Lost in Translation - "¡PATO!"

This little tid-bit came to us as a surprise Saturday afternoon; apparently Elder Wright had a little free time to send an email.  I had asked him in an earlier email to tell us a little about his district and any funny stories that may have happened since he had been at the MTC.  While much time is spent learning and preparing, no matter what, something funny is bound to happen:

"A quick funny story I was able to come up with is when we were doing that Holy Ghost activity where one person is "blind" and the other person is to guide them around like the "Holy Ghost".  So I was the Spirit this time around and my companion was about to walk face first in a tree but I couldn't remember how to say "Duck!" and I couldn't quickly ask him how to say it cause he would of hit the tree.  So I just said "¡Pato!" hahaha.  He hit the tree after just saying "What?" So ya that was a quick funny story I was able to think up."

For those of you who aren't familiar with Spanish - Pato is the Spanish equivalent for the animal friend that Mickey called Donald or the season that Elmer Fudd looked forward to with much passion... not the typical word that a Mexican would shout out to avoid a head injury!! :)

"Also what's funny is that one of the Branch Presidency looks like Barney from The Flinstones.  So Elder Garcia would say "Pedro!" in a high pitch voice to us when we see him.  Apparently Pedro is the name for Fred in Spanish Flinstones..."

Obviously, Elder Wright had forgotten that he used to watch 'Los Picapiedras' as a child!  They were constantly on at abuela's house in La Vega... and we used to change the audio setting with on the Cartoon Network to Spanish at home when he was young. This and 'Godzilla' were among his favorite muñequitos...  He should have remembered that - right?!

"By the way I met Elder Christianson from The District tv show here at the MTC.  He's the blonde one in it.

I feel like I am ready to go on my mission by the way even though i've only been here two weeks. "

If you haven't seen an episode of the district before, you have got to click on this link :The District and see what missionary life is like in San Diego.  I think a new season is about to begin in September!

He was able to see and talk with his cousin Josh while at lunch on Thursday this week which he mentioned was really nice.

He flies out on Monday - we are looking forward to his early morning phone call!

First Letter from MTC "FINALLY I CAN EMAIL"

"The MTC has been a bittersweet experience so far but mostly sweet.  I have never felt the Spirit so continually in a single place.  I have a pretty cool companion named Elder Ruiz from California going to the Mexico City Northwest mission and is leaving the same day as me.  I should be leaving Sept. 1st; this coming Monday to Mexico where I am able to call you guys!"

I think his email sounded a lot like my first letter I sent home - 'bittersweet' is a great adjective to describe what the first week of life in the MTC is like!  Being away from home, maybe feeling a little inadequate with the language wondering how it is that you will be able to express your most deep feelings in a words that don't come to you naturally!  What's got to be tough is being in a district with native Spanish speakers!  Those feelings of inadequacy would be compounded! I was in the MTC for 8 or 9 weeks to learn Spanish - by the end of the last week I was so ready to get out in the field; however, I vividly recall that as soon as I landed in the airport in Santo Domingo those feelings of inadequacy promptly returned!  I remember thinking that whatever that person just said to me sure was NOT Spanish!

"I really miss and love you guys a lot.   I have had so many great spiritual experiences here that I don't know how to write them down (wrote them down in my journal so when I get back you can read all my experiences in possibly more detail)."

Oh yeah, the Journal!  I think I wrote everyday, while in the MTC, not so frequently when I was out in the field! :)  

"One cool thing that happened to me was on Sunday where I prayed in the classroom bathroom so I could be alone and I asked our Heavenly Father for help to be able to receive the Gift of Tongues and the Interpretation of Tongues.  Later that day I met with my Branch Presidency but speaking with President Call and then with Brother Nellson I was given the confidence to not worry about my Spanish even if it needs work because all we need is to be able to bring the Spirit to testify of the things we are trying to say are true."  

"The time here at the MTC are hard and sometimes are discouraging but I try to look at the bigger picture and I try to think about the people I am about to teach.  I already am growing to love those people even though I am not there. I can't wait to share the gospel with them... " 

This is so true!  I know his testimony of this will only strengthen while in Mexico City.  The Holy Spirit is what converts us - you can be the most eloquent speaker but if you don't have the Spirit, it will serve no purpose.  

"By the way I went to Las Vegas yesterday....  To get my visa at the Mexican Consulate. That was my favorite day so far of the MTC because I was free from this place and I was able to make new friends.  Two missionaries were able to give BoMs to two people at the airport in Vegas as well. "  

Ah ha! That's one of the reason we hadn't heard back from him since we dropped him off on Wednesday!  What an adventure that must have been!  Almost like a mini-mission! :)

"Well I miss you all and there hasn't been a day I haven't thought of you guys. I really love each and every one of you.  I can't wait to speak fluent Mexican with you all when I get back from my mission."

MISS YOU TONS CALL YOU WHEN I LEAVE! SO BE BY THE PHONE! WOULD REALLY LOVE LETTERS FROM EVERYBODY!

Love Elder Wright

MTC

On August 20th, 2014 Elder Wright entered into the MTC in Provo, Utah.  Before Alex left, he was able to say his 'good-byes' to his abuelita and his two best friends Zach and Miguel!

We spent the morning with Elder Wright finalizing his luggage and ensuring that he had everything he needed for the next two years...  It's hard to pack a two year supply of Cheese-its in just a suit-case and carry-on bag - especially when you have twelve white shirts, a ton of slacks, socks for an army, whatever 'personal hygiene' item you can think of,  hangers (what are those for anyway), rain coats, sweaters, 'P'-day' work clothes, extra pair of shoes, and his scriptures!

Zach and Miguel came along with his luggage - while they were able to fit in our car, they weren't allowed to follow him into the MTC!.  At least for now - Zach will be heading out for Argentina in December - Miguel, is rocking it attending college.

Of all the places he could have gone for his 'last' lunch, he wanted to go to Chick-fil-a!  So instead of a nice place to sit down for lunch - we headed off to the Orem mall... arghh, food courts!  Anyway, that's what he wanted so we were happy to oblige.

We enjoyed the rest of our short time with Elder Wright on the Provo Temple grounds... It was fun watching all the other missionaries saying 'Adios', 'Au revoir', ' Arrivederci', 'Konichiwa', or whatever
they were saying to their families!  We ran into a number of friends from Herriman High that were also entering into the MTC - among them were Elders going to Texas speaking Mandarin, his twin brother was going to Taiwan - also Mandarin speaking (Wiemer), there were a couple others that I can't seem to recall...

After a quick trip to 'SWIG' for a drink and treat - we drove back to the MTC...  We were kindly greeted by an older gentlemen at the front gate - not able to see into our windows, he asked if we were dropping of an Elder or a Sister and proceeded to place a corresponding sticker on our windshield and told us we would have two and a half minutes to drop him off and say goodbye...  He joked with us as he saw Elder Wright sitting in the far back saying "I hope when you pick him up you will let him ride up in the front!" :) 

It was somewhat 'anti-climatic' but it was a very special moment as we each got to give him a quick hug and a kiss before he headed off to the MTC!  We loved this experience!

Farewell - 8.17.14 Friends and Family