!! Yes, I've seen Matt Haskell and I've taken a picture with him and I'm going today to pick up my pictures that I ordered a while ago so you should be getting some pictures from me within the week. :) And yes, I play basketball a lot--everyday almost--but I also love playing 4 square!! Oh and guess what?! On Saturday while playing basketball I was able to dunk it in a game, twice!! haha maybe it's because I've gained 10 pounds since I've gotten here. :) Don't worry though, I'm doing push-ups and sit-ups every night to counter all my eating. :)
Alright Mom, church starts at 1:45 for us and goes till 2:45. I played the piano again yesterday and without incident. Luckily I have not had to speak in church yet, but yes, everyone in the whole zone needs to prepare a talk each week just in case. It's been easy so far because I've been able to copy out of Preach My Gospel, until I know more Spanish then I'll write my own. :) Way to go Tanner and Alex for making the basketball teams this year!! I was surprised how early in the day the games were this year for Lehi. How did they do? How did Tanner play? And good luck to you, Alex, this week against Timpview.
Now from my last week:
Monday, I went and did initiatories at the Provo Temple, then wrote letters back to people that wrote to me and then did my laundry, which is a new experience. :) (meaning in a laundromat environment)
Tuesday was an awesome day!! I actually played some volleyball that morning, then the best part of all was we had an apostle come speak to us for our Tuesday night devotional!! Elder D. Todd Christofferson came and spoke to us about his mission in Argentina and some experiences that helped him as a missionary!! It was totally awesome because I was just sitting 10 yards or so away from the pulpit so we were really close! He mentioned how he had just gone to speak in Argentina, and then I remembered reading about how Elder Biggs said that he was excited for Elder Christofferson to come speak in their mission. So that was really cool!! Then afterwards we went as a District and discussed it and again really felt the spirit!!
Wednesday: This was a normal day for us. Started with personal study time. I'm starting to read Jesus the Christ and I'm loving it and already 200 pages in! I just love learning about our Savior's life and all the cool little neat things that we don't see while reading the scriptures. Then we had TALL time and I worked on grammar principles. Then we had gym time which is always fun now because I can relieve some stress. Then we had 6 hours of class with a 30 minute dinner break in the middle. We taught two investigators that night, Guadalupe and Juan Jose. This was our second time teaching Guadalupe and for both times we only had 10 minutes to teach them. So we are practicing how to begin teaching right now. :) This week we are starting TRC (Teacher Resource Center) where we get to teach a volunteer a first lesson all in Spanish again. :)
Thursday, Thanksgiving :) Well that day was a way different experience. I honestly missed home a lot and doing the normal day routine but it turned out to be good in the end. :) We started off the morning with a bang! Elder Russell M. Nelson came and spoke to us!! We had a morning devotional and the rumor was that it was going to be an apostle from the head of the missionary department, which is either Elder Nelson or Elder Holland. So again, we were sitting 7 rows back just right of the pulpit and it was a really neat experience!! He talked about how he was grateful for lots of things but especially how when he was a new apostle President Benson assigned him and another Seventy to be in charge of growing the Church in Europe especially advancing the Church in the communist countries, including trying to get into Russia. It was miraculous how the Lord prepared a way for His will to be accomplished. :) Eventually the Church was recognized in Russia. Then that day we did a service project for the Humanitarian division of the Church. We made in total 8000 injury kits for people in Sudan and that surrounding area! My job on my table was to put 2 band aids into a plastic bag that was being passed down the table. Just our table made 160 and we did this in about 30 minutes. :) Then that night we had kettle corn popcorn as we watched 17 Miracles, which was awesome with a bunch of missionaries.
Friday: There was no black Friday for us, the bookstore wasn't even open. haha We had 6:35am gym time, which usually means that I play 4 square cause it's too early in the morning for me. :) Then it was just a normal day after that where we ended again with teaching investigators at night--which are going really well. :) Now that Thanksgiving is over they turned on the Christmas lights in the main open foyer and I've taken pictures and will get you some of those asap.
Saturday, was our day of service which we basically cleaned bathrooms in building 11M starting at 6:30am until we were done. :) Then we had class again for 6 hours at night with the 30 minute dinner break. Wednesday and Friday nights are the hardest but it's all good because me and Elder DeFriez taught a really good first lesson to our teacher, Juan.
