Monday, March 31, 2008
Elder Cody Mitchell:
Cody has received his mission call. He has been called to serve in the Bolivia, Santa Cruz Mission - Spanish speaking. Cody will enter the Provo MTC on Wednesday, June 25.
Elder Scott Snell:
안냥하새요,
Yeah that is just a little treat for you from me. It means hello. Talk about crazy huh. Well, it sounds like everything is going good back at the homestead.
Things are going pretty good. I don't understand much but I am doing better in that aspect everyday so that's good. The language is definitly the hardest thing I have to deal with right now. It gets a little frustrating at times but anything in life that is worth it - you have to work at - right? I am trying to keep my greeny positive attitude.
I forgot to tell you last week that in our huge branch that includes us two missionaries and an English speaker here from Texas. Our pianist is ten years old. Ha ha, I know that is how you really know you are in Asia is when that happens. She is really, really good too. We teach her English and she is super smart.
This week has constisted of a lot of putting up English fliers and trying to find new investigators. We are rebuilding our pool of investigators because most of them are just English slap happy so we just tell them we can't keep teaching them unless they keep their commitments. So, we are rebuilding and its been pretty good. Looks like we might get some good ones.
Today for p-day we are going to this Budhist Temple that is suppose to be really famous. It is up in the hills and the cherry blossoms are suppose to be really pretty. I will send pictures home.
So I am finally adjusting to this food. Mom, I still really miss your cooking but I might not starve to death. They eat anything you can possibly eat here. The other day we saw grandmas down in this creek pulling out weeds and such to make food out of. It is really interesting, some of the stuff they eat, like dried squid, worms, pig intestine, and much, much more. I have tried a lot of it. Mom, I miss your cooking!
We have a recent convert that reminds me a lot of aunt Susan. She is the Korean version of her I am thinking. She made me this huge meal and I think it was the first time that I have been full since I arrived in Korea. Things are going good. I love you all and pray for you everyday.
Love Elder Snell
Yeah that is just a little treat for you from me. It means hello. Talk about crazy huh. Well, it sounds like everything is going good back at the homestead.
Things are going pretty good. I don't understand much but I am doing better in that aspect everyday so that's good. The language is definitly the hardest thing I have to deal with right now. It gets a little frustrating at times but anything in life that is worth it - you have to work at - right? I am trying to keep my greeny positive attitude.
I forgot to tell you last week that in our huge branch that includes us two missionaries and an English speaker here from Texas. Our pianist is ten years old. Ha ha, I know that is how you really know you are in Asia is when that happens. She is really, really good too. We teach her English and she is super smart.
This week has constisted of a lot of putting up English fliers and trying to find new investigators. We are rebuilding our pool of investigators because most of them are just English slap happy so we just tell them we can't keep teaching them unless they keep their commitments. So, we are rebuilding and its been pretty good. Looks like we might get some good ones.
Today for p-day we are going to this Budhist Temple that is suppose to be really famous. It is up in the hills and the cherry blossoms are suppose to be really pretty. I will send pictures home.
So I am finally adjusting to this food. Mom, I still really miss your cooking but I might not starve to death. They eat anything you can possibly eat here. The other day we saw grandmas down in this creek pulling out weeds and such to make food out of. It is really interesting, some of the stuff they eat, like dried squid, worms, pig intestine, and much, much more. I have tried a lot of it. Mom, I miss your cooking!
We have a recent convert that reminds me a lot of aunt Susan. She is the Korean version of her I am thinking. She made me this huge meal and I think it was the first time that I have been full since I arrived in Korea. Things are going good. I love you all and pray for you everyday.
Love Elder Snell
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Elder Scott Snell:
(Monday, 3/24/08)
Well, here I am all the way from the other side of the world.
OK - before I get in to the Korea part, I will tell you about my plane ride. It was probably the best plane ride ever! I just got done talking to all of you and we were getting ready to get on the plane and such. Elder Harris and I were sitting together in a three person row which meant that I got to sit next to someone I didn't know at all.
