January 26, 2019 Remind Me To Forget - Kygo

Woohoo 

I leave on Tuesday thank goodness. I leave outrageously early good goof. I will be able to call around 2ish... I'm so very excited about that. I'm excited to meet my mission president and my next comp...

Anyway, ladies and gents, the moment you've all been waiting for. The EMAIL.

Saturday:

We ended the day with class from Elder J who is an absolute legend. I think I cried in that class. Not sure but I think so.

Sunday:

This was a great day. I got to meet with President Samuelian again and that went super well. I got another blessing from him and I'm telling you I am striving to be as spiritually in tune as he is. The night ended with a devotional. The speaker was the dude (sorry for the slang) who made the other side of heaven. 

Monday:

Twas good

Tuesday:

Elder Godoy spoke. He's hilarious. It was amazing tho I loved it. His wife had a great quote. "Don't let your FEAR overwhelm your FAITH"  Faith and fear cannot exist together. Faith must win. If we have faith in Jesus Christ's atonement then everything will be ok. I have learned a lot about faith since I got here.

Wednesday:

We had the worst TRC of all time. But it's ok me and my companions did not let that discourage us. The new district of elders came in and guess the freaking what. Elder Talavou Fitisemanu is in my zone! Hes so sweet. He is assigned to be the next Zone Leader after we leave. Hes gonna do great. Oh also we got to host. Which basically means I got to tell kids to not let the cat in the house all day. That was awesome.

Thursday:

We had the greatest TRC of all time. We had the most BOMB lesson on the plan of salvation all lined up. We get there and she's just eating it all up. Like I mean she was clinging to every word we said. Then all the sudden I was filled with the spirit. Next thing I know the words "Will you follow the example of our lord and Savior Jesus Christ and take the first step towards making it to the celestial kingdom by being baptized by someone holding the proper authority of God?" All of the sudden my comps mouths were in the shape of AF canyon and she said "I would love that" then she told me my eyes were glowing, which my comps said was true. So ya. Basically that was amazing. Also I schooled all the new elders at basketball which was lit again.

Friday:

Great day... Only negative was there was biscuits and gravy for breakfast. Basically they tasted great, but, felt like bricks if you know what I mean.

Awesome now for answering questions time.

I am still sorta sick but I'm telling you it's the fact that all we ever eat here is fake chicken and brownies.

I have seen soooooo many LP kids. I don't think I could list them all if I tried. But like I said earlier Vou is in my zone so ya that's sick.

Most of the missionaries in my district love sports. They are all really funny. There's a few of us that love music and so we love that. I'm serious I've made lifelong friends from the MTC it is awesome.

My teachers names are Sister G and Brother J. I'll send you their emails so you can add them to the next edition of this email.

I went 3/7 on my vitamins this week so I'm pretty sure I've reached GOAT status for that.

I. AM. SO. EXCITED. For Baltimore. That's all.

As for Señorita dying. (His high school Spanish teacher died suddenly last week). Super sad. I was sad when I found out. But to anyone feeling sad about her passing just remember God has a plan. The fact that the being who rules all in the universe has a plan should be comfort enough. That being said, if you need help or are feeling sad, don't hesitate to get help from someone. Too many people have the ability to help you for you to hide your feelings. I know cause I've done it. And I promise that as you do the things that draw you closer to Heavenly Father the more you're going to be able to feel that plan being in effect.

The FUNNY stuff

This week didn't have too many incredibly funny things. Elder H and Elder S had to stay till they got their visas so they leave on Monday now so we get them to hang with us all day now and they are hilarious. 

Overall tho. I love it here. I can't wait for Baltimore and the next step of this. I love everyone I've met while here. And although some moments are just the worst I don't think I've ever thought about anything negative. I just keep focused on the next step.

Spiritual thought this week comes from Ether 3. It's the story of the brother of Jared. (Sidenote, who names one of their kids Jared and names the other one Mahonri Moriancumr, that's almost as bad as Alan, Hyrum, Samuel, William, Joseph, and DON CARLOS) When the Lord shows his finger to the brother of Jared, Jared falls over. Understandable. First thing I noticed was the Lord asks "Arise, why has thou fallen?" I'm thinking. Why would someone who knows everything ask a question? Well it was to test his faith, which was tremendous btw, and because that is how we teach. Teaching by asking questions is the best way. It's all we talk about in the MTC and I testify of its importance. Next thing I noticed. In verse 9 it says

9 And the Lord said unto him: Because of thy faith thou hast seen that I shall take upon me flesh and blood; and never has man come before me with such exceeding faith as thou hast; for were it not so ye could not have seen my finger. Sawest thou more than this?

