CCM: Week Five

Q) How is the Spanish coming? A) its good, its fun

Q) Have you gotten sick again? A) nope

Q) Are you ready for a new companion?  Kind of

Q Are you ready to go to Nicaragua? Yes, I'm excited

Q) Do you have your travel plans yet? no =(

Q) Can you call me from the airport? Yes, but idk when

Q) How is your district? It's great, it's fun

                             

Hey everyone! Well, life at the MTC is almost over. Life here is so repetitive. I miss everyone and think of home quite often. I hope everyone is doing great. I  am so jealous everyone got to go to the lake and the cabin. I definitely want to   go there when I get home. I really miss our families trips. Thanks again Mom and Dad, you created some great ever lasting memories.

Well this week was slow. I'll start by saying I am following the words of the Prophet. I know and believe if I read the book of Mormon in Spanish I will be fluent in the language. Right now I'm almost to Alma. But it has taken forever because I read it first in English. My English is getting worse though=(  I know I will pick it up again when I get home.

It is funny how the Church world is so small. I have another teacher who knows fluent spanish and fluent english and was called to Utah and knew Ted Bell, haha. He said he was funny. Also every teacher and Mexican I have met has either been to or has lived in Mesa Arizona. And everyone who has returned  from their mission there and who is now here wants to get married, haha it's funny.

Mom I got your 3rd dear elder yesterday. It really made my day. It's funny all you guys started to wear my stuff. I like it. Tyler you can have my phone but please Mom, take all my coaches numbers off and save them. Thanks.

I can call on Tuesday!!! I don't know when, but I know I can. Also check your email this week I think we can email more because it's our last week.

Some other funny things that happened this week are: remember I told you the food is bad here? Well, my friend Elder Benett had pistachios. I haven't had a Pistachio since I was little and had to go to the hospital because of one. But I tried one this time taking off the shell. I liked it.  It was good. Also this is kind of weird but, the Doctor here asked me if I had an inhaler when I was young and I said yes, so he gave me one for Nicaragua just in case. It reminded me of so many times I really needed it.

I love you I miss everyone so much!

Living Room

 CCM Haircut 

Weigh Room

CCM: Week Four

Hey everyone! The time here is really picking up fast; I'm almost in Nicaragua. I have missed all you guys so much this week. After I emailed last time we watched a movie about families. I really wanted to tell all you how much I love you. We talked about our families the day after. Unfortunately a lot of other missionaries are happy to be away from their family and wish they were closer when they were growing up. Me on the other hand, miss my family the most. Thanks Mom and Dad for making it possible for me to have a lot of fun. I love you guys so much. Tyler, Chloe, Halle, thank Mom and Dad more. They really do a lot for us and teach us a lot of great lessons. I shared what our Christmas's are like and my district thought it was awesome. I really miss you guys. The day after P-day was awesome. It was the Forth of July. It really was a bummer spending it away from my family and not seeing the fireworks. The food on the other hand was awesome. The breakfast that day was French toast. I had a ton and so did everyone else. The lunch that day was outstanding too. We had corn on the cob and barbecue sandwiches. We also all stood and sang the National Anthem. We all almost cried. I miss America so much. It's really been an eye-opener, and I realize now 

After living in a 2nd world country how lucky I have been! There are a lot of differences here. The definition of a second world country I have come to know is this: the shower water will be either really cold or super hot, there is no such thing as carpet, furniture is really scarce, the electricity randomly will shut off, and worst of all no buildings have air conditioning. Meetings here can be really long. Also it rains everyday a lot. The rain we had on the night of the temple celebration is the 6 o'clock rain here. You also can't forget about all the mosquitoes. Mom I'm going to tell you now, the first week I had 28 bites, just on my arms! Don't worry I don't get bit any more, haha. Some Little things that have happened here: the people, it's packed here we have 200 missionaries coming in every week now. Last week only 14 went out in to the field. It's crazy. The mail here is slow!  Mom I got your second Dear Elder yesterday. It made my day. I love the scripture you sent please send me more. Mom I really miss you thanks for watching out for me and always being a great mom.  I have grown closer to James Wirthlin's old companion who is one of my teachers. He said if I ever need my family to know I'm ok he would post a picture of me on Facebook and tag James in it so you can see me. Also I weigh about 200 lb. Haha! I miss all of you and hope everyone is well=) Love you, please be safe.

Editor's note: Eric weighed about 215 when he entered the mission field. 

For Christmas we gather with family often times in Montana or Canada. We have many traditions, including: gingerbread house contests, putting on a Christmas play written by my mother-in-law, and all the cousins re-enact Luke chapter 2, we give joke presents on Christmas Eve, and the little kids have a piñata. We eat spaghetti and steak on Christmas Eve. A strange food combination, but when the family was smaller there was no telling who outside of the family would be invited, thus more people more pasta was added. My in-laws used to invite random people who they met on the ski hill that had no other place to go. Over all the focus of Christmas is spending time together.

