Last MTC Email!! December 10, 2011

November 19, 2011 (DAD)

DEAR ELDER OLSEN Sound like you are doing good but wanting to get to work out in hon.well thing are prity quit here with out you. Garrett is almost doing what he is asked to do .the gym rats ask about you all the time .Last week I went to Alicia's boys football game it was fun it was the play offs he is the QB the littleest guy out there they won so today your mother and I are going to the champship at Queen Creek HIGH .IT brings back all thoughts memorys with you.Time just FLYS. So dont mess around too much .I know you will but not too much. (I have no one to lisen to me when I get on my soap box So I had to stand on it .thanks for reading this ,I hope .) Dinner at mottas was good to hook up with UNCLE LESTER'S family we are going to do this every three mouths.WE are going down to Bretts for Thanksgiving to help him move 10 tons of rock it will be fun I guess .ASU plays U OF A tonight ASU was doing good but blow it the last 2 games they will go to a bowl game but it not sure how good of a bowl game BYU SUCKS this years.cards are playing the 49 'ers IN SF .they are do very good ( 7-1 )grrrr CARDS are 3-5.Iginio was trimming a door with a saw ,it kicked back and cut his legg IT was 1/2 to an 1" deep and 18" longs.Did not call me he finised the door went to work when he came home they took his to the hospitl he got 14 stiches got home at 2 am the next morning cleaned out side went to work .Day three i went down there and he told me what happened That is dedication and gutts he is my HERO.I LOVE YOU and pray for your DEDICATION AND YOUR GUTTS LIKE IGINIO YOU BOTH ARE MY HEROS PS like how you adderes you emails you would think that you only have a mom ha ha I know were I stand. I am proud that I raised a son who loves and respects his MOM like you do YOUR EARTH DAD ALLAN

December 9, 2011 (MOM)

Dear sweet spencer,
I just wanted to write a quick note to let you know how much I love you and how proud I am of you! You are a great young man and I am so excited for you and the experiences you are about to embark on. I know what you mean when you said that getting your travel papers is like getting a second mission call. It makes it real!
I went to the Christmas relief society party last night and all the ladies asked how you are doing and I told them all you were still in the MTC but leaving on Monday night/Tuesday morning. Sis udall (the dark hard one) thanked me for your thank you card. She has it one her frig and she says she gets a big smile whenever she looks at it! You have a special place in all there lives just by being who you are.
About calling from the airport sis Kerr said for me to page you so I'm going to call the airport today to find out exactly how that works and I will let you know. So be aware that your name will be called over the loud speaker in Atalanta! If that doesn't work you can call collect and then we will call you back
I have been subbing jr high and high school all of this week. I did Lang arts at greenfield on tues and it was horrible so yesterday I did the same at highland jr and I took my minute games and it worked All the classes were awesome. I am doing highland jr band today. They are taking a math test. Haha. I brought my basket again and I made cookies for jazz band cuz they did an awesome job at their concert.
We are going to lame havasu tomorrow and Sunday for grandmas bday. Us and shelly and mike and grandma and clarke. It should be fun. We were going to take the boat but it's way too cold and we aren't going as long as planned.
Oh guess what Dennis won a $1000 bonus last night at his work party. He was one of five that was awarded. Lauren called me all excited. They weren't expecting it at all. They were given front row seats for the event. They had a comedian come and they gave out a bunch a prizes before and that's when they gave it to him. It's a real honor to be given the award.
Not much else is going on. Just getting ready for Christmas. Inside is decorated. Lights are up on the house. I had to buy new ones because the old ones we threw away last year. I still need to get the tree up. I hope to get that done to night. His full time working is killing me.
Have a great weekend. Hope your infield training went well. We love you and well send one more letter on Monday and then you'll be gone! I can't wait to talk to you and just hear your sweet voice!
LOVE YOU. MOM
Ps how is the iPod? Did you get it? And the socks?

　
December 10, 2011 (Spencer)

Hey mom and everyone,
　
So this will be my last email in the mtc. Im so excited to get out of here. I should also have a lot of time in the Salt lake airport to call you we will be there for like 3 hours or so so i might call you frmo there also. I have a big box of stuff i am sending home and there will be pictures i should send it just before i leave. But ya i had heard of that manager too parra called her the oger hahahaha. But i have no clue about her. But it was a good week it goes by so fast that sometimes i forgot some of the stuff that goes on hahaha. But it has been a great experience here i just wish i had gone to another mtc. Well today has been pretty good we went to the temple this morning and we did the spanish session with out headphones i understood like half of it but mowst beacuse i knew what was supposed to be going on hahaha. So we have this tutor in our zone that she went to sps mission in honduras ans she was telling me and elder harrington all about it hahaha it got me so excited to get down there. well anyway idk iof i told you this but me and kevin have been emailing back and forth but darin never emailed me back you should talk to the kerrs about that for me hahaha jk. But ya he sounds like he is doing great. Oh ya i also saw weston bush here the other day that was way weird and i see corbin wheatherby every so often it pretty cool. Oh and i also see Alec steve and carlor's son that is my age i got a pic with him but i didnt get it devolped i had already doen that by then. But i cant wait to hear from everyone on monday or tuesday im so excited to get out of the cold.
　
Love Elder Olsen

Travel Plans: Tues, December 13th 12:55 am

December 2, 2011

(Mom)

Dear spencer,

Well another week has gone by so that means you're that much closer to leave. Do you have your travel date yet? I want to make sure I'm home that day so we can talk to you. We also need to figure out the best way to talk to you. Ask around and I'll ask too and we'll figure it out.

How is the weather? We finally had some rain today. Its all over the news and Facebook about the wind and snow you got today. Just think only two more weeks. Did you get my package? How is the sweatshirt? Better?

