June 28, 2012

Hey famy fam!

 

How's your week going, hope it's been spectacular! Pics are my fav, keep sending them periodically if you would! Well how's life? How's alpine? Camping eh? Nuts o! Sounds like you're all doing very well with soccer and life and such,  diez puntos para ustedes! have you been following the world cup at all? I heard portugal lost to soommeone... I forgot who. Well that's irrelevant, I wish you the best, hope you're all doing well, and keep having fun! Thanks for everything, thanks for helping me get here!

 

Pues pues pues, la CCM is awesome! This is my four week mark, which seemed a little quick! It's going by quickly already! I'm really excited for Eric to get here next week, should be nifty! Soccer here's been lots of fun, I named our team Hogwarts, and we're pretty good, "non-competitevley" of course. We went to the temple this morning, as we do every pday, had some fun, ate the food, etc. I was going to bring my journal in to write some stuff but I forgot it, that's ok i remember most of what happened. Our investigators are really progressing, Ricardo and Margherita, that's by far the most constructive thing we do here, is teach. Yesterday we taught Margherita about faith and baptism, our lessons are a little incoherent, and go by super fast, we always talk too much and don't appropriate enough time for the lesson, or for the climax of the lesson. We're getting better though, and really progressing, as are our investigadores. The most important things, for them, are to get them into the LDM, be reading and praying daily, and to feel and recognize the spirit. Oh ya, today at the temple I bought this orange- so awesome! Massive. And orange. Well our zone is doing awesome, we didn't get a new distirct this week, but should next week. The Elders/sisters are all doing awesome, and are all progressing, it's awesome to be able to get to know all these classy dudes. Three cheers for them! Oh ya, and every night me and elder watson ask them a question, so if you have any ideas, feel free to shoot away. For example, -"If you could be any fantasy character, who?" or "If you could have ONE muscle be massive, which one?", such profound questions as those. It's dandy.

 

Well for the tuesday devotional we had quite a plethora of noteworthy church leadership in attendence, none of the 1st presidency was there, but all but 2 of the quorum of the 12. Hales and Packer were absent. Big ol' L. Tom Perry spoke, it was quite an exiciting event. His remarks actually weren't doctrinal, but were about how socially beneficial mormonism is- a slide show type presentation. For example, those who fast once a month are 40% less likely to have cholestrol disease or something or other. Also lds people who keep the world of wisdom live longer- males on average live 10 years longer, and females 5, than the average amercian. Also interestingly enough, as LDS people recieve more education, they become more active in the church, whereas in general, the more educated people become, the less active in relgion they become. Interesting huh? Kind of makes sense.

The best by far though was the fireside/film on sunday night, we watched a recording of a christmas talk given here by Elder David a Bednar on the character of Christ- it was amazing. How He turns outward, when we would surely turn inward, and how we can improve ourselves. he's a funny guy.

Well, I enjoy going to the loo with my companion, elder watson, what an inspiration he is to me in there! It's terrific here. I really love it. The people are awesome, the teachers are the cats meow, and the food is very average, ha. I've gained 19 pounds, cualqueira. But today I go the the little gym so I'll have to work a bit of that off.  

 

Also one the maestro's here, hermano Gillon, served in Santiago north. He gave us a slight briefing on the awesomeness of the work there, and I'm so excited! Sounds like there's loads of work to do, crazy huge spiders, lots of dogs (albeit a little less lovable than ralphie ralph) and much more. I"m so excited to go serve there, thanks for the bit about Elder Call, I hadn't heard anything from him yet! I'm glad he's killin' it!

 

Thanks for all you all do, go out and have a great time while I'm gone! Love you tyler! Love you dad, mom, anna banana, stevey weevie, benny chinny, hyrum lyrum, and ralphie dog! Give him a bark for me!

