So, this week was nuts. We have had all of our training meetings for Zone Leader stuff, which includes branch council, meeting with just us and the branch presidency, three leadership trainings a week, interviews with all of the district leaders, and serving, serving, and more serving others. I love it. TONS of work, but it's worth it.

This week was super busy, as I have mentioned. We have been teaching a ton of lessons, and they are all going well except with one investigator, who doesn't seem to understand the importance of the Book of Mormon. That makes the lessons super difficult, especially because he is keeping all the commitments, but he doesn't quite understand why. But other than that, spanish is coming along awesome, lessons are good, and I am studying my tail off in what free time I have left.

I also met an elder whose family is from Uruguay, so we had a little bit of a bonding moment there. Super cool, and know's the Burnett's, Hiram at least. Elder Polite. I told him I would give him your email to pass to his parents and he gave me his parent's stuff to pass to you guys so that you could maybe get in touch. He is from west valley, and is going to colorado I think, or california. Anyways, his parents email is urupolite@hotmail.com, is what he thinks. His name is Brian, but I don't know much else. We did get a picture together.

This week was really good devotional/spiritual wise too. Our branch presidency asked for recommendations for a new district leader in our district, and Elder Jarvis and I prayed about it together, gave it an hour, and talked about it all. We both felt like the same person would make a great district leader, and that was confirmed to both of us. We both agreed on the same person pretty much without having discussed it. "Elder ____?" "Yep, that's what I feel too." Crazy cool. It also helped me re-realize two things; that when you pray sincerely, God does answer prayers. The second is that God really does have people he wants certain places, and everyone is everywhere for a reason. Oh, and btw, I think I spend more time in meetings and in a shirt and tie than Dad now on sunday:) I also had an interview with one of the branch presidency, Brother Caywood. Holy cow, is that man in touch with the spirit. He told me a little bit about the parable of the talents found in Matthew 25ish, and related that to each of us. And me. It was so crazy, I will send it in full detail in a letter, I don't have time right now to explain it.

Our speaker on sunday night was from the missionary department, and his talk was awesome. He talked about ammon and the sons of mosiah and alma the younger. Again, more details will come in a letter, because I forgot to bring my notebook to email, and I don't want to waste time to go get it.

I do have my notes from tuesday night, however, and it was Elder Pinegar. He gave an awesome talk about our purpose, and why we are here. One of the main things I got from his talk was the necessity of commitment in this work. Ponder over the next little bit what you can do to make sure you are fulfilling every little calling, being as obedient as possible, and commiting everything to follow Christ, because if you aren't, you aren't doing it right. Think of all the people in the history of this church. If Christ would only have gone halfway, what would have happened?? If Joseph Smith would have gone halfway, where would we be?? If the pioneers had gone halfway and given up, think of all the blessings we wouldn't have right now. Think of our close family and friends-what happens to them if we go halfway. Commit or pack it in. God doesn't want fence sitters. He wants devoted servants, willing to help in whatever way he asks. If we can't do that, than we need to reconsider where we stand in the gospel and with the Lord.

Other than that, I would encourage you to study the scriptures and pray always. Not often; always. D&C 10:5 says pray always, not often. so that you may come off conquerer. God answers prayers when we ask in faith, nothing wavering. Than we have to act on that prompting, that answer, to keep ourselves open to new revelation.

Okay funny story time. One of our sets of investigators in Elder Wood and Elder Nelson, who both portray people that they really know that are non members and then respond to our teaching likes these people would. Well, one of these people has a girlfriend, and lives with his cousin, who is the other investigator. He is a construction worker. Well, he started joking around after one of our lessons, and we were telling him that we were going to teach the law of chastity for the next lesson. He said "Good, I need it. I am like the construction worker from the Village People. I have a girlfriend you have never seen, I live with my 'cousin,' am super weird around both of you. . ." he got to there before our teacher, us, and those two started laughing so hard we were crying. SO FUNNY!!!

Well, the church is true. Love you all.

Elder Glassett

Hola familia!

Espero que estén teniendo muchas experiencas espírituales en sus viajandos! (Translation per Paula because Nelson isn't home. "I hope you have many spiritual experiences on your vacation.")  I know this has been an awesome week for me, and it sounds like for all of you as well.