That is so cool that pres Curtis wrote to you. I gave him your address at church on sunday. He said he wanted to write to you before you left. We have stake conf this weekend so that will be nice.

So we finally went and saw breaking dawn. I used the last of the passes. We still have four more remits thy we'll save for Christmas. It was hrs to let go of the tickets the kid that went to the dback game took the tickets. I didn't remember him but he remembered us. Jenna was there too. She said you sent her a text on thanksgiving. She said she has picked up all of your shifts. She worked 56 hours last week. I told Connor he needs to work there! The movie....it was entertaining but the acting was terrible. Connor went with me along with Garrett and they had to leave during a couple of scenes. Part two will be better.

Well I know you don't like to get emails in the morning. But I forgot to write this morning. Please write to your brothers and your grandma. Have a good week. give me some details please. Are you still running everyday? How's your weight? How's your comp and district? Did you get Lauren and Dennis package? We Love you! We are excited to talk to you. Have a good week and stay warm!

Love you MOM

Ps I'm teaching AG at Gilbert tomorrow. Haha wish me luck!

(Spencer)

Dear Mom and everyone,

I GOT MY TRAVLE PLANS!!!! It is seriously like recieving a 2nd mission call its so awesome. My flight from salt lake to atlanta isat 12:55am on december 13. We land in atlanta at 630 or so then we have a 4 hour layover in atlanta and leave there at about 1030 so ya. It shouldnt be to bad. Then we get to honduras at about 130. I cant wait to get out of here. There weather isnt bad its jsut cold. We didnt get snow but we did get wind. we just got back from the temple and on our walk back we could still see our breath. I dont like it. While i was in the temple i met some elders going to pres. petersons mission hahahaha. It was pretty funny telling them about him haha. I tried to scare them a little bit.

I got your package and i love that sweatshirt its perfect. And i also got lauren's package when i opened the soda she got me (rootbeer) I didnt relieze how shake up it really was and i got it all over one of my shirts it was so bad but i did laundry today and i think it should be fine.

Its so hard to put detail into these emails right now there really isnt a whole lot going on other than class hahaha. Our 2 teachers are our investigators and they both are "getting baptized" tomorrow lol. How is your guys missionary work going? I really need to send you that package back there are some really good pamphlets in there for which help alot in our lessons. The language is getting better and better every day. I can kind of sort of not really hold a conversation lol. some of the concepts are really hard.

But ya everything is going great out here i just cant wait to get out of here are really starting doing stuff it really doesnt feel like i have even started my mission yet but in a good way i guess. So anyway im about to finally get out of here a week and a half so ill actually get to talk to you then. Oh also have you gotten a chance to finish my ipod yet. Cuz i would really like to have that before i leave. Les amo todo. Dios bendecirá cuando hacamos Su obras. Yo sé que es verdadero.

Love

Elder Spencer Olsen

Happy Thanksgiving! November 27, 2011

November 25, 2011

(MOM)

Good morning,

How was your day yesterday? Did
you have a nice thanksgiving? We did. I had the turkey done with 9th ward again
and it was so good. Brett came up around 115. We cooked and cooked. We ate
around 330 and we were all cleaned up by 530. They brought german chocolate
pie, cheese cake and Pumpkin pie and I made pumpkin creme brûlée. It was all
really good. It was a nice day. I also went to step class with Kayla and got my
butt kicked! We're not going shopping
this morning. I don't want to go fight the crowds.

Garrett got into your closet and
found your old steelers jersey and was wearing it. Haha mrs Collins likes the
steelers too so he took a picture and sent it to her

I think I'm going to put up
Christmas this weekend. I might as well since I'm so busy during the week. I've
got to get your Christmas in the mail this weekend so it will get to you in
time.

Well have a great week and be
obedient. Lauren isn't coming to Provo until tomorrow. And she's not bringing
you diet dew. Get that put of your mind! We love you remember that rules do
apply to Elder Olsen.

Love you, MOM and garrett

(ELDER OLSEN – November 25, 2011)

Dear mom and everyone,

We had a pretty good day yesterday. we had a
different schedule than normal so we were able to sleep in an extra hour before
breakfast hahaha. Then we had a devo that said it was to be given by pres brown
the mtc pres so we almost didnt go but
when we got there and got seats and everyone stood up. And we only stand
up when a general authority come in and it ended up being russel m nelson and
his wife it was way cool. After we had to go on a walk up to the temple to let
some of the others get dinner 1st then we got to go. it was nothing too
exciting just a normal mtc dinner. Than we had another devo to explain out
service project. We made injury kits that are going to the sudan it was another
lds service project where they think its going to take a lot long than it
really does hahahah so we just messed around with all the missonaries for like
an hour after we were done hahah. Then we had a final devo that was like a
little skit one of the presidency wives put on and we sang a few hyms and a few
missionaries got to say what they were thankful for. But after that we were
supposed to have a "Special Concluding fireside." I was like well if
a ga is a normal fireside that whats a special one we have to be getting the
prophet hahaha. Nope. But we did get to watch 17 miracle that was way cool. I
really like that movie. But ya it was another pretty uneventful week at the
mtc. Other than... i had to talk to one of the mtc presidents. So there were 2 guys in our zone that left for the guatamala mtc. And they
were our neighbors and one of the guys left his hey and id card in a computer
lab before he left. So i took it and mess with the guys next to us. So they
went and told the front desk and they got the mtc presidency invovled it was
way dumb and a waste of everyones time. But whatever hahaha ya it has been a
pretty good week were get our tracle plans in a week and leave in about 2 so
its coming down to the wire. Im so pumped to get out of here its too cold and
too easy to gain weight. But ive done pretty well about that. Well ill talk to
you next week