So, we get on the plane and there is my seat right next to this Korean girl. We sit down and get all situated. I started talking to this girl in the very broken Korean that I know. She was very impressed that we had only been studying for two months. Her name was Sue Reem. I told her I was a missionary and to make a long story short, Elder Harris and I ended up teaching the whole first lesson and I gave her a Book of Mormon which she started reading on the plane. I got her phone number and info. It was awesome! Oh and this was all before we even left the ground in Atlanta. The amazing thing is that I had been stressing out because I had bought a Book of Mormon to give away. I had no idea how I was going to do this. So I had been praying for help all day. So, there is some proof that if you ask, ye shall receive.
We got to Korea and the first meal I ate in Korea was Bennigans. Yeah, you know the English resturant. Yeah, I had a fajita - how lame is that! We were on our layover in Seoul and we ran into the Mission Presidents of the Seoul West and Tajeon mission and they took us out to eat. It was really nice of them.
We got to Pusan, met our President and they took us back to the misison home. We really didn't do anything that night. We were all beat and I was asleep before my head even hit the pillow, when I swear what was two seconds later, we were woken up. We got rushed into our clothes and out the door before six. We went to heaven on earth! It is this little piece of goodness called Mogioton. It's a public bath house. I know, it sounds a little iffy but oh WOW. They have giant pools of just about everything you can imagine. It was so nice to relax and try to recouperate from the two days before.
After the bath house we ate, got ready for the day, met some trainers, and got matched up with some random ones and off in to the city we went at an all out run. To the subway to talk to peolpe. They threw us into the deep end. It was insane. We ran everywhere. I even got to do some soap boxing. It was actually kind of fun.
After that and seeing a lot of Pusan we got our real trainers and area. My trainer "dad" is Elder Mitchell. He is from Kansas and he is not taller then me and he is a pretty cool guy so I got pretty lucky. We are in the Shi Gul which means country. Our area is called Samcheonpo (som chun po). That is where our house is. You still send all the letters and stuff to the mission house first and they foward them where they need to go. Our church is in Sacheon. It's above a Japenese resturant and we have about fifteen members in our branch and I am now the Second Counselor.
We have squatter toilets which is like going in the woods pretty much. A ping pong table. It is a good branch though. I am just trying to take it all in right now. I really don't think that it has hit me that I am in Korea yet. The food is so different and is going to take some getting use to. So thanks dad for that little bit on what you guys ate.
Mom don't worry about me, I am probably safer then you are at the moment. I love you all and can't wait to hear from you next week. I love you all. Elder Snell
Well, here I am all the way from the other side of the world.
OK - before I get in to the Korea part, I will tell you about my plane ride. It was probably the best plane ride ever! I just got done talking to all of you and we were getting ready to get on the plane and such. Elder Harris and I were sitting together in a three person row which meant that I got to sit next to someone I didn't know at all.
So, we get on the plane and there is my seat right next to this Korean girl. We sit down and get all situated. I started talking to this girl in the very broken Korean that I know. She was very impressed that we had only been studying for two months. Her name was Sue Reem. I told her I was a missionary and to make a long story short, Elder Harris and I ended up teaching the whole first lesson and I gave her a Book of Mormon which she started reading on the plane. I got her phone number and info. It was awesome! Oh and this was all before we even left the ground in Atlanta. The amazing thing is that I had been stressing out because I had bought a Book of Mormon to give away. I had no idea how I was going to do this. So I had been praying for help all day. So, there is some proof that if you ask, ye shall receive.
We got to Korea and the first meal I ate in Korea was Bennigans. Yeah, you know the English resturant. Yeah, I had a fajita - how lame is that! We were on our layover in Seoul and we ran into the Mission Presidents of the Seoul West and Tajeon mission and they took us out to eat. It was really nice of them.
We got to Pusan, met our President and they took us back to the misison home. We really didn't do anything that night. We were all beat and I was asleep before my head even hit the pillow, when I swear what was two seconds later, we were woken up. We got rushed into our clothes and out the door before six. We went to heaven on earth! It is this little piece of goodness called Mogioton. It's a public bath house. I know, it sounds a little iffy but oh WOW. They have giant pools of just about everything you can imagine. It was so nice to relax and try to recouperate from the two days before.
