lunch with my cousin today... he works at the MTC
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
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MTC Week 4
Hello everyone!
Wow less than 2 weeks left, so crazy. I am
kind of glad but not at the same time haha. I want to learn as much Danish as I
can, but it has been a long time at the MTC. I feel I will learn the Danish
language faster if I'm in Denmark. So tomorrow I find out if my Visa has came in
and I recieve my itinerary also. We're still crossing our fingers for our
visa's. Oh before I forget, on everyones next copy of the Ensign I believe they
will have a picture of us in the Marriot Center. They had a MTC Broadcast by
Richard G. Hinkley. Such an awesome talk, I loved it the most because I could
here our past prophet's voice, President Gordon B. Hinkley. I'm not exactly sure
where he falls under the relation of President Hinkley but it was amazing to
catch it. Anyways the picture, after the end of the talk they had us stay in our
seats for an MTC picture. This was a historical event, as we were told, because
the Provo MTC has only had the missionary pictures done 2 other times. So our
picture goes up on the wall as the 3rd picture ever to be taken. You will notice
the choir on the left handed side. A whole column of sisters and a whole column
of Elders. I was sitting in the column left of the Right of the Elders. I was
about 15ish rows up from the bottom. So here's your game of eye spy when it
comes in.
I want to thank those who sent me that package. I loved reading each of
those letters. I'm so glad to have everyone I know as a friend. You all are
amazing!
We thanks again everyone. I love you all and miss each one of you. I am
so glad though that I can be apart of this amazing work. My testimony has grown
so much since this past 4 weeks. Always keep your faith in God and Jesus Christ.
Search those promptings and feelings from the spirit. And cherish those moments.
Until next week, for the last time you will hear from me at the MTC. Man that's
crazy. Have a good one!
-Elder Jantzen Richard Read
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Week 3 at the MTC
Hello Friends and Family,
Wow this week has been fast! Yesterday our previous District
Leader told us that it was hump day, meaning that we are half we over the arch
of our stay at the MTC and it's all down hill from here. Holy Cow I feel like
I've only been here a week, and for some strange reason yestday felt like last
week. Well not much to report on. Busy as usually. We taught one of our tough
teacher investigators, and he told us afterwards that we did fantasic. I've been
needing there help with the Danish Languge, one on one. They keep telling me I'm
getting better, and we are still the fastest class that has picked up the
language so quickly! We had TRC last
friday (Training Resouce Center) which is we go and talk
to Danish members. Which they turned out to be Americans who served in Denmark.
They just wanted to start us off easy. After a couple TRC's we will Skype Danish
Members in Denmark! So excited for it! So after Friday's TRC, my teacher told us that we need to have equal
amount of teaching, me and my companion Elder Durrant. (He was able to see and
listen our lesson, because there was a camera in our investigator's room).
He told me Elder Durrant did 75% of the talking in both the investigators rooms
(we did 2 members that day), and I only talked about 25% of the time. That day
seemed to be the most stressful here at the MTC, other than the 1st day here.
But what I got out of that expierence, is that Elder Durrant is gifted to learn
this language quickly, his mom is an english major, he can talk and keep a
conversation with the person speaking. But I noticed that he was lacking
the testifying in the lessons. so the 25% of my teaching was talking and
testifying! I asked Elder Durrant if I'm not giving him a chance to
testify enough.... he claims he does it while he's talking. But I notice he
does give the testifying at the end. Which I feel is the most important to the
investigator. It feels more powerful to lay out what you know to be true in this
church and testify with the spirit at the same time.
We both decided to try a different approach. The next morning, we
split the lesson's up equally and we role played to each other what was going
to be said. We taught our teacher and he said "That was the best lesson I have
heard from both of you, what did you do differently? Everything connected in
this lesson than any one you have given me, keep up the good work". That was
great for the both us to hear that. We also taught our other teacher on the
Restoration and afterwards our District said why did you take so long? We were
like what do you mean? That was only like 15-20min. They told us no you've been
gone for 40minutes!!!! Wow time flew.
Ok so Sunday we got
called to do sacrament again, so happy I miss it back at home everytime I do it.
Oh I've got to add this part too. Brother Hoges, 1st counselor to the Branch
President, called me and Durrant for a meeting with him. We just barely got
our District Leader reassigned, so we knew that wasn't going to be it. We also
knew that the zone leaders were going to be realesed soon. So I was thinking the
whole time "We are totally Zone leaders", we got called into his room. He
extended the Calling to us to be "Sacrament Coordinaters". We accepted, I think
it's cooler to be that instead of Zone leader. We asked him what were the
responsiblities? We never heard of that calling. He said that we just need to
make sure the sacrament is ready every week before sacrament starts, clean up
afterwards, and zone leaders said we could assign people to bless the sacrament.
