Miracles

So this entire week has been quite eventful which is quite the change! On Sunday we had our normal devotional. The speaker was Richard I Heaton, the administrative director of the MTC. He was doing a normal talk in front of the entire MTC and then he randomly asked people who have joined the church in the past 3 years stand up. After that, he narrowed it down, and asked for everyone who has been baptized within the past two years stand up. There actually were not that many people for the entire MTC. So all of us standing up, he asked for us to come down to the stand. We all then one by one told our conversion story in front of all 2000 or however many MTC missionaries. I was so nervous!!! But apparently everyone said I did really good and a lot of people laughed. I asked President Clegg (second counselor to the MTC presidency) to talk to his cousin (Malaga Spain's Mission pres) about my visa. Afterwards he pulled me aside and we talked for like 10 minutes and he said he would let Pres Clegg know I was on my way hahaha. It was cool, I got to talk to the entire MTC presidency that night. THEN.... my dream finally came true.

For Tuesday we had a devotional like always, but this time the speaker was no ordinary speaker. My dream has finally come true. Jeffrey R Holland came!! Luckily for me I was sitting in about the 3rd row, so it felt like he was talking directly to me. He spoke with such power and authority and it was awesome, to finally see one of his talks in person. It has just been an awesome week. For the past few months I have also been way addicted to this ice cream here from the BYU creamry. Roasted Almond Fudge. I LOVE it. I get like 3 bowls everytime it's out, and I even buy some from the vending machines. So to everyone who can try some, I highly reccommend you do so. To pass the time, I have been reading Jesus the Christ pretty regularly. I try and read about a chapter a day in my little free time. I'm about half way done, so it's been going good. I absolutely love that book!!!

It was funny, when I first got here I couldn't find Trevor to save my life, but I saw him once in the 5 days we were here together. Ethan came in on Wednesday and I have already seen him like 6 times. We have the same schedule!!! So we have the same meal times and gym!! What a miracle. I introduced him to all of my zone, and he played knockout with us his first gym period. It was so funny. People here don't really play the cut throat way, where you can knock other people's ball away. But Ethan didn't know that so he did so, and everyone didn't expect it. They were all getting upset and started to jokingly yell at Elder Grether to get out! I was busting up laughing so hard. I had to tell him afterwards that people from Utah can't handle the knockout the same way Oregonians do. Alright all, well that was pretty much the highlights of the week!!! Nothing new has been about my visa. It looks like I will still be here awhile, but I am not discouraged at all. In a way, it is like I get two mission calls! I'm excited to finally get out in the field though. I am waiting for that day to come. Keep writing all!!! I love hearing from everyone! I hope to hear from you soon!!!

Love,
Elder Steven Card

Groundhog Day

At first I had no idea how Trevor didn't know what to write when he started giving updates of his MTC life. Now I realize a little bit more. It just feels like Groundhog's Day everyday. The days feel so long, but it's insane to think that I have been here for over a month. Time does indeed fly. The oldest district had visa problems to Mexico so they all got reassigned in the Utah area and leave Saturday. It's sad to see them go. Like I said last week it's crazy to think of how close i can become to these people in such a short amount of time. I can't wait to hang out with all of them when I get home. Anyways, they leave tomorrow so now my district will be the oldest district in our zone. Oh, the leadership and seniority!! I look back at all of the newest elders and hermanas that we got and I can't believe that I have learned as much Spanish as I have in the past month or so. It is truly amazing what you can do when the Spirit of the Lord is helping you.

Today, we went to the temple for the first time in a long time, because of the holidays. It was an awesome time, as always. I love going, and I have definitely found a new love for the temple while I have been here. I had more family names needing endowments so I got to do those today, which was really cool. Hmmm, what else to talk about? Well, the district that got in after us here in absolutely insnae. The reason being probably because there are no hermanas in their district to keep them sane. They have wrecked havoc while being here and have broken things in the hall and are loud 24/7. I personally couldn't handle it anymore so I went up to them and talked to them about it haha. It was funny, cuz they thought i was upset or mad, but I just wanted to get some sleep and personal quiet time. During that quiet time I have found it good to read Jesus The Christ. It is such an amazing book. I have tried reading about a chapter or two a day, and I'm about 230 pages in at the moment. I plan on finishing maybe even before i get out into the field. It is just such an awesome book and if you have never read it, I highly suggest you do so.

Other than all of the usual, the MTC life here is just the same every single day. Thankfully, I have a bountiful amount of ties so I can customize it up every day. Even multiple times a day if needed. I thank everyone reading this for their support and love. I hope to make these a bit more exciting in the coming weeks!!! Stay in touch!!