After the bath house we ate, got ready for the day, met some trainers, and got matched up with some random ones and off in to the city we went at an all out run. To the subway to talk to peolpe. They threw us into the deep end. It was insane. We ran everywhere. I even got to do some soap boxing. It was actually kind of fun.
After that and seeing a lot of Pusan we got our real trainers and area. My trainer "dad" is Elder Mitchell. He is from Kansas and he is not taller then me and he is a pretty cool guy so I got pretty lucky. We are in the Shi Gul which means country. Our area is called Samcheonpo (som chun po). That is where our house is. You still send all the letters and stuff to the mission house first and they foward them where they need to go. Our church is in Sacheon. It's above a Japenese resturant and we have about fifteen members in our branch and I am now the Second Counselor.
We have squatter toilets which is like going in the woods pretty much. A ping pong table. It is a good branch though. I am just trying to take it all in right now. I really don't think that it has hit me that I am in Korea yet. The food is so different and is going to take some getting use to. So thanks dad for that little bit on what you guys ate.
Mom don't worry about me, I am probably safer then you are at the moment. I love you all and can't wait to hear from you next week. I love you all. Elder Snell
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Elder Brantley Shattuck
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Brantley & Scott at the World Map pointing to their mission at the MTC. Brantley with his Mission President and his wife.
3/5/08: I am staying in a member's home, he is a millionaire!! He doesn't show it though by how he spends his money, it is actually a very small house. Just tell the bishop I am doing fine, maybe I will write you a letter to give to him. No, I haven't gotten a letter from anyone but you, g-ma, and Diana, everyone else has forgotten me. :( Anyways, I am leaving to go and get some groceries and a hair cut so have a good day.
No, the area is not that new to me, it's pretty much what I expected. There has only been a couple of cold days but it is like perfect temperature right now, not hot or humid, but definatley not cold. Ya, it's pretty cool the house we stay in is like in the woods and every morning you can see deer out our bedroom window about 15 feet away just eating grass.
My companion(Elder Withers, from Blackfoot) has been out for like 4 or 5 months or something. He is pretty hard core but not to bad, I get along with him.
I am in Warrenton, VA - it is a country part of the mission , big houses, very spread out and we usually have a car but it is broken right now so we have some senior missionary driving us around right now, he reminds me a lot of grandpa. We have a family of 5 we are working with and they want to be baptized but we need approval from the first presidency for the father cause he is on parole for not paying a speeding ticket, kind of a dumb situation, hopefully they will approve it though.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Elder Adam Walker
Hey I recieved my call today! I have been called to serve in the "West Virginia Charleston Mission!" haha I dont know what is going on with our friends and the virginias but thats where I am going! and I am really exited to go! I enter the MTC on Wednesday, June 4. My farewell talk will be Sunday, May 25th at the Burton Church at 8:30 am.
Elder Andrew Pena:
Elder Pena went through the Rexburg Temple on Saturday, March 15. He was very excited. His farewell talk will be Sunday, March 30th at 10:30 am at the North Stake Center in Rexburg.
Elder Scott Snell:
2/29/08: Well another week is over with and I only have three more until I am in a completely new world. I just got some emails from the elders that just took off and they say it is really intense and they really can't even talk to or understand anyone. So it sounds like I am in for a treat when I get over there.
Well, update on my companion and I . Things are going well. We get along pretty good, no fights or nothing. Speaking of fights, we had a companionship that has been having some troubles since day one. Well the other day I guess one of them had all they could take cause he decked his companion in the mouth. Yeah talk about crazy. He knocked his font teeth out and he had to go to the dentist and such. They are doing a lot better now - they are still companions and one is not quite so controlling anymore.
This week was pretty good, we taught the second lesson which is the plan of salvation. That was a lot of new vocab to learn, it was really tough. Trying to explain the three kingdoms to people in Korean was super hard. And then when they ask you questions it gets even worse. But I don't know how maybe its cause I said my prayers but I did it and I get to do it again this week and hopefully it will be a bit easier.
After email I am going to make pictures and send them home along with my glasses because they broke and I can't fix them. I think the frame is bent yeah but when you send them back could you send a repair kit with them please and thank you.
Until next week I love you all and miss you almost as much.
