March 25, 2011 letters Week 4 at the MTC

Hola Everyone!

I can't believe that I'm already in my 4th week at the MTC. Time is just flying! Some days seem like they're taking forever but just like that the week is over! It's snowing right now and I'm loving it! There is a missionary in my district from Pasco Washington who hates the snow. Luckily he'll be going to Argentina so he won't have to worry about it. I'm going to send some pictures of the Elders in my district for you all to see who I've been living with for the past 3 weeks. 

I'm so glad to hear that everything went well for Whitney's wedding. I'm sad that I couldn't have been there but I'm glad that I'm on my mission. I know I'll be blessed because of it. Thank you for sending the delicious cupcakes. Elders from my zone thank you as well! I still have a few left :) The picture of Whitney and Marc is absolutely beautiful! I keep it on my desk and look at it everyday. If you can please send more pictures! I have a question too... Did Whitney by chance buy a tie for me? If so i'd love to have it! They ties that I have now are getting a little boring so any new tie would be very exciting. Also, thank you for sending the socks. I got them the other day and I was suprised that you got them to me so quickly. Thank you! I don't think there is anything else that I need.

Actually, i wouldn't mind having my cologne here. Having a district of all Elders, the room can get a little smelly... A little cologne probably wouldn't hurt. Haha. Thank you for sending me more stamps. I only had 2 left and I was planning on writing people today so thanks for the stamps! 

The language is coming along. The other districts keep telling us that we're so much farther along than they were when they were here for 3 weeks. We're teaching the first lesson again on Saturday in Spanish so hopefully that goes well. Yesterday we taught our progressing investigator (our teacher). Even though it's our teacher pretending to be someone else, the spirit is real and I forget that she's my teacher. She has lost both her husband and her son. She's very disabled and can barely walk. Our first lesson we didn't know what to talk about because we'd never met her but the Spirit prompted us to teach her about families. Whenever we talked about families she listened and wanted to know more. Our second lesson we taught about the plan of salvation. We hadn't even learned it in class but we taught her and the Spirit was there. Yesterday we were prompted to teach her about The Holy Ghost and how it's also known as the Comforter. She has a desire to have this gift with her and we challenged her to pray and see if baptism and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost is right for her. She accepted and she also accepted to come to church on Sunday. I know it probably sounds weird that we put all of this time into someone who is pretending to be someone else but the spirit is directing us what to say and that is real!

The Spanish is coming along better everyday. My teacher challenged me to say my personal prayers in Spanish and I've been trying to do that. It seems that I speak Spanish the best while I'm praying. She said that it doesn't matter if we conjugate the word correctly or say the wrong word because the Lord knows what I'm trying to say. If I continually try and speak the language, I know the Lord will help me even more because i have a desire to learn it.

This past Tuesday Brother Costa from the presidency of the 70 came to speak at the devotional. He's an amazing man! The thing that taught me the most that night wasn't what he said. It's what his wife said. She talked about when she sent her son on his mission. Everyone asked why she wasn't crying when they dropped him of and she responded by saying, "I've been preparing him for this day for his whole life. Today is the happiest day of my life." It made me think of you Mom. You always said that it's hard to have me go but it would but so much harder to have me not go on my mission. She said that "when you leave you leave and boys. When you come back, you come back as men." I know that this is strengthening me and having me grow so much! She said, "You don't have time to play like boys anymore. Teach like Men!" I loved that. Even though she was a little difficult to understand because of her strong Brazillian accent. It meant a lot to hear what she had to speak.

Everyday pretty much seems exactly the same but extremely different at the same time. You're at the same place everyday at the same time but different experiences and thoughts happen that make each day different. I know that this church is a remarkable church. I know that The Lord knows me and all of you personally. I know that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we can all return to the kingdom of God and live as a family forever!