I told my companion after the meeting " We totally just got demoted to the
office of a teacher" we both laughed. We are so happy to have this calling, so
cool!
One last thing my district (Mainly Elder Johnson) has been under
the impression that my family is from Texas. They seriously think I have a Texas
accent. I know I sould like it sometimes but not even close. We just heard
someone speak to us at a devotional and she totally had a Huge TEXAS accent.
Elder Johnson has backed down from harrasing me about it since then. But he
still believes it true about me. He's crazy haha. Miss you all! Hope your having
a good time! See you next week. Remember to all you missionaries and future
missionaries..... no matter how hard the mission is, you have to remember "HARD
WORK DON'T COME EASY", especially the work for the Lord.
Kærlighed til alle!-Ælder Jantzen Richard Read
Howdy,
Ok Dad to start off I put like $14 on your card. Another spot on my leg
that the doctor back at home, who didn't think anything would happen to it,
started growing after my other puss spot popped. Which that one is looking much
better. He gave me 2 things of anti-biotics. One of them I have to take 4 times
a day for 10 days, and the other 2 times a day for 10 days. He also gave me
better ointment that is for Skin problems, it's looking much better now. I'm
conviced other than the food, The MTC is trying to kill me with drugs. So In my
letter I sent to mom I'm not sure if I said another Mupirocin, but I still need
that. Mom heads up, there is a MTC in Ghana, so I might not, most likely not at
all, see Alan. Because he's going there.
Satruday I got to see Skyler for the 1st and last time. He came up to
the main campus for a district hair cut. Forgot to put that in my other letter.
He's so excited to get out in the field. Sean's Visa came through but he has to
wait til the end of July for the next transfer for Austrailia.
So we are getting a little nervous, we talked to an elder widow Sister
going with us to Denmark on Sunday. She told us she was told that 24 Visas did
not make it, and we may have to leave at the end of September!!! So we may or
may not be going on August 12.
We're waiting on confirmation from our Branch President to be sure. Our district
leader told us that our Itenerary comes about 2 and 1/2 weeks before we leave.
So next week is when we get them. So we're keeping our fingers crossed. But she
did told us if that it doesn't come through we have to remember " WE are on the
Lord's time table". Which is true. So if it doesn't happen, we get transferred
somewhere in the states. 2 Dutchies did get there visas and they got transfered
to South Carolina and they are waiting to for there Visa's there and are still
serving. I wouldn't mind it if we got transferred to Florida, right dad? Man
that would be cool. To go to the same place where you toured in Europe, and also
to where you served!
Love you all, see you next week!
\
Elder Jantzen Richard Read
Friday, July 19, 2013
MTC Week 2
1st off before I forget Zack Robbins, please tell Scott I'm trying to
remember to grab his email out of my wallet. This is the 2nd time that I left
his email address in my apartment. Tell him I will write to him haha.
Wow week 2 flew so fast. I feel like I just did this yesterday! I'm loving the MTC, but I
really want to get out into Denmark. It is so cool to be here and learn the
Danish language spiritually! It's very tough to get down, but I know the Lord
can help our districts through it. So on Thursday we were able to commit "Morton", our investigator
to Baptism! Greatest feeling in the world, so cool to expiernece this. The
teachers are now challenging us more, and are asking us to teach both of them.
All in Danish, and both as different investigators for every companion group!
Crazy! I can't even believe that we have to get 2 lessons prepared for in
Danish. It's a bit of a challenge but we all seem to do just fine in the end.
Food is getting better for me, I'm trying not to eat to much because our Zone
Leaders, Elder Talbot and Tuckett, say that you will gain weight here at the MTC
if your not careful. Which they weren't they say =) Don't worry mom and dad, I'm
not starving, I weigh exactly the same amount since I left for the MTC. The only
thing they say to watch out for in food.... is the orange juice. Several Elders
in our district say that they have had problems with drinking it. Digestively, I
won't go into much detail. haha. But I have been drinking it every meal since I
got here and I have not had any problems. Brother Stacey says it's probably
because I either don't get enough Vitamin C everyday or I have a very High
tolerance with it. I figure it is the tolerance because I have been doing it
every meal for the past 2 weeks.