Love,
Elder Steven Card

New Years Tomorrow??!!

I can't believe that tomorrow is New Years Day!! I can't beleive that it is 2011. Time flies so fast, I COMPELTELY FORGOT that tomorrow is the New Years. Shows how much I pay attention to the outside world.

Well, the past week has been pretty intense. Christmas was a great day. We all woke up and opened up all of our gifts in a circle each taking a turn with the cardboard Christmas tree in the back. It was a lot of fun. Then, we had our Christmas "Dinner" at like noon, and while the food was good the logistics of it was not. They had all few thousand missionaries in the cafeteria at once so I waited in line longer than I did actually eat food. Throughout Christmas we had a bunch of meetings. In the morning we had a Christmas Talent Show which was so so so funny. It was so fun to just kick back and relax and laugh. Plus, my companion and I have found the secret to getting to the front row without waiting in line forever so for that we sat in the second row, right behind MTC President Smith. After that Christmas "Dinner" we had a devotional. They never tell you who is speaking until right before. So we all start singing a song, and then the doors open up and who walks in through the door?........ MTC President Smith!! But then...... who walks in behind him?...... His wife! But then finally..... who walks in behind him?? Apostle Russell M Nelson!!! It was so legit! We all stood and were all super excited. He then shared his message, came back in the evening to share another message, and then even came back on Sunday to talk to all the Elders in Priesthood. It was awesome!!

This past week the oldest district finally left for the field. It was a weird expereince. I never thought that I would get so emotionally attatched to them. They were all such great missionaries, and I am happy to say that I actually became close friends with them all before they left. However, since they did leave, we had  to restructure our leadership, so I got called as our new District Leader haha. I used to like just sitting back in the shadows and doing my work, but now I have actual responsibilities. I look forward to the challenge though.

My new weight report: I think since I've been here for the past 30 days I have only gained about 6 pounds or so. Not bad for the amount of food I eat. I think it's also because I play basketball everyday and work myself to death when I play I must just sweat it all out. But other than that, that is all that is new. The status of my visa is unknown. Chances are I will be reassigned before Spain, or that's the prediction, but I am all for it. It's almost like I got two mini missions!! Anyways, thanks for all the support, and I love and appreciate all the letters!! Please continue to write and I will talk to you all soon!!!

Love,
Elder Steven Card

Slow

How's it going?!?!?! I wish I had a lot of news to report. Sadly, each day is more and more the same. It is INSNAE though to think I've been here 24 days. The days are long and similar, but overall.... it has gone by FAST. If I was an English speaking mission I would be gone already. Also, if I had my visa I would be in the Madrid MTC yesterday. I have been talking to a few Elders here and there that are also going to Spain, and everyone is having the same problem. So, it looks like I will probably be here the 9 weeks. Then, I heard they keep you here for an extra two weeks if they think your visa is on the way, and you just help out doing teaching situations and what not with the newer Elders. Otherwise, if they don't think it will be here, you will get reassigned until the visa comes. I honestly, could care less. I know either way I go, it is what I was supposed to do. It has been a blessing though to have stayed here a bit longer. If I would've left earlier I would've never gotten to know the rest of my district and zone. Each one of them are so often, and each have a unique and interesting story.

So a new group of Elders came in this past Wednesday and funny enough one of them went to BYU Hawaii. I asked if he knew anyone from Oregon, and he said just one but he doubted that I knew her. I said, give me your best shot, and it was Shelby Leal!! What a coincidence and small world. Everyone is connected by at least one other Elder or Member here it feels like.

To the ward and everyone back home: Thank you so much for all of the gifts and letters you have sent me this past month. I have enjoyed reading each and every single letter. As for the Christmas gifts, I have resisted the temptation and haven't opened them yet! A lot of our zone opened theirs up today because we, "Dont have enough time tomorrow." but we have zero class tomorrow and I think we will have time. I am looking forward to waking up and opening the gifts so thank you!!