Yesterday we were learning about the Atonement and I came across John chapter 15. I encourage all of you to read it. It is spectacular. I know that The Lord loves all of us so very much that he put this gospel on the earth to bless us. He's blessing us continually and I will never be able to thank Him and Our Savior enough. I love you all so much. I wish i could keep writing forever but I only have about a minute left. Give my love to Whitney and Marc and Congratulate them for me. What they have done is so important for them. I love you!

-Elder David Fullmer

March 25th, 2011 (letter received in the mail) 

Dear Family,
Sometimes when I'm writing an email, I forget to tell you everything that happened during the week. Well, last week during Sacrament Meeting, I got to play the musical number. They asked me a few days before and I said I would. I didn't know what I was going to do, but for some reason I felt like I needed to do the musical number. While I was practicing I only got about 30 minutes total because of everything I have going on, I knew I was supposed t play come "Come Thou Fount". So going into Sacrament Meeting I knew I was going to play that song, but didn't exactly know how it was going to go. I played the song and it came to me how it was supposed to be played except for at the end I made a mistake, a really odd place for me to make a mistake. Usually I'd be disappointed, but I know that I played with my heart and was pleased with it. A sister in our zone, Hermana Turner came to me afterwards and said how much she loves "Come Thou Fount" and how she needed to hear it. She said she was crying during it and it was a very strong spiritual experience for her. 


I didn't know why I was supposed to play it, but I'm glad I was used to help bring the spirit. I just thought I'd tell you that. Thank you for all your love and support! It helps me everyday!. I'm glad to hear that everything is going well and know the Lord is blessing you. I love you ALL!


March 25th Letter to Mom in the mail


Well, I got your letter at about 5:00 tonight so I didn't get to answer your letter. So, Ya..Here it is. Ye, I heard about the BYU game. It's unfortunate but they had a good run. I heard they got to overtime but it's too bad they couldn't finish. I have to say I'm not surprised by the Jazz. It's a good time to serve a mission. 


Well, tonight we went tot he TRC and taught the second lesson. Getting to know them was all in Spanish and I was surprised how much I could understand and speak. It was good! Then during the lesson we answered their questions well and taught pretty well. It was a little scattered, but oh well.. That's not the coolest part though. we got to know one of the people we taught (the actual person, not the person he was pretending to be) and we found out that he used to live in Miami. He was talking about how beautiful it is down there and how there are a lot of people to teach. Then he told us about someone he used to work with . She wants us to have the missionary discussions so he is going to give us her address and phone number. An actual referral in our mission. we got super excited and it's very cool that even though we are practicing real missionary work is going on.... I miss cooking so much! The food just isn't doing it for me. I wish  could just cook for myself! Well, it's bedtime now. It is still technically my P-day so I'm not breaking the rules by writing you. I love you all!

Elder Fullmer as a cardboard cutout at Whitney and Marc's wedding

March 18, 2011 from the MTC

Hey Everyone!

I've found it easiest if I just write one letter to you all. I have a limited time so if I say the same thing over and over I run out of time. Everything is going really well here. The DearElder letters came and They were a very nice surprise! Thank you for doing that! 

This week has been really busy. Dad you asked what my day is like and here is how it usually goes. I wake up at 6:15 every morning, They say 6:30 but if I wake up then I have to wait a long time for a shower. Then we need to be in our classroom by 7:00. For a half an hour we read El Libro de Mormon and then we go to breakfast. After breakfast we usually have one of our teachers teach us for about 3 hours. Then we have personal study for one hour then we have lunch. Every day is different when we have gym but it's always, for our zone, after a meal. So usually it's after lunch until 2:00. Then we have our other teacher teach us for about 3 hours. Then we have dinner.

After dinner we usually have an hour of companion study, an hour of language study, and an hour of MDT or Missionary Directed Time. During this time you can do pretty much anything you need to except take a nap. The food is okay. It all ends up tasting the same. 

On temple day we get to have breakfast at the temple and that is actually real food! I had a waffle, big surprise right? I did receive my pants from Missionary Mall the other day so you don't need to get after them anymore. I do like the socks from missionary mall the most so if you can order some online I'd love to have a few more pairs if that's possible. It doesn't have to be immediately. I understand it's a little busy right now! Ha ha. 