Sunday: day of the big surprise! So yesterday we had interviews with the branch presidency like scheduled. And I got a big surprise when I was asked to be Zone Leader along with Elder DeFriez!! This came as a blessing and as a humbling calling. haha So yeah, now I'm Zone Leader. It's nothing big in the MTC, but just thought you should know. We were announced in Sacrament meeting and then right afterwards we got some overall training. We were trained with another 40 or so new ZL's, which I guess isn't surprising, seeing that there are 57 zones in the MTC. :) Our basic responsibility is to watch over the new missionaries that come in and then prepare sacrament meeting every week. :)
So that is that and I hope everyone has a great week this next week!! Please let me know how everything is going!! I just know that what I'm doing is the right thing!! Thanks for all of your support and I love you!! The Church is true and my message is true and this work is the work of God and Jesus Christ.
Love,
Elder Ryan Pittard
Oh and Go BYU!!!
Monday, November 21, 2011
Pictures from the first week in the MTC
Elder Pittard with companion Elder Defriez
Pretty Fall colors at the MTC
my desk
I'm ironing every night
Buenos Aires here I come!
My district (sorry that it's blurry)
Heading to do a session Monday morning, loved the lighting.
one of my favorites
The sky so blue and the day so perfect, oh and I love the shadow.
One of our teachers served in Argentina Salta and she donated this to our classroom. We're all going to sign it at the end of our stay at the MTC.
The Elders from Lehi are taking over the 3rd floor
Hey there Family!!
I decided to use my time wisely and so I'm fitting in the email right now on my busy p-day. :) (It came at 8:15am)
Good Morning!! How's everything going up in Lehi? What are Tanner and Alex's schedule for basketball this year, who are they playing first on Wednesday? How did BYU do against Idaho? Any other news you think I need to know? Ha ha So many questions.
Now to the real stuff. I'm doing great! A lot has happened since last Monday. We taught our progressing investigator, Esteban, totally in Spanish too, though we used lots of notes, but the spirit was still there and we had our first experience of having our investigator commit to baptism after the 5th lesson. Esteban, then became Hermano Wade and started teaching us, so that was cool. We just got two new investigators, Juan and Alexandra, both teachers. So now we are preparing to teach Juan tonight. I have a stack of 250 flash cards and growing. I've almost memorized most of it and feel really confident in just speaking in Spanish without notes. It's amazing to think that I'll almost be fluent when I leave in 9 weeks!
Alright, to answer your questions...Yes, we had a devotional last Tuesday by Elder Tad R. Callister of the Presidency of the Seventy. He talked about 10 points of why the Apostasy really happened and it was an amazing talk that filled the room with the spirit. I'll see if I can copy those points and send them to you in a letter. We then went back as a district, all 10 of us, in our classroom and discussed the talk for an hour. We really had the spirit with us as we all bore testimony of the truthfulness of what we had just heard.
Wednesday, all the new people were coming in. We got a chance to play soccer on the field just west of the temple, closest to the street. That was fun because it seems like that is going to be the last nice day we have here at the MTC. haha Guess what, Matt is basically in the room across from me on our floor!! Elder Haskell is room 301, the first room to the left after coming up the stairs and I'm 343, the first room on the right. So all of us from Lehi, Elders Walker, Scott, Haskell and Me were all on the same floor and basically right next to each other--the other Elders were 303 and 307 :). Elder Walker left this morning to Dallas, Texas so it was fun to see him again and to see how much he has changed. Elder Scott, I found out, is going to Mexico City and he's either on his 3rd or 4th week.
We haven't had any official teaching on the culture of Argentina, but all we have heard so far is how nice of a place it is and I've only heard really good things about my mission.
Elder Defriez is from North Ogden and he graduated from Weber High this past year. He played football last year and at one point led the state in receptions. He was called to be our District Leader but I was called to be the Senior Companion. :) haha He's probably 6'2" and is a bigger guy than me. I've gained 6 pounds so far but I'm doing push-ups and crunches every night though, so I don't think that it'll be too bad.
7 out of 10 in my district are going to ARG BAN (Argentina Buenos Aires North) while 3 of them are going to ARG Neuquen, which is the mission that covers the wastelands of Argentina south of Buenos Aires. I sleep on the top bunk, which makes it hard to make every day but I'm doing good at that and I really miss my own bed. haha Actually it isn't that bad and it's getting better every night. :) My desk is the opposite side of the room away from the door, right next to our window.
