Hola!

Well, week four is about to start, and I’ll tell you what — the weeks are flying…almost too fast. I realize this because I’m trying to learn Spanish and I don’t know much yet. I can testify about a few things, pray, and do a few other activities. So, time needs to slow down untill I learn.

We went to the Temple today and had an amazing convo afterwards about some deep doctrine, like Koloab. Very Deep. I love starting out my week with a good Temple session. Afterwhich we have just been hanging out, playing “Ninja Warrior” which is pretty intense. What is that you may ask — It’s a game that tests your reflexes, but I don’t have time to say anymore about the game. Last Tuesday for our Devotional, you’ll never guess who came. The Prophet! just kidding, but it was Richard G. Scott, of the Twelve Apostles. Without a doubt in my mind, I know for myself that he is called of God. He’s so powerful, you could just feel his presence in the gym when he walked in. He’s way old compared to his picture. He pronouced upon all of us the Gift of Tongues, a blessing from an Apostle! Also he confered upon us a blessing of safety. Simple Amazing!

I’ve seen Hermana Glanzer a few times and we chat for a bit. It’s nice to know she’s here walking around somewhere. My companeros are doing superb, just in case you wanted to know. I’ve been the listening ear for all three of them. They have been going through some hard stuff and I guess they find comfort in seeking my counsel. Even though I don’t know much, I do my best and am guided by the Spirit to help them. I’ve never experienced brotherly events like this and it gets pretty emotional sometimes because they almost feel like they don’t belong here and I have to tell them that they are called of God. Suck it up (with love)!

So you wanted to know a little bit about how we learn Spanish, eh? So in class everyday we spend much of the time learning Spanish. Memorizing and reciting lessons, phrases, and we always sing and pray in Spanish. We also use a computer program that helps.

Something we love very much is when someone leaves in our Zone and we sing “Hasta Ver” (”God be with you Till We Meet Again”). It’s so powerful and the love in the air is so strong. We’re all brothers in a fight against Satan. My district is still the newbies, but on Wednesday we get a new stock of newbies and we get to pass that tourch. So glad — I hate hearing “nuevos”. There’s a zone with a presidency, and in the zone there are 4 or 5 districts, we’re disrict A. The zone goes to Sunday meetings together and we are mostly all on the same floor in the residence. Two of the elders in my district are leaving for the MTC in the Dominican Republic where they only speak Spanish — they’ll learn fast. Elder Andrus, who’s in our district, is way funny. He always comes over to our room at night and hangs out. I’ll send some pics so you can see him, hes goofy but legit. Anyways…I love you all and keep sending letters because I know you have my address.

Shall we not go on for such great a cause?

Love
Elder Glanzer

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Hola!

I finally get to write and I have so many questions to answer. So I’ll start with the first day. So when you get there you’re pounded with information that goes in one ear and out the other. You sit in about 17 large group meetings, where you are supposed to learn. But there’s just so much that is going on and you have no idea what to expect.

I met my Companero Elder Anderson, from Utah (no doubt) then also our other two comps, Elder Lyons and Elder Anderson. We’re getting comfy around each other now…needless to say our room gets a little stinky. Also on the first day I met my district. We have 10 Elders and 4 Hermanas so that balances out the testosterone levels.

On a typical day we awaken from our slumbers and have to be to breakfast by 8:15 which is amazing, because it’s not too early, so we can actually take a decent shower and maybe a shave — for us with something to shave!  :-)  I took my “dork dot” off the first day, don’t worry I was on top of it.

The other Elders in our Zone are amazing examples and way funny. I may have to start wearing Depends. So after breakfast, we learn the lessons and maybe a little Spanish. In reality, tons of Spanish. And it’s easy to get lost. So I signed up for a tutor everyday for an hour. Sometimes during our Missionary Directed Time we get off-task and I have to keep reminding myself that there’s two names on my tag.

We also have Devotionals on Tuesday evening and Sunday evenings, which we get to very early so we can sit up front, just in case an Apostle or even T. S. Monson comes. You can’t miss on an opportunity like that! Sundays are very nice and relaxed. We have a temple walk in the morning, if you can think of a better way to start the Sabbath, let me know. Then on Mondays, P-Days (preparation day), we have the chance to regroup and clean our es stinky socks. ‘Tis a nice day to relax. And just hang in the laundry room and write letters and such activities. We also get our little lunch and go eat outside; well you could do that any day. We also got to attend the Oquirrh Mountain Temple Dedication. It was broadcast into the MTC. It was an amazing experience.

Towards the end our days, after all our classes and such, we have the opportunity to do some companion study and then in our rooms, write in our journals. And some messing around goes down.

When a missionary is going to leave, on Sunday, our Zone gets together and sings “God Be With You” in Spanish. It’s bad to say, but I wish people would leave more often so we could do it more. It’s fun to sing with my brothers. The Elders say a few words then we kneel in prayer. It’s one of those experiences you have to have. Everyone needs it.

My departure date is October 12th. Argentina awaits!  Anyway, I hope I covered your Q’s. If not, you’ll have to wait till next week. I love you without a doubt in my heart. Keep me in your prays, for you are in mine.

Adios
Elder Glanzer

Hola Familia!

I gave my first prayer in Espanol today.  Of course I read about half of it, but that’s not too shabby for the third day.  My companeros and I are clicking.  We’re becoming more comfortable with each other and that makes the atmosphere more relaxed and less tense.  Hermano Darquea is our MTC teacher.  You know how everyone says their teacher is the best?  Well ours truly is!  He is so spiritually intune and strict when he needs to be. He’s amazing.  He gets us moving and I can tell he is setting us on the right path.  And he will just start laughing as he teaches.  He is a man that I will come to love.  Words don’t do him justice. I’ll be here for nine weeks, so we’ll become good amigos.  He’s from Ecuador so it’s nice to learn the language from someone who knows what’s right.  It actually makes a difference.  I know this because we also have Hermano Clark teaching us, but, don’t get me wrong, he’s amazing too.  Keep me in your prayers,  you will be in mine every night (in Spanish).  Don’t forget to write some letters.

Elder Glanzer

Hola Familia!

Don’t worry, I’m alive!  This was perhaps one of the longest days of my young life.  The second day will be even longer.  My comaneros’ name is Elder Anderson from Utah, no doubt.  I met an elder from Connell and we bashed “Royal Football” for a bit. 

I have a feeling that the next two months will be fast. My departure date is October 12 approximately.I’ve seen Hermana Glanzer four times, but I can only shake her hand. 

I am thankful for this amazing opportunity to serve the Lord.  You truly haven’t experienced anything until you’ve heard over 1,000 missionaries sing “Called to Serve”.

Elder Glanzer (sounds good, eh?)

Waiting for Andy’s first letter from the MTC.

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