Laundry

Room

Buddy from AZ, who will be serving in the 

N. Nicaragua Mission Elder Daniel Baldwin

CCM Grounds

Doritos are my favorite snack! They are made different here.

Dining Area

CCM: Week Three

Wow, this week was an eventful week. Our first fake investigator turned out to be our new teacher so that was funny. Also one of my teachers here was James Wirthlin's old companion. He said James was the coolest. My Spanish is still coming along fine. Our days are so long here, but our weeks fly by. Like I said last week studying for 10 hours is a normal day. Jared is going to love the Provo MTC they get a member of the quorum of the 12 visiting about every other day. We have only had visits from the members of the quorum of the 70. Tell Tyler good job making me proud at basketball. In the MTC we can’t play rugby or football. So, I have become pretty awesome at volleyball. The best thing not related to the spirit this week was when Elder Baldwin came. It felt so good to see someone I knew. We hugged and were glad to see each other. An even better treat was when he gave me Halle's drawing of her and Christ. It is hanging up in my apartment. Sundays are awesome here. We have a lot of stuff to do, but at least it's not studying. I have to teach a lesson every week to my district. Dad’s lessons have helped so much. We actually taught our first real investigator yesterday and it went ok I guess. On Sundays we watch movies. One of my favorites has been a movie called "Just a Stone Mason.” Watch as a family for family night. It's really good. Or try to see the movie “Testaments.” I hope Chloe is having a great time at EFY. Mexico is fun. Yes, at night you can hear gunshots but we are so protected its crazy. We have a huge wall and police from America all around the MTC. The rain here is crazy. It rains everyday and rains a lot. We also had an review incase of an earthquake. We were told where to go. It's funny we have to stay in these little green squares. We won't ever have one, the President said. Today we got to go visit the Temple. Let me tell you Gilbert Is a Bubble. The streets in Mexico City are crazy!  The lines for the ATM are a mile long, not exaggerating. Also if you put your arm out the window it will be ripped off by the next driver, it’s so sketchy. The police here have huge guns, it's kind of cool. The buses are the best though, they are  like movie Divergent. They never stop so people jump on and jump off and there is no law on how many people can get on. I also sent some letters home I hope you all get them. I have also learned the importance of feet. My feet are fine but if you don't take the time to wash them and take care of them they will be a sick and hurt. An Elder from my district found that out. I love helping people it makes my day. I love all of you so much! 

Editor’s note: I think Eric means a movie called, "Only a Stonecutter". The second one he mentioned, could be, "The Testament of One Fold and One Shepherd".  I am not sure.

Q: Surprise! I sent Krispy Cream Donuts through local a Mexican Service that said they deliver to the Mexico MTC. Did you get them? A: Loved the surprise, they were fresh, I shared them

Q: Do you drink the water in Mexico and is it filtered? A:  Its ok

Q: What are you classes like? A: Good, 10 hours a day

Q: What is the MTC Mission President Like?  Cool

Q: Are you divided into branches with a branch President being the leader? A: He is nice and funny

Q: Do you ever see General Authorities there? A: No

Q: Would you recognize them if you did? I remember being at the Provo MTC years ago and many missionaries saying, "there is so and so", and I did not know many of them. A: Yeah, I would

Q: Are you happy? A: Yes

Q:  Did you get the camera? A: Yes, It’s awesome

Q: Did you go to the Temple; I thought it was closed for renovations?  We did this morning. We visited the Visitors Center. 