Church is great here! Every week we have to prepare a 3-5 minute talk in Spanish just in case we get called up to speak. Yesterday I was asked to play the piano for both priesthood and sacrament meeting. Haha Funny story...the zone leaders told me Thursday morning that I would be playing, and they handed me a list of songs, course they were all the spanish hymns and their corresponding numbers, so they told me which each of them were so I could practice. I somehow didn't hear the sacrament hymn one correctly, so I prepared for the wrong one for Sunday. So come Sunday, I played the first hymn good and was preparing for the sacrament hymn. It's weird cause in the spanish hymn book, some songs have more verses than if they were in English. I got there a little late and so I didn't have a Spanish hymnal to play from but it was alright cause I knew where they were in the English book. So I was checking to see how many verses the next song was so that I wasn't playing too many or too little. As I was realizing that I was going to be playing the wrong song, they were announcing the sacrament hymn, and I still didn't know which hymn I was supposed to be playing, so I was frantically trying to look for the same tune in the English book, but couldn't find it. So the Elder stood up to lead and everyone was waiting for me to start playing, haha. I then commented that I didn't have a Spanish book to play from and so I didn't know what to play. Luckily one of the zone leaders gave me one of their books and I just started sight reading. Haha I had been praying from the get go and Heavenly Father helped me to play a song that I don't think that I've ever practiced enough to play while others sing. Haha I felt blessed and decided to share it with you. :)
Oh wow, out of time. haha Actually a little over, oops.
Oh well, just know that I love you and I know the Church and my message are true. Can't wait to hear from you!!
Love,
Elder Ryan Pittard
I decided to use my time wisely and so I'm fitting in the email right now on my busy p-day. :) (It came at 8:15am)
Good Morning!! How's everything going up in Lehi? What are Tanner and Alex's schedule for basketball this year, who are they playing first on Wednesday? How did BYU do against Idaho? Any other news you think I need to know? Ha ha So many questions.
Now to the real stuff. I'm doing great! A lot has happened since last Monday. We taught our progressing investigator, Esteban, totally in Spanish too, though we used lots of notes, but the spirit was still there and we had our first experience of having our investigator commit to baptism after the 5th lesson. Esteban, then became Hermano Wade and started teaching us, so that was cool. We just got two new investigators, Juan and Alexandra, both teachers. So now we are preparing to teach Juan tonight. I have a stack of 250 flash cards and growing. I've almost memorized most of it and feel really confident in just speaking in Spanish without notes. It's amazing to think that I'll almost be fluent when I leave in 9 weeks!
Alright, to answer your questions...Yes, we had a devotional last Tuesday by Elder Tad R. Callister of the Presidency of the Seventy. He talked about 10 points of why the Apostasy really happened and it was an amazing talk that filled the room with the spirit. I'll see if I can copy those points and send them to you in a letter. We then went back as a district, all 10 of us, in our classroom and discussed the talk for an hour. We really had the spirit with us as we all bore testimony of the truthfulness of what we had just heard.
Wednesday, all the new people were coming in. We got a chance to play soccer on the field just west of the temple, closest to the street. That was fun because it seems like that is going to be the last nice day we have here at the MTC. haha Guess what, Matt is basically in the room across from me on our floor!! Elder Haskell is room 301, the first room to the left after coming up the stairs and I'm 343, the first room on the right. So all of us from Lehi, Elders Walker, Scott, Haskell and Me were all on the same floor and basically right next to each other--the other Elders were 303 and 307 :). Elder Walker left this morning to Dallas, Texas so it was fun to see him again and to see how much he has changed. Elder Scott, I found out, is going to Mexico City and he's either on his 3rd or 4th week.
We haven't had any official teaching on the culture of Argentina, but all we have heard so far is how nice of a place it is and I've only heard really good things about my mission.
Elder Defriez is from North Ogden and he graduated from Weber High this past year. He played football last year and at one point led the state in receptions. He was called to be our District Leader but I was called to be the Senior Companion. :) haha He's probably 6'2" and is a bigger guy than me. I've gained 6 pounds so far but I'm doing push-ups and crunches every night though, so I don't think that it'll be too bad.
