Dear Family,
I did get the package and the letters. That was wonderful. Thank you so much for the pictures...Jimmy is hilarious. Maybe you'll send him to me so I can get some pictures of him in Hungary?
Larissa told me she went to see you. That's good. I'm glad she still feels comfortable around you all.
So this week has been a ton better. I knew that my attitude last week was not a very good one, and so I started praying for help, and now Smith Elder and I have been getting along great. I really do love him as a companion. It's been awesome. This week has been so much better.I have been working really hard to teach by the spirit. We had an "investigator" in the TE who is now a teacher for the English elders in our zone. He was talking about Smith Elder and I to them and said that we were one of the very few that actually got him to "baptism". It was pretty awesome.
That's crazy that the van wouldn't pass inspection because of all of those things. It has been like that for ages. At least since I've had it. The washer fluid does spray. you just have to hold it for a little bit. Anyways, I'm sorry about that. I love that van though.
I'm sorry that my credit cards have been giving you trouble. I hope things will work out with those. I'll email this Ryan guy and give him what for. I'll be sure to mention that I'm going to Hungary soon too.
I'm sorry your job has been so hard lately. I hope things level out for you. I'll be praying for you too this week.
I hope you can go see Mark too, but no burning things. Well not entire buildings anyways. Maybe just some smaller fires. i don't know. You just can't get arrested.
Tell dad thanks for the letter. it really helped me. He writes really well, and I love getting letters from all of you.
I love you all and I'm thinking about you constantly. Not too constantly though. I have to focus.
Love,
Bryan
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Week 6 - April 21, 2010
Hey family,
I haven't received that package of photos yet, but now I'm looking forward to it. I'm glad you got my photo memory card and that you enjoyed them. I'm still taking pictures and keeping track of who everyone is. Yes Elder Gamblin is very tall. It's crazy. I'm really glad I have the Lego's some days. Usually it's pretty busy, but every once in a while on P-Day I need to unwind and just play with Lego's. The huge Hungarian flag is in our classroom on the wall. Well actually it's in our little babies' room right now, but on Monday, when we clean their room, we steal it back. It's a tradition. Cami would think Hansen Elder is cute. I won't tell him that though. He is single.
I'm really glad Larissa still comes around sometimes, and I'm glad you welcome her.
The carbon monoxide alarm looks like it should be fine. I'll be sure I keep the batteries fresh and new. I have no intention of getting poisoned on my mission.
I have heard about the volcanoes in Iceland. There was supposed to be an Elder from Estonia coming in yesterday, but he got delayed because of the ash and stuff. That's pretty crazy about the snow cement though. That would be terrible.
I haven't used the fluoride drops yet, but it might be good to get a few refills before I leave. I was planning on starting when i get to Hungary.
I'm looking forward to getting dad's letter now. I always love getting letters and emails from all of you. I kind of have to do the same thing while I'm typing because there is the flashing counter up in the corner constantly reminding me of how little time I have. But your emails are always wonderful I love having this little chunk of time to hear about home.
So the only exciting news this week is the new Hungarians and the new Albanians. I've met most of them now, and they all seem pretty cool. It's pretty crazy being an 'ancient' already. I feel like our class is really far behind because my companion Smith Elder does not understand practically anything, and yet when I offer to help he just says he wants to study vocab. It's starting to really bother me and I don't know what to do. Our teachers have started railing on us on a daily basis because "we" are not progressing and "we" are not living up to our full potential. I try to help him but he refuses to be helped and I can't spoon feed him anymore.
Sorry about the rant but it's really been weighing on my this week and I don't know what to do anymore. I have had some really hard days the past few weeks because of this and he simply won't listen to me.
That's really the only news. I love you all and I hope you are all doing well and I hope Cami is still behaving herself.
love,
Bryan
I haven't received that package of photos yet, but now I'm looking forward to it. I'm glad you got my photo memory card and that you enjoyed them. I'm still taking pictures and keeping track of who everyone is. Yes Elder Gamblin is very tall. It's crazy. I'm really glad I have the Lego's some days. Usually it's pretty busy, but every once in a while on P-Day I need to unwind and just play with Lego's. The huge Hungarian flag is in our classroom on the wall. Well actually it's in our little babies' room right now, but on Monday, when we clean their room, we steal it back. It's a tradition. Cami would think Hansen Elder is cute. I won't tell him that though. He is single.
