Fri, 28 Dec 2012
December 28, 2012
Hello,
It's only been a few days since I wrote (extra
email on Christmas, how exciting), but a fair amount of stuff has
happened. For starters, it's been snowing like crazy. We've gotten more
snow in the last week than we did all last winter. If I weren't a
missionary (or had a coat) I'd probably be having some crazy snowball
fights (a lot of Elders are doing that anyway; one of my zone leaders
hit me in the face with a snowball {he's looking over my shoulder right
now and he wants me to add that he hit me with love, I'm not convinced,
however}{the same zone leader is sitting next to me without his suit
coat on, which makes him a sinner}). There's a fad where an Elder will
kick a tree while people are walking under it, and it will dump snow on
them. I gained five pounds over the weekend, more than I've gained the
whole rest of the time I've been here. My district still hasn't gotten a
temple cleaning assignment, and since it's reopening next week, it
won't be happening. We do get to clean buildings on campus though. Not
very exciting, actually. Definitely ready to get out of here. I'm glad
to hear that you had a good Christmas, and I hope, Mom and Dad, that you
had a good anniversary, also. So, Jonathan left on his mission? Does
that mean that he's in the MTC right now? Good luck to Jeff with his
papers. Witshing you good health, and a happy New Year.
Love,
Elder Bryan Hall
Tue, 25 Dec 2012
December 25, 2012
Hello,
Merry Christmas. I suppose that because we were
not permitted to call home from the MTC, they gave us extra time for
emails this week. I appreciate the Christmas gifts that were sent to me
and express my sincerest gratitude for those who thought of me this
season. Last night we watched a wonderful Christmas program with some
truly beautiful music. Then we watched the movie A Christmas Carol
together (and they gave us popcorn). This morning we had the opportunity
to hear from Elder Nelson and his wife; they spoke to us on a variety
of topics. This afternoon, we have some free time before another musical
program. We'll conclude the evening by watching It's a Wonderful Life.
It's also snowing, so we have a white Christmas (Elder Solis' first).
Looking forward, It's almost time to leave for Mexico, if my visa ever
gets here. I'm so excited for this chance to celebrate the birth of our
Saviour, Jesus Christ. He knows me and came into the world so that he
could give me the chance to be eternally happy. I love Him, and I love
all of you as well. Remember why we are here, and why we commemorate
this day. Again, Merry Christmas.
Love,
Elder Bryan Hall
Fri, 21 Dec 2012
Pictures from the MTC
These are my first two companions Elders Gallagher (the tall one) and Cobia (the pelerojo).
Elder Ortolano, my second companion. Believe it or not, he's full-blooded Brazilian.
Elder Hammond, another Elder in the zone. He has since left for the Peru MTC.
Me and Elder Ortolano at the Temple.
My district minus two: Elder Cobia, Elder Gallagher, Hermana Earl, Me, Elder Ortololano, Elder Hammond, Elder Suxo-Sanchez.
Scenery.
My district with one one our teachers, Hermana Baum. She served in Florida and is an art major at BYU.
Had to have one of these, right.
Another of our teachers, Hermana Keller. She's in a dental hygiene program at UVU. She plays the mandolin.
Me and my current companion, Elder Solis. He's from Fresno.
December 21, 2012
Hello,
Not a lot has happened this week. It's pretty
routine at the MTC, it doesn't even feel like Christmas. They've got a
few lights and decorations up, but since we spend most of the time in
our classroom, we don't ever see any of them. Elder Solis has been sick
this week, so that's been kind of hard to deal with. It has been
snowing, we've got about four inches right now, and it's super cold. My
district hosted this week, so we stood out on the curb as new
missionaries came in and helped them get to where they needed to be. It
was cold, but enjoyable; we got seven hundred people in on Wednesday.
And among them were our first jovenes, so the MTC should be getting
pretty full in the next few weeks (after next week when no one is coming
because it's the day after Christmas, although I don't know that that
would be any worse than six days before Christmas, but I don't make the
arrangements for these things, so I don't know that I should make any
comments about how they do these things). At the Sunday fireside, they
brought in a family of singers from Branson to make lovely music for us.
They were definitely the highlight of the fireside this week. They had
us down to the travel offices this week to sign some papers for our visa
applications, which still haven't been sent in; they told us that we
are not likely to have them on time. Speaking of Brother Malcolm, I have
run into Elder Malcolm a couple times since he showed up here two weeks
ago. He seems to be doing well, although my Japanese isn't quite good
enough to know for certain. Congratulations on getting a job, Mom. I
hope you have lots of fun. I had planned on sending a Christmas card
home, but, here at the MTC, they are dearer than gold, so I haven't been
able to get my hands on one. This is probably going to have to be my
Christmas card so Merry Christmas. Hope you're all doing well,
Love,
Bryan
Sat, 15 Dec 2012
Mission Update
Salutations,
This week has been a little hectic. We got
new companionships, since one of the elders got his visa and left (that
makes my fifth companionship of the mission). My new companion is Elder
Solis; he's from Fresno. I appreciated the care package you sent and am
working on eating the treats. My teachers have been somewhat stressed
out because of finals week, so that's been a little strange. One of them
is leaving for Christmas break tomorrow, so we won't be seeing her for
three weeks. The Temple's closing for the holidays, so we won't get to
go for the next couple preparation days, but we're all hoping that we'll
get assigned to one of the temple cleaning crews. The MTC gym has been
closed the last few days, so it's been difficult to get our exercise. Es
posible que mi visa veniria entes de salir de el CCM, pero no es
probable. La oficina de viaje aqui no me ha llamado con informacion
sobre la condicion de mi visa, yo se que la oficina de visas en Mexico
esta cerrado por esta mes. Yo se que la maneera en que estoy escribiendo
no es correcta, pero esta computadora no puede hacer accentos.
Imaginelos. Ojala que, podria irme al propio tiempo, pero pienso que yo
serviria un cambio en los estadosunidos. Espero que todos esten haciendo
bien,
Amor,
Bryan
Fri, 07 Dec 2012
December 7, 2012
Hello,
Crazy transfers this week. I was switched to a
different companion, moved to a different apartment and then given a
second companion. I'm thinking that there are going to be some emergency
transfers when I get to the field, or there's no way we'd be going
through all this. Yesterday, we were conscripted to move a whole bunch
of desks around; they're making room for all the new elders we're
expecting come January. Class has been a bit empty with half our elders
gone, but it's still been lively and going well. There are Christmas
decorations going up all over campus; it doesn't feel very festive,
though. We were able to watch the First Presidency Christmas Devotional,
where we heard the First Presidency speak and also the Mormon
Tabernacle Choir. Our teachers have been way stressed out because it's
finals week at BYU and they have to get their stuff together for that. I
love my companions, and we're all way past ready to leave for the
field.
Love,
Bryan
Bryan Elliot Hall St. Peters, Missouri
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Page modified: 09 December 2017