7 out of 10 in my district are going to ARG BAN (Argentina Buenos Aires North) while 3 of them are going to ARG Neuquen, which is the mission that covers the wastelands of Argentina south of Buenos Aires. I sleep on the top bunk, which makes it hard to make every day but I'm doing good at that and I really miss my own bed. haha Actually it isn't that bad and it's getting better every night. :) My desk is the opposite side of the room away from the door, right next to our window.
Church is great here! Every week we have to prepare a 3-5 minute talk in Spanish just in case we get called up to speak. Yesterday I was asked to play the piano for both priesthood and sacrament meeting. Haha Funny story...the zone leaders told me Thursday morning that I would be playing, and they handed me a list of songs, course they were all the spanish hymns and their corresponding numbers, so they told me which each of them were so I could practice. I somehow didn't hear the sacrament hymn one correctly, so I prepared for the wrong one for Sunday. So come Sunday, I played the first hymn good and was preparing for the sacrament hymn. It's weird cause in the spanish hymn book, some songs have more verses than if they were in English. I got there a little late and so I didn't have a Spanish hymnal to play from but it was alright cause I knew where they were in the English book. So I was checking to see how many verses the next song was so that I wasn't playing too many or too little. As I was realizing that I was going to be playing the wrong song, they were announcing the sacrament hymn, and I still didn't know which hymn I was supposed to be playing, so I was frantically trying to look for the same tune in the English book, but couldn't find it. So the Elder stood up to lead and everyone was waiting for me to start playing, haha. I then commented that I didn't have a Spanish book to play from and so I didn't know what to play. Luckily one of the zone leaders gave me one of their books and I just started sight reading. Haha I had been praying from the get go and Heavenly Father helped me to play a song that I don't think that I've ever practiced enough to play while others sing. Haha I felt blessed and decided to share it with you. :)
Oh wow, out of time. haha Actually a little over, oops.
Oh well, just know that I love you and I know the Church and my message are true. Can't wait to hear from you!!
Love,
Elder Ryan Pittard
Monday, November 14, 2011
Our first letter from Ryan
Hey there Familia!!!
I have so much to tell you!!
First of all, my companion's name is Elder Defriez, and I promise that I'll send pictures asap. We have been having a great time and I have loved being there at the MTC. First, thanks for the Dear Elder letter, I love getting mail so please send some asap. :) To answer Dad's question, (if he'd seen anyone he knows) Elder Walker and Elder Scott, former bball teammates, are on my same floor in the Edward Stevenson Building. I'm on the 3rd floor. I also saw Elder Mathis (friend from school that entered the MTC the week before Ryan) on my first day at dinner so we are all good!! First day was great!! The video was exactly how it was, but as soon as I got into my classroom my teachers started talking to us in Spanish right away! It was really difficult to understand but it has been a blessing every day! Yay for Tanner!! That is way exciting to hear that he'll be playing bball and I'm also really happy for Alex!! (he made the 9th grade team)
Well, here is our daily schedule, get up before or at 6:30 depending on the day. Some days we have gym at 6:35am and other days we shower and get dressed. Then we go to our assigned classroom to have personal study. We are district 13B, and all of the other missionaries are going to Argentina as well, there are 10 in the district and 7 of us are going to Buenos Aires North. The meals are done by BYU dining so the food is really good and it is all you can eat! I've been eating healthy but I always have a cup of chocolate milk. ;) We use a computer training system called TALL (technology assisted language learning) and that really is helping. The biggest surprise was that on Friday, we taught an "investigator" all in Spanish! His name is Esteban and he will be our teacher by the end of this week! By that time we had already had a basic knowledge on how to bear our testimony and pray in Spanish, so we were able to put together a 20 min. lesson, but just bearing testimony and asking him how his day was. We have had two days of gym time and I've been able to play bball with Elder Walker and Elder Scott again!! But I'm definitely out of shape. haha But I've been doing pushups and crunches so hopefully that will even it all out. Basically we sit in our classroom for at least 10 hours a day, either in personal study, or language study or classroom instruction!
I had a wonderful experience yesterday. I had been struggling a little with getting used to the new routine and I was feeling a little homesick, but I finally decided to pray about it and really ask for help. So I spent 20 min. in class praying for help and to comfort me and to give me the Spirit. I then asked Heavenly Father to help me in my studying, and then I opened up my scriptures straight to Enos and I read the entire chapter. I realized that I hadn't been praying enough and that was why I was feeling down. So now I'm getting there to where I'm constantly feeling the Spirit and talking to my Heavenly Father.
