Just two more weeks! (in the MTC)

Hey Family!

Your letters were great!  There’s certainly a lot to answer-

Elder Gowey is from Mesa, AZ, he’s really awesome!  He can always make me laugh.

Yeah I know about Elder Swartz.  He’s in the other zone, and he’s from New Mexico.  He’s actually sitting next to Elder White and I right now (it’s laundry time). 

I have seen Elder Poole.  He’s in my zone and I talk to him rather often.  Which is kinda strange since I never said a word to him at school.

Haven’t seen Elder Adams, but I haven’t had time to see all the newbies yet.  And he’s in the other zone also, so that makes it harder.  Our zone didn’t get any newbies this week, and we won’t until we leave.

There are no nap times any more, apparently they used to have them.  It’s okay, we just get more study time.

We walk from building to building but it’s not bad.  My suit coat is plenty warm.  We get to go on a “temple walk” after sacrament meeting before dinner. I love going on temple walks.  We just go up and walk around the temple grounds, enjoying the spirit and the fresh air.  Our district likes to stick together on our walk, it’s a good bonding experience.

Sunday schedule is as follows:

7:-7:30 Breakfast (except Fast Sunday)

7:30-10 Study, or interviews with Branch Presidency

10:10-11 Priesthood/Relief Society

11-12 More study/interviews

12-1 District Meeting (our Sunday School)

1-1:30 Lunch

1:45 Sacrament

2:50 Temple Walk

5:15 Dinner

7:00 Fireside

8:30 Movie!

I guess the news about my W2s is good.  And reading about dad’s VITA certification makes me laugh. ‘Cause I’m not doing it!  One of the Tagalog teachers did VITA last year.  He’s an accounting major, so makes sense.

I was wondering what third Sundays were like.

That’s cool Chelsea is leaving for basic training.  I’m almost done with mine!  Just two more weeks!  We get our flight plans this Thursday and I’ll let you know what they are next Monday. I’m glad Kat is excited for her new schedule.  I can’t say how excited I am for my schedule change!  I’m even excited for the ridiculously long flight.

The Klondike sounds like its gonna be tons of fun.  I miss camping and scouts in general.  Naturally I tell lots of scout stories.  Elder Gowey does the same.  He worked at Camp Geronimo.

I’m glad the cheerleaders are back to doing well.  Gearing up for Nationals?  I don’t really know what to think about the funeral.  That was terrible news to get last week.  I’m looking forward to hearing Andrew’s stories.  I bet they’re gonna be great.  Have to send them soon though.  So, I got my package today too, that was great; I love the ties and the CDs.  Of course dad would get more Hawaiian shirts!    I’m sure you’ll do just fine in your new calling mom!  I bet you’re excited for that.

So we started to teach our lessons in Tagalog.  The first one was rough but still good.  The rest have gotten better.  We’ve started to learn the second lesson in Tagalog, the Plan of Salvation. So that includes the Fall.  Which makes it cool that dad just had a lesson on that.  We of course are to just keep it simple.  Teach the very basics of the Fall.

So, interesting experience for the week.  Elder White broke his finger playing basketball Tuesday morning.  So, we had to go see some off-campus doctors.  It was so strange seeing people that aren’t missionaries or associated with the MTC.  While we were out I couldn’t stop smiling!  I loved talking to people in the waiting rooms. It was fun.

Well I guess I’m done for now.  Hope to hear from ya’all soon!

Love,

Elder Phelps!