Which is cool. That's all. Jk let me explain... no there is too much let me sum up. If we don't have faith we might miss the little "fingers" the Lord is putting into our lives. BOOM MIC DROP.

Look for those moments. Nothing is more rewarding.

Anyway I love you alllllllll mostly.

Nah I'm kidding I love you all lots.

Emails are much appreciated. 

Prayers are appreciated more.

I miss you all but don't worry that's not effecting me.

Don't let the cat in the house.

Love,

Elder Pew

Oh PS in my very last letter I'll explain the cat thing, but all of you are gonna have to wait for that. Sorry I guess...

Quotes

I'm sorry your lips look like broccoli! -Elder D

You left your sleep socks on my bed you weird goat - Elder B

I'm still having boiled egg burps - Me

Could this be THE cat?

Elder from his district

Elder Pew loves cars, especially nice ones

Elder Pew and this elder he knew from high school

His district and one of his teachers

Poem written by Elder Pew sent to his mom

He was despised

That's how he met his demise

Not because of any stroke of luck

Because of the lives he touched

He went about doing good

And in the end he stood

He stood for me

Across the sea

He died for me

His life you see

Was for you and me

So to you I plea

Do it for him

Do it for them

As they would feel

The love that is real

Our purpose is clear

To friends far and near

Come into Christ 

January 19th, 2019 Sunflower-Post Malone

Well buckle up folks cause this one is going to be a hard one to read, at least the beginning of the week... Don't fear tho cause it will get better I promise.

Ok well I guess I should start with the rest of Saturday.

Saturday

Today ended pretty normal with a class. We did a roleplay activity to end the night and me and my one companion (Elder B) thought it was awesome. Elder N. Not so much. 

Sunday

People say Sundays are really hard in the MTC and they are... CORRECT. It's super jam packed. But eh it's ok. We did however get to meet with President Samuelian, who I'm still convinced is the most spiritually in tune person ever. He talked to us about how he was a mission president of one of the first missions to use technology. He had some awesome insight and it was really cool. He told us how he met with President Nelson and all President Nelson said was "The sand is moving swiftly through the hourglass" and walked away which might be the most crazy thing I have ever seen. That was cool. The night ended with a devotional with the new MTC presidency. I wasn't feeling incredible during that and I straight up prayed for 40 mins during it just trying to get through it without passing out. More to come later. 

Monday I felt sorta sick

We had service at 6:25 IN THE MORNING! So I felt like death alllll dayyyyyyy! Class was good and we had a workshop where I was chilling with a lot of polynesian elders and they accepted me as their own. That was awesome. We then had our TRC with K. That again felt awesome to two of us... not knowing what to do. And the lyrics of a song came to me.

"What if who I'm supposed to be was always me?"

This was crazy. I had the very distinct feeling that I was doing great and was where I was supposed to be. So thank you to Heavenly Father and Jon Bellion. That day ended with a good hour of basketball. I love it.

Tuesday.

We had a TRC with someone we had never met before. Same result. I felt fully sick this day. The highlight was the devotional. He had some cool insights but mostly about how to listen to the spirit which is great. Sorry Mom I kinda stink at taking notes. 

Wednesday was not special so I'll skip it.

Thursday

Today was absolutely amazing. I just said whatever to my pride and focused much entire energy on our TRC. And I absolutely rocked it. The brother (M) was pretty much ready to be baptized lol jk. Then we ended the day with some ball which was absolutely incredible. 

Friday

This was another awesome day. We got one of the TRC people to come in and my companionship and one of the Sister companionships taught them. I was so ready to show off to my teacher who was in the room watching. Lol I wasn't actually thinking about that. But all the sudden I had the biggest feeling to bear my testimony of God's love for his children. Long story short I made the man cry. My teacher (Sister G) was raving about it the rest of the day.

K well now for the fun stuff. Meaning my Moms questions.