I love you very much!!! I promise I'll send pictures asap and I'll probably email you around the same time every Monday. Have a great week!! Hope everything is going great and please write. :) LOVE YOU!!
Love,
Elder Pittard
I have so much to tell you!!
First of all, my companion's name is Elder Defriez, and I promise that I'll send pictures asap. We have been having a great time and I have loved being there at the MTC. First, thanks for the Dear Elder letter, I love getting mail so please send some asap. :) To answer Dad's question, (if he'd seen anyone he knows) Elder Walker and Elder Scott, former bball teammates, are on my same floor in the Edward Stevenson Building. I'm on the 3rd floor. I also saw Elder Mathis (friend from school that entered the MTC the week before Ryan) on my first day at dinner so we are all good!! First day was great!! The video was exactly how it was, but as soon as I got into my classroom my teachers started talking to us in Spanish right away! It was really difficult to understand but it has been a blessing every day! Yay for Tanner!! That is way exciting to hear that he'll be playing bball and I'm also really happy for Alex!! (he made the 9th grade team)
Well, here is our daily schedule, get up before or at 6:30 depending on the day. Some days we have gym at 6:35am and other days we shower and get dressed. Then we go to our assigned classroom to have personal study. We are district 13B, and all of the other missionaries are going to Argentina as well, there are 10 in the district and 7 of us are going to Buenos Aires North. The meals are done by BYU dining so the food is really good and it is all you can eat! I've been eating healthy but I always have a cup of chocolate milk. ;) We use a computer training system called TALL (technology assisted language learning) and that really is helping. The biggest surprise was that on Friday, we taught an "investigator" all in Spanish! His name is Esteban and he will be our teacher by the end of this week! By that time we had already had a basic knowledge on how to bear our testimony and pray in Spanish, so we were able to put together a 20 min. lesson, but just bearing testimony and asking him how his day was. We have had two days of gym time and I've been able to play bball with Elder Walker and Elder Scott again!! But I'm definitely out of shape. haha But I've been doing pushups and crunches so hopefully that will even it all out. Basically we sit in our classroom for at least 10 hours a day, either in personal study, or language study or classroom instruction!
I had a wonderful experience yesterday. I had been struggling a little with getting used to the new routine and I was feeling a little homesick, but I finally decided to pray about it and really ask for help. So I spent 20 min. in class praying for help and to comfort me and to give me the Spirit. I then asked Heavenly Father to help me in my studying, and then I opened up my scriptures straight to Enos and I read the entire chapter. I realized that I hadn't been praying enough and that was why I was feeling down. So now I'm getting there to where I'm constantly feeling the Spirit and talking to my Heavenly Father.
I love you very much!!! I promise I'll send pictures asap and I'll probably email you around the same time every Monday. Have a great week!! Hope everything is going great and please write. :) LOVE YOU!!
Love,
Elder Pittard
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Change to MTC address
I just got a quick note letting us know that the mission code that we were originally given was wrong. Please note the slight change to Ryan's MTC address. (See address at right)
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
A Funny Thing happened on the way to the MTC...
Wednesday November 9th actually arrived. This morning Ryan was up and ready to go. :) Cary and I drove the others to school and Cary had to go into work for a little bit. I made some blue and white ribbon thing-a-ma-bobbers to put on his suitcases (easier to identify)...sounds like something a mom would do. :) Ryan spent some time playing the piano. I will miss hearing him play the piano. One of his favorite songs to play lately is the EFY medley As Sisters in Zion & We'll the Bring the World His Truth. Love it! He also snacked a little while sitting in front of our computer watching the screen saver of random family pictures through the years.
We checked the other children out of school early. Before we left our home Cary gave Ryan a father's blessing. I love having the blessing of the priesthood in my home. We then knelt for family prayer, and as we always do, we sang a song before offering the prayer. Today we sang I Hope They Call Me On A Mission. Then it was time to go....
I'd heard that on average 100 cars pull up to the MTC curb every 15 minutes on Wednesdays during the drop-off times. And there was a steady stream of cars...and lots of smiling elders ready to help all the new missionaries. What a rush of emotion as we drove in! We each hugged Ryan one more time...
