Friday, August 30, 2013
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
The Three Amigos
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| Elder Ahlmer with his two swim buddies, Elder Jayden and Elder Savage |
Getting ready for Mexico
This week has been so amazing. I can't believe in 5 days I'll be in Mexico! I can't believe that I've already been here over a month. I swear every day feels like a year but every week feels like a day.
I fly out of Salt Lake at 8:30 so I'll be able to call you and talk to you guys from around 6 until then. I might be able to call again in the Dallas airport but I don't know how long my layover will be.This week I have really learned how to put all my trust in God. That as I teach the spirit will tell me the thing that I need to say and will let me know what I need to say to the investigator. On Monday we had an English fast. It was a great learning experience. It's nice to know where I'm at I surprised myself in how much I know but I learned how much I truly have to learn. On that day we taught Armando which is really just Hermano Albah. The Spanish just wasn't coming at all it was pretty horrible but I realized that it was because I was focusing more on what I was going to say next rather than focusing on what they were really saying and what Armando needed to hear most. Later on in the day we had TRC a 40 minute lesson that we teach real volunteers about the gospel. I told myself that I wouldn't thing about what I was going to say until after they had stopped talking. It was one of the best lessons I have ever taught. I could feel the spirit tell me what they needed to hear and tell me when I should bare my testimony and what of. I loved it. I've never been able to speak so well.On the other hand.... I'm starting to believe that I have sleep walked every single night for the past 5 weeks. Apparently one night Elder Clark saw me sleep walk three times in the same night! I feel so bad for them but I can't help it!Yesterday was quite the day as well. It started off with Elder Lockwood spraining his ankle in basketball. Then I went to the dentist. It was so weird hearing music again. I couldn't focus! After that Hermano Zullo and Hemano Albah assigned Elder Ward and I to lead the discussion of a book of Mormon chapter. We picked Alma chapter 26 I really encourage you to read it its an amazing chapter! The only catch was is we have to do the whole thing in Spanish! I'm nervous to do it tomorrow! We had out last Tuesday night devotional last night and it was amazing! Elder Neil L Anderson came and talked to us about love and sacrifice. One of my favorite things he told us was "What sacrifices have you made to be able to do the things you love." I instantly thought of my mission. The sacrifices that all these missionaries have made their time, schooling, friends, family, just the world. They've all sacrificed all these things to go and do something they know to be more important. You don't give up something you love for something that you don't care more about. We all know how much joy bringing the gospel around the world to all these people that would never have the chance to hear it any other way. It was raining really hard on the walk back from the Marriot center and everyone got soaked on our suits mines hopefully on the way to the cleaners as we speak!I know that there is no place I would rather be then here in the MTC growing closer to God each day. I can't wait to go out and spread the word to the people of Monterrey Mexico. I know that we are all being blessed daily by God and all we have to do is ask for them. Ask to have God open your eyes to how many blessings we are all receiving and I know we will all be humbled.Love,Elder Ahlmer
"Elder Sleep Walker"
Okay great! Well week two down and it's been quite the week!! All the older districts left yesterday and it's so weird!! We don't have anyone to turn to for advice but I guess we'll be giving the advice from now on! My Spanish is really coming along! I'm already so excited to go out into the field even though I can hardly say what I'm thinking!! I hope Sam's doing well with her holes in her mouth! Did you guys get my postcards? You better tell Bridger to be looking after the girls especially Savannah!! I want to hear the story!! I really encourage you all this Monday or even today to go and look up the talk Characters of Christ I think it's by elder Anderson but I'm not sure about that. It literally has changed everything!! The way I think the way I act and the way I look at others! I hope I never forget that talk and always turn outward!! Fast Sunday was a tough day for me. We all know how I get when I don't eat food! Being around other people 24/7 is a lot harder than I would ever have thought! It can get a little annoying at times but my companion and I get along okay. He's just really slow going places... he takes a while to pack up and get ready and it drives me crazy at times but I've learned to let it go and do anything I can to help him be on time. The food here was good the first week but I really miss moms cooking!! I know that I'm here for a reason and God is letting me know it every day. I start each day with a specific question and so far during that day it has been answered. I know that this wont always be the case but as for right now I know this hasn't changed. I knwo he hears and answers our prayers and he's just dying to give us blessings all we have to do is ask! Everyone always says you pray sooo much on your mission which is true and I prepared myself for that but what I wasn't ready for was the number of songs we sing!!! We sing four opening songs before each devotional or fireside. One song to start off each class or study session. And yes mom I njoined the chior.... This doesn't make me a singer though!!!! You didn't win ;)! I love you all so much!!