Yesterday I had a really hard time concentrating. I was really home sick. I could not concentrate on anything. One of my teachers, realized something was wrong and pulled me out of the class. I told her everything about home and how I'm going to miss Whitney's wedding and she just encouraged me so much. I know this is what I'm supposed to be doing! The Lord has blessed me so much! 

I did run into Richard the other day and I asked him about if his mission will be affected by the earthquake and he said that he doubts that it will. His mission is quite far away from where the earthquake happened but he doesn't know. It'll be interesting to see. That's awesome to hear about the Temple! I'm glad that Kay is in town! Say Hi for me! I don't know how much of a session I'd understand (in Spanish) but it would be cool to go to. Who knows if I'll be able to... Spanish is coming along alright. It's very frustrating at times but i just need to remember to be patient and everything will work out. 

Last week at the TRC was awesome! The spirit was so strong in the room. I remember that I was telling the investigators about the First Vision. I was saying Joseph's words exactly and the Spirit filled the room. My favorite part of the first lesson is the first vision. I remember bearing my testimony and things just filled my head of everything that I was grateful for. It was incredible. 

Last Monday my district decided to try and teach the first lesson completely in Spanish. We taught another district in my zone who was also teaching it in Spanish for the first time, except they've been here for 7 weeks. They were astounded at how fast we've learned everything! I'm so excited about how much I'm learning! The work it moving forward! 

I found out about my mission through my companion who's been receiving the weekly emails from the president. He's getting them because he sent in that slip of paper with his email address. I think we sent it in so hopefully we'll be receiving the letters soon.

About my ipod... I don't really care what happens to it. When i get back the technology will be much better so if you can sell it that would be great! I'd like probably what i got it for... I think it was about $100 or a little more. Whatever you can get would be great!

I'm so excited for Whitney and Marc! I'm sure its super hectic there but I'm sure everything will go perfectly! I've been praying for you Whitney and I know this is the right thing for you! Please send me pictures and info. I'm excited to see everything!

I heard that BYU won. Both of my comps are huge basketball fans so we get updates pretty much every day. Hopefully they can go far.

Day Light Savings actually didn't phase me. We decided as a companionship to pray for energy and motivation to be awake and the next day we all woke up and it seemed that we had more energy when we lost an hour of sleep... Prayers are answered!

They actually got rid of the Referral Center at the MTC. The reason why is because everything that they need to find out about is found on Mormon.org. It would have been a cool experience to go to it but I think the TRC and the TE will help me too. 

This place is really helping me learn how to feel the Spirit. It doesn't have to be an overwhelming feeling to know that the Spirit is with you. I've found that most of the time it's just a peaceful feeling letting you know that it's alright. There is a quote that says, "The atonement not only makes you one with God, it also makes you one with your Families." I know this is true and I love you all so much! You're the best family anyone can ask for!

-Elder David Fullmer

A few pictures at the MTC

 

March 11, 2011 Letters

It's hard to believe that I've already been here for a week! Ever since Sunday the days have just flown by! I have been learning so much! Today we have the opportunity to teach an investigator at the TRC or the teaching resource center. This is where actors come in and pretend to be investigators. We're getting to know them in Spanish but the 1st lesson will be taught in English. It's incredible to think of my responsibility as a missionary. I have the opportunity to invite others to this restored gospel, some even to those who wouldn't get the chance again. I will be able to show them the blessings of this incredible church! 

Throughout every day I get moments of discouragement, but I say a prayer and I am reminded of my purpose. My companions are great! We have troubles occasionally but for the most part everything is great! My first church meeting was incredible! It was a testimony meeting and a district was leaving the next day. The whole meeting was in Spanish but it didn't seem like it was. I had only been there for 4 days but I knew what they were talking about. Maybe not the words exactly but the Spirit was telling me what they were saying. The gift of discernment is real! I was then prompted to go and bear my testimony. I went up there and I am proud to say that I said it all in Spanish. I felt the Spirit in Spanish for the first time. It's incredible. 