I know Ryan is going to do his best to be the best missionary that he can be. He is very prepared, and also very ready to learn and to study hard to more fully understand the gospel and to learn the Spanish language. Ryan has a sweet spirit and a tender heart. He is a good teacher and he loves to serve. I know he will love the people of Argentina and bless many lives with the message he shares.
We love you Ryan! God be with you till we meet again...
We checked the other children out of school early. Before we left our home Cary gave Ryan a father's blessing. I love having the blessing of the priesthood in my home. We then knelt for family prayer, and as we always do, we sang a song before offering the prayer. Today we sang I Hope They Call Me On A Mission. Then it was time to go....
We all went out to lunch at Cafe Rio. Ryan did request that one...and no one else objected. :) In the restaurant several people asked him if he was going on a mission. I'm sure people around here get used to seeing families like ours on Wednesday afternoons going out to lunch one more time together. :) Plus, it was a little obvious...Ryan in his dark suit and the rest of us in regular clothes. One of the guys preparing our food was talking to Ryan about how much he's going to love learning to speak Spanish...and the lady sitting at the table next to us asked where he was going, and when she found out it was to Buenos Aires North she said that her brother and her ex-husband both had served there, and her current husband served in Buenos Aires South!
It's amazing how quickly, yet also how slowly, time passes as you're waiting for that departure time. We were done with lunch quicker than expected, so we had plenty of time to drive to the MTC. When we got down there we drove past the MTC a couple times and saw all the cars pulling in....the missionary drop-off had begun. We then parked up by the Provo Temple to take family pictures.
Check-in time was 1:25, so about 1:10 we started walking back to the car. As we got to the car Cary reached for the keys, but they weren't in his pocket. He looked to me to see if I had them. I didn't, and I had left my purse in the car. Cary looked in the car window and there were the keys sitting on the console between the seats!!! We looked at each other like we couldn't believe this had just happened! We've never locked our keys in our car before! I thought to myself....we can walk across the street to the MTC....but all of Ryan's things were locked in the car! I quickly said a little prayer. I knew it would work out somehow. I called the Provo Police, but they told me they weren't authorized to help us with that. She suggested I call a tow truck company or a locksmith, or maybe even the MTC Security could help us out. At that moment a tow truck was pulling out of the temple parking lot across the street, so Cary's brother-in-law ran over to ask him...but he said he couldn't help us. Then I called the MTC. I explained what had happened and that we were supposed to be dropping off our son in a few minutes. A very kind woman told me that she'd send someone right up.
It really was a funny experience, just because of the time and place that it happened to us, especially because it has never happened to us before. :) Ryan wasn't laughing though. He wanted to get to the MTC. I knew he was already feeling anxious and emotional and by this time he was just ready to get there and get started. I told him he'd laugh about the whole thing later.
Within five minutes someone from security came to our rescue! And within 3-4 minutes he had our door opened.
I'd heard that on average 100 cars pull up to the MTC curb every 15 minutes on Wednesdays during the drop-off times. And there was a steady stream of cars...and lots of smiling elders ready to help all the new missionaries. What a rush of emotion as we drove in! We each hugged Ryan one more time...
Then he was on his way....
I know Ryan is going to do his best to be the best missionary that he can be. He is very prepared, and also very ready to learn and to study hard to more fully understand the gospel and to learn the Spanish language. Ryan has a sweet spirit and a tender heart. He is a good teacher and he loves to serve. I know he will love the people of Argentina and bless many lives with the message he shares.
We love you Ryan! God be with you till we meet again...
I'm Off to the MTC
Hey there everybody,
Well, here I go, I'm off to the MTC in Provo. I have been called to serve my mission in Buenos Aires, Argentina. I have been waiting for 5 months now, ever since I got my call in June, and now I'm ready to go. Yesterday was my last day at home and it was spent packing up my room, being set apart as a missionary and then packing everything up into 2 large suitcases and a smaller suitcase and a backpack. Over the past couple of days I've experienced many mixed feelings of joy and excitement with sadness for leaving all of my family and friends. It has been hard seeing them all for the last time, but I know what I'm doing is the right thing for me at this time. The Savior set the great example, and I hope to follow and emulate his love for the people as I serve the people of Argentina. The Savior gave all His life and now he is asking me to go and serve, like He did, for two years. When you think of that, it's only a tenth of my whole life so far, so it's like I'm paying tithing to the Lord for my life. I'm super excited to be able to have this opportunity to share this "good news" or in other words the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
My favorite scripture: "And moreover, I would desire that ye consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never ending happiness." ~Mosiah 2:41
I love this scripture in the Book of Mormon because of the happiness it promises! It promises happiness for keeping the commandments and then for enduring in our faithfulness to the end--"that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never ending happiness." I want never ending happiness and that's also what I want for everyone in Buenos Aires! I know what I am about to embark on is what I am supposed to be doing right now in my life.