First, I loved hearing about the trip. Can't wait to get the postcards or more pictures of everything! Glad to know that some adventures have happened, it wouldn't be a Glassett Family vacation without some of those. Or without a sketchy hotel.

Well, I am jealous you got to go to Liberty and Adam-Ondi-Ahman. SOUNDS SO SWEET!!!!!

Petey, with the Community of Christ Church, you realize as you study the Bible and Book of Mormon how off they really are. Just know that they are doing the best with what they have, but let that spark in you a desire to learn more about your own church, the Church of Jesus Christ, and help you to grow. That goes for everybody. And of course Cody found a Guitar shop. I am keeping my fingers crossed for the bookstore. Y papa, necesitamos ir al Harley factory en el futuro!!! Ay yai yai....

So this week was great. We had an awesome devotional sunday night. Stephen A Allen, who is in charge of the mission office, has served in like five mission presidencies, pres of two, a couple area authoritities, and was a CES instructor for 28 years, and he spoke about pioneers. he told us about how all of us are pioneers, and for different reasons. Then he used the hymn come, come ye saints to illustrate his point. I was reminded once again of the power of the hymns of GOD as I listened to the line, "Gird up your loins, fresh courage take, OUR GOD WILL NEVER US FORSAKE." It brought such a strong spirit with the line, and I knew at that moment that I was in God's hands, and that he would take care of me and never leave me. Then, listening to the end part, "All is well." All really is well. I felt such a peace and comfort knowing that God was happy with what I am doing, and with the decision I have made, as well as feeling totally and completely calm about being here. I cannot doubt now that what I am doing is the Work of God. It is, and it is such a great opportunity.

I also watched a talk from Elder Bednar about Characters of Christ, and how making our characteristics his characteristics will bless us. He had an interesting quote, and it was about when people say things like, " My fifth great grandfather was in the Wilie/Martin Handcart company." He said that in his head, his response is, "That's nice; what have YOU done with YOUR faith lately...You cannot live off of borrowed light." Holy powerful. I am so glad I have developed my own testimony. He gave an awesome, awesome talk. He also mentioned that Christ would turn outward when the natural man would turn inward, and that character is something ". . . Developed, strikingly displayed, and constantly lived." Yeah, it was fantastic. He also gave me an idea for scripture study that I would like to share. Go and buy a cheap, paperback copy of the book of Mormon, from Deseret book, and read it from start to finish with a highlighter, and highlight all the things that pertain to a certain topic. If you want to learn about faith, highlight everything about faith, etc. He said that by the time you're his age, you should have somewhere around 500 of these book of mormons at your house, and to keep them all. Holy crap.

Then on Tuesday, we had a devotional speaker, Elder Coleman, talk about the importance of missionary work. Something he said got me thinking, it was a quote. He said " a Journalist wrote about our religion that we are 'obsessed with Christ...how can people think you're not Christian?'" I started thinking about it....our church teaches of Christ, the atonement is centered in Christ, we testify of christ....look up 2 nephi 25:26. So I started thinking, 'what is my life centered on?' What are we doing to center our lives around Christ, and why?? We need to be doing things to bring us closer to him, to be like him, because that is the example he set.

I would challenge you all to think about that, and to work on becoming more Christlike. Use PMG chapter 6 if you need some ideas.

Also, I have been studying the bible in some serious depth to study Christ's life. I figured if I was going to be a representative of him, I needed to know his life. I learned in Matthew 11:28-30 that when we take upon ourselves the yoke of Christ, it is easy, it lightens our burdens, and honestly, He does most of the Carrying. I would also challenge you to take upon yourselves his yoke more fully. Follow the commandments, live the gospel, be an example, be obedient. Obedience brings blessings. Exact obedience brings the exact blessings we need. Think about that.

Lastly, some interesting news, and a request. Clayton Russell is here, he lives on the floor below me. Pretty sweet...Oh, and elder Jarvis and I got called to be Zone Leaders. . . . .yeah. I don't know what to do. I am so freaking nervous. Excited because I get to serve, but nervous. Oh boy. Wish me luck.

Oh, and if I could get some stuff in a package, that would be great.

Axe messy hair paste- ask cody if you aren't sure

Spool of white thread

Razor heads- not gillette, the five blade one at costco.

White tic tacs

Toothpaste

Lens cleaning wipes

And pictures from Teguc, Managua, and papa, si tiene fotos de su mision en Osorno, los misioneros que van a servir en Osorno les gustaria si usted puede enviar algunos fotos para ellos. Ellos estaria muy agradecidos!