I'm really glad Larissa still comes around sometimes, and I'm glad you welcome her.
The carbon monoxide alarm looks like it should be fine. I'll be sure I keep the batteries fresh and new. I have no intention of getting poisoned on my mission.
I have heard about the volcanoes in Iceland. There was supposed to be an Elder from Estonia coming in yesterday, but he got delayed because of the ash and stuff. That's pretty crazy about the snow cement though. That would be terrible.
I haven't used the fluoride drops yet, but it might be good to get a few refills before I leave. I was planning on starting when i get to Hungary.
I'm looking forward to getting dad's letter now. I always love getting letters and emails from all of you. I kind of have to do the same thing while I'm typing because there is the flashing counter up in the corner constantly reminding me of how little time I have. But your emails are always wonderful I love having this little chunk of time to hear about home.
So the only exciting news this week is the new Hungarians and the new Albanians. I've met most of them now, and they all seem pretty cool. It's pretty crazy being an 'ancient' already. I feel like our class is really far behind because my companion Smith Elder does not understand practically anything, and yet when I offer to help he just says he wants to study vocab. It's starting to really bother me and I don't know what to do. Our teachers have started railing on us on a daily basis because "we" are not progressing and "we" are not living up to our full potential. I try to help him but he refuses to be helped and I can't spoon feed him anymore.
Sorry about the rant but it's really been weighing on my this week and I don't know what to do anymore. I have had some really hard days the past few weeks because of this and he simply won't listen to me.
That's really the only news. I love you all and I hope you are all doing well and I hope Cami is still behaving herself.
love,
Bryan
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Week 5 - April 14, 2010
Hey Family,
My week has been pretty good. The older Hungarians left on Monday and one of the English districts left yesterday morning. As of right now there are 15 in my zone while there are usually 40-50. Next week will be the same way. We get another English district of 8 today and next Tuesday the other English district leaves. There will be 8 elders and 7 sisters. so weird. our floor is so empty. But next Wednesday we get new Hungarians (The new little babies. I'm going to be an ancient, how exciting.) and new Albanians and I think maybe another English district.
I did get the package. Thank you so much. I love the ties. I did take off most of my music from my iPod. I only left on good stuff, and I am nothing but a good example!! As for pictures, I just want a few wallet sized family pictures and whatever else you want to send. Especially pictures of the shaved cat. That sound hilarious. He's going to hate you forever for that. And the pictures of Jimmy's travels. (I'm glad he has a place to rest and that my bed is getting good use) i do have a picture book so if you'll just send pictures I'll put them in.
By the way, I can't get on any blogs in the MTC, but I might be able to out in the field. They keep us locked in pretty well. Except for last week. I told Larissa about this in my letter to her because it happened after I emailed and while I was writing her. I think I told you that Elder Asquith got moved into our district because of his medical problems for a few days. He left last Thursday, but before he could leave he had to get a prescription and his temporary companions had to go with him. I got to leave the MTC! Never before have I been so excited to go to a Rite-Aid, but it was awesome. I forgot what people looked like. It was a nice break. That was about the most exciting thing that happened all week.
I sent out a card with 40-something pictures on Monday. I did include a list of what the pictures are. I hope that gets to you soon.
Wow-wee only 99 weeks left? time sure is flying.
I got letters from Kevin, Mom, and Aunt Tanja this past week. It was pretty awesome. I love getting letters. Tell Kevin and dad I'm jealous that they got to watch the first episode of Pacific. I'll be excited to watch that when I get home.
I think that's everything. MTC life is boring, but hopefully it'll get more exciting in a few weeks when I finally get to leave. I love you all.
Bryan
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Week 4 - April 7, 2010
Hey family,
I'm glad you enjoyed your trip to Baltimore and Tenessee and everything. I'm also glad you got home safely. I wish I had been able to go, but I get to go to Hungary so I guess we're even. I did get all of your postcards. Or at least 4 of them, I think that's probably all of them. That's so funny that Jimmy stowed away for the trip. I want to see those pictures.
