Old School

Tony wanted to go old school with his mission so the nurses obliged with a really large needle

(Don't worry they didn't really do it)

What a week!

Ni men hao! So this past week has probably been even more crazy than the first one. I'm now used to being here, but it's so crazy having such a packed schedule. I crash so fast every night! And I have to get up even earlier because.......... I'm singing in General Conference this Saturday!! I am so excited! It'll be the afternoon session, so keep an eye out for me!

Ok so because I felt so rushed last week (only 30 minutes to email), I failed to mention some key items of business. First off, my second day here I was shocked to find out that we had an investigator that night. What?! I can barely speak any chinese and I'm supposed to teach a lesson to someone who only speaks chinese. Let's hope my interpretive dance skills are legit, right? It was a scary, but she was so nice. Her name is Caipeifen (don't attempt to pronounce it right). And she is so nice. It really was amazing how much chinese my companion an I were able to speak as we taught her. That is seriously a blessing. She became so interested in the idea of prayer and how she can ask God questions! It's so exciting! We taught her for the first week and then she had to leave. But with teaching her, I found that she was teaching me about love for my investigators. I have such an amazing lesson to share and it's blessing their lives to hear and learn more about it. We now have two more investigators and their a little harder to get through to. But we're working on our social skills that'll get them to be more open.

The language is really coming along! I'm so surprised how much I've been able to memorize in the past two weeks. I can have conversations with the other missionaries and answer our investigator's questions. It's so cool! But I'm still far from whipping out the First Vision!

So I've decided that I'm pretty much doomed to stay the same weight for the rest of my life... I'm here at the MTC, all you can eat food, and I've lost 5 pounds. How does that happen?! I mean we have gym everyday and I do a lot of running. But how do I lose weight? That's not cool. Also, it's really fun going to the gym. There are around 40 missionaries here going to mandarin speaking missions. And most of them play 4 square! I'm not sure if I said this in my last email, but that's pretty much the cool thing to do in our branch. And I really enjoy it! Who knew that would be a favorite past time in the MTC.

We get to go to the temple every Tuesday morning at 6:30. Talk about early! But it's a great way to start off my P-Day! Elder Woolsey said he saw some people that knew me last week. And I believe it was Brother Thaxton? I think that's what I learned. I also saw Brother Hampton in the dressing room, but I was getting dressed and didn't get to say hi. Everyone thinks it's funny how I have so many connections everywhere I go! Oh and a little side note, temple omlets are so delicious. It's like a Hallelujah chorus goes off every time I take a bite. So good!

I absolutely love Sunday and Tuesday nights. The firesides and devotionals are so spiritual and amazing! Elder Oaks came and spoke to us last week. Why are missionaries so spoiled like that? I love it! Also, this last Sunday the head of training here at the MTC spoke to us. He was a key person that helped put together Preach My Gospel. I've been studying it for a while, but everything he said opened up so much more insight on it's purpose! Elder Plate and I made a goal to study it together everyday. It helps us be more in tune with each other and with the spirit as we teach. I think the hardest thing is just translating everything into chinese (don't try this at home. it's dangerous to your sanity).

I can't wait to meet all the new missionaries tomorrow. It's a big group coming in! A few of which I know. It's sad seeing all the older generation people leave though. Elder Rick Smith headed out yesterday. I'll miss him. And all the older generation of chinese speakers leave next week. Then it'll just be 18 of us in our branch. Talk about small. A lot of duties will become ours though. Like blessing the sacrament and speaking in church. We didn't have to like everyone thought we did. The last few weeks are reserved for those who are leaving. Phew! We still have to prepare talks though.

Well it's been good keeping you updated! Don't miss me too much. I'm having a blast here. It's such a wonderful learning experience to learn how to Preach His Gospel! I love you all! Thank you for all the letters and packages! I'm so set on chocolate for the next few weeks... Haha! Well until next week!

 

Love, Elder Buckwalter

 

Ps. everyone singing this saturday needs to get a haircut. Our appointment is this morning. The MTC president didn't know that and came up to me after our rehearsal and grabbed my head and said I needed a haircut. Thank you President Brown! Haha. So persistant.

Week One

Dear family and friends,

Hey there! Or should I say ni hao! Oh wow it's weird knowing I've been here for pretty much a week already. Time seemed to slow down so much, but now that it's my P-Day, it shocks me how fast it's really going! The first day was really great. After getting all my new books and learning material (which is quite a chunk of paper), we dove right into zhong wen (chinese). The teacher hardly speaks any english, or rather he's not supposed to. So learning this blasted language is a difficult task! My teachers name is Brother Knightengale, or Ge Laoshi. He's from Australia I believe and has a pretty intense accent. But it only comes out when he does speak english. He's such a great teacher. It's amazing how much chinese I know already.

I have been blessed with a great first companion! His name is Elder Plate. He's from Washington. He has such a strong spirit. After the first two days, we learned that we are pretty much nothing alike! Uh-oh... But I think that is what makes us get along as great as we do. I learn so much from him. He knows a bit of chinese as well and we practice together. The other Elders in my district are Elder Burdick and Elder Terry. They are both from the Utah valley, so we can relate quite a lot. We noticed something kind of funny about our companionships though. I relate and have the same personality as Elder Terry (we also kinda look the same), and Elder Plate and Elder Burdick can relate and have the same personality (also have similar physical appearance). It's so weird. But we all get along so well and have a great time learning and teaching all the gospel principals.

We also have a trio of sisters in our district. Sister Tiu, Sister Walbrecht, Sister Busaith. They are so great! We all get along and learn well together. Also, I'm not entirely sure if my grammar is correct. I think it's starting to go downhill since constantly speaking chinese. Our district is the trial district. For those of you who don't know, my time in the MTC has been cut by a few weeks to see if people can learn the language faster. Everyone in my district has had prior knowledge of chinese. There are I think 3 other districts that haven't had any prior knowledge and learn it at a slower pace. I guess we're the comparison district. They want to see if prior knowledge of the language makes a significant difference at the MTC. And the sisters in our district are totally wiping the floor with us. They're so smart and skilled.

The missionaries in the older generation are so nice. We have the BEST zone leaders ever. I feel a great unity throughout the Branch. On the first night, a lot of the older elders would come into our room and introduce themselves. Upon seeing my last name, they would all say "so you're Buckwalter. Elder Walter has been talking about you non stop. He wants to meet you." There's an Elder Walter! I met him and he's such a great guy. I guess in a way I have an in with the older generation guys because he loves me so much. It's kinda funny.

The spirit is so strong here! Everyone is smiling and loves being here. The teachers and leaders are so amazing and kind to all the missionaries. We've had a couple firesides so far. Everything I hear here is such a blessing for my mission and my life. The MTC presidency has such a vast knowledge of the gospel and helpful principals for missionaries. I love hearing them speak. My branch presidency is so nice and willing to help in any way. I'm so thankful for the loving welcome they show to all the new missionaries. I can't wait for the weeks to come. It's weird knowing I only have 8 left here. I hope I can learn as much as possible!

I miss everyone back at home and around the world. It's weird not talking to all of you everyday. I'm constantly begging for a letter in the mail or something. Please write me! I would love to hear about everything that's happening in everyone's lives. I'm doing my best to get letters out to all of you.

I love you all! I can't wait to write you next week and tell about all my new experiences. I have such a short amount of time on the computer!

 Love, Elder Buckwalter