People in my district and where they are from:

Elder N is from Austin, Texas

Elder B is from Denver 

Elder B1 is from SLC

Elder B2 is from PG (Go Knights, boo Vikings)

Sister S from Townsend, Montana

Sister D is from Lehi (again Go Knights, boo Pioneers)

Sister K is from Idaho 

Sister M1 is from Wyoming... Which I'm still not sure is a real place

Sister M2 is from California 

Sister T is from Sandy

All of us are headed to Baltimore except Elder B and Sisters S and D who are going to Houston east mission.

The slang. Well I was doing great. Especially one day. Until this amazingly funny moment.

I said.

"Hey GUYS did you know I've only messed up on slang once today." That made the entire district laugh really hard.

My stomach... Ya we should keep talking about that to a minimum.

I am sleeping. Excluding the one night that I woke up cause Elder B needed to use the restroom and spent the rest of the night stressing about how it could actually be 6:30 already. That was funny in the morning.

I remember to take my vitamins 2/7 days so I'd say that I'm doing fantastic at that.

P days are the absolute worst. I'd honestly rather have class the whole day again. I'm sure I'll figure myself out eventually lol.

My favorite food we have here is the wraps. Those are the most incredible thing ever. We have those for lunch almost every day.

In the district we get along super well. It honestly feels like a family. They are the BEST! This week Sister K was stuck in isolation which for some reason I envision it like it's a POW camp when in reality she just got to take naps... alas she was sick so we felt weird without her. 

Now for the good stuff...

I had to go to clinical and guess what they told me. I have anxiety, anyone surprised? I sure was lol. Nah I'm joking me and the therapist just talked about football and he told me that my main man Phil Rivers played bad and the chargers lost. Which was sad but for some reason I don't really care. Oh wait I know I'm doing the best thing ever.

Hmmm... now for the funny stuff

First things first RIP to Elders M, A, V. They are the best and will be missed. (They left the MTC for the mission field)

There is an Elder in our zone by the name of Elder N. He is so happy. Elder D, who is also in our zone, described him this way. "He is so happy it's contagious but for some reason that love that I feel for him can only be expressed through anger. He legit makes me so happy I get mad" I haven't heard a better way to describe it. Elder N is the absolute best!

There is a plethora of quotes this week so here is the best ones.

You know what really girds my loins? - Elder B2

Oh my gosh I got chocolate on my crotch - Me

Does anybody have 16.5 water bottles? - Me

It's not that hard to make me laugh it just has to be funny - Elder B1 

My stomach is testifying to me - Elder B2 

As you can see, me and Elder B2  kinda rule the quote book. The funniest ones are always us.

Well that's all for now. Emails are very much appreciated. It makes me unbelievably happy everytime I get one so anytime you feel like sending one please do. This week wasn't the best but I have faith this week will be better.

Love you all,

Don't let the cat in the house,

Elder Pew

Selfie with glasses on P-day

Drink his friend Elder Arnold taught him

Selfie with glasses

District

New shoes, so blisters

More MTC photos

These letters on the desk are from a vent. They found them! 

Tag picture even though it's backwards

The elders in their district

Elder Pew sent this: Also make sure everyone knows that the first thing anyone told me when I got here was "don't let the cat in the house" which at the time I didn't know if that was a metaphor or legit. Turns out its legit!

Elder Pew and his good friend from high school who will be serving in Italy soon

Companions on P-day

On My Way--Phil Collins Leaving Home and Entering the MTC

THE NIGHT BEFORE

After being set apart as a missionary

Nephew and Elder Pew

Saying "See Ya Later" his brother had to go to school

Another brother couldn't miss school

Elder Pew outside his house one last time for 2 years

Met siblings at Panda in Provo for lunch before the drop off

Elder Pew's fortune

Saying :See ya later at the temple

Little sister was sobbing, by far the hardest

This was also hard but nephew was busy watching people throw snowballs

So proud of Elder Pew

Elder Pew with his host who would guide him into the MTC

All smiles and "On His Way"

His grandpa Louw would caption this: "Hurrah, Hurrah, Hurrah for Israel"

HELLO EVERYBODY!!! WEEK ONE!!!

This is literally the coolest place. Me and the Elders in my district were talking about it last night and we can't quite figure out what the feeling is but we know it's amazing.

Well anyways you probably wanna know these things.

My companions

ELDER 1 hes the guy that keeps us all focused and really has been a blessing.