I haven't seen Elder Bevan yet. Hopefully I'll run into him one of these days. I did get the letter from the Bishop. DearElder is an incredible program. I'd encourage you guys to use it as well. I only have 30 minutes every P day to read and write emails (not very much time. ) If you guys use Dear Elder i can receive the letter the same day and then just use the 30 minutes to write my emails. So if you could use that, or just hand write, I'd really appreciate it!...

I'm glad that the ward is doing well! Thank you for your love and support! It gives me strength everyday to do hard things. There was a mission conference where a general authority came and spoke. His wife came and spoke and she said, "The atonement enables us to do hard things." A mission is very difficult and I know that I'm able to do it through the atonement. I won't be able to say everything in this letter so I will probably be sending a hand written one later today. I Love You so much Dad! I pray for all of you everyday and ask for the Lord's blessing to be upon all of you! Yo se que la iglaisia es verdadera y Jose Smith traducio el libro de mormon. I love you!

-Elder David Fullmer

3-11-2011(Handwritten letter that arrived in the mail)

I wrote you an email today letter but didn't have time to write everything I wanted. First of all, I got your package yesterday and it was fantastic... I love it. That's great to hear about Highland! 

This week I have learned so much! I have learned more in one week than in any one week of my life. I thought I knew a lot about the gospel until I came here. I am learning constantly. My Branch President, President Shumway is an incredible man. We all went to the temple today and he was talking about what he picked up on and he taught me so many things. 

I'm learning Spanish like crazy and I'm learning to love the language. We're teaching and investigator tonight about the first lesson. we are teaching in a place called the TRC or Teaching Resource Center. We are going to teach an actor who is pretending to be an investigator. It is a great way to practice meeting people and talking to them. I'm a little nervous but I know the Lord will be with me through it. 

So, in my district there are 3 missionaries going to Argentina and 3 (other than myself) going to Ft. Lauderdale. My two companions/ roommates are both going to Florida. One of the elders gets emails form our Mission President. He said they are raising the baptism quota to 2 baptisms per month per companionship. Also, they are adding the Cayman Islands to our mission in a few months. They will also be sending missionaries back to the Bahamas, so it is a good thing I got my passport.

I am so excited to go to Florida. The MTC is nice and everything but it will be incredible to go and teach people. I have a lot to learn though. The language is coming along alright. It seems the people in my District are learning it faster than me but my teacher reassured me. He said, "Look at what you have learned in one week!" It's true It's hard to realize how much I'm learning when everyone is learning by the spirit. I think I've learned more Spanish in one week than the 2 years of French that I took...wait... I took 3! Learning by the spirit is so incredible! I am so excited to be able to teach people by the Spirit. 

This past week I had the opportunity to attend a fireside where Brother Kent Richards from the 2nd Quorum of the Seventy spoke to us. He talked to us about teaching by the spirit. He said, "If you speak true words without the spirit, it isn't truth". That just shows how much we need the spirit with us while we teach. another thing he said that meant a lot to me was "You have a short time to live it and eternity to think about it. I need to give it all for the short time that I am here.

My first couple of days were very long so I'm not sure when we had the mission conference but during it the Mission Presidency spoke to us. Sister McIff (The wife of the 1st counselor) talked about the atonement. She asked "How can we apply the atonement in everyday life?" I had no idea. She said that there are two ways to apply the atonement. First, the redeeming power which allows us to do hard things. We are strengthened to endure because of the atonement. It's so incredible to learn all these things here. 

If I came home today I would look at life differently solely on what I have learned in one week. (Don't worry, I am not coming home today) I have 103 more weeks to learn so much more! This gospel is incredible and I know it's the only true gospel on the earth. It blesses us in so many ways. I love all of you and please pray for me. It hard, but it's so worth it! You give me strength everyday that I am here. It's an incredible work! Good luck with everything and keep me posted on what's going on.