Our teachers are pounding the Danish into us. Everyday it's a brand
new topic on the language. Sometimes I feel like they are going to fast. We all
still manage to keep up. 2 Elders (1 of them being our district leader) are
struggling with it because they are doing SYL. (Speak Your Language) as much as
possible. We as a district group (besides the 2 elders, no wonder "Duh") try to
speak strictly Danish during our meal times and any chance that we get. The
Dutchies in our Zone are leaving us next Monday. I'm going to miss those elders they are so funny. I
love them. We have FHE every Monday night, during our Personal Exersise Time. We have 4
elders leading us in abbs and upper body workouts. They're are always yelling at
eachother and us to workout in a joking matter. "You need to have a pool of
sweat in between your hands, but DON'T LET ANY FALL ON THE GROUND. IF YOU DON'T
HAVE A POOL OF SWEAT THAN YOU'RE DOING IT WRONG" They are so funny. We're going
to need to keep up the tadition.
Sunday we were able to
go and do a Temple walk. We went to the front entrance gate and no joke their
were 2 crazy Men holding a Jesus Cross Posters. They knew that the Elders and
Sisters were coming at that time and they were trying to convert us to thier
religion. Or They were just preaching crazy stuff, and stuff we already knew. We
were thinking they had no sense in trying to convert MISSIONARIES ON TEMPLE
GROUNDS. They were truly crazy, one of them said "Your an army" and started
singing "Onward Christain Soldiers" We think they were either JW's or some crazy
religion or 2 normally dressed ragged people that had nothing to do that day.
The MTC Presidency got mad at everyone, because some were taking pictures with
them. They were worried if the pictures got out onto the web, that it would have
a negative impact on our image on who we represent and on the Church. My
companion wanted to do a picture and luckely we persuaded him not to. He was
bummed out and mad that he didn't get a picture until the Presidency made that
announcement. Funny Times haha.
Had the opportunity to bless the sacrament last Sunday. I really miss doing that in our home ward. It
was so cool to do. We were in a huge room, with about 90 missionaries in our
zone!, and no microphone. We had to do the whole thing out loud. I was afraid
that I didn't say it right or loud enough. But Brother Maher, in the Branch
Presidency, came up to me afterwards and told me that I said it just perfectly.
I huge relief and comfort to hear that from him. Which reminds me, Our Zone
leaders are going to be released next week, and they came and told us that it
is a huge possibility that one of the Danes would most likely take their spots,
because we have been here the longest besides them (the icelanders). We are
always joking that one of our companions are going to be it, but now since
it's getting closer the possibility might actually be true. Next week though, we
trade and I'll be Senior companion. Which means I just call on one of us for the
prayer. There really is no senior athourity here because we're both new.
I miss you Tons! Love you all and hope the Lord blesses each one of
you in your lives. I know this work is true! I'm excited to go to Denmark! I
know that our District is going to do Miracles! And I know that through the Lord
we can do those micacles and preach this gospel! I love my savior Jesus Christ!
Best of wishes to you all! See you next week.
-Ældste Jantzen Richard Read
Jantzen's Second letter from the MTC, 1st Week
Hej Familie!
Week one is already come and gone. Man that was fast! Been staying busy.
Yesterday before we went to
class, I was still in wonderment. I was thinking of what is my real purpose? I
was begining to think that I was out here for myself more than anything. I
wasn't feeling my testimonly or the spirit that much for myself, other than
devotionals. Brother Stacey challenged us on Saturday to testify to 10 people in
danish before Sunday was over. I accepted and did the challenge. So yesterday came and we had a surprise
that our investigator was coming earlier than expeceted. so we had to translate
our lesson as fast as we could! I taught Morton ( our investigator) about the
restoration and Elder durrant was teaching him how to pray. this was our 3rd
lesson to Morton and I really wanted to connect with the spirit. So I recieved
mom's package with the family photo that morning and decided to use it. Such a
blessing to have and actually connect with Morton and his family. A real ice
breaker, thanks mom. Anyways I used it and taught Morton the restoration. We
teach him by writing down what we want to say and translate it to danish, than
read word for word. After I was done about the restoration, I had my notes in
hand, I put them down and testified!!!! I remember that I said that God loves
Morton and our families, but during my testimony I actually felt the spirit! It
has been the strongest since I have been Here! And it was in Danish. I told my
companion that I feel like I have found my purpose again. I now look forward to
doing it again with the Plan of Salvation Wednesday. After teaching Morton I totally had a spiritual
high (according to elder durrant) for like an hour. I was so happy to testify
with meaning! And it was in Danish!!!!! We have a new teacher and he will be
teaching us, his name is brother Pullan. He just got back from california from
vacation. I totally thought he was gay because of his voice, but he just acts
like it when the elders start talking about girls. We all laugh. He's an awesome
teacher and I'm learning more from him than Brother Stacey. Crazy!! We have to
wear suits every sunday and tuesday, because of devotionals and you
can't go to the devotional because it's against the rules. Which is a "trial of
faith" that is our elder language for a another word. We're trying to make our
language better so that we can represent the Lord more effectively. Oh which a
trial of faith is, is that we are not allowed to chew gum!!!!! I'll probably
send that back to you. makes me so mad, but I have to remeber that I'm
representing the Lord. Everybody thinks I have a Texas accent and make fun of me
and we joke aroond. I'm fine with it haha.
