Monday, July 30, 2012

Preparing for Takeoff

Today I received a surprise e-mail from Collin. Since this blog will be printed at the conclusion of his mission, I have included it on the blog. It's the e-mail that every mom anticipates will arrive.

Hey I'm leaving tomorrow and I just wanted to say I love you Mom! Thanks for everything you have done for me. I always get a little emotional when I write you. I miss you so much. You are the best Mom in the world and I know that because you had to put up with me.  The package was delicious. Uunfortunately it may put me over luggage weight so I have been giving some away to all the kids in my zone. They are good and it's gonna be hard to leave them but I know what I am doing is right.

Well, it isn't my P-day. I'm just doing laundry for tomorrow.  I'll miss you like crazy but I'm gonna be on an adventure. Well I'm excited and nervous I leave tomorrow for Guat and it's feeling a little crazy but very good. It will be the best experience of my life - I'm sure of it! I miss you all.  Bye!!!!

Love,
Collin

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Hey All!!! It was super good to hear from all of you! I've missed you all and it so nice to just read things that are going on back home. Mom, if you want you can have your sisters email me. I would also really like to hear from them. I love all you guys so freaking much!!!!

Well I'll start out with my schedule. It is nuts. I wake up at 6 or 6:30 depending on if I feel like working out or not. Then I shower, change, go to breakfast, and then class for 3 horas. After class we have personal study time which I enjoy quite a bit. It really helps my testimony grow. Next is lunch, then more study time, this time with your comp. Then class for 3 more hours followed by just a bunch of stuff... It gets really tiring after a bit.

I leave for Guatemala this upcoming Tuesday at 8 en la morning. I'm nervous and super excited. So............. My comp and I .... now get along great. So no worries haha. He's the travel leader for the Guat. group and the poor kid is stressing out over it when in fact all he needs to do is worry about calling the church hq when we land. I had to re-do my typhoid cuz we didn't keep it in the fridge but that's all good now. I start packing for Guat. this Sunday and yes Mom I did get into the Guatemalan suitcase but only to grab a tie for a tie switch.

We went to the temple today and it was amazing except really sad cuz one elder in our district (who is like a band of brothers) doesn't want a whole lot to do with us and so he just sat in the lobby the whole time. I don't know how many times I can say this but I love my district. I doubt I'll ever have one as good as this again. We have a kid named K.O. who is ripped. He played for BYU-H and is a beast at soccer. I retired from volleyball and I decided to play soccer now because I don't get mad and I'm really gonna need it in Guat.

Well I'll bear my testimony in Spanish because it's really fun. Here goes: Yo se que Jesucristo es my salvador y mi hermano. Yo se que la iglesia y el evangelio es verdadero. Yo se que dios es amoroso y amo todos personas en el mundo. Yo se que nuestro vive con nuestros familias por eternidad. En el nombre de Jesucristo Amen. Well, time is up love you all!!!!!!!

 Love, Elder Grant

Thursday, July 19, 2012

P-Day Number 1

Collin wrote letters to everyone today. Here are ours. We were so grateful to hear from him.

Dear Mom, Hey, doing my laundry right now so it's a perfect time to write you. I miss you guys so much. It's good to finally be able to write. I didn't get a p-day last week so this is my first and then next week will be my last p-day for 2 years as I'm in the U.S. I'm just chilling right. I do miss the family a lot. You guys are the best blessing in my life and I can't wait to meet up with you guys after these 2 awesome years!!! But I love it here. It is so fun to be with all these missionaries. It is great to be surrounded by people who love and want to work their best for the Lord. You are so great mom and sorry I haven't written much. We are only allowed to write on our p-days. But if you're sneaky and manage your time well you can get a few off. In fact I got 4 off today but I forgot to date them. OOOOPS!!!!

This district is awesome but learning spanish is very frustrating. They already have us teaching an investigator. He's a memeber but that's okay cuz he's going to be our teacher so he can give us pointers. I did get him, as our investigator, to be baptized which was super difficult cuz my companion doesn't speak any spanish. Oh, the Lord is teaching me patience well. I've got to fit a few e-mails for dad and the girls in. Love you!!!

Dear Dad,

I love you Dad. How is everything going? Could you send some hangers? There aren't any hangers here. I had to buy some but they are super junkie! Well the food's ok. I love my district there isn't a better group of guys to be surrounded by. My zone is super awesome!!!! Everything here is awesome!! I don't understand why people say they hate the MTC. It's so good here. I love feeling the spirit. Well I still gotta email the girls. Love you!!!! Bye!!!!

Monday, July 16, 2012

The First Few Days

Dear Familia,

I don't have a P-Day til next week. So instead you guys get my terrible handwriting. (He sent a letter. The handwriting was "readable".) I've got dos great companeros. 'Cuz I'm in a tri. Has it's ups and downs. I can put how I feel about the MTC in two words "estoy cansado" or I'm tired! But it is great to be surrounded by so many people. Especially when they love the gospel. SURROUND YOURSELF WITH GOOD PEOPLE!!!!! I love all of you.

P.S. My companions are Elder Jorgenson and Elder Campbell and they are going to my mission!

Love, Elder Grant!

I amazingly have some free time right now so I thought I should write you a little more. I love the MTC!! You are tired and the days are super long, but it's all worth it.  I'll send a copy of my first day schedule to you so you know how it was. I was immediately thrown into Spanish and I'm slowly learning. :) Yay!

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

The Adventure Begins

At 12:55 pm today, Collin began his mission service. He was ready, eager, and a bit nervous. After his last "American burger" at In and Out, we took some pictures near the MTC. Then he said, "Let's go drop me off." We entered and kicked him out at the curb. Actually, the curbside drop-off was much more relaxing and sweet than I thought it would be. Elder Bittner helped him lug his luggage away and off he went. Somewhere between Farmington and the MTC our boy became a man. That man - a prepared missionary - walked away without looking back. He is going to have such a fantastic adventure. He will be an amazing missionary.

Collin and his sisters. They miss him tons already.

With Grandma and Grandpa Grant as we walked out the door.

Waiting for the drop-off time. He is so handsome!

He is so excited. Go forth, Elder Grant!

Walking away. The adventure begins.