Love

Elder Spencer Olsen

November 18, 2011

(November 18, 2011, MOM)

We’ll today is Friday, and that means it’s email day. I had sent him a letter last night and we also sent him a package. He needed a different pair of tennis shoes and he wanted a sweat shirt. So instead of going out and buying him a new one, I sent him an old one of Dad’s. He responded to all of that….Here is my letter to him from last night:

Spencer,

Just a quick hello. I don't want to take up your computer time. We just wrote to pres Peterson. I'll send you a copy of the letter and his response when we get it. I finished up the preschool class today and them went and helped with the Wise and Noble dinner. It's been a long day. Not much is going on. I get to teach girls PE at Gilbert tomorrow. I have to be there by 6:10 so hopefully I 'll get home early tomorrow. We are going to go to Matta's tomorrow night with Uncle Lester and
family along with Shelly and Grandma and Clarke. I'll let you know how that goes. Dad sure has stepped it up in helping around the house since I really started working so much. It sure is nice. Still no Basketball in site!! Bummer. It gets boring around here at night. I need to know what I should do for you for Christmas. I plan on getting it in the mail just after Thanksgiving so it will get to the mission home in time. Ask your trainers if they have any ideas. It needs to be little and
light. Do you know your travel date yet. Do you know the elder that just left that had the hurt foot? He had a 12 hour layover in Atlanta so be prepared for that!

Well, I'm going to go to bed. 530 is going to come awfully early. I don't even know what I'm going to be doing tomorrow. Oh well, it's a job. And then next week I get to go to science camp with Garrett. He can't wait. He tells everyone just like he did for Harry Potter. Oh yeah, Breaking Dawn midnight is tonight, and no I am not there!!! Not worth it!! Love you, Pray for you, Proud of you!! Be Obedient!!

Love you MOM

(November 18, 2011, Spencer)

Hey Mom and Mom,

Its been a pretty uneventful week. A few elders in my distric got sick and i got to go back to the room and sleep with them hahaha. Anyway Mom all i really need is teis and socks hahahah. These washing machine eat socks they its unreal i think i only have like 4 out of the 8 pair i came with so dumb. That really all i want / need hahaha. But thats crazy about that kid a 12 hour layover most i have been seening is like 3 here. LAst night this kid headed for tiawan only had a 3 hour layover in atlanta so hopefully that doesnt happen to us. Its been a great time here though but i wanna leave so bad and get out into the field. Im sick and tiered of it being so freaking cold all the time. The guys in my distict from utah say this is only fall but it has gotten colder than winter a home. Im never leaving arizona hahaha. But ya this last week we had Tad R. Callister from the Presidentcy of the 70 speak to us. It was so cool. He talked about 10 points that the Apostasy happened. It was way good super intense. Thats the really cool thing about beening in the mtc for a while we get to hear alot of people speak on deep doctrine all we get in class is that shallow fundemental doctrine to teach investigators. So it is way cool. The language principles are getting engraven in my brainit is way cool some of them are really hard though so luckly we have 2 teacher and like 4 tutors that can help us with those principle. The best experiences i have teaching in spanish is at this thing called Training Recouce Center (TRC). We have to teach different lesson every week and they have to be all in spanish but they are to members that come and volunteer so its way intense they dont even act like investigators so it makes it that much harder to do it in spanish when you dont know some of the words. Anyway about that sweater you sent... Ya that thing has stains all over it. I love the gesture but it would just make me look like a slobb lol so ill probably send it back lol sont worry about sending a new one lol. but hatnk you for overnighting my shoes i needed those so bad. i sould send the other shoes back today sometime. I also put a few pictures in there. There are also so pamflets that we have been using i our lessons that i think should help you alot with teaching the principles that are in them they are great. So send everyone my love tell them i miss them and to pray for me.

Love You All,

Elder Spencer Olsen

ps thank you for the sports stuff everyone always askes me about it hahahaha its way funny

(November 18, 2011, MOM)

I received the email while I was at Gilbert High teaching dance and a friend from 9th Ward, Elijah, was in my A hour class. He asked how Spencer was doing and I told him that I should be getting his email any minute. And sure enough, it came. So I was able to email Spencer right back and told him that E.J. says "hi" and Spencer responded "hi" right back. He is being obedient and not emailing/texting me anymore. =) I guess I need to get him some more socks for christmas! I think I'll send them to him at the mtc instead of paying for shipping to Honduras. haha. And the sweatshirt, I'm going to have Lauren pick one up and take it to him next week because she is going to go to Lehi/Provo for Thanksgiving weekend. The package I sent him had his black tennis shoes, his grey vans, a stained sweatshirt, and Dad got him a big bag of gummy worms, some almonds, and Garrett got him a Santa stuft animal. Garrett sure does love his big brother and he is to tender hearted. Until next week. Hopefully there will be pictures...

One Month Down...23 More To Go

November 13, 2011

We received Spencer's email early friday morning. Boy does it sure make my day to receive that letter. I try and write him a few times a week through Dearelder so he gets something in the mail everyday or so. The rest of the family does the same thing. I'm sure it helps for him to receive something in the mail. I remember when I was going to BYU-HI and getting a letter was "the Bomb!"

I didn't have time to get it blogged before I left on a road trip with Aunt Shelly to Chicago, so here are two emails, November 4th and November 11, Veterans day. When I woke up the morning of the 4th, it was 5:55 and I checked my email and Spencer had just posted his letter to us. I immediately posted back and asked if he was still there. Then I went to Dearelder to quickly send him a letter so that he would get it that afternoon. When I went back to my email, Spencer had responded! It was so cool. He said yes and that he was writing to Kevin and Darin. I went back to finish my letter and when I went back to my email, he said he had to go to breakfast and do his laundry. It was so fun! I felt like I was talking right to him...well I was!!