Oh, and I am going to buy a small carry on size suitcase from here, because I don't think I can get my stuff under fifty pounds in both. But that will become clearer as I get closer to leaving.

 

Love you guys, hope you are all having a fantastic trip, and I would encourage you all to write down the spiritual experiences. Not the day to day, but the spiritual stuff. Remember in First Nephi, when he talks about how the big plates are for a secular history, and the little ones are for the spiritual stuff?? What ones do we find in the Book of Mormon? The small set of plates. Make Your own small set of plates for yourself to read, as well as your future families, so that they know who their dad or mom was, and why they believe what they do. That stuff changes lives.

 

Church is true! All really is well in Zion, and God is aware of us. He will never forsake us, and we can become like him if we do what he asks of us. remember to pray often, and to always listen to the council of the prophets.

Take advantage of the chance that you have to learn and feel of the special spirit that you have felt and will continue to feel in these hallowed places you are traveling to.

Okay, gotta go. Love you all!!!!!

 

Elder Zach Glassett

Hola Familia!!

Espero que todo esté bien en Draper!!!

Thanks for all the letters. I love getting them, it is something to look forward to in my days. It sounds like the trip is coming up quick, and that is exciting. Keep me updated with anything cool that happens!!

Tell Tami Malan thanks for the package. My district, teachers, and random people on my hall got to appreciate the cookies as well.

Also, from this week on, our Branch President isn´t letting us write letters during personal time any day during the week except for friday. So any letter I send will be fridays.

This week was super great!! Cleaning the temple was fun, elder Jarvis and I swept the loading bay for like two and a half hours, and then cleaned chairs and tables in the cafeteria. We also moved carpet to the celestial room, and it was crazy long rolls of carpet!! It was like playing snake in the temple with carpet, and probably close to 35 people carrying it! If you have been in the Provo Temple, You will understand how much of a hassle it is with all the stairs and turns, because it goes in a circle. Fun though.

First Haircut today! That means I must have been in here for a while, I don´t know, maybe like a month?!?!?! I have been in here for a month. Time flies!

This week for devotionals we had Jenny Oaks Baker, Elder Oaks' daugther and a world renowned concert violinist play for us on Sunday. She went to Juilliard School of Music in NY. No big deal, right?? Anyways, it was SWEET! I had forgotten the impact that the music can have on people, and the spirit that it can bring as well. D&C 25:12, ya'll. Then on tuesday, Elder Vaughn J. Featherstone, who is an emeritus 70, spoke to us. IT WAS AWESOME. such a great talk. He spoke about how we can implement the traits of past prophets and apostles into our lives. First was WORK, second was obedience, and third was listening to the promptings of the spirit. He shared a quote from John Taylor that I didn't quite get all of, but in short it says that "Truth,Eternal Truth...will remain unscathed." The Book of Mormon immediately popped into my head, and so did Elder Hollands talk safety for the soul. In the talk, which I would suggest reading to get this better, but Elder Holland says that all the "Frankly pathetic" attemps to discredit the Book of Mormon have been unsuccessful. Why, you ask?? Because Eternal truth never changes; if it did, it would cease to be eternal truth. This added another layer to my testimony of the Book of Mormon.

I also finished the Book of Mormon! It took me a freaking year, about, but I finished it. I read a scripture in Moroni 8:3, that talks about a letter that Mormon wrote to his son, Moroni, and what he was concerned about for his son. I can only imagine this is what every parent prays for for their children, and I wanted to say thanks again for not giving up on me, even when it seemed like there was no spark in me at all.

We also had the opportunity to meet some elders who are on their way out, from Guatemala, San Pedro Sula, and from Hong Kong and Fukouka, Japan. The two from Asia are going on English speaking missions, and the two from C.A. are going spanish speaking, but they leave them in here for nine weeks to learn english.They were practicing bearing testimony and making contact in the street kind of a thing. Anyway, they shared their simple testimonies with us, and vaca santa, was it powerful. The church is true and God loves us in any language. It brings to mind the scripture that says all people will hear the gospel in their own tongue and language. SO TRUE.

