On Saturday, Jer went to get the mail. Garn told him to bring back a letter from Ross. (The last one had just come on Wednesday, a week after his p-day.) I told Jer I would give him a big kiss if he brought a letter back. That wasn't much motivation for an 8-year-old boy. When he brought back the mail, he held something behind his back. He was hoping to escape the "reward" but didn't! I am a bit slow getting the letter posted.
Dear Family,
I haven't gotten letters so I'll just tell what I've been up to since I don't have anything to respond to. [We mail his letters on Monday so he probably received ours right after he wrote this.]
Oh man, the hardest part for me has been getting good sleep. It usually takes me a while to fall asleep. I think the biggest problem is that dinner is at 4:30! Ridiculous, I know. And so, I'm not used to my stomach being so empty and so I wake up feeling sick. Hopefully, I get used to this schedule. [We took pity on him and sent a box with snacks.]
Wow, last time we did service, I had to clean toilets. It's a dreaded job but I did it. It's amazing how many 19-year-men "men" don't know how to flush!
The Spirit here has been great. I can feel the Lord working in me and making me to be a greater instrument. This is a place where I am really happy and I know this is where I'm supposed to be.
The Romanian district ahead of us left on Monday! I'm way excited for them and I'm sure they're doing great. Oh, and remember how I said my district had 17 people and was the largest district ever? [He had never told us this but now we know.] Now there are 18 of us! Elder Williams was going to Romania as a Russian-speaking missionary. Now his call has been changed [to Romanian-speaking, I assume] and he has changed into our district. Crazy, huh?
Well, it has been great here. I'm changing a lot. Not my personality, don't worry, but my faith and knowledge and trust in the Lord. The Referral Center is an awesome experience and the only real missionary work we get to do here. I've sent out lots of missionaries so hopefully people let them in and accept their great message.
How is everyone? What is everyone working on? Keep in touch!
Love, Elder L
PS There were so many people in the temple this morning! I love the temple so much, it's the highlight of my week.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Dear Grandpa and Grandma Loveland
With our family letter, Ross included two extra letters to be send on to the appropriate people. We included much of the letters here. We wrote him about the blog and said we could pass along messages, either privately or on the blog. As you read between the lines in his letters, you can tell letters really help him, and all other missionaries!
Dear Grandma and Grandpa L,
How are you doing? Life here at the MTC moves slowly but it is great. I'm luck to have family that is so supportive.
And especially to have family that is such an example to me. Peter and Brandon have been huge examples and I look up to them and forward to when I'll be able to see them again. [Ross' cousins who are serving missions in Germany and Hong Kong, respectively.] Both of you are also great examples to me and I know your missions have blessed all of the L clan.
There are so many things to do and so much to learn and study, so sorry my letter is so short. Thank you so much again. I love you lots. Take care
Elder Ross L
Dear Grandma and Grandpa L,
How are you doing? Life here at the MTC moves slowly but it is great. I'm luck to have family that is so supportive.
And especially to have family that is such an example to me. Peter and Brandon have been huge examples and I look up to them and forward to when I'll be able to see them again. [Ross' cousins who are serving missions in Germany and Hong Kong, respectively.] Both of you are also great examples to me and I know your missions have blessed all of the L clan.
There are so many things to do and so much to learn and study, so sorry my letter is so short. Thank you so much again. I love you lots. Take care
Elder Ross L
Family Letter - Jan. 17, 2007
Left: Ross with his companion Elder B.Below: Zone leaders Elder Stinson [if I am reading it right] and Elder Kirk.
Left: Sister Anderson, Ross, Elder B (comp), Elder Stroud and Elder Eliason. (The other three are part of the Romanian district ahead of Ross' group.)
Dear Family,
It's pretty hard to believe I have been here two weeks yet at the same time it feels like I have lived here forever. The days drag but the weeks fly. The language is coming slowly. We've learned how to pray and to testify and on Friday I am teaching the 1st lesson for 5 minutes. It won't be anything special, I'm sure.
The devotional yesterday was Gerald N. Lund. It was a really good talk on revelation. I was hoping for more stories abut it was still good. I learned a lot.
Man, the whole first week I was sick. It wasn't bad, I just had a cough and it took me awhile to fall asleep every night. I'm better now, except my knee hurts. I must have hurt it in basketball, but now it hurts mostly just when I take stairs. Which is rough because my classroom is on the 4th floor! I'm sure it will get better though.