So being zone leader is okay. We have to show the newbies the ropes and stuff, so it is some extra work and meetings, but it's okay. I have been keeping up pretty well with Hungarian, but it is really hard. I guess it is in the top 3 hardest languages in the world. It is, however, very powerful. There are certain words for "perfect" that are reserved only for deity and things like that, but with that power there is a dark side. Our teacher Petty Testver (means "Brother") said that the curses in Hungarian are so terrible and vile that they make his soul hurt. pretty crazy. I don't know if I've talked about my teachers yet, but they are both really awesome. Petty and Petersen are their names and we are getting another one in a few weeks that is replacing Petersen named LeFevre. He's really awesome too. I feel really blessed to have them as teachers.
With General Conference, we just went to the auditorium to watch all of the sessions. I was hoping we would get to go someplace else, but there are too many of us. The talks all were really awesome and I did enjoy it.
This week, the Albanians left, except for elder Asquith. (I'll send pictures home soon with a few of him) They're not sure if his medication exists in Albania so they're making him wait a few weeks until they can find out. until then he has been assigned to Smith Elder and me to be his companion. He is hilarious and super laid back though, so it'll be fun.
A package would be awesome. Especially with my iPod and the speakers. I guess the Hungarian mail system does have a few problems with stuff diappearing. The only other thing I could think of that I might need would be some ties. Oh and i guess they want us to get carbon Monoxide alarms, because a few elders died in a neighboring country from a leaking heater and we have similar heaters in Hungary. They said there is one that is approved by the church. It is model KN-COPP-BL5 and it can be ordered by calling 800-433-5331. If you find another one, preferably battery powered due to the different power, that you think will work, that'd be awesome.
Other than that, nothing has changed here. The days are still long and busy. I still miss you all a ton. make sure you forward this to Grandma Rosie. She sent me a card that really brightened my day and i really appreciated it. I'm sorry my emails are kind of lame, but there's not really too much to talk about. I love you all and I'm looking forward to talking to you at the airport when we are on our way to Hungary. (The older hungarians' flight plans say they have a 4 hour layover in Paris, france and ours will most likely be the same.) Be safe and happy all of you.
Bryan
I'm glad you enjoyed your trip to Baltimore and Tenessee and everything. I'm also glad you got home safely. I wish I had been able to go, but I get to go to Hungary so I guess we're even. I did get all of your postcards. Or at least 4 of them, I think that's probably all of them. That's so funny that Jimmy stowed away for the trip. I want to see those pictures.
So being zone leader is okay. We have to show the newbies the ropes and stuff, so it is some extra work and meetings, but it's okay. I have been keeping up pretty well with Hungarian, but it is really hard. I guess it is in the top 3 hardest languages in the world. It is, however, very powerful. There are certain words for "perfect" that are reserved only for deity and things like that, but with that power there is a dark side. Our teacher Petty Testver (means "Brother") said that the curses in Hungarian are so terrible and vile that they make his soul hurt. pretty crazy. I don't know if I've talked about my teachers yet, but they are both really awesome. Petty and Petersen are their names and we are getting another one in a few weeks that is replacing Petersen named LeFevre. He's really awesome too. I feel really blessed to have them as teachers.
With General Conference, we just went to the auditorium to watch all of the sessions. I was hoping we would get to go someplace else, but there are too many of us. The talks all were really awesome and I did enjoy it.
This week, the Albanians left, except for elder Asquith. (I'll send pictures home soon with a few of him) They're not sure if his medication exists in Albania so they're making him wait a few weeks until they can find out. until then he has been assigned to Smith Elder and me to be his companion. He is hilarious and super laid back though, so it'll be fun.
A package would be awesome. Especially with my iPod and the speakers. I guess the Hungarian mail system does have a few problems with stuff diappearing. The only other thing I could think of that I might need would be some ties. Oh and i guess they want us to get carbon Monoxide alarms, because a few elders died in a neighboring country from a leaking heater and we have similar heaters in Hungary. They said there is one that is approved by the church. It is model KN-COPP-BL5 and it can be ordered by calling 800-433-5331. If you find another one, preferably battery powered due to the different power, that you think will work, that'd be awesome.