Let's see.... what else? Some other random stuff... I have to get a haircut already on Monday. I hate how my hair grows so fast. Plus, the line is so long. I had to wake up at 6AM just to get in line in time to sign up. Also, the weather here has been abnormally warm. My companion who is from Salt Lake, said it is never this warm. And I think that the weather in Medford has been colder than it has been here - or so it seemed before I left. It has snowed only a few times and the temperature hasn't been that low. It's been awesome. Meal time has slowly lost its appeal. I used to cherish it and love it so much, but now the food is starting to lose its appeal. It is starting to look the same..... taste the same...... the only relief is the Pizza Fridays and Ice Cream Sundays/Wednesdays. Now that never gets old! Gym time is something that has never lost its appeal though! I look forward to it all the time. Basketball is the new game. Our new elders play so it's pretty fun. The first gym period was fun with them because we played the "old" elders vs the "new" elders. And they didn't know the talent on our team. It was me, Elder Abbot, who played some high school varsity basketball, and Elder Tarabilda who played at like San Diego State or some San Diego college. It was fun, and so dominating =) There honestly, isn't too much to talk about. We haven't had an apostle yet, which is kinda sad, but the other speakers have actually been just as amazing so it's all good. We have three devotionals/firesides over the next two days so I'm waiting to hear who we will hear from. They always keep it a secret until like 5 minutes before it starts. Tomorrow, we get a nice large Christmas breakfast, a talent show, Christmas "Dinner" at noon and then two firesides. Since no one works for dinner, we just get a sack dinner. That's about it though!! Not toooo exciting, but now you know what's going on with my life. When I get to a better computer I will try and upload some pictures so you can see what goes on here in the MTC. Until then, I will have to just describe everything the best I can!! I hope you all have an amazing holiday season!!! Stay in touch!!!

~Love,

Elder Steven Card

Week 3

The time flies so much. It feels like just yesterday that it was Sunday. The days really do feel like weeks, and last forever, but in the long run, looking back it has gone fast.

This past week, hasn't been too different. To be honest, it is quite like groundhog's day. It feels the same everyday. On Tuesday for Devotional we heard from Paul B. Peiper from the Seventy and he had an awesome message about Agency. It was funny, because afterwards we all discuss the talk with our district and a member of the branch presidency, and since my farewell talk was about Agency I had plenty of things to say. The rest of the week afterwards was just same ole, same ole. One of my teachers was making a joke how every Mormon is connected by just one other Mormon. i was like, meh, this doesn't apply for me since I'm a convert and yeah.... But then a guest teacher walks in, his name was Brother Maxwell. He said he just recently got off his mission, and so I obviously asked, where did you serve? He served in the Jacksonville Florida mission, and I was like hmmm, doubt it but I'll ask, "Do you know a Sister Pedersen?"... "OH, you mean Chanelle Pedersen? Yeah, I know who that is!" I guess my teacher was right.... everyone is conencted by one other Mormon haha.

Today we went to the temple like we do every Friday, and it was a great trip. I was wearing my old suit coat, and I was feeling around my inside pockets and was like hmmmm, what are these pieces of paper? It was temple names... my family temple names.... who have already been baptized and confirmed. So it was last minute, but I ran over to the Initiatories and me, my companion, district leader and a few others all day my family names for initiatories!! What a blessing, next temple trip, we'll all take those names and go do endowments. I am really excited already for it!!
Until yesterday, I hadn't met a single person going to my mission but my companion, then randomly four elders came into our room and asked if we were going to Spain and if we had our visas. They haven't got theirs either and so I'm gettin the feeling that I will be here for quite awhile, so it's kind of weird, cuz I have zero idea when I am leaving. But there is nothing I can do about it so I am just letting it go, and not worrying about it. I hope that everyone back in Medford is doing well, and will have a happy holidays. Just fyi, if anyone wants to send me any gifts for Christmass it has to be here before the 22nd or else I won't get it til afterwards. *wink wink*

Thanks everyone for the love and prayers and support! I love you all so much, and I hope you all write! Thanks again,

Elder Card

Week 1

It's so hard to believe that I've already been in the MTC for over a week! The days feel so long though because of all the class time we have. "The days feel like weeks and the weeks feel like days." is a common expression around here, and it is so true. Each individual day seems to take forever but lookign back it is amazing how fast it has came. Sometimes you'll seit in class for four hours at a time, go to eat lunch for an hour, go back to class for four more hours, then have an hour for dinner, then three more hours of class. It is insane!!!

I've learned though about the things that get me through the day: Meals, gym, mail, talks, and the Temple. First, meals. Meals I look forward to so much. The food is not the best in the world but you have to look at what they're doing. They have to cooik for thousands of missionaries. I enjoy it though. The two bad things are the eggs and orange juice. The eggs aren't real and you just NEVER drink the orange juice. There are horror stories about it. So I have to resort to drinking apple juice. Also, you getr $6 a week to spend at the bookstore so I just load up on the snackage.

Second, is gym. For five days a week for 50 minutes a day they let us loose and go wild in the gym. You can either play basketball, four square, volleyball (A zone favorite) or just go and work out. I;ve been playing a lot of volleyball lately cuz that's what my zone plays and I found out Im actually not too bad at it.