I would like to bear my testimony so that everyone knows that I know that this gospel is the word of God. This church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is the only true and living church on the earth today. I challenge you to go and ask for yourself, ask your Father in Heaven if this is the only true church on the earth today and He will manifest to you through the Holy Ghost. I know that Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God and that he was inspired and directed from God in restoring Christ's church on the earth today. I know that I have the priesthood of God and that I have the power on earth to do His will for His people. I know that I am an instrument in the hands of the Lord and that He will direct me through promptings of the Holy Ghost to find the lost sheep of His fold. I know that my missionary work is a great work and that it is what I am supposed to be doing at this time. I love all of my family and friends. I'm excited to go and also excited to come back and share all of my wonderful experiences. The work is true brothers and sisters!
Love,
Elder Ryan Pittard
Well, here I go, I'm off to the MTC in Provo. I have been called to serve my mission in Buenos Aires, Argentina. I have been waiting for 5 months now, ever since I got my call in June, and now I'm ready to go. Yesterday was my last day at home and it was spent packing up my room, being set apart as a missionary and then packing everything up into 2 large suitcases and a smaller suitcase and a backpack. Over the past couple of days I've experienced many mixed feelings of joy and excitement with sadness for leaving all of my family and friends. It has been hard seeing them all for the last time, but I know what I'm doing is the right thing for me at this time. The Savior set the great example, and I hope to follow and emulate his love for the people as I serve the people of Argentina. The Savior gave all His life and now he is asking me to go and serve, like He did, for two years. When you think of that, it's only a tenth of my whole life so far, so it's like I'm paying tithing to the Lord for my life. I'm super excited to be able to have this opportunity to share this "good news" or in other words the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
My favorite scripture: "And moreover, I would desire that ye consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never ending happiness." ~Mosiah 2:41
I love this scripture in the Book of Mormon because of the happiness it promises! It promises happiness for keeping the commandments and then for enduring in our faithfulness to the end--"that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never ending happiness." I want never ending happiness and that's also what I want for everyone in Buenos Aires! I know what I am about to embark on is what I am supposed to be doing right now in my life.
I would like to bear my testimony so that everyone knows that I know that this gospel is the word of God. This church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is the only true and living church on the earth today. I challenge you to go and ask for yourself, ask your Father in Heaven if this is the only true church on the earth today and He will manifest to you through the Holy Ghost. I know that Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God and that he was inspired and directed from God in restoring Christ's church on the earth today. I know that I have the priesthood of God and that I have the power on earth to do His will for His people. I know that I am an instrument in the hands of the Lord and that He will direct me through promptings of the Holy Ghost to find the lost sheep of His fold. I know that my missionary work is a great work and that it is what I am supposed to be doing at this time. I love all of my family and friends. I'm excited to go and also excited to come back and share all of my wonderful experiences. The work is true brothers and sisters!
Love,
Elder Ryan Pittard
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
The Eve of Departure
What a day we've had. Even though we'd been physically preparing for Ryan to leave for 3 months...buying all the clothes and shoes and everything that is required for a missionary...I still had to run to the store one more time this afternoon! Ryan kept busy cleaning out his room and unpackaging and ironing his white shirts, and making sure he had everything on his check list.
Of course it wasn't the same...we all called it "fake turkey"...ate it and had a good laugh. My Mom was able to come and be with us that night (my dad was traveling).
After dinner we watched the first half of a special that was on tv between general conference sessions last April....about the 50th Anniversary of the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah. I had recorded it, knowing that Ryan would be entering the MTC this year. That was fun for all of us because it showed what the missionaries do in the MTC after they leave their families at the curb. It was fun to picture Ryan being there...putting on his missionary name tag, being shown his room where he will live for 8 weeks, and meeting his companion....and then getting to work. Lots of studying!