Other than that, nothing has changed here. The days are still long and busy. I still miss you all a ton. make sure you forward this to Grandma Rosie. She sent me a card that really brightened my day and i really appreciated it. I'm sorry my emails are kind of lame, but there's not really too much to talk about. I love you all and I'm looking forward to talking to you at the airport when we are on our way to Hungary. (The older hungarians' flight plans say they have a 4 hour layover in Paris, france and ours will most likely be the same.) Be safe and happy all of you.
Bryan
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Week 3 - March 31, 2010
Dear Family,
That's so cool that you got a new fancy phone. you're so lucky. I've been missing my phone a ton and I've even felt the "Phantom Vibrate" as it's called here a few times. I got a letter from Dani and Kelly earlier this week. It was so good to hear from them. I hope you all have fun on your trip and send me pictures and stuff. Speaking of pictures, I need a few wallet sized family pictures. The Hungarians love seeing pictures of our families. Or so I've been told.
So when I first got here I was given a few cards. One of them was my mailing address here. It has my estimated departure date. That date is 5/24. That's what the 0524 after HUN-BUD in the address means. I just thought that was cool. The other thing was the end of my last transfer. It ends on the 29th of March 2012. I'll probably be getting on a plane to head home that day. crazy huh? I just thought you might like to know that.
So on to the real news. For the past few weeks, 2 of the Albanians have been our zone leaders. They are leaving on the 6th, so we've been speculating on who was going to be the new zone leaders. It came as a surprise this Sunday when the Branch president pulled me out and asked me and Smith Elder to be the new Zone Leaders. We've been getting trained and receiving advice ever since. It's kind of crazy though.
The language is still coming along. I'm still pretty happy. I get enough food and almost enough sleep so I'm doing alright that way. I did catch a cold that's been bothering me. I went to the doctor on Monday to make sure it wasn't something else, because I had a sore throat and was afraid i was getting strep. I'm feeling better now though. Do you think you could maybe send me some more ties? I've kind of been feeling a need for some variety. And maybe you could send me my iPod and the speakers. We can listen to them quietly at night and I've been missing it. If that won't work though it's okay.
So is Cami enjoying having a new phone? A not broken phone at least? Have you moved my boxes around or anything? The foot locker is really heavy so be careful moving it.
I got a letter from aunt Tanja about a week ago. I just thought of that when you said you were going to see them. Tell them hi for me. Be careful and have fun for the rest of your trip. I love you all. Don't stop writing me. I love getting letters.
Love,
Bryan
That's so cool that you got a new fancy phone. you're so lucky. I've been missing my phone a ton and I've even felt the "Phantom Vibrate" as it's called here a few times. I got a letter from Dani and Kelly earlier this week. It was so good to hear from them. I hope you all have fun on your trip and send me pictures and stuff. Speaking of pictures, I need a few wallet sized family pictures. The Hungarians love seeing pictures of our families. Or so I've been told.
So when I first got here I was given a few cards. One of them was my mailing address here. It has my estimated departure date. That date is 5/24. That's what the 0524 after HUN-BUD in the address means. I just thought that was cool. The other thing was the end of my last transfer. It ends on the 29th of March 2012. I'll probably be getting on a plane to head home that day. crazy huh? I just thought you might like to know that.
So on to the real news. For the past few weeks, 2 of the Albanians have been our zone leaders. They are leaving on the 6th, so we've been speculating on who was going to be the new zone leaders. It came as a surprise this Sunday when the Branch president pulled me out and asked me and Smith Elder to be the new Zone Leaders. We've been getting trained and receiving advice ever since. It's kind of crazy though.
The language is still coming along. I'm still pretty happy. I get enough food and almost enough sleep so I'm doing alright that way. I did catch a cold that's been bothering me. I went to the doctor on Monday to make sure it wasn't something else, because I had a sore throat and was afraid i was getting strep. I'm feeling better now though. Do you think you could maybe send me some more ties? I've kind of been feeling a need for some variety. And maybe you could send me my iPod and the speakers. We can listen to them quietly at night and I've been missing it. If that won't work though it's okay.
So is Cami enjoying having a new phone? A not broken phone at least? Have you moved my boxes around or anything? The foot locker is really heavy so be careful moving it.
I got a letter from aunt Tanja about a week ago. I just thought of that when you said you were going to see them. Tell them hi for me. Be careful and have fun for the rest of your trip. I love you all. Don't stop writing me. I love getting letters.
Love,
Bryan
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