It was really cool at the temple this morning. My knee was killing me on the walk there but when I was in the temple (there are a lot of stairs) it didn't hurt at all. Afterward, it hurt again but it was a nice blessing.
My companion Elder B has been sick lately with a nasty cough. He's starting to get better now. Elder G, who is in my room, is really sick. He has pneumonia and bronchitis and maybe even mono. If he doesn't improve soon, he will have a mono test. It's crazy much sickness is here! Don't worry, though, I have an amazing immune system.
Once again, I am writing you while in the laundry room. It's the best time to do it. I got your package today. It was nice to get all that stuff. Those envelopes are ridiculously small as you saw from these letters.
Dad - How is work going? Thanks for that last letter. Gym time is always looked forward to. I'm trying my best to work hard every day and to have fun every day, too. [That was part of the counsel Pres. Lundgren gave Ross when he was set apart as a missionary.]
Mom - Sounds like business is keeping you pretty busy and is doing well. I'm sure you'll be able to handle everything, you've always been good at balancing life.
J - What's up? So you're doing Mr. Cougar again, huh? You better win this year. How're the ladies treating you? Work hard in school, it means a lot for your future. You better send me a letter soon.
S - What are you doing these days? I hope you're still playing the piano. There are some really good piano players here and they are awesome. Elder Sumbot [sp?] (a roommate) writes his own songs, its awesome. Don't grow up too fast!
J -Balla! What are you doing? Doing any sports right now? How do you like school? Keep it real and keep working hard in school. You're a smart kid!
A - Are you being good? Many, you are going to be so big when I see you again! Be extra nice to your brothers and sisters for me okay?
W - You are a champion! Are you liking school? What have you been doing, Wes? Thanks for the note, buddy. Keep working hard in school, W and when I get back, you can read to me. Sound good?
Well, life is exciting but life is slow here in the MTC. I wish I was out in the field right now.
Take care everyone. I love your all a lot and pray for you every night. Keep sending those letters and maybe some packages! Voi iubesc!
Love, Elder Ross L
Letter to Seminary Class
This letter is to the Freshman Seminary class. The class had written letters to missionaries the first week in January.
Sister Hawkins and her Seminary class,
It was great to get your letters. Missionaries are always very excited to get mail. It was great to hear that you are studying about missionary work. You can never start too early; especially focus on your scripture mastery. It is so helpful to know where certain verses are. I wish I had done better on memorizing those.
For all those of you thinking of going on a mission (which should be all of the guys, at least), really focus on Preach My Gospel. If you know that book, you are ready to go out int he mission It is the outline of everything you do and teach.
I was calling people, making confirmation calls, to people who ordered stuff from the church, and I talked with a Mormon mom whose son called in. She said (he is about the same age as you), he had already handed out about six Book of Mormons and gave out Pass Along cards everywhere he went, like the grocery store. Realize that each one of you has been given something so special, the path to our Father in Heaven and a great plan of happiness. Try to be like this boy and share your blessings. I know you will have success.
Thanks again and don't breeze through life, make something happen!
Elder Ross L
Sister Hawkins and her Seminary class,
It was great to get your letters. Missionaries are always very excited to get mail. It was great to hear that you are studying about missionary work. You can never start too early; especially focus on your scripture mastery. It is so helpful to know where certain verses are. I wish I had done better on memorizing those.
For all those of you thinking of going on a mission (which should be all of the guys, at least), really focus on Preach My Gospel. If you know that book, you are ready to go out int he mission It is the outline of everything you do and teach.
I was calling people, making confirmation calls, to people who ordered stuff from the church, and I talked with a Mormon mom whose son called in. She said (he is about the same age as you), he had already handed out about six Book of Mormons and gave out Pass Along cards everywhere he went, like the grocery store. Realize that each one of you has been given something so special, the path to our Father in Heaven and a great plan of happiness. Try to be like this boy and share your blessings. I know you will have success.
Thanks again and don't breeze through life, make something happen!
Elder Ross L
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
First Letter
We received our first long letter from Ross. His P-day is Wednesday so he had written a quick letter on his first day there. Then we had to wait a week until he wrote. Below is much of the letter he wrote.
