Two Week Mark in the MTC

Email 8/30/13

Things are going very well here at the MTC! I really want to send everyone back some pictures, but the system isn't working right now and no one's camera will connect, which is a bummer. But the work is going well! I keep busy studying for 16 hours every day, and sleeping the as much of the other 8 as possible! Unfortunately, I've been having trouble sleeping, and the doctor didn't know what was up. The Melatonin he gave me didn't work, I just can't get to sleep and then I wake up 2 or 3 hours early every morning! Whatever. It happens. And it gives me extra time to study. Beyond that though, I'm working hard and having lots of fun! My district has become pretty close and we love eating together and playing at gym together, as well as sharing in spiritual experiences.

Speaking of which, last Tuesday we had Elder Neil L. Andersen come and talk to the missionaries about love and sacrifice and how they go hand in hand! He gave some excellent stories and the spirit was just so present. We were singing opening prelude hymns and all of a sudden the singing got a lot more resonant and beautiful. There had to have been angels helping out as soon as that apostle walked in, because 18 to 21 year old kids can't sing that well. It was just so cool. We got rained in for a little while, and got to sing even more while we were waiting for the lightning to pass and it was truly wonderful. We ran out of the Marriott Center through the rain and back to our classrooms sopping wet! I have photo cred, I promise. WE then held a district meeting and shared wonderful thoughts, testimonies, and experiences about that night and things in our lives that we thought could help someone. It was so amazing that a 11 po-dunk kids could have such a spiritual experience unaided. I loved it so much.

Elder Matthew Claridge

Elder Darian Larsen

I got to see my friends Elder Matthew Claridge and Elder Darian Larsen and take pictures right before they left for their missions last Monday. I'm still waiting on my visa. If I get it this week I may get to go finish my training in the MTC in Brazil, otherwise the next four weeks will be spent in Provo. Which is fine! I love it here, though the weather could definitely be more Texan. There's room for improvement. I know that my Heavenly Father has a plan for me though, and I'll go where I'm needed! I'm so excited to go out and serve. It's crazy, because I think the MTC is seriously awesome, but I never hear any missionaries talk about it. Only their time spent in the field. Which makes me even more excited to see what awaits me in São Paulo! The language is coming remarkably fast and it's fantastic! We carry lots of our conversation in Portuguese, and we've only been learning it for two weeks!!! I think the Portuguese is affecting my English, however, because I keep spelling things wrong in English. Still not sure whether this is good or bad.

Elder Youd

My companion left this past Tuesda for Brazil. He got his visa and is now learning over there, which is super exciting! His name is Elder Michael Youd (rhymes with "loud") and his family raises sheep dogs in Missouri on top of their normal jobs! He played trombone in high school like me. Having him as a companion was a super big learning experience for me. We thought completely opposite, and our minds worked in different ways, but we worked things out and got work done!

I think that's all I have, so stay well and have fun everyone! I know that what I'm doing is important and that I am a representative of Christ to help other people for the next two years. I love this work and know it's true with all my heart. Keep searching and working!

Sincerely,

Elder Michael Ashford

Email Friday 8/23/13

Y'all have a letter that should get there today or tomorrow that should explain most everything, but I'll still email as well.  Friday is obviously P-day, but I can write and send letters whenever. Make sure people email me pronto, because I can't compose very many emails in a day, however I can reply to as many as I want. FYI, DearElder.com is AWESOME and I love getting tons of mail like every day. Everyone is jealous, but that's okay! Keep stuff coming! I'm so into everything here. Focused on what I need to be doing. It's fantastic. TTYL! Love you!

Week One Update

8/20/13

It's been a week and this place is truly fantastic.  It's the perfect study environment.  Not everyone takes it as seriously as my district, but we see the results.  The amount of Portuguese we already know and can use is ridiculous.  You teach an investigator (volunteer member) on day 3, in your new language.  We try to constantly improve though.  Sorry, p-day isn't until Friday, so e-mail will  have to wait.

We did our service today Dad, and not toilets for me.  Though toilets are supposed to be one of the easiest things.  Just sweeping and trash taking out for me!