(From Spencer, Nov 4th)

Hey Mom and everyone,
Just another week in the mtc. The language is still pretty hard but i feel mmyself getting better everyday. We had a sub come it to are class (mom i dont want to hear you way why didnt they call me in the next email...) this week his name was harmano Orem. He really changed my prospective on learning spanish. He said that the language would come in time but to learn the lesson. And when studying the language dont think im not learning the language for myself but i need to think that how are my investigators going to understand if i dont learn this laguage. It has really helped me because when i got hear all i could think about was man i cant wait to get home and use this gift. But i needed to have the mentality i cant wait to use this gift to serve Gods children. It was a way awesome experience for me. Nothing really big happened this week regaurding myself. My amckle is baisically better now. The days here bleed together. They are just repetatvie and monotunus but totally worth it. It is a lot of fun. We had half our distric leave this week to go to the guatamala mtc. its nuts we went from a full class of 10 to a class of 6 its really weird. Me and my compaion taught for 30 minutes straight in spanish on tuesday. We do this thing called TRC where members come and have us teach them lessons in spanish. In the 1st lesson i did most of the talking. it was on personal revalation through prayer it was way exciting. The 2nd lesson didnt go as well but i still di alot of talking. Connor finally wrote me the other day. Still nothing from mitchell. Tell him he is a little punck for not sending me anything :-P! The days go slow but the weeks go fast its crazy. Its already almost been a month since i have been here. Did i tell you that i live in the same building as Jake packer and Robbie bowler its awesome seeing a few people from home. Well send eveyone my love im doing fine everythign is great im actually having the disapline to not eat so much or eat all of the bad stuff its awesome i can almost fit in my suit again hahaha. Well I'll send for anything if i need it. Actually on the note can you send me my gray vans and my gray nikes that i left i hate these black nikes they are really annoying. :) Sorry connor. And garrett i dont have time to listen to your song right now but ill save it for when im not strickly timed on my email. But im sure its great. Oh and Dad wheres my weekly sports upate shoot. I had to find out form one of the new elders who on the World serise go NL! And i also want to know about football. You are killing me smalls! Well ill email you guys next week
Love Ya,
Elder Spencer Olsen

(MOM)

So I went on a road trip with my sister in law, Shelly to pick up a car in Chicago and drive it back to Gilbert. We stopped in Nauvoo for 20 min and then to Carthage for 25 min. It was awesome. The second day we went to Oklahoma City and saw the memorial and I'm glad we did that. On the last day, we stayed with Shelly's boy, Chris & Heather, in New Mexico. The morning we were leaving to finish our drive home, it was Monday the 7th. At 7:30 I got a text from Spencer, " Hey, have a few minutes on the computer, how are you doing?" I was so excited and we shot a couple of messages back and forth and then he sent one to his dad and then one to Connor. Boy was that exciting! Let's just say, I didn't have time to take a shower because I was talking to Spencer. haha. I was able to send 3 postcards from our trip, Chicago, Nauvoo, and Oklahoma City. When I got back from my trip, I waited patiently for friday and his letter. I woke up and looked at my email and here it is:

(Spencer, November 11th)

Dear Mom And everyone,

Its been a crazy week. I feel myself getting more a hold on the languge everyday its great. On Tuesday i talked in spanish for 15 minutes about how the revalation through the bom has changed my prespective in the mtc. It was crazy. they have members come to the mtc and we have a subject to teach them on and give them a 20 minute lesson. I had been reading 1nephi 20 and vesre 2 (i think it was that) really hit me. It talked about how got has hidden nephi in the shadow of His hand and made his vocie like a sharp sword it was way cool but i was able to talk about that in my lesson. We also have 2 "progressing investegators" with "batismal dates". They are just our teachers but they acted like investigators that they had on their missions it is way cool. It was way cool i figured out how to texted you so all of those postcards were like 2 days late hahah it was funny. Anyway its been awesome here but a montunus having the same schedule everyday. But i love having the the spirit with me all the time. Its a great change in my life i cant wait to get out there and start teaching no matter how broken my spanish is. Well thats about it hey dad here is a phrase you can use at california st... Puedo usar su banjo (translation... may i use your bathroom hahahahaha) no you can say you have started learning spanish.

Love everyone

Elder Spencer Olsen

Ps mitchell still hasnt written me if he has the day off tell him to write hahah :-P

(MOM Nov 13th, 2011 - I didnt finish this before I left for church)

I received another text from Spencer today during Relief Society. He admitted that he needed to stop doing this but he asked for one more favor. Along with his vans and tennis shoes, he wants a hoody sweat shirt. Oh and a diet dew. haha. I said ok about the sweat shirt but I don't know about the dew. I also told him that I was worried about him communicating so much with me and that he needed to be obedient. We'll see if that continues. As much as I love getting those extra little hellos, he really does need to obey the rules.

Provo Temple

So in Spencer's hand written letter from last week, he talked about going to the Provo Temple and was able to take a tour. These are the pictures that were sent that were taken of him. We believe the tall blonde boy is his companion. And for those of you who are from our ward, you might have to take a double take because you might think that Kevin is there with him. But it's not him. He's in Puerto Rico. What a righteous looking group of young men.

Poor Spencer, he definitely did not get the tall gene of the family. His companion is 6'5". At least he's not the shortest one of the group!