Dear Family (personal, huh?)
Wow, so much has happened it feels like i havebeen in the MTC for months, Ha,ha. It's not so bad, thoug. The biggest challenge for me with the language is still rolling my R's. Its frustrating but I'm sure I'll get it. As far as the Gospel goes, I wish I knew everything better if I could have done one thing better, it would been to read Preach My Gospel way more. Everything they teach and most of what we teach is from that book. It is scripture and its the best way to prepare, so Jake, I hope you start studying it!
This is my first P-Day and it is very nice. We went to the temple this morning. It was amazing. Now I am writing you while I wait for my laundry. I am literally wearing the only clean clothes I have left (besides my suits, white shirts). I'm in my Disney shirt. [Part of his Christmas pjs.]
DeeAnn sent me a box of food today. Which is rough because I'm fasting. The box she sent things in had been sent to Peter and back to DeeAnn so this box has been to Germany and back!
It was so cool at devotional yesterday Elder Ballard was the speaker. Elder Scott was also there and he bore his testimony. Elder Ballard talked about goals and how you cannot be a good missionary without them. It must have been after the devotional but I truly felt deeply how special of a message we have. This gospel really is God the Father's way of helping us get back to Him. It is of eternal purpose. The spirit of missionary work is beginning to burn within me. I really wish I had shared with so many more people Christ's love for us. I hope all of you will feel the same wya too and share the gospel, the great message that brings and joy and happines to everyone , not just some. I know that there are people only you can reach. I think it might be time to get some goals and become member mssionaries.
I spend 12 hours of my day, every day in the same classroom. It's nuts but it works well, I guess. Gym is very much looked forward to. We get it 5 times a week. I usually play basketball and own everyone.
On Monday, our district went to the TRC where we, in our companionships, teach the first lessosn. There's a hallway with lots of doors and we go and knock on one, then go into a room made someone's house and teach the gospel. I felt that my compaion and I did really well, the Spirit guided us and it really pumped me up to teach realy investigators.
Well, you need to write me and tell me what each one of you is doing so I can write something to each of you. Take care everybody, ask me lots of questions. I knowyou have them. I love you all.
Elder L
Dear Family (personal, huh?)
Wow, so much has happened it feels like i havebeen in the MTC for months, Ha,ha. It's not so bad, thoug. The biggest challenge for me with the language is still rolling my R's. Its frustrating but I'm sure I'll get it. As far as the Gospel goes, I wish I knew everything better if I could have done one thing better, it would been to read Preach My Gospel way more. Everything they teach and most of what we teach is from that book. It is scripture and its the best way to prepare, so Jake, I hope you start studying it!
This is my first P-Day and it is very nice. We went to the temple this morning. It was amazing. Now I am writing you while I wait for my laundry. I am literally wearing the only clean clothes I have left (besides my suits, white shirts). I'm in my Disney shirt. [Part of his Christmas pjs.]
DeeAnn sent me a box of food today. Which is rough because I'm fasting. The box she sent things in had been sent to Peter and back to DeeAnn so this box has been to Germany and back!
It was so cool at devotional yesterday Elder Ballard was the speaker. Elder Scott was also there and he bore his testimony. Elder Ballard talked about goals and how you cannot be a good missionary without them. It must have been after the devotional but I truly felt deeply how special of a message we have. This gospel really is God the Father's way of helping us get back to Him. It is of eternal purpose. The spirit of missionary work is beginning to burn within me. I really wish I had shared with so many more people Christ's love for us. I hope all of you will feel the same wya too and share the gospel, the great message that brings and joy and happines to everyone , not just some. I know that there are people only you can reach. I think it might be time to get some goals and become member mssionaries.
I spend 12 hours of my day, every day in the same classroom. It's nuts but it works well, I guess. Gym is very much looked forward to. We get it 5 times a week. I usually play basketball and own everyone.
On Monday, our district went to the TRC where we, in our companionships, teach the first lessosn. There's a hallway with lots of doors and we go and knock on one, then go into a room made someone's house and teach the gospel. I felt that my compaion and I did really well, the Spirit guided us and it really pumped me up to teach realy investigators.
Well, you need to write me and tell me what each one of you is doing so I can write something to each of you. Take care everybody, ask me lots of questions. I knowyou have them. I love you all.
Elder L
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