 

Well I ate some delicious quich this morning at the temple, I love you all, get out there and kill it! This gospel is so awesome! Oh ya, one more tangent, I've been reading our search for happiness, and ya know what? I really haven't LEARNED anything in the book, but it really has reaffirmed my testimony of the gospel, it really all does make soo much sense. But whether we have the answers or not, I know this gospel is true. i really do feel it. My job is to invite others to come unto christ, for the next 2 years, even after that as well. The gospel is so awesome, don't be scared or shy about what you belive! Be bold you can be an example and help others around you so much! I know this gospel is true, it makes me want to be a better person and come closer to christ, i'm grateful for the testimony I have, and feel the spirit every time we teach mar. and ric., as do they.

 

Love ya all!

 

Elder Tasso!

June 21, 2012

Hola todos!

Well how's everybody doing?! I don't have the time to draft individual emails to all of you, and wanted to include some people, so feel free to ignore the irrelevant stuff.

Overall, the MTCs pretty sweet. haven't really gained anyweight. Maybe a pound or so. Our zone went to the temple this morning, which was dandy. Me and another Elder were delayed though because our recommends were in our jackets, in dry cleaning. It all worked out. Oh how i love that temple food. It's been pretty good here. We got a new district last week and just had a new one come in, so we're over 4 zones now, the guys are all pretty dandy. That first week is generally a little rought but I hope the new missionaries like it alright. I like it here, I can always apply myself better with studying, h.s.i. though. The mission's awesome and I'm really progressing, thanks for all that everyone has done for me, to get me here and to keep me here, love ya loads!

Jace and a bunch of other Elders just left, wish them luck in Arizona, Cali, Nicaragua, etc. Elder millheim this is weird but if you're reading this i had a dream we played tennis last night, crazy eh?

K gotta make it quick. Chris and Tim Barrett got their calls to Bolivia and Ecuador, coming in on the 26th of sep. Beans.

My comps a cool cat, as is my district and such. Gettin' a haicut today, doin' some laundry, oh ya. Go to a Real game! they're number 1 in the league! Devotionals are the bomb here, sang in the choir, I was on tv, albeit mtc tv. We sang Lead, Kindly Light. I'm glad you got my letters, ya they're way better than email. 

I'll keep sending tangible mail, it's more fun, more creative, and provides a better psychological connection to home, friends, the real world, etc.

Soccer! snoasis! Thanks so much for your letters kids and fam, they were hilarious!  thanks for everything! love you all! Keep up the good work, and be exceptional!

Love ya, thanks for everything, this gospel makes me happy, best closing ever,

Elder spencer Tasso

ps. hola Elders Call and Millheim!

June 14, 2012

Hola!

 

Hola todos, como le va? English is quicker, here goes...

 

Primero: Thanks for everything you've done, thanks for sending me all the nifty stuff you have, especially the fruit! Thanks for the support. Pues, here I am doing laundry, it's dandy, and typing on the computer. 

Well i'm doing awesome here, I really like it. I do periodically get burnt out, there's obviously a lot of personal study time which gets a little old, but I try to stay on task. I've been playing soocer and basketball, so much fun. I've gained like 2 pounds, but most of it's of it's muscle. I'm learning loads, the spirit is really strong here, and really helps us learn. I can give the first lesson coherently in spanish! It feels so good to be able to just speak in spanish and I'm definitley getting better! I actually have the hardest time understanding, I can speak pretty well which is funny. My favorite things here are the devotionals- so awesome, singing, singing at the devotionals, gym, and all the awesome people here. I've just been talking to people here that look native to help me understand better. They're all funny dudes. I'm going to start singing in the choir. And actually me and Elder Watson are going to be zone leaders! crazy eh? we'll be over 3 districts, ours, one a little older, and one that came in yesterday. The kids here are sweet. I've been looking for ways how I can serve my comp., but all i really have is making his bed, opening the door, and shining his shoes. So if you come up with something funny big and creative, pray tell.

Love you all lots, what have you been up to? climbing trees? Swimming? Soccer? Tennis? How's ralphie? Send me loads of pics of everything! love you all.

 

The church is true, it makes me happy, it really does. I have a strong testimony of the gospel, the spirit is real and I know this is where i'm supposed to be. You're all rad!

 

this took me 24 ish minutes, cool eh?