Elder Snell
3/11/08
Hey Family,
Well its official I am going to Korea. We got our flight plans last Friday and I will be in Korea this time next week. We fly out of Salt Lake and into LA then to Korea then to Pusan. Yeah I added it all up and I will be spending 24 hours either on an airplane or in the airport. Ha ha. Can we say jet lag.
My Companion will not be making the trip with me. He still has a couple of weeks here in the MTC. We are not certain when he will be heading out but we go to the doctor tomorrow. And it is about time I have had just about all I could stand of that gross disgusting smelling cast. It really is one of the most disgusting things .. yeah gag. Anyway it will be off tomorrow and plus I get to go into Babylon. He still is in a boot and can't put his weight on it yet but at least he can wash that festy foot of his.
Well less then a week left and then I will be drowning. That's symbolically anyways. It is going to be so crazy cause I definitely not even close to knowing this language. I will be on the fight with all of the Korean elders and sister. It will be crazy. Then when we get to Korea all of them will go out in to the world and Elder Harris Boardman and I go and get on another plane. It is going to be a long day. I will probably do a lot of studying and reading my scriptures.
We had all of our exit interviews this last Sunday. I am not going to lie I can teach the first two lessons pretty good but that is about it. We have one more Saturday to practice our lessons. It is getting down to the wire and it is pretty intense.
So if anyone is sending me a letter or Dear Elder make sure that you send the letter so it will be here by Saturday. And the Dear Elders we don't get them on Saturday nights so you will have to send those by Friday afternoon if you want it to catch me before I leave.
Mom I got your package with my glasses so thank you very much. I am wearing them right now actually. They say that you can get prescription glasses for pretty cheap in Korea so maybe I will pick up some more when I get there just for fun. That is funny that you were only a half an hour away from me at one time. This is the longest I have ever been away from you in my entire life. That is kind of weird to think about. Don't worry though I will be home before you realize it. Time will fly by once I get to Korea.
So that is cool that Elder Blanchard will be getting here tomorrow. I was beginning to wonder when he would be getting here. One because we talked before I came in and we knew it would be close. Two because Ky wrote and told me that Chad had called her while she was over at his house, and he got ticked. So Chad thank you for looking out for me. I am not too worried about the future missionaries though it's the returned ones you need to keep an eye on for me. HA Ha but seriously. Ky actually told me that the rumor going around is that her and Riley are now dating. Now she assures me that this is not true, one because he is not as good looking as me and two because I am a state champ;-) But that would explain why Riley never writes to me anymore cause he feels guilty. So Chad you might have to keep an eye on that RM for me.
Well the next time you hear from me I will be in the promise land. So make sure to email me from now on. Or Send your Dear Elders early. I think I might actually have some time to email you again on Saturday while I am doing my laundary before I take off. I love you all and miss you everyday.
Love Elder Snell
PS: let me know what the new email address is going to be and good luck in baseball everyone. I want stats!
Well, update on my companion and I . Things are going well. We get along pretty good, no fights or nothing. Speaking of fights, we had a companionship that has been having some troubles since day one. Well the other day I guess one of them had all they could take cause he decked his companion in the mouth. Yeah talk about crazy. He knocked his font teeth out and he had to go to the dentist and such. They are doing a lot better now - they are still companions and one is not quite so controlling anymore.
This week was pretty good, we taught the second lesson which is the plan of salvation. That was a lot of new vocab to learn, it was really tough. Trying to explain the three kingdoms to people in Korean was super hard. And then when they ask you questions it gets even worse. But I don't know how maybe its cause I said my prayers but I did it and I get to do it again this week and hopefully it will be a bit easier.
After email I am going to make pictures and send them home along with my glasses because they broke and I can't fix them. I think the frame is bent yeah but when you send them back could you send a repair kit with them please and thank you.
Until next week I love you all and miss you almost as much.
Elder Snell
3/11/08
Hey Family,
Well its official I am going to Korea. We got our flight plans last Friday and I will be in Korea this time next week. We fly out of Salt Lake and into LA then to Korea then to Pusan. Yeah I added it all up and I will be spending 24 hours either on an airplane or in the airport. Ha ha. Can we say jet lag.