Elder Durrant is from Mapletown, he has 2 younger brother, one of them
will probably recieve his call before we get back. So there is a chance that
Elder Durrant will see his younger brother off. He's is an awesome companion we
really connect, especially when teaching.
First off Everybody "IF YOU ARE GOING TO RIGHT ME THROUGH DEAR ELDER....
USE MY FULL NAME..... ELDER JANTZEN RICHARD READ" I have found my supposed twin
sunday night. And he has been
recieving my letters for the past week. I'll send you a picture of him, he's
pretty cool we chatted, he gave me my letters back, and he's about ready to head
out this week. He lives on the same floor as me and I had now Idea till last
suday. Crazy
to answer everybody's questions...
Mom,
Yes I am getting your packages, everybody is jealous and thinks I
have a few girls back at home. Or I am really popular. But they mostly think it
is the girls =). I don't remeber my facebook account I practically ruined the
password last time. My hotmail account is if you
want to reset my password on facebook and upload pictures and my emails I will be good with
that. I really want my friends to know what's going on in my mission, if they are interested. I'm not sure when Alan's farewell is, I would ask Tami. Everybody wants me
to thank you for the treats they love them and love you already. Thank you for
sending them. I'm still trying to get rid of my first stash, so not to much =)
Love you mom, miss you & I really really really miss your cooking. This is
practically a fast food joint. I'm trying to watch what I eat, you really can
put on some weight here haha. I'm going to find that out tomorrow.
Lewiee,
I really thought uncle scott emailed me =) sneaky one you are (smeagal
voice!!!!!) the language on my ipod that I bought is practically nothing like
here. I can pick out some stuff, but I have to fix some of the words I already
know. But it was good prep before I came here. So cool. and I'm learning it so
fast maybe because the other elders are learning with me, but I know I would not
be able to do this without the Lord. We have a total of 14 new Danish Denmark
missionaries. All from Utah except one the New jersey elder. 13 Elders and 1
sister missionaries, her companion is a dutch missionary going to the
netherlands, so she is a solo sister. We're supposed to treat her like our
younger sister, since she is the only one from our 2 districts.
Districts/Classes compose of 6 and 8. I do miss kia alot but I'm still finding
kia hair all over my clothes and the other elders suits. So it's funny and
reminds me of her. Love you.
Thanks for the hand written letter pais!!! I sent you one back not to long
ago you should recieve it shortly. Mom sent me that family photo and everybody
was asking how old you are. I keep telling them that she's to old for you haha.
They like to harrass me about like you. because you wrote me. They think you're
my girlfriend, but now they changed their minds and say how they're going to see
you and date you after our missions. Or Morton our investigator talked about you
and asked if you go to BYU, I told him no, he's going to BYU, But now the elders
think Morton wants to come and date you and I will have a Danish brother in law.
I said not a chance. =) Love you and miss you.
Dad,
I like the idea of using dear elder for answering questions, that would
work better. But hand written ones are always nice. Me and like 3 other elders
are the only one who recieves mail, everyone's jealuus haha. I can only go get
my packages myself when I get notice from my district leader. Because there are
so many missionaries here they assing the district leaders to go get the mail.
He checks it twice a day and he's already tired of us harrassing him about
getting the mail. haha. Loving life and missing you family (can't say guys
anymore, apparently it's slang and dude.) haha. Companion is cool and works
hard, when he is working. He gets sidetracked sometimes and it's frustrating
when preping a lesson. But he's an awesome companion. Miss you guys tons. I'm
being fed well and I'm already using my ear plugs. Lights are out at 10:30 and
my roommates won't be quiet till 11. so happy I brought them!