I also had a crazy cool experience during a lesson. One of our "investigators," "Luiz," was having problems and issues commiting to baptism, and says that he had problems and challenges and obstacles to joining the church. i felt prompted to bear him my testimony and share my experience in choosing to go on a mission, but I was nervous that I wouldn't have the right spanish for it, since most of my spanish revolves around "Dios es nuestro amoroso Padre Celestial," "Vi una columna de luz, mas brillante que el sol," and "Cual diente se siente mal?" (Translation:  God is our loving Heavenly Father. .. I saw a pillar of light brighter than the sun. .. Which tooth hurts.) But the prompting was strong enough that I wasn't going to argue with God, and I went with it. Turns out, I do know the spanish for all that. Huh. Fancy that, eh?? God really does fill your mouth at exactly the moment you need it.

Renee Costa wrote me a super awesome letter, with a super cool story that just happened to Juaquin on the 9th of July, their independence day. You will have to have her email it to you. Email her for me and tell her thanks, and that it was so good to hear that everything is good, and that I really loved the poem she sent me as well. You will have to ask her for that as well.

Our new roommates are cool guys, but they are kind of new still, and don't think things through sometime. Elder jarvis and I were both going to the bathroom before gym this week, and they came into the room, changed, and then left and closed and locked it. Well, when you are going to the bathroom, you don't take a key with you, so we were locked out, and didn't have our tags, shoes, nothing. So we had to wait for them to get back. Little things like that.

 

Mas, best of luck to you in your tourney. I am sure your team will play well, and do fantastic.

Erin, email me or send me pictures of the food. that would be AWESOME. and tryouts will go fine, I am sure. Just remember to let your feet do the talking, and play with all your heart. Play because you love the game.

Cody, I am sure that drumming is coming along in a stellar fashion. remember, however, that drumming isn't everything, and you gots other stuff to do as well. Try to remember that, okay?? Have fun on the trip as well, I know that you can learn a lot if you pay close attention.

 

Funny story for the week, we were learning about past subjunctive, and we were doing if then sentences, and the first one was "Si comprara tarjetas de loto, ganaria mucho dinero." or something like that. One of the elders asked in english, "So, that first word, Ganaria..." except it sounded like gonorrhea. we lauged for a solid five minutes.

 

Anyways, church is true, and I know that I am doing the right thing. I hope that all goes well with the trip, and that the temple is AWESOME.

Love you guys

Elder Zach Glassett

Hola Familia!

La semana pasada fue LOCO!! Yo estaba enfermo y fui perdido mis dientes, Elder Wood tuvo hives, Elder Willis torceó su tobillo.... y Elder Hawkins tuvo un Bronchial infection. Ay ay ay. ahora, solo dos elderes que no han salido el CCM. (Translation:  This week was crazy.  I was sick and losing my teeth, Elder Wood had hives, Elder Willis Sprained his ankle... and Elder Hawkins had a bronchial infection.  There are only two elders who have not left the CCM).

Anyways, this week was good. sort of. We got new roommates after having a room to ourselves for three weeks.  They throw off our entire bedtime and morning routines. TOTALLY. They are good guys, it seems like, so we shall see.

I also had the opportunity to be filmed this week by a japanese news team. pretty much our whole district was filmed by them. Just eating some lunch. Nothing huge. But I will soon hopefully be seen by millions and billions of those little people in Japan as a missionary. Super weird.

Thanks again for coming to see us. Elder Jarvis and I enjoyed escaping these walls. And seeing you guys. everybody is saying that its not fair that I get to see my family....well they can (sing it with me Mas)

Honestly, nothing else has happened. Our district leader went crazy last night, and told us we had "failed in our goal to speak more spanish." He told us we had failed. To use the nickname dad told me about...Profeta went a little overboard. I couldn't take him seriously. He really expected me to speak spanish for 10-12 hours out of the day. I speak during class no problem, but sometimes you need to tell a joke or funny story, so you switch to english. He was soooo disappointed in us, and handled it all the wrong ways. You wouldn't tell an investigator that they had failed, so why tell a fellow missionary??? It was far from encouraging. Totally could have gone about it a different way. Oh well, he is only our district leader for like another week, maybe.

Today we get to go clean the temple, which I don't know how I feel about. It will be good, but it's for like four hours. Better than being in a class, I guess.

That's really it today. Nothing else has happened at all. It's sort of boring around here. Everything is the same after week one.

Well, love you guys. Hope everyone has a good week, and a good sunday.