My companion's name is Michael Youd (rhymes with "loud").  He's from a tiny town in Missouri.  We are verrrry different, but we use that to our advantage.  Our thinking styles are opposite.  He's great though!  We get along awesome.  No problems whatsoever.  My whole district is really great.  We're friends now, and awe eat and study together.  We have good laughs, but we also get stuff done super well.  Everyone gets along fantastically.  And they sure keep you moving around here.  If you do what you're supposed to, there's never a free moment.  I love it.  No distractions, and the spirit is always prevalent.

Fun to see the masses of missionaries going out from the Marriott Center headed back to apartments.  I've figured out that Provo West is primarily America bound missionaries who only stay two weeks anyways.

Sunday we had a fireside from someone pretty cool.  Day may recognize this name, Vai Sikahema.  BYU football star, played pro in the NFL, NBC Broadcasting Sportscenter.  Super cool.  He spoke to us about one of the experiences on his mission, which was phenomenal.  He made me realize that ht missionaries really are an army.  But we don't fight Satan.  We fight the second coming, filling the world with good, trying to give every last person the opportunity to realize the truth of the gospel.  It's so easy to share with people.  Don't be afraid.  Kelsey told me of your ward conversion challenge.  It'll be fun and easy!  And, I'll be right with you, teaching people in Brazil.

I'm taking brother Mott's suggestion and writing in my journal every day.  That, on top of my notebook that I fill with what I feel inspired to write.  I even date everything so I can match up journal feelings with notes from people.  I know, super green.

I seriously learn so much from everyone here.  It's fantastic.  I can see that each person I interact with has something I can learn from.  It makes me so excited!  I feel like I've been here months from all the stuff I've learned.  This is seriously cool, and thanks for the packages!

Love,

Elder Ashford

P.S.  Everyone is jealous I get so much mail.  Keep it up!  Just expect slow returns!

First Letter Home from the MTC

8/15/13--Day 2 in the MTC

Dear Mom,

It's your missionary!  I'm here safe and sound in the MTC and it is AMAZING!  There are so many people doing so many things and you can feel the spirit so strongly.  It's like EFY on steroids.  I'm so excited for all of this!

Everyone is friendly and ready to go and serve.  It's truly an awesome place to be.  My companion and I have lots in common, including trombone in high school.  His name is also Michael, Michael Youd.  My district is fun and enthusiastic!  We jumped right into Portuguese in class today and its neat how fast we can catch on!  We then got introduced to the MTC President and some others.

The chicken fried steak was good!  We then got into groups of about 100 and group taught brand new investigators from off the street.  So cool!

I'm already getting Pres. Hollingsworth's thing about loving the the people. We are ambassadors of Christ and need to love and serve them like He would.

I saw Matt and Darian today!!  The were so excited and we hugged and talked a bit.  Seriously fun.  They've both thrown themselves into the work as well.  This is amazing!

I love everyone so much!  Have fun!

Love,

Elder Ashford

Utah and the MTC

We had fun with Michael the last couple days in Utah.  We got to visit Uncle Craig and Aunt Callie and their kids, the Beckstroms, the Hopkins and the Saffords.  So fun to have so many great friends who are supporting Michael while he is gone.

We made a fun stop at the BYU creamery to meet some of Michael' friends and have some ice cream.  Thank you Maddie, Holly and Kanji for coming over and visiting with us for a little while.

Our friends the Saffords let us stay at their condo at Sundance resort.  It was so beautiful up there.  Thank you for letting us stay there.  Before we headed down the mountain, I made Michael snap a few shots with his Portuguese Book of Mormon.

Then we met Zach Dryer (also going to Brazil on his mission, on the same day) for lunch and snapped a few pictures outside of the MTC.

There are no signs for the MTC any more.  They might be coming back after the construction, but this is as good as we could find.  The sign was on the ground and Zach's aunt picked it up and set it up for us.  After we were done taking the picture a security guy came over and took down the sign and moved it...ooops!!

The boys were getting excited and ready to enter the MTC.  Michael was getting very tired of picture taking.  So we hopped in our cars and headed across the street.  Here is Michael with his escort.  Then Zach is walking away and waving.  And Michael walks away. =)

We are proud of you Elder Ashford!!  We love you!!

Elder Michael Ashford has been called to serve in the Brazil Sao Paulo North Mission. He enters the Missionary Training Center (MTC) Wednesday August 14th. Come wish him good luck.