At 8:00 we all went to the stake center and Ryan was set apart as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by our stake president. Our bishop, who has been a great friend and example to Ryan the past four years, was also there. What a special experience for our family. I could only imagine what was going through Ryan's mind. Afterwards, we all gave Ryan hugs. It was so sweet, when Ryan picked up Camryn she laid her head on his shoulder and clung to him for what seemed like a couple minutes. So tender. I'm sure she felt something.
That night Rachel wrote Ryan a very sweet letter...
Dear Ryan, I am glad and sad that you are leaving on your mission. I am sad because I won't see you for two years, and I am happy because you will go out into the world and teach people about the church. Also, so others can be with their families forever. I love you as a brother and I hope you have a good mission and you have fun. Bye!! Sincerely, Rachel
I think she summed up how we all feel. :o)
Of course it wasn't the same...we all called it "fake turkey"...ate it and had a good laugh. My Mom was able to come and be with us that night (my dad was traveling).
After dinner we watched the first half of a special that was on tv between general conference sessions last April....about the 50th Anniversary of the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah. I had recorded it, knowing that Ryan would be entering the MTC this year. That was fun for all of us because it showed what the missionaries do in the MTC after they leave their families at the curb. It was fun to picture Ryan being there...putting on his missionary name tag, being shown his room where he will live for 8 weeks, and meeting his companion....and then getting to work. Lots of studying!
At 8:00 we all went to the stake center and Ryan was set apart as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by our stake president. Our bishop, who has been a great friend and example to Ryan the past four years, was also there. What a special experience for our family. I could only imagine what was going through Ryan's mind. Afterwards, we all gave Ryan hugs. It was so sweet, when Ryan picked up Camryn she laid her head on his shoulder and clung to him for what seemed like a couple minutes. So tender. I'm sure she felt something.
Elder Pittard with our bishop and stake president
Looking at all the missionaries serving from our stake
Then it was time to pack...he had gathered everything in the family room...and I have to say that when we first read over everything on the list, I thought...how are we going to fit everything in two suitcases?? But then when we had everything laying out, I knew it would all fit. :)
That night Rachel wrote Ryan a very sweet letter...
Dear Ryan, I am glad and sad that you are leaving on your mission. I am sad because I won't see you for two years, and I am happy because you will go out into the world and teach people about the church. Also, so others can be with their families forever. I love you as a brother and I hope you have a good mission and you have fun. Bye!! Sincerely, Rachel
I think she summed up how we all feel. :o)
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Mission Farewell
Today was Ryan's mission farewell at church. It was a great day! Ryan's good friend, Matt, also spoke today. He is going to Monterrey Mexico on Nov. 16th. It was great to be in church with so many family members and loved ones. It was fun for he and Matt to have so many good friends from school there also. Ryan said there was a large group of friends in the last several rows in the cultural hall. It was so nice of all of them to come support Matt and Ryan. Ryan was definitely blessed with many good friends throughout his high school years.
Matt spoke about the Restoration. Then our ward's youth choir sang a beautiful arrangement of I Feel My Savior's Love. I love the 4th verse of that song:
I'll share my Savior's love by serving others freely,
Afterwards, several friends and family stopped by to wish Ryan well. I really appreciated all the love and support shown our family on this day.
Here are a few pictures....
Matt spoke about the Restoration. Then our ward's youth choir sang a beautiful arrangement of I Feel My Savior's Love. I love the 4th verse of that song:
I'll share my Savior's love by serving others freely,
in serving I am blessed, in giving I receive.
He knows I will follow Him, give all my life to Him.
I feel my Savior's love, the love He freely gives me.
Ryan was the concluding speaker and he spoke about the Plan of Salvation. He did a great job on his talk. I was very pleased, as his mother, on how well he did. He looked and sounded like a missionary. :)
Afterwards, several friends and family stopped by to wish Ryan well. I really appreciated all the love and support shown our family on this day.
Here are a few pictures....
I have been cutting Ryan's hair his entire life, and Saturday night I gave him one last haircut
He wanted to read the Book of Mormon during the last month before he left on his mission.
He diligently read 18 pages every day.
A good friend talking to Ryan about soccer in Buenos Aires
A new ipod shuffle and mini speakers to take on his mission
We LOVE you!!!
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