Third, is going to get mail. We, as a district, go to check twice a day for mail. It's always a great event. Before lunch and dinner we all get worked up on wheter or not we will get mail that day. You definitely get your heart and dreams crushed if you receive no mail that day, so to whoever is reading this..... feel free to sned some excitement to my MTC life. By the way, if anyone wants to send me stuff for Christmas, know that it has to be here by the 22nd or else we won't receive it til after Christmas =)

Next, are firesides and devotionals. I like to think I am two for two on these. The first one I went to was the First Presidency Christmas message. It was so awesome. Back at home, I don't even know if I would be interested to hear it, but on Sunday I was so pumped. I don't know if it was a sudden new love for the prophet or because there is nothing else to watch. Then on Tuesday we heard from Elder Zwick from the Seventy. He had an awesome message, and I jsut can't wait for an apostle. Jeffrey R Holland came like two weeks before I arrived. I really hope he shows up again for the holliday season!!

Finally is the temple. I got to go for the first time today and it was so amazing. I have some good pictures that I will try and email you or send your way next week. Our sessions are at 7AM but it is well worth it. I'm up at that time anyways now, and it just puts a great start to the day. And as for the language, it is coming faster than I expected. I didn't think I would ever learn the language this fast. And as for the language, it is coming faster than I expected. I didn't think I would ever learn the language this fast.  Anyways, I love all the support that you have all sent my way, I read every single letter I get, and I have been responding to every single one! I love them all, it makes the day go by so much faster when you receive mail. So thank you all!!! I will try and update you next week on my progress.

Love,

Elder Steven Card

By the way I just wanted to add in this story. So get this.... Spain called me and they said that they lost my passport! So pretty much...... I had to start all over. So I had to have my dad overnight all of my information to the MTC. But, then they called me and I guess they ended up finding it. So maybe I can still get to the Madrid MTC if I get my visa soonish. I will keep you updated. I just thought it was a good story!! That's all =)

First P-Day

Hellllo!

First off, let me just say that these past few days have been absolutely INSANE!!! I have already learned so much, and have felt the Spirit like I have never felt before. Thank you to everyone who has sent me the DearElders in the past few days. Even if they are just short two paragraph letters they mean so much and uplift my spirits and day. The MTC has been an amazing experience already.

The first day was filled with a lot of orientation and speakers. I met my companion, Elder Travis Lignell from Salt Lake City, and he seems pretty cool so far. We heard form the MTC presidency and I don't think I have ever felt more inspired to work my hardest and serve the people in Spain. The food was better than expected. It really reminds me of college food. Breakfasts have just been decent. They were hashbrowns, bacon and eggs. For lunch we had hamburgers, but then for dinner we had s omany different choices.The first night they fed us roast beef and potatoes. It was so good. we also met our teachers and zone and district leaders. Brother Martinez and Brother Whitehead are our instructors and they have been already super awesome. I had a slight hope that Trevor would be my zone leaders, but nope. But as much as I was disappointed, I still love our current zone leaders. Elder Farkle and Elder Stufflebeam. They are really cool and helpful but they are leaving for Argentina on Monday so our new leaders are Elder T (Short for a long Tongan name) and Elder Lane (The shortest guy in our district, so it's a hilarious combo) but they are really funny.

Classes have just taken up the ENTIRE day. All they expect you to do is eat, study, and then maybe study more. Two days ago we also got to meet with the Branch Presidency and he interviewed us. We all had to share our baptism, and why we wanted to go on a mission stories. I found out I am the only one from my district that is a convert so it's kind of intimidating. It's kind of scary to know that I probably know the least out of everyone in my class, but I am trying hard. After he interviewed us, he all gave us assignments. I am the senior companion in my companionship. Our district leader is Elder Parker from England, and he has an awesome accent. All the Hermanas absolutely love it.

Sadly, I kind of forgot a lot of stuff. I just wish I would've brought more general use items, like common sense. Liek hygiene items and FOOD. That is one thing I wish I had more. After dinner they give us no time for more food, so I usually am starving. And no, I did not find any food or goodies hidden in the secret compartments in my room, but I did find the secret compartments!!!

Anyways, just let Second Ward know that my P Days are on Friday, not Saturday like I told some of you in my other letters. But just know that I miss everyone so much, and I think of you all daily. I sit at my desk every night, and study, write in my journal, and look up to see the awesome pictures of everyone. I love you all and I thank you all for the support. I don't think I could be here without you guys. I am trying to make you all proud. So please stay in touch, because even just a simple Hello and we miss you letter, is such a boost to a long long day. Elders here make a big deal of mail, so when you get a DearElder people go nuts. We all know how important it is to get mail, so please feel free to email or write!!

Love,
Elder Steven Card