Friends Love to hear what's happening, I miss you all! thanks for being
awesome friends. Prep well for your missions! It's hard work out here in the
MTC. Study preach my gospel and the book of mormon as much as you can. Remeber
what elder holland said. "strict obeidence, and if your not having fun than
you're doing it wrong". Just remember to push through it and remember who you
represent. The Lord will bless you for you desire and work to share the gospel.
Can't wait to see you in the MTC.
Thomas I found the dutchies going to west indies they leave this month and
told them about you. They said you'll be island jumping alot. Skyler I'll come
looking for you Wednesday, and be
ready to say hi to everyone and be welcomed. You'll lose your luggage for a
second with your host. You'll go get your badge and pick your luggage up and
place them in the dorm and go to class. Like a 10min process. A bit overwelming
for sure. Becuase they throw you in the water to swim the first day. But it gets
easier and harder haha, if your learning a language. Not sure on the English.
haha
Love you all and I'm so excited to serve the lord thanks for pushing me to
this point in my life.
Elsker -Elder Jantzen Richard Read
Jantzen's first letter from the MTC
Hey,
This is the only time I will be able to send you on a Saturday. To
answer your question the dear elder site worked. I sent you guys a letter, hope
you get it, I wrote down as much details as I could. My p-day is on Tuesday. My
companion is Elder Durrant. Sometime hard to get him working, he gets side
trackted alot. But he's pretty cool. he's from Mapletown Utah, south of Provo.
All the new Danish missionaries are all from utah besides 1 and he's from New
Jersey. We also have 1 sister missionary who's comapnion is going to the
Netherlands, so she technically is a "solo missionary" I'm in the same area of
where you dropped me off. If you can find a map I'm staying in building 14M. My
roommates are the same one's who went to sacrament with me, besides Elder
Durrant. I'm actually having to much to eat. Yesterday I realized that I haven't really been working off
what I eat. I practically sit in class all day: learn danish, prep to teach and
learn mor danish. Yesterday I got
a stomachache, because I ate to much, and excused myself from class to go barf.
Everybody couldn't believe I could do it on demand. =) I haven't gotten much
sleep until last night. I'm so
happy to be sleeping normally again. I still find Kia hair everywhere. I spot it
sometimes around me on other Elder's suits. I miss that dog.
I've learned more danish than I ever had before coming to the MTC. And
it's only been a couple days. I can speak danish and kind of know what I'm
saying. But with this Danish investigator we're teaching, he's really just an
actor and he does speak greek. But each time we teach him I can pick out more
stuff everytime. He's really fast, even though he said he was speaking slow for
us. It's awesome being in the MTC, but I know I have a lot to learn. The
Icelandic Elders say that it takes about 3 weeks to hold a conversation. The
Swedish elders are always getting after us. Because apparently the Swed and the
Danes dislike eachother so they're carrying on the tradition. We are having our
prayers, personal and companion, in Danish. We are kind of tired of praying for
the same things so we're hoping to find out when we'll be able to pray for more.
It's been stress full. But I keep turning my thoughts to the Lord and remember
what my teacher says (Brother Brown Bird Stacey) "You're on the lords time" So
I'm trying to use every moment I can to learn the language.\
Funny Story, sometimes when elders don't get set apart as
missionaries at home they do it here. so The New Jersey Elder, Elder Carmack,
had to go do this. The guy who set him apart to be a missionary to serve in
Denmark and than said that he will be able to learn Finish and the Fin people
will be very acceptive of him. So hopefully the lord know or we think he might
struggle learning Danish. haha
Almost forgot we are learned the Danish alphabet and how to count to
100 pretty cool. Pais I've been using your abb workout because running on the
jogging track (10 laps for a mile) and 4 square are doing it for me. Gym you can
do basketball, chuch ball with really agresive elders; volleyball, 4 square,
running on the track, weight lifting which stinks, and our own workouts.
Can't wait to get out in the field the lord has blessed my life so much,
especially learning and saying danish. When I was feeling a little sick this morning from last night, I remembered how dad was
beginning to be healed from his foot injury and I turned my thoughts to the
lord. If he can heal my dad with a foot injury than surely he can heal me from
my sickness. The next 20 minutes I was feeling much better. I know this is God's
work and I'm happy to represent Jesus Christ. I know he's my savior and I'm
excited to get out in the field. Love you all!!!!!! Give kia loves for me.
(Paisley look up the #9 in Danish) Monty python... =)
Love Elder Jantzen Read
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