ELDER 2 Ya know how I said I had a feeling my first companion would be huge. Get wrecked anyone who ever doubts me again.

I get along with both these guys super well. Which is to be expected given they are hilarious and I like hilarious people. 

BUT

The other Elders in my district.

ELDER B1 this guy is super quiet, that being said everything that comes out of his mouth is comedy gold. Quotes to come later don't worry.

ELDER B2 imagine what it would be like if there was a guy who was literally exactly like me. Imagine dealing with two Elder Pews. Ya we have the exact same sense of humor and that makes things super fun! He also lowkey talks like Luke Francis which is an absolute W

Us as a district have way too much fun together and so that's awesome.

There are 6 sisters in our district. We don't know them very well but we're starting to get to know them. All it takes is a little effort eh?

Well I'll start with the BORING stuff now.

Wednesday was crazy. It felt like I had spent 65 years in that small little classroom at the end of it. They whisked me away from my family took away my bags and gave me a whole lotta useless paper and my tags and then gave me my bags back, sent me to my room, then told me to go to class. Once in class I met both of my comps and the fun began. We met our teacher and then the Zone leaders who leave on Monday. They are cRaaaZy. Also hilarious but maybe not the most obedient. We went to bed that night and that was that.

Thursday was the first day in my life that I can truly say that I have been very clogged up down below. This MTC food is no joke. I don't remember much of what happened this day except one of the coolest things to ever happen to me. I had an interview with the branch president. He asked me some questions about family and stuff. Then he gave me a blessing. This was no ordinary blessing. This guy knows me better than I know myself and in one swoop calmed all my fears and wiped away all previous guilt I had (mostly about how many candy bars I stole from my siblings growing up) and I wept like a little babe. Anyways that night me and the district had one of the DEEPEST talks of my whole life. That was awesome.

Friday

This day wasn't too eventful except we had our first TRC. I don't remember what that stands for but I do remember Broler (Young Men's leader Bro. Oler) telling us at some point We got to talk to this man named K. Hes a pretty cool guy and we get to teach him on Monday and I am AMPED!

K now you're all wondering how I am doing obedience wise. I am doing fantastic with the rules actually. The only one that is really a struggle is we can't use slang... And if you know anything about me I use the word DUDE more in one day than I have eaten vegetables in my whole life. So that has been super hard. I need prayers on that.

Also pray for the missionaries to figure out how to use smart devices. Cause man do we need it.

Ok now for the FUNNY stuff.

The orange juice myth is in fact not a myth.

We were making fake business ideas on Thursday and they were hilarious. It all started with Elder B2 saying "How do you guys feel about me dog flipping?" By dog flipping we find out he means house flipping but with dogs. He also came up with the brilliant idea of having the Dark Knight playing on loop around a bunch of parrots so that by the end all they say is quotes from the Dark Knight and sell them as Batman parrots.

The other day we were talking about how we can't use slang and the Elder 2 used slang immediately afterwards and me and Elder B2 laughed for like 20 mins straight. It was hilarious. 

Last night our district had a staring contest. The final round was incredible. They stared at each other for 6 mins. I couldn't believe it. We were all going wild.

Also I have a spiritual thought. It comes from the scripture Alma 5:16. It says 16 I say unto you, can you imagine to yourselves that ye hear the voice of the Lord, saying unto you, in that day: Come unto me ye blessed, for behold, your works have been the works of righteousness upon the face of the earth?

Imagine meeting the savior someday. Being able to kneel in front of his feet and have him say that the things you've been doing on earth is righteous. THIS IS BEAUTIFUL. As a missionary I can't wait to help people so that they will be able to have that moment

Well if I think of anything else I will send it but for now that's all.

Love you all,

Elder Pew

Me: I miss my thingy-thingy, that has my swipey-swipey.                         Elder B2: you mean your stretchy-wetchy

It's like letting out your primal side except you stay clean - me

Pants are like the Godhead, without your hips your belt loops and your belt then the pants will fall - me

Lastly my favorite:

Elder Pew: How many elders does it take to turn on a TV?             Elder B1: Zero if you pray hard enough 

Elder Pew and his 2 companions first photo sent from a friend who volunteers in the MTC

Friend from Ultimate Frisbee

Elder Pew is in the middle, this was taken his first night a friend was on a tour of the MTC and saw him. She said that he was glowing. She snapped this picture as he was walking away.