Week One in the MTC

Hello Everyone,

This week has been an emotional roller coaster! We received Spencer's 1st email. I wasn’t expecting it at all. We were looking for a handwritten one in the mail either today or Monday, so this was a real treat. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did. BTW: We were going to go on the boat on wed, the day he went into the MTC. We were all ready to go but the boat keys were lost. We took them into the house after our last trip, which we never do for this exact reason and we can't find them. We were sure that Spencer had hid them and forgot to tell us because he told me the day before he left that we couldn't take the boat out or he would be mad. haha the joke is on us! Now the dilemma is....where are the boat keys?

Have a great day and we'll talk to you next week

Wendi

(From Spencer October 15, 2011)

Hey Everyone,

Garrett you are so funny i didnt hide the boat keys. Dumb! But i did hid your wand in my suit case hahaha i have your wand. Anyways it has been a super long last 3 and a half days. When i got here they hearded us like cattle from our car to get our nametag and all our info then to the book store where we got like 25 lbs of books up to our rooms. Im on the 3rd floor. Then dropped off all my stuff then went to meet our comps and our dristrics. My comp is Elder Harrington. He is a doofy but cool kid. He is from las vegas but has bee going to school at the y for the last year. He is alot like marshall really tall palled basketball and is sometimes to sarcastic. But i really like him he is a good balance for me. Our distric is so bomb! We have this elder in it that looks exactly like kevin its a little creepy how much he looks like him. He has probably become my best friend here in the mtc. The days here take forever we have like 6 hours of class room instruction everyday and 3 ours of comp/personal/laguage study. Way to much sitting! But the language is coming along ok we already know how to meet/greet someone, bear our testimony, and pray. But its like when a little primary kid does it hahaha. WE started teaching our 1st investigator yesterday all in spanish. That was wild. But me and my comps hung in there. Its just crazy to think that only 5 days ago i was at home. It still really hasnt hit me that i am not going to be able to go home for the next 2 years so im not home sick yet it feels alot like EFY way weird. But no GIRLS!!! The weird thing is is that we got a way good looking female teacher who has only been home from her mission for 5 months making her our age. No bueno! but im having a great time trying my best not to eat too much of the food lol its a struggle. i just hope i wont gain too much weight. I told my comp he has to help me and if he has too pull food away from me haha. But everything is going great after this week i will have my p-day on friday the rest of the time im in the mtc so expect my emails then. Oh yeah, what im going to do for you mom is when i finish a journal ima send it home so i dont have to lugg it aroud so you can get more detail out of that lol. Hey connor can you do me a favor a check my gmail im expecting an email for sololuck@hotmail.com when or ifithas already come can you forward it to me its all the same stuff from my fb account. and mitchell you had better have sold those games and if you havent DO IT and send me the money haha. And dad i told diann in her thankyou card to make sure you were going hard and not standing around talking hahah. Oh mom guess what half of the shots i was supposed to get on that card i font have to get. its only going to be like 150 bucks instead fo 350. But send everyone my love dont worry about me im doing fine. Cant wait to get more stuff from you guys haha.

LOVE,

ELDER SPENCER OLSEN

HON-TEG

(from Garrett to Spencer October 12, 2011)

hi Spencer,

how are you? we were going to go to the lake and we cant find the boat keys. mom said you would be mad if we went. so i was wondering if by chance you hid them from us. they have been sitting on the telephone desk.spence we have been home from our trip we have torne the house apart. WHERE ARE THE BOAT KEYS!

your brother,

Garrett

(from MOM to Spencer)

Spencer, October 20, 2011

It was so fun to get your letter on email, and honestly, I now check my gmail account everyday just in case you snuck a letter through. You would be proud of me. I have been really strong and I cried all my tears those last few days, and every once in a while I well up with a few tears, but it's been easier than I thought. I miss you tremendously! I subbed at Greenfield Elementary on Wed and as I drove in to the parking lot, I thought how you came and picked me up all those days, and you brought me pop, too. I've thought about calling you a couple of times at home to check on something for me and then remembered you weren’t there. Haha, I know that you are doing great things. Dad hasn't changed your name on his phone and Mitchell called him the other day. He picked up the phone and with a panicked thought he wondered why you were calling him. Haha.

It's still really hot, upper 90s. I cant wait until it cools off. I’m so ready to start wearing jeans, but it too hot. Auntie Bev and Uncle Ken were here in town and we met up with them and Grandma and we went to lunch in Cave Creek at the Mexican place we used to go to when we sold jackets up there. It was fun. They were here only for a couple of days. So it was fun to see them. I have been subbing at Gilbert High in foods, Child Develop and HERO. The teacher is a friend of Diane Wright, Sis Hinton, and her father, Bisop Arrington, dad's old Bishop died on sunday. He's the old man that always sat behind us in 9th ward. It's been fun. I go in for A hour and Im done at 1130 and I get a full days pay! That makes $16 an hour. I can handle that! I'm really tired because you know me and mornings. Other than that there really isnt much going on. Shelly and Mike are all moved in and it's kinda nice to have them here. They stopped by on Sunday just as we were sitting down for dinner, so we set 2 more plates and they joined us. Luckily I had cooked extra.

That reminds me about the cooking thing. It's so weird to have your spot opened, but lots of times someone is sitting there. I still think about what to fix according to what you like. Its funny. And I can't seem to get the portions right either. I keep making too much and then Connor won't eat half the time so then we really have a lot of leftovers.

School is going fine for the kids. I think they are finally caught up from the week they lost and they all pulled decent grades. We had parent/teacher Conf today, and Mrs. Collins wants to take Garrett out of Resource all together and see how he does. He is really doing well in school and is comprehending most everything. That was encouraging. He hasn't had anymore episodes like he did your last night except when he found out you took his wand. I had to hold him and snuggle with him for 1/2 hour. Keep it safe and bring it home! Connor is still battling the sunday thing. We called him out on sunday and said he wasn't feeling well. He had to call in anyway. He told them he had a migraine. He'll tell you about his work. I think he is finally an official Maintenance Guy. I overheard him tell Dad this afternoon. Dad has changed up his workout and he is training with Holly. He doesn't do as much cardio and he's doing new weight stuff. So he's not at the gym as much. DeAnne doesn't like it cuz he doesn't do all of his cardio at the beginning. He does it at the end. We got Mitchell pre-registered for EFY. He is still helping Andrew mow lawns so he should be able to pay for half.

