Tuesday, December 27, 2011

11/25/11

So apparently they decided instead of just giving us time to write letters, they would let us email for a half hour. I just got out of sacrament meeting with Elder Bednar. He gave the most spiritual amazing talk I have ever heard. It was on converting to Christ. I wish I could just record it and send it to you all. It was amazing. Thank you all so much for the presents. I loved opening them this morning. I hope you are all having a great Christmas and remembering what its all really about. It seems like every time I sit down to email or to write a letter my mind totally goes blank and I can't think of anything to say. If any of you want to know anything specific or have any questions, please write me a letter, and I would love to answer them. I think I still have some time later to write letters or whatever, so I think I'm gonna write a letter to you guys then as well so I can have a little more time and hopefully say more. Everything here is going really well. We had a fireside last night where they basically acted out the Christmas story and had a bunch of songs. There was this guy that sang and he was so amazing, and then a girl played violin while someone played the piano and they did a version of silent night. It was the most beautiful thing I have ever heard. I think one of the things I miss most is music. That and being able to go outside whenever I want. It still hasn't snowed, but it's just as cold as if it had. I swear, I've had a constant stuffy nose since I got here. ha ha but oh well. My computer keeps freezing when I'm typing, so if I misspell anything, that's probably why. I can't see what I'm typing and then it just appears like 20 seconds later. Tonight we have a fireside, but I don't know who is gonna be speaking there. Elder Bednar gave the same advice about the Book of Mormon that he gave when he went and spoke to Mitch's mission. I thought it was kinda funny. I think I'm gonna try it. It must be good advice if he's gonna give it out so much. The advice is basically that whenever you have some challenge or a question in your life, just get a new paperback Book of Mormon, like the ones the missionaries give out, and read through it cover to cover, and mark anything that helps you with your question. I think it's great advice, and it really shows the Lord your desire to learn. I hope you all are having a great Christmas, and I wish that you all felt the love of the Lord as strongly as I do being here right now. It really is the most desirable above all other fruit. I can't wait to here from you again. Until then, know that I love you all and am so grateful for all that you do for me.
Elder Janda

11/23/11

Hey.
Everything is going great. My companion is also going to the Mexico City southeast. Almost everyone from my district is. All but two that are going to Peru, and two that are going to another mission in Mexico. I got some new people in my zone this week. They're all going to stateside Spanish speaking missions. Some are going to California some to Florida and some to phoenix.
Mallory Eyestone came in to the MTC this week too. I saw her on Wednesday right after she got in. I was walking to lunch and she was walking the opposite direction with her host. It was cool. She has class just down the hallway from mine, so I'm sure I'll see you pretty often.
I'm learning Spanish really well. I started reading the book of Mormon in Spanish yesterday. I have to use a dictionary sometimes, but I'm almost through the third chapter of first Nephi.
I got a present from the Verplanke's yesterday. I haven't opened it yet, but I was really surprised that they sent me something. It was really nice of them. Please tell them all thank you from me and that I hope they have a great Christmas.
Sorry my emails aren't very long or very in depth, I only have a half hour and these computer are really slow. I think they're giving us time on Christmas to write letters, so I'll try to send one out to all of you. I love you all so much and am grateful for all that you do for me and all the support that you give me. I hope you all have a great Christmas.
Con Amor, Elder Janda