More on Love and 4 Square

Email from March 7:

Dear family and friends,

As the subject of this exciting email has said, it has been another great week here at the mtc. It's hard to believe that in fourteen days I'll be on my way to the Philippines! We should be getting our travel plans on Wednesday so I'll let you know when I have more details. This past week we had 2 new districts come into our zone for the first time since we have been in the mtc. It's been fun to finally have some new Elders and sisters. I actually was in the same 1st and 2nd grade class with one of the new elders in our zone. Small world. It takes me back to see them struggling with Tagolog and experiencing everything the mtc has to offer for the first time. It makes you realize how much you learn and grow in the short time you spend in the mtc. It really is amazing what the Lord does with his missionaries.

This past week I have learned some important things about work. To be a diligent missionary you have to work hard and stay focused all the time. I learned that to do this, I have to rededicate myself every morning when I get out of bed to giving my all that day. If you don't start out your day with that kind of determination you won't ever have it at any part of the day. I also learned that when you frequently set goals you study and work more effectively. The best way to work or study is to have a goal in mind.

Throughout my time at the mtc I have been continuously learning about the importance of love. Love is very very important in missionary work. We need to love our companions, our leaders, and all the people around us. When we really love the people we serve it's easier to take yourself out of the equation. I have seen this happen at the mtc and I can't wait to see how this principle will apply in the Philippines. Sometimes it's hard to love those around you, especially when there is a missionary who pushes your buttons like you didn't know possible. I have learned that I need to pray for help in this department every day. The best example of love is our Savior Jesus Christ. Everything that he did was an incredible act of love. Especially his atonement. I am so grateful for the atonement and the blessings it has brought to my life. I love the definition of charity in the Bible Dictionary. I definitely recommend reading it. charity is something that we all need to be working for so we can become more effective servants of the Lord.

Last here is a little bit about mtc gym time. After 7 weeks at the mtc, I have finally come to the conclusion that mtc 4 Square is one of the most frustrating games the world has to offer! It is impossible to get out with dignity, and no matter how good you are playing you will get out, and will get out quickly. Elders get into it too! to the point of making personalized four square tshirt. Some zones even have a crazy amount of 4 square politics including alliances, enemies, and positions of authority. It's crazy! Just an FYI.

Well thank you for the letters and all that you do.

Love,

Elder Leishman

Quick note from Elder Seamons

Elder Keller Seamons was born a day after Joe and the two of them hung out in the nursery at LDS hospital together. We found out today that 19 years later, they are ALMOST roomies again. Words from Elder Seamons (NM Albequerque Spanish Speaking missionary, departing to NM next week):

So I'm sure you've heard, but Elder Leishman and I are in the same building! I live on the 4th floor and he lives on the 1st, but that doesn't stop us from seeing each other now and then. It's so good to see him and he is always looking good. If there's anything you need me to do (like sing him to sleep or just look out for him) please let me know!

We couldn't help but chuckle imagining Keller serenading Joe to sleep in their missionary jammies... visions of Jimmy Neutrons friend singing "nonny nonny nonny" come to mind :)
Happy Tuesday.

Happy Valentines Day!

(Valentine love poem by Joe)

We received a wonderful letter today from Elder Leishman, but it was heart wrenching. Here is what he had to say:

Dear Family and Friends,

Happy Valentine’s Day! This past week was another great week at the MTC. It still continues to amaze me just how much we do in a week. Things move so fast that when I get back to the residence hall at night, I have to look at my planner to remember everything I did that day. The first thing I need to say is thank you to everyone who sent Elder Tomasi a note or package. It really means a lot to him. He reads and rereads every letter many times and treats them like they are a treasure. Elder Tomasi is doing pretty well right now, but the past few days have been really rough for him. On Saturday morning at breakfast, one of the Tongan Elders he know from Tonga came and told Elder Tomasi that the night before he received a letter from his family telling him to tell Elder Tomasi that his10 year old sister had passed away. It was very difficult to see someone like Elder Tomasi get news like this. Elder Tomasi serves everyone around him in every way he can, he works very hard to be a good missionary, and is one of the greatest people I have ever met. The news hit him hard as it would anyone. It was especially hard not coming from his own family. His family still hasn’t communicated with him since he has come here regardless of the letters he has sent to them. It really did break my heart to see him so sad and devastated. I wanted to help him but I didn’t know the best thing I should do. I think I prayed more that day than I ever have in my life and my prayers were all for Elder Tomasi and his family. I did my best to comfort him, keep him busy, and share my testimony with him. Later that night about 10 Tongan and Samoan elders came while we were studying and gave Elder Tomasi some money to send to his family. These elders gave Elder Tomasi incredible words of testimony about his mission and the plan of salvation. They told him things so perfect and encouraging that I know couldn’t have been said without the spirit. This display of support, brotherhood, and love was a very spiritual experience that taught me a lot. It helped me gain a stronger testimony of God’s plan and eternal family and taught me that we all are our brother’s keeper and it is our responsibility to comfort those in need of comfort and to pick-up those who have fallen down. Later that night I think we had at least 25 Tongans and Samoans in our room. We definitely missed the 10:30 lights out rule, but I’m pretty sure the Lord was ok with it. Elder Tomasi doesn’t want to make a huge deal out of this but a little note would mean a lot to him. A few of you have asked what he would like as far as a package is concerned – the truth is he is a human vacuum. I don’t think I have met anyone who can eat as much as him and he isn’t picky about anything. Elder Tomasi is the best!!