Oh, by the way. I forgot to tell you in the last letter.....(dad wanted me to say this and I forgot), Your best friend Emily Cardita will be there some time the end of November I think. You will still be there when she goes in. She is going to SLC Temple - ASL. She's excited. She looks different. It's amazing the change you kids do when you decide to go on missions. It's like the Lord is starting to prepare you as soon as you decide to make the committment. OK, enough about us. Now for the Questions.

How are things Going?

How is your Companion?

What is he like? family? Interest? etc.

How is the language?

Have you gotten to hear from any General Authorities?

Did you see Sis Marble? Allens?

Have you received my package? My DearElder letters? (I just sent a little something today, so you should get it by Monday)

Is it cold?

Do you go outside?

Are you glad you have a coat?

How is the food?

Are you doing ok with your eating?

How is the exercise?

Have you been to the temple? Do you get to go?

Hows the dorm? sleeping arrangements? Living arrangements?

Will there really be a "Halloween" there? should I send candy? If I do you have to promise not to open it until the "party" and then you have to share it!

What have you heard about the mission/mission president?

We found your Ipod. How much music and what kind of music?

How come you wrote to Connor and not me? I will work on your list and get it in the mail. We found your pocket knife thing, your Ipod and your hymn book when we were looking for the boat keys. (we still haven't found them) haha really, you want a fan? That will be expensive to send unless I can find someone to get you one, like Jan. I'll work on it.

Do you need stationary/stamps?

Would you like a plastic envelope to keep letters, memoribilia in?

ARE YOU TAKING PICTURES?

Where is your driving records and your international drivers license? There is nothing left in your room. In your box in the kitchen?

How are you doing on money?

Did you get your shots? I was excited to hear that it wasnt going to cost as much!

Well, that is enough questions for right now. Let me know what you want for Christmas. I will have to send it to the Mission home early. I havent decided if I will send your birthday then too or maybe I'll wait and do it at your half bday like Brett does for Tyler and Megan. Let me know what you think. One big package or one now and one in July.

We love you! We miss you! We are proud of you! Is there anything we need to be doing that I havent done yet? or that Im not doing because I don't know about it? Let me know. Work hard. Don't get discouraged. You are a strong boy that can do anything you want to when you set your mind to it! I have updated your blog 3 times this week. It's been kinda fun. We always post it on your fb and mine so everyone can see it. I haven't put your first letter yet, but I have group-sent it to family and friends. I will hopefully get it done tomorrow. Alma Don sends her love and is excited to hear how your MTC experience is. I hope you are doing well and you are happy you made this decision. You are going to make a great missionary. Take care. One thing I didn't do just before you left was tickle your back and I actually miss doing that!

I Love you!

MOM =)

p.s. make sure you date your letters so we can keep the in order!

(From Spencer)

Dear mom and everyone,

Everything is going great. I kinda messed up on some stuff so its going to be a short email this week but ill write you today some time. I just going to do the nececties in the email this week. It is intense but awesome. i can feel myself shange everyday. The language is good and my comp is great. Dont worry about the fan or candy i havent heard anthinf special about that. The weather is way cold right now i can see my breath untill about noon. no bueno! Sorry i didnt write you mom i thought my emails were enough. lol. I just need to be able to call to ask you for stuff haha. But ya i love you all. I wish i had more time to write but ti is great and dont worry

Love your missionary,

Elder Spencer Olsen

10/24/11

(from Spencer hand written, typed by MOM)

Dear Mom,

Sorry my email was so short. You wrote me a really long email and it killed a lot of my time to actually write my email. So what I saw other elders doing was writing their emails on their journal in lds.org. So I did the same. I wrote my email answered all your questions and copied the email. And when I logged in my email I had like 12 minutes left. Ipened your email, hit relpy and went to pase what I had wrote and it didn’t. And when I logged in to my email it closed lds.org and didn’t save the journal entry. So I’m sorry.

But everything is going great. My comp is way cool. His name is Elder Jarod Harrington. He is from Las Vegas, plays basketball (he is 6’5”). Overall a chill guy. His is similar to me, goffy and precistant.

The Language is coming…I definetly know more than when I entered. We had to teach a fake investigator in Spanish after like 4 days after being here. It was hard but helped a lot. The guy ended up being our teacher. So we have 2 teachers.

Last Tuesday we heard from Richard G. Scott. My district sat like 10 rows from the front. Probably the best devo I have ever been to. We get to have a devo every Sunday and Tuesday. On Sundays, its normally someone who works in the church offices but on Tuesdays are supposed to be the ones the General Authorities come to. I guess we missed Elder Holland by like 3 weeks.

Sis Marble came in last week on Monday. When I saw her I went to give her a hug but like right as I opened my arms I realized I couldn’t. Haha! The Allen’s came in today. It was great to see them. It was just a quick encounter, they were doing all the 1^st day stuff.

I actually got your package on Saturday that you said you had sent. But I have gotten all of your packages and the dearelder’s. I got one from Lauren that 1^st day and I got one from Gma today. She did it on her Iphone so it was really weird. Lol.

Like I said in my email, ya it is way cold. The jacket helps when we have 6:30 gym time. The run over there is so cold. But I’m not looking forward to it getting colder. We have 4 Elders in my district that leave next Tuesday for the Guatamala MTC. Everyone is jealous. I know I am. That 1^st Wednesday to Sunday felt like 2 months. It took forever. But after Sunday it has sped up.