 

Elder Spencer Tasso

June 7, 2012

Nuestro Familia,

We actually speak more english than spanish at this point. We have already set goals though. Tomorrow is solamente espanoel dia which should be fun. Spanish is coming. We've got some good language goals, and SYL only days will become more frequent after this.

 The MTC is really an amazing place. It's like a super hybrid of BYU, church, lots of school, efy, and something else. I'm sure it's changed loads since you were here pops. The miss.  program is all new, as of this past September and seems extremely effective and to the point. My purpose is specifically this- "To invite others to come unto Christ by helping them recieve the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and his atonement, repentence, baptism, recieving the gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end." Memorized in English and very nearly Spanish as well. Beans. The spirit here is really strong, it's awesome. Although the first 4 days or so were still good, they were also hard, with the adjustement and everything. I'm well adjusted now and not looking back. Tuesday's devotional was amazing. So so good. Marlin K. Jensen of the seventy spoke on... take a guess, missionary work! It's different here than you'd think. It's all it's worked up to be, and once you get into it, really powerful, but still unique. It's obviously hard to explain via text. If you see my friends tell them they'll love it but it can be hard. And say hi. Twice. We've taught Laura our first investigator (role play) 4 times. Super duper helpful. It's soo easy to find people here. I hung out with Kent yesterday, and Jace all the time. I see people everywhere too. It's really great. My comp is a great kid, pretty funny, outgoing, nice kid. 10 points for him.

We went to the temple this morning (pday). It was ballin. That movie still cracks me up and I had to sneeze like 34 times during the session.  Also the food in the temple is terrific. The MTC food is fine, but it's a fattening system because you don't have to do a THING to get it.It's in front of you if you want it, and in front if you want more.  Don't worry though, I won't come home too padded, ha jk.

I'd write in spanish but it'd take me too long. I can write well as long as it's in the present tense (ha). But speaking and understanding is obviously much harder.

 

Kids! Love you guys! Play outside lots and challenge yourself. Have fun and be good. But mostly have fun ha.

Also if you see my friends, tell them to write me and Kent. Getting mail here is the best thing ever. Short and sweet is just dandy and perfectly fine.

 

Thanks for the encouragement and say hi to my friends for me. Also, tell them to use Dear Elder if you see them. It's easy sauce.

 

Love you guys, This church really is true. Cya in a bit Adios,

 

Elder Spencer Tasso

June 3, 2012

Hola Familia!
Yo no tongo u tiempo escribe en español, lo siento, entonces... ingles!

Hey guys how are ya! Sounds like you're doing well, love ya lots.  I've learned a ton. I bore my testimony in spanish a hoy, it was sweet.  Yo tumbien jugo a piano en sacrament, es muy comico, pero OK.

We walked up a la temple a hoy.  Esta son muy divertido.  Yo tengo muchos amigos aquí, nuevo y viedo.

We're teaching an investigator named Laura(role play). The Spirit is always very strong, and we're progressing as teachers.  That's our purpose here, to "invite others to come unto Christ..."

Adios
Spencer Tasso

June 1, 2012

Hola familia!
?Como esta usted?  Estoy muy bien.  Mi español es progresar y aprendo cada dia.  Puedo dice muchos mas cosas, pero muy difícil.  Puedo dice mi testimonio y otra atufe.  Well how are you guys?  Mi compañero es Elder Watson.  El es 6'2" and a nice dude.  He's enthusiastic, a little crazy, pretty fun, and a little nuts.  He's from Brigham City.  I really like it here, the days aren't too bad, pero sometimes it's a little long and tiring.  Gym is short, hope i don't get fat.  I won't.  The Spirit here is very very strong, and the language is coming quickly.  I see Jace Call lots and lots, he's in my district.  I also see lots of other guys.  I'm really tire, gotta go to bed.  There are some crazy rules here, bur obedience brings blessings and miracles.  Love ya lots.  My P-days are Thursdays, I'll email you then.  Tell my friends Hi, I miss them a lot, but it's a busy, spiritual, friendly, happy place here.
Expect mas español (o toro español)  para aquí y on.  They tell us, "usar que sabes."
-Elder Spencer Tasso
p.s.- Tell Eric feliz compleanos por mi.