With love,

David

March 5th - from MTC

I received your package the other day and I was so excited to see it! Too bad about BYU. My branch President told me about it and I was pretty shocked. Everything here is so great! I am so glad that I decided to serve a mission. There is no where else I'd rather be. Right now I'm doing my laundry so I decided to write you an email while I wait. This won't be my normal P day. Everyone who is new this week has their P day on Saturday but for the rest of the time that I'm in the MTC I'll have my P day on Fridays... So make sure you write me before then. The first few days have been stressful. It's hard to learn a language but it definitely is coming along. The disadvantage to have learned French for a few years is that it is coming back to be faster than Spanish is. Whenever anyone asks me something I respond in French. But it will come along. Espanol es Facil! That's what my teacher always tells us. In our district there are 7 missionaries or missionaros. It's a pretty small district compared to others. There are 3 others going to Fort Lauderdale Spanish speaking. The other 3 are going to Buenos Aires Argentina North Mission. Everyone in my district is so nice and helpful. Most everyone in my district has taken Spanish before so it's coming along faster for them but I know that if I have faith in the Lord he will help me. It seems like I've been here for weeks but it's only been about 4 days. So far I have been able to pray en Espanol and bear my testimony in Spanish. It's amazing how much the Spirit helps us learn the language. I sent you a letter a few days ago but I'm not sure if you've gotten it yet. It talks about my companeros. They're so great! Throughout the day I randomly get discouraged and think that I'm not supposed to be here but then I say a prayer and my confidence goes way up! I know that I can do this and my testimony has grown so much in so little time!

The food however is another story... It definitely is not home cooked. I think I've already gained weight though. It's hard to keep the same weight when you're sitting in class for 9 hours a day. The food is alright but I just miss food from home. It's also hard only having 30 minutes a day to exercise. But it'll all work out. If you could, would you send me a few more t shirts?

Also... Guess what i had to do! I got 2 shots! That's right... 2! I had to get a tetnus shot and also a flu shot! Ohh well... According to Missionary Med, a tetnus shot is only good for 5 years instead of 10 at IHC. So that's why there is $56 taken from my debit account. Well I only have a limited time to write. Please say hello to everyone! Please keep me in your prayers. I love you all! Also will you put on fb my mission address? Mail = happiness! I love you!

-Elder David Fullmer

I just wanted to let you know that I love you! Please keep me in your prayers! I know that I'm being blessed for being here and that all of my family is too! The language is pretty difficult to learn but it's coming along. I love you all. My time is about to expire so i need to go... I wish i could write home all day. There is so much to tell you. I will probably write home by hand but we'll see how much time I've got here. I love you guys!

-Elder David Fullmer

One more thing that i forgot to tell you! There actually is another Elder Fullmer in my zone! He's from Anchorage Alaska. His ancestors go back to David Fullmer so we're related somehow. Also I sat next to an Elder who is going to the Czech Republic. I told him where I was going and that you wanted me to the Czech republic and he said, "well the language is a lot harder than Spanish!" Haha. Anyways I love you all!

-Elder Fullmer

March 2, 2011- 1st letter from the MTC

Today is the 1^st day that I’ve been at the MTC. Let me say it’s not what I thought it would be like. The whole experience doesn’t exactly feel real, but the feeling is amazing. Everything going on today is a bit overwhelming but I know after a time I will become accustomed to it and learn to love this place.

I just want you all to know how much I love all of you. I have been placed in a three-some companionship. One elder that I am companions with is from Sandy, UT. He went to Brighton High School and played football. He is a very nice guy and has a great spirit. The second missionary in the companionship is from Orem, UT and went to Orem High School. He’s also very nice and and I’m excited to work with both of them. We actually had Spanish class today and I know twice as much Spanish as I did coming into today. I just wanted you to know that I love you and I’m still alive. Please keep me in your prayers and ask that I may be blessed with understanding to help me realize the importance of this building. Thanks you so much for everything you’ve done for me! I will be emailing you soon but the Mission President asked us to “write” home on the first day. 

I love you.

Elder Fullmer  

Dinner at the Roof with the family