The food is ok. It’s just like eating at the Cannon Center. The 1^st few days were hard but I got the hang of eating only what I need. I also promised my Branch Pres. That I would watch my weight. He is a funny but intense guy. Like Bishop Webb and Pres. Peterson mixed into one. He is a great guy. Whenever we have 6:30 gym I run 1 mile before I do anything else. We have 6:30 gym 2 a week. Every other day we go out and play soccer. But soon we will only be able to go to the gym not the field.

For the temple they give us a 3 hour time slot on every P-day. Ours is at 10:05. On Friday we did intiatories. But the lookest thing was one of the guys in my district has a very good family friend who is the Temple Recorder. So he took us on a tour. He told us he was taking us places nobody gets to go! We went upstairs in the Temple. The Provo Temple is circular se we went on the outer ring on the inside of the temple and went in to their projection boot. So I guess the provo temple is the only temple where you can see temple to temple. Out of the North side of the building you can see the Timpview Temple – way cool. After that he took us on the roof! We stood right next to the steeple and right on the edge. The guy who took us on the tour had a camera. So he took some really good pics of us. He said he would send them to us after we left the MTC.

The dorms are just 2 sets of bunks, 4 closets and 2 desks. The 2 Elders we were sharing with moved the other day so its just me and my comp in a room meant for 4 when there are other rooming that are like up to 7 Elders. Oh well.

I guess there is going to be nothing for Halloween. And the treats are great but can you send me healthier ones like salted almonds would be awesome and the All fruit rollups.

I haven’t heard anything about the mission or mission president. But there is someone in my Zone who is actually from Queen Creek and he knows someone who is there right not. So I asked hime to email his buddy and ask him. So I should know something this Friday about it.

Ya I most definitely did not hide the boat keys. I bet this is God telling you not to do anything fun while I’m gone. Sounds like the Lord is on my side. HA!

For my Ipod, just as much music as you can. If you go to youth.lds.org there are some really good songs you can download for free I think. But it doesn’t matter in the MTC we can’t listen to it here but send it before I leave here.

Stationary and stamps would be helpful. Stamps are expensive. They are $.44 a piece. Lots of paper and envelopes too. Also yes to the plastic envelope. I just need you guys to constantly post my email telling people to send me their addresses on my FB. But yea that would be awesome to have that stuff.

I’m taking as many pictures as I can. It’s kinda hard in the MTC because we are always in class. But I have taken a few.

My driving record and International drivers license should be in that box. If not there check to see if it is in the records drawer in your desk. That’s all I can think of.

Money’s fine. I only used my card once and the rest has bee the cash I had with me on the plane so I’m good for now. Oh yeah, it was a bad trade with Lauren on the camera. The one she traded me sucks so bad. It really does eat batteries. And I haven’t gotten my shots yet. They are going to give them to me all at once. So I don’t have to get them or pay for them until like Nov. 24^th so I’m set.

Thank you for all your blessings. I’m so excited to get out on the field. It’s so hard to stay sane in the MTC. But it should get better.

Love Your Missionary,

Elder Spencer Olsen

Oh, P.S. Can you get me Kevin, Darin, and Harrison’s email and addresses for me and Chandler! Oh and for Christmas ties and socks. Seriously the washer and dryers here already ate 3 of my socks. Also tell Jensen to email me. I have a question for him.

(From Spencer)

Dear family and everyone,

Week 2 down 7 to go. The MTC is a weird place because you really just experience the same thing over and over again. So there ios really nothing too exciting to write about haha. But I do have one cool thing. So on tuesday we were out playing soccer and i was running aroud do my soccer thing. So the soccer feils is on a hill not flat ground. So when i stopped one time my body kept going and my feet stopped so i rolled my ankle pretty good. Mom wait till you see those pics hahahah. Worse than when mitchell had that thing drop on his foot. But its prefectly fine i have been walking on it. My ZL's made me go see the doctor so i went and he gave me some rehab for it and a new ankle brace he wants me to wear for the next year.

Hey Garrett,

Thank you for being the only brother to write me 2 times since i have been in the MTC. It was way cool to get your dearelder yesterday. That is exciting that you have a solo in the primary program you guys need to figure out how to record it and send it to me. And that is awesome that you are gettimng out of resource. I am so proud of you. Just work hard. If you do your part and pray for hevanly father to help uyou anything is possible. I know that because i am were i am right now. Keep up the good work.

Hey connor and mitchell,

Thanks for not writing me. I even sent connor a hand written letter and still nothing. LAME SAUCE!!! Well i hope everything is going great for you out there for you guys. But it would help to hear from you so i can write something for you :-P

Dad,

You working on your spanish yet. I sure know i am. It is super intese. So if you are going to try to learn it start now! It'll be fun for you i think to be able to talk to everyone down at the apt. But yeah it'll be great for your memory to do that. And tell everyone at the gym im doing great and i wish i would have spent more time there when i had the chance haha.

Mom,

i wrote you like 2 days ago so i really dont have much to say. But im having fun and doing great.

Well like i said days are the same here at the mtc. Class study gym more class. So ya but it is alot of fun . Well we are headed off to the temple now ill talk to you all next week.

Love your favorite missionary,

Elder spencer Olsen

P.s. Mitchell can you get me a hacky sack. One of the good sand ones from zoomies. It would help alot

We Have an ELDER! Now We Have to Say Goodbye!