Elder Ahlmer
Elders Knard and Lockwood Kanard left monday I'm going to miss him like crazy! Green eyed Sister Southwick
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| Kanard |
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| Sister Southwick |
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| Elder Lockwood from Liberty UT |
August 4 FUNNY STORY,
Letter from Elder Clark to his family about Elder Ahlmer. They live in Draper and know a friend of ours:
Elder Lockwood and I share a room with Elder Ahlmer and Elder Ward. Elder Ahlmer told us the first night, "Hey my Mom said to tell you that I need a bottom bunk because I sleep walk." um - okay? should I be scared?! haha pretty strange words, but so true. on the second night at around 1:00 am I was woken up by the sound of a knock on the door. "what in the world?" I got out of bed, expected to see the police or even worse the branch president telling us that we have committed some sin, but it was neither. It was Elder Ahlmer. Apparently he had woken up under the pull up bar and didn't have his key to come back in. Now we make him sleep with a key tied to his pajamas.
And the next night he exploded out of bed also around 1am and grabbed the alarm clock. "Elder Ahlmer," I said, "what are you doing man?" He startled and woke up at my words, dropping the alarm clock on the desk with a loud band in the room, "I was trying to turn off the alarm clock, but it wasn't ringing was it." He knew the answer, "nope it wasn't." Similar things have happened with him a couple of times, and Elder Ward and I have been thinking out some kind of booby trap system. But its all good fun and it gives us something to laugh about the next morning.
Letter from Elder Clark to his family about Elder Ahlmer. They live in Draper and know a friend of ours:
Elder Lockwood and I share a room with Elder Ahlmer and Elder Ward. Elder Ahlmer told us the first night, "Hey my Mom said to tell you that I need a bottom bunk because I sleep walk." um - okay? should I be scared?! haha pretty strange words, but so true. on the second night at around 1:00 am I was woken up by the sound of a knock on the door. "what in the world?" I got out of bed, expected to see the police or even worse the branch president telling us that we have committed some sin, but it was neither. It was Elder Ahlmer. Apparently he had woken up under the pull up bar and didn't have his key to come back in. Now we make him sleep with a key tied to his pajamas.
And the next night he exploded out of bed also around 1am and grabbed the alarm clock. "Elder Ahlmer," I said, "what are you doing man?" He startled and woke up at my words, dropping the alarm clock on the desk with a loud band in the room, "I was trying to turn off the alarm clock, but it wasn't ringing was it." He knew the answer, "nope it wasn't." Similar things have happened with him a couple of times, and Elder Ward and I have been thinking out some kind of booby trap system. But its all good fun and it gives us something to laugh about the next morning.
Companion Elder Ward
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| Elder Ward from Las Vegas |
Monday was the first day it really hit me that I wont be seeing any of you guys for the next two years. It was a really hard day for me. I started getting worried that I wont be able to keep up this intense schedule for the next two years so monday night I prayed for strength to be able to continue. I know that God answer prayers. The next day (tuesday) was one of the most amazing days I've had in my life. First thing in the morning we taught our investigator Hermana Ferrera. Previous to tuesday I was focusing all of my attention on trying to translate what she was saying to me and reading what I had written down to say next. But this time I went in there with no script just a few scriptures and some key words I needed to know. This time I taught with the spirit. I could feel it so strongly showing me the direction I needed to take the lesson. I understood everything she said and I knew how to put into Spanish the thaughts that I wanted to share with her. Through broken Spanish we were able to feel the Spitirt and teach her the Plan of Salvation.We talked for 40 minutes but it felt like we were in there half of that time. In just 7 days I am able to carry on a 40 minute long discussion in Spanish with someone I don't even know. Now tell me that the Gift of tongues isn't real. I don't think I could do that in English let alone Spanish. I learned that not everything I should be be focusing on is the language that I need to learn how to effectivly teach with the power of the holy ghost. I have grown more in thus past week then ever before.
After we taught her the lesson we had an increadible class talking about the doctrine of chirst. Hermana Zullo our language teacgher that has yet to say one word of English to us gave one of the most powerful lessons of the doctrine of christ that I will never forget. We went through 2 nephi chapter 31. Words cant describe the feeling that I had during this lesson.
And finally the most direct answer to my prayers was the tuesday night devotional. All 2500 missionaries that are in the MTC went to the Marriot center. Brother Richards a former member of the 70 gave an amazing talk about dedication in the mission field. He showed us a previous elder holland talk that said "When we sufffer or are in pain, stand tall, because you are standing with Jesus Christ. How can we expect our lives to be easy when the most perfect man that ever walked the earth lived a life of heartache and pain."
I knew that this was the answer to my prayers. There are people in Monterrey Mexico that are waiting their whole life for us to bring them this message that brings everlasting joy.