One experience this past week that really stands out to me happened at the TRC. Missionaries go to the TRC one a week to have a role play with an investigator. You have a task at the beginning where you either contact them or just talk to them in your language for 15 minutes, then after a quick planning session, you teach them a lesson. The rooms are supposed to look like a like a living room but there are cameras and microphones so your teachers can observe your teaching. This past week at the TRC, Elder Tomasi and I taught lesson two or the Plan of Salvation. For the first while we were teaching, I didn’t think thoughts like I wish Elder Tomasi would have said this or why didn’t he say that and I put 100% of my focus into listening to the investigator and what Elder Tomasi was saying. The Spirit was so strong. Elder Tomasi and I both said things that neither of us had thought of before and I know it was promptings from the Spirit. The best part of this was being able to tell that our investigator was feeling the spirit too. She was trying to hold back tears. It was an amazing experience and I learned something important from it. I learned that when you have feelings of frustration or contention with your companion, the spirit won’t be there. It really taught me how to have the spirit with you constantly; you need to avoid feelings of frustration and anger. You need to love those around you to have the spirit at its strongest.

Every day I learn just how important obedience and hard work are. They make all the difference. I love the MTC and I can´t wait to get to the Philippines. This week the older district left and my desire to go teach the people in the Philippines grew tremendously.

We are grateful Joe is loving the MTC and his sweet companion. Keep Elder Tomasi in your prayers! Send him letters and packages! Let's give him lots of love :)
His address is in the previous post.

The Big Day

January 19.... Finally. (this pic is playing Called to Serve, Joe on the right hand, me on the left)
Great day? Sad day? Wonderful day? Fulfilling day?
YES.
Perhaps the most accurate word to describe it: surreal.
Zipped up the suitcase, ate bagels, Father's Blessing, family prayer.
OFF! Southward we went.
Nate put together a quick slideshow for the car ride of family photos from the last year and half that the kids laughed at as we drove. When that was over, we started in on the BHS Acapella CD from last year's concert at Gardner Hall.
First stop? HIRES! Yum. Joe went for the Pastrami Big H.
Next stop? Provo Temple to take the last family snapshots.

The light entering into the MTC parking lot seemed to last forever, at least to Joe. He REALLY wanted to be on time. When we pulled in, many missionaries waved from the curbs with big smiles and warm dresscoats. What a welcome sight. The first person Joe recognized was his friend, Tyson Green. He was wearing a lovely yellow pinnie and was doing an incredible job directing traffic. "TYSON!" Joe yelled, and practically jumped out the window. Big waves, big smiles!
Then I recognized someone... "Look! It's Helam!" Everyone looked out and noticed Elder Helam Hemuli, a fellow Bountiful Brave. We pulled up and Elder Heimuli gave Elder Joe a big hug and smile. Nate took out Joe's suitcase. We quickly snapped a photo with Elder Green (after another big hug) and with Elder Heimuli.
"Love you, son. Ayo ayo!" I whispered into his neck.
Nate gave him a big hug. Then he grabbed his bags and headed in. And that was it!
It was a long drive home. Jeffrey was cross. He yelled at everyone about wanting to play Robot Unicorn and wishing he didn't have to miss PE. Everyone else just tuned out, slept, or looked out the window.
That afternoon, we receive 5 Ben and Jerry's, two pies, and lots of love.
We can't wait to find out what kind of Joe had for the rest of the day! The mission officially has begun.