Church is true! Wouldn't be here if it wasn't. It's still super hard at times, and pretty exhausting, but every minute is worth it.

LOVE YOU ALL

Elder Glassett

P.S. So....Tell malerie that nothing has come through, make sure they have my correct address. I haven't received anything from either one of them...

P.P.S. Tell Mandy and Kory thanks for the notes from their kids. They were super sweet. Even Travis', even though I haven't the slightest idea what it is. If they haven't gotten a response from me, they will soon, I sent the last one this morning.

 

Our family got the greatest gift yesterday!  Zach had a dental emergency and the MTC allowed Nelson to fix it at a friend's office in Provo.  It was awesome to see him and hug him!

He's alive and well with Elder Joel Steffensen!  July, 2012.

Hey everyone!

Hope everything is going okay at home. Mason, It sounds like you had a blast with Devin. And croquet is a gentlemens game, so play it with dignity.

Cody. This girl you met at EFY better be a cutie. I would have loved to hear you and Tray kill it on the harmonica. And yes, I am still in the MTC.

Erin, I am glad you enjoyed EFY. It is a place that I wish I would have more fully taken advantage of the spirit there. The MTC is like a nine week EFY, except in a different language. And also, you aren't really allowed contact with women. (I haven't spoken to a girl in 2 and a half weeks.)

Mom, thank you for the package. You will probably be getting a normal mail today as well, so double dose!! Healthy is good, but those apples taste like styrofoam to me. I am eating them, but trying to pawn as many of them off as possible. Nobody else wants them either. The dried fruit is good though. Take it easy with the packages for a while, I already don't know what to do with all of the fruit.

Papa, Las charlas están bien. Estoy aprendiendo mucho del Evangelio, y de Español. Estoy en el intermediate grupo, pero el districto advanzado nos ayudan con español mucho. Yo tengo el mismo tiempo para desayuna, cena, y almuerzo con Elder Dahl.  La residencia es mas o menos, y la cama esta corta. Mi compañero y yo jugamos futbol dos o tres véces durante la semana, y los otros dias, yo juego voleibol, y él levanta las pesas.

Everything is good though! I got to see Joel on the fourth of july, which was lame. I forgot it was the fourth of july. We had a judge speak to us, and they told us to watch the fireworks from stadium of fire, but I couldn't see them through the trees, so Elder Jarvis and I went back to our residence. The fireworks went on till like 1130, so we couldn't sleep till then, but we still had to be up at 630. UGH. It was miserable. there is nothing so disapointing as hearing fireworks but not seeing them.

THANK YOU FOR THE UPDATE ON EURO. I have been dying to know how thse games went. Glad to see Spain won again. (cody, I would love a recap of the game-goals, who played, etc.)

Other than the fourth, nothing really exciting happened. My teacher told me I was SO CLOSE to being in advanced, but seeing as how they are doing in-field training today, I probably won't be going next week. I really like our district, though, so it's not that bad.

We did have fast sunday, which was miserable. NO FOOD TILL 545 in the evening, and dinner the night before was at 445. 25 HOURS SIN COMIDA. It about killed me. Speaking of food....eh. Its okay. the chocolate milk is pretty delish though. Especially the cookies and cream one. imagine drinking an oreo. Yeah. I feel like you should have to be transfigured to do that. But whatever.

We have been teaching a lot of lessons, and doing a decent job. I am learning to follow the spirit more closely, and to listen to it's guidance. I am gaining a pretty good grasp on the language, I think. The other day, I couldn't remember the english word for atonement. I take that as a good sign.

Tell people to write me. It gets lonely in here.

Oh, and mom, you and Jill Longhurst have to be on the same brain wavelength, because you both sent me David's letter on the same day. I was so excited to get three dear elders that day, only to have two of them be the exact same thing.

Well, that's pretty much it. Nothing really exciting happens in this place. It's a bubble. Full of white shirts, ties, and girls noone can talk to.

Church is true. It contains more meaning in our lives than we know, and is full of answers. Turn to the Book of Mormon often to find answers to questions. Prayerfully read and ponder what it says, because it's all true, and it will bless our lives more than we know. Gain a solid testimony of the Book of Mormon, because that will be the "rock" that the wise man builds his house on, and it serves as a foundation for every other testimony we have.

Les amo mucho!!

Con Amor

Zach