The work that I do over the next two years will echo for eternity.
Be the missionary to match the message.
These two quotes that were spoken last night haven't left my mind.
I love you all so much! I love hearing from you guys It can make my entire day! I miss you all like crazy be there's no place I would rather be.
Sam, I want you to know that I'm praying for you and I wish so much that I could be there with you as you go through this opperation.
If you could please send me like 6 Pasley ties and another pair of pants. Also I forgot to grab that sewing kit. Sorry I'm making you guys send all these packages I just know I wont be getting the in Mexico!!
Also if you could log on to my facebook and post "Hey everyone this is Zack's E-mail address and his mailing address he would love to get any letters or E-mails from you guys!" or something along those lines ask Sam she has a way with words ha ha.
I love you all so much and I can't wait to here how things are going in the real world!! I'll send you pictures if I have time later today. Elder Gillhouse is in my district and he's a lot of fun!
Bridger!
The MTC is going great I'm loving it here! Ha ha you've got the family shaking gene when you speak! My legs turn into jello!! I have taught the real people we did it last week and this week! It was amazing! I loved it but the first time I was terrified!! I can't wait for you to be here in the MTC learning what I am! It truly is amazing! I wouldn't trade my time here for anything in the world!! I love my companion Elder Ward is a really great guy! Yes he can be slow at times but I'm sure I do things that drive him crazy! Its like we're married but we can't ever be apart and we didn't chose each other!! I love you like crazy! I think about you everyday and I'm praying for you! \
Love Elder Ahlmer
Savannah!
Thank you so much for your letter! It made my day! I loved hearing about how you're doing and don't worry I'm praying for you every day as well! I finally got to go to the temple today and I felt really comforted about your brain testing! I love you so much! I can't believe you're thinking about going on a mission this makes me sooo happy! I honestly wouldn't trade the time that I've spent here for anything in the world! The Spanish is coming along nicely! I can understand anything anybody says and I can mostly put my thoughts into broken Spanish now! And yes I have been dreaming in Spanish quite a bit ha ha! I love you more than you can imagine! And I'm always thinking about you!
Love
Elder Ahlmer
No not yet! I might not be able to get it until Friday because my district leader in in Vegas today and getting his visa and the rest of our district goes down tomorrow to get ours!! I'm so excited!!! Texting dad may be a problem....... ;) I'm so glad to hear that Sams doing better how about Savannah!? You do have other kids ya know!! ;) This week was another one for the books! It has been amazing last night we got to hear from Richard G Scott!! He gave us an amazing talk on prayer that there are thee answers to prayer a warm feeling = right decision, Uneasy feeling = your decision was wrong and no response. When God doesn't respond he is putting his trust in us that we can make the correct decision on our own and if we by chance make the wrong choice he'll let us know! It also gives us a chance for our faith and character to grow. He also told us that when we pray for an answer and don't receive one immediately don't just sit there waiting for an answer go out and do something about it!! God may be waiting for us to step out in Faith and he will give you little pockets of inspiration to guide you along your way. I've been praying to be able to be exactly obedient this week. I received an answer. Every Sunday night we watch a movie like Characters of Christ or some other talk or church film. And this Sunday I was planning on going to see the Testament but it ended up being full so I scrambled into a random room we didn't even know what was playing and the talk becoming a missionary came on by Elder Bednard he also was the talk Characters of Christ. This talk focuses completely on not just going on a mission but becoming a real missionary of Jesus Christ. That night I made a promise to God to be exactly obedient. The next morning during personal study I have been reading the book of Alma. I came to Alma 57 all about the stippling warriors. It talks about their success being due to their exact obedience to the commands of Helaman. Next we taught our investigator Rosa I've never been able to speak Spanish as well as I did during that lesson I knew exactly what scriptures she needed to hear and what answers she needed the spirit was so strong! I know God blessed me with the gift of tongues because of my willingness to obey!
Love,
Elder Ahlmer
Me and my companion Elder Ward and a picture of my roomies Elder Ward, Elder Clark and Elder Lockwood
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| The Bunks |
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| Left to Right - Ahlmer, Lockwood, Clark and Ward - Hump week, 3rd week in MTC |
Las Vegas - Visa
Hey mom before I email you later make sure and either email me phone numbers or program them into the disposable phone like Alyssas when I get on later I should be able to tell you the times I can call you its going to be quite early ha ha probably from 6 to 8 ish we fly out from Utah to Dallas then into Monterrey! Depending on how long the layover is I might be able to call you again from Dallas!
Vegas made me realize that the real world still exists and its kinda scary ha ha not everyone opens every door for you or helps you if you drop something!
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