Earth Quake Gathering Place

Walls Surrounding the CCM

Mexico City Temple

Happy Elder Hironaka In Class

CCM: Week Two

So, the second week is not bad. The spanish is really picking up. I taught a lesson yesterday speaking only spanish and not reading anything. My spanish is really slow and I might sound like I have a disability, haha.I found out more about Nicaragua. A native from there told us that its super hot and that its hard to sleep. He said the food is ok and they don't just eat rice and beans. He said they eat tons of burritos, so that is great. Tell Tyler good job representing.  I miss him so much. (editor's note: Tyler attended a basketball camp this past week at the rival school, Mesquite High. When they scrimmaged the coach asked the boys what they wanted to name their team. Tyler said "The Gilbert Tigers!" the coach said "NO".) The food here is ok.  I got sick one day this week, but I still went to class and learned a lot. I can now say I think that I have studied 8 hours everyday for the past two weeks. The days last forever,  but not p day. The week on the other hand flies by like no other. I have not lost anything yet! There is an awesome Elder in my district named Elder Sautter. He is also from Arizona, he went to school in Buck Eye. He never took any spanish before he came so its funny. Also about the food, we eat a lot of Nutella which I don't like so I pass on it often. My favorite thing here are the Mangos, they are the best thing ever. MOM I miss you. I'm so proud to be your son. keep your blog going it sounds awesome. Be sure to put on it how proud I am that my mother served a mission. I love you keep me up to date with everything=)
Q: How is the spanish coming? A: The Spanish is awesome. I can teach speaking it a little.                                                                                    Q: Are you losing or gaining weight? A: I'm going to have an awesome 6 pack after the MTC                                                                 Q: Are you homesick? A: Not really, but I really miss you. Heavenly Father has been    
     watching out for me.                                                      
Q: Are you getting bug bites? A: Yes but not that bad.                           
Q: Do you need anything else? A: Just your prayers                             
Q: Is your whole district going to Nicaragua? All but Elder Sautter.     
Q: Do you feel safe there? The walls are 30 feet High and have barb wire, but the blessing   
     President Ballard gave was the best protection. There is a little bit of crime but I'm so 
     protected its ridiculous haha (Eric reported to a friend but not his family that they could 
     hear gun shots outside the CCM).                                                                             
Q: Do you ever leave the CCM? A: No, Investigators come here.         
Q: Are you getting along with your companion? A: We are getting good!
                                                   I LOVE AND MISS YOU GUYS!

MY DISTRICT

CCM

BREAKFAST

SELFIE

CCM: Week One

My first week..... It has been so so long the days feel like months.  I have already learned how to pray in Spanish and give my testimony in Spanish. You learn a lot here. I am the district leader and so I have to lead our district in everything. The people love my last name. This is crazy though, the 3rd day I had to teach my first investigator in Spanish!  I haven't even done that in English yet!  I can read spanish and I already know what people are saying to me. I just can't speak it yet. I study 7 to 8 hours almost everyday. I have already given a blessing to a sister and it felt great. Dad, Happy Father's Day again. Thanks for showing me how to give a blessing. I miss you all so so much. Don't worry about me. Mexico is huge. The weather is awesome here. Everyone else thinks it's hot but it is so nice. I feel like I'm in RIo. The houses here are all smashed together. Also the traffic here is crazy. There are no stop lights or stop signs. I miss you all so much. Chloe have a great time at EFY you will love it!  Also Chloe I know if you serve a mission you will be the best sister ever. Tyler kill it in baseball, you will be the best ever if you work hard. Try your best and make your family proud and send me your email so I can email just you. Halle be safe and have fun growing up. Mom thanks for going on a mission it means the world to me. All of you be safe. I love my district. The computer is junk here. If this is second world I can only think of what Nicaragua is like. The food here is not bad. The gym here is ok, I'm by far the strongest, haha. I just wish I was the best at spanish though. My camera is not working=( I'm going to sent it home. It takes a long time to get things here. I'm doing great. The first week is the hardest I´m told. Well I love you all so much please pray for me to learn spanish. I´m totally safe by the way. Talk to you soon love you all.  

I asked Eric questions in my email to him and here are his answers:
Q: Have you met Elder Brickman Williams?  A: Yes, he is just like Brother Overson and he is the zone leader's assistant
Q: How many missionaries came with you on the plane?  A: 8
Q: What is your companion's name?  A: Elder Shepherd
Q: Where is he from? A: Washington
Q: Do you ever leave the MTC and just walk around the city? A: No
Q: Have you seen anyone from home? A: No
Q: How is spanish going? A: Its hard but I have already learned more here than in 2 years of school                                             
Q: Are you sick from the food?  A: Nope

Eric's Nicaragua District 

Roommates: Elder Bennett, Elder ?, Elder Hironaka, and Companion Elder Shepherd

Eric's 1st Email After Arrival to the Mexico MTC

I'm ok mom. I love you so much. I'm going to be ok. It's awesome here. I love you guys so much and can't wait to tell you more. The people are nice. There are no traffic laws here, if you want to turn left and you're in the far lane you can, haha. Pray for me to learn the language. I'm praying for all of you. I miss all of you. I love all of you. This is great and I'm going to do great, mom. I'm one of the only kids here fresh out of high school. Most of the missionaries here are from BYU. The world is so different here in Mexico. I feel like I am in Rio almost. Thanks for being a great mom.

Airport Goodbye

Checking bags with a smile

Abby, Chloe, Tyler, Mom, Elder Hironaka, Tricia, Dad, Ellie, Andrew,

Adam and Halle

Missionaries traveling to the Mexico MTC: Sister Shumway, Elder Gallego, Elder Hironaka 

One last goodbye as they pass through security