My Companion will not be making the trip with me. He still has a couple of weeks here in the MTC. We are not certain when he will be heading out but we go to the doctor tomorrow. And it is about time I have had just about all I could stand of that gross disgusting smelling cast. It really is one of the most disgusting things .. yeah gag. Anyway it will be off tomorrow and plus I get to go into Babylon. He still is in a boot and can't put his weight on it yet but at least he can wash that festy foot of his.
Well less then a week left and then I will be drowning. That's symbolically anyways. It is going to be so crazy cause I definitely not even close to knowing this language. I will be on the fight with all of the Korean elders and sister. It will be crazy. Then when we get to Korea all of them will go out in to the world and Elder Harris Boardman and I go and get on another plane. It is going to be a long day. I will probably do a lot of studying and reading my scriptures.
We had all of our exit interviews this last Sunday. I am not going to lie I can teach the first two lessons pretty good but that is about it. We have one more Saturday to practice our lessons. It is getting down to the wire and it is pretty intense.
So if anyone is sending me a letter or Dear Elder make sure that you send the letter so it will be here by Saturday. And the Dear Elders we don't get them on Saturday nights so you will have to send those by Friday afternoon if you want it to catch me before I leave.
Mom I got your package with my glasses so thank you very much. I am wearing them right now actually. They say that you can get prescription glasses for pretty cheap in Korea so maybe I will pick up some more when I get there just for fun. That is funny that you were only a half an hour away from me at one time. This is the longest I have ever been away from you in my entire life. That is kind of weird to think about. Don't worry though I will be home before you realize it. Time will fly by once I get to Korea.
So that is cool that Elder Blanchard will be getting here tomorrow. I was beginning to wonder when he would be getting here. One because we talked before I came in and we knew it would be close. Two because Ky wrote and told me that Chad had called her while she was over at his house, and he got ticked. So Chad thank you for looking out for me. I am not too worried about the future missionaries though it's the returned ones you need to keep an eye on for me. HA Ha but seriously. Ky actually told me that the rumor going around is that her and Riley are now dating. Now she assures me that this is not true, one because he is not as good looking as me and two because I am a state champ;-) But that would explain why Riley never writes to me anymore cause he feels guilty. So Chad you might have to keep an eye on that RM for me.
Well the next time you hear from me I will be in the promise land. So make sure to email me from now on. Or Send your Dear Elders early. I think I might actually have some time to email you again on Saturday while I am doing my laundary before I take off. I love you all and miss you everyday.
Love Elder Snell
PS: let me know what the new email address is going to be and good luck in baseball everyone. I want stats!
Elder Matthew Hansen:
A Letter home: Well, I'm in dar es Salaam in Tanzania I've been here for about 4 days. Its pretty crazy here and it is so much different than anything I have ever seen. It's really hot and humid because its so close to the coast. I don't think I've stopped sweating since I've been here. We just have a tiny shower and it is cold water but that is ok cause it is so hot. I share a apt. with 3 other elders. Elder Byaruhanga, Elder Majafe, and Gakaka. They are so cool and humble just really hard to understand.
Everyone speaks Swahili so thats what I'm trying to learn right now. It's kind of frustrating but I will get it. When we go tracting everyone stares at me (ha) just cause I'm the only white man here. When I walk down the street past the little kids they all yell "Mzungu" which is white man and then they all just laugh. I can't wait to learn Swahili so I will be able to talk to them. They are so cute and funny.
I love you guys and I miss you a ton. Tell everyone hi for me and that I love them.
Love,
Elder Hansen
PS. we have been cleaning all day and doing laundry. I had to wash my clothes by hand in a bucket. Ha, it sucked and it took forever. Just thought you might like to know.
Everyone speaks Swahili so thats what I'm trying to learn right now. It's kind of frustrating but I will get it. When we go tracting everyone stares at me (ha) just cause I'm the only white man here. When I walk down the street past the little kids they all yell "Mzungu" which is white man and then they all just laugh. I can't wait to learn Swahili so I will be able to talk to them. They are so cute and funny.
I love you guys and I miss you a ton. Tell everyone hi for me and that I love them.
Love,
Elder Hansen
PS. we have been cleaning all day and doing laundry. I had to wash my clothes by hand in a bucket. Ha, it sucked and it took forever. Just thought you might like to know.
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