Elder Spencer Olsen - Honduras, Tegucigalpa, Reports Oct 12, 2011

Monday, Oct 10, 2011, we gathered around the living room in our home to set Spencer Olsen apart to be a missionary for the Lord for the next two years. What a spiritual experience that was. The President Bluthe asked dad to conduct the meeting. We sang Called to Serve and Grandma Linda offered the opening prayer. Dad then turned the time over to President Bluthe. He said a few words and then asked Dad to share his testimony. How proud we are of our Dad and the example he has set for the family. Then Mom was asked to share her testimony. She just hopes that she has been an example and teacher to her son so that he can go out and preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Then Bishop Webb was asked to share his testimony. What a great man he is and a great influence he has been in Spencer's life. Then President Bluthe set Spencer apart as a missionary. What a beautiful prayer it was. Many things were told to Spencer that will help him throughout his mission, and we all know that he will be blessed and protected. He will have the Spirit with him to spread the word. Then Spencer was asked to share his testimony. How proud we are of him. He is a great young man. It was at that time that we felt that he is ready to go. There was such a sweet spirit in our home. And we are so thankful that we have the opportunity to have a missionary go out and represent our family, his leaders who have taught him well, but especially Jesus Christ. President Bluthe said a few more things, he turned the time back to Dad. He asked Sam, Spencer's mentor, to give the closing prayer and then it was official. WE HAVE A MISSIONARY.

We were happy to have Mom & Dad, the boys, Aunt Shelly and Uncle Mike, Grandma Linda, Bishop Webb and Sam there to share this special occasion with us. Just before the Stake President left, he had one arm around Spencer and shaking Dad's hand and said, "Now, you're going to make sure he will have a companion with him and that he goes to bed by 10:30. Missionary rules apply as soon as you become a missionary. That means no t.v., music, alone time, but especially hugging girls! Of course he could hug his Mom, Grandma, and Aunt Shelly.

Tuesday was an emotional day. We were flying him up to Provo on Tuesday night, and he was going to stay with our cousin, Jan. She was going to take him to the MTC on Wed. She has 5 boys and has done this many times, so we knew that he would be in good hands. We had a few more things to do to get ready. Inigio, our apartment manager, wanted to see him, so Spencer went with Dad to California St. (our nickname of our apartments) to say goodbye. He called Grandpa and Lauren and talked to both of them while his last batch of clothes were washing. He had to finish packing, do the power of attorney and his 2009 taxes (long story-thanks to Aunt Shelly they got done). With all that needed to be done, he still found time to go play racquette ball with Connor one last time. We got everything done right up to the last minute, of course. And then the time came.

We were going to go to Kona Grill for sushi and calamari before we left, but we ran out of time. We had been to just about every eating establishment in the last month or so that we could think of except Kona. I guess he'll have to just dream about it! So we went to Ned's Sub. The owner had served his mission several years ago and was honored that we would come to his place for Spencer's "last meal." He gave us all free drinks and chips in his honor. We also bought a tee shirt, and the guy said' "Wear that tee-shirt proud in Honduras!"

We arrived at the airport about an hour early. We sat around for about 15 minutes and then Spencer really started getting antsy. He just wanted to go. The hugging began. Mom didn't want to let go, but it had to be done! We walked him to security. Dad kept saying, come on Spencer, just one tear. I want to see a tear. He turned around and gave us a big smile and wave and turned back around and walked away. That was it. Mom loves the last picture of him! She will keep it in her mind until he gets home.

He called us when he go to Jan's that evening. And then he called in the morning. He spent the morning his favorite Youth leader, Chris (he moved to Provo), and went to his favorite hot dog stand. He went to Walmart for a few last things (a mattress pad cover and some goodies). And then he went to his cousins Italian Place for his last, last meal. He called us from there but he was done saying goodbye. We told him we loved him one more time and that was really it! Jan called about 15 min after she dropped him off. She was so excited for him. He looked so happy and the Elders that were assigned to him, took his bags and walked him away. She said he is going to be a great missionary. Have I said it enough....He's going to be a GREAT MISSIONARY

Thank You for the Love & Support

We have great friends and family. Many people have helped support Spencer on his mission and we truly appreciate it. Some of our closest friend through a Missionary Shower for Spencer. Thank you to those who hosted and helped make that night so wonderful! He was showered with gifts that helped him cross items off the packing list. And many people helped financially also. We were able to go back to Pomeroy's and buy his luggage, socks, an alarm clock, and a few other essentials. We also had to buy him a coat that he would wear in Utah. He is going to the tropics, but will be in the snow for the next 2 months.

Spencer was able to speak twice, also. The first time he spoke with a High Councilman in 9th Ward. He did a great job, but he needed to clean up his talk a little. For their musical number, we had all four of our boys sing, "We'll bring the World His Truth." What a great honor it was to have them sing and they did an awesome job. What a proud moment for Mom and Dad. The next week he spoke in our home ward and how emotional was that! We have been in that ward for 14+ years and we have some good friends there. He started out his talk by asking everyone in the congregation to look at their hymn books. When he was a young boy, he wrote his name on the side of a hymn book, and he really wanted to find it. The 2nd Councilor in the Stake Presidency was on the stand, who used to be our Bishop, got up and went to the pulpit and whispered something in Spencer's ear. Come to find out he had seen it a week or so earlier in the Relief Society Room. Well, after church we went and found it. He wants to keep it for Spencer in his office for safe keeping, so it was returned to him. It was quite hilarious. They had all of the Young Men, including their leaders sing, "We'll bring the World His Truth." Another proud moment.

We had invited several friends from our gym to hear Spencer speak, so we had them all over for dinner after church. We had Costa Vida - Wendi's Version. We had so much fun! Brett's family came up from Tucson, along with Grandpa Clarke and Uncle Mike. We wish we could have had more family, but that's the sad part of living so far away from the ones you love.

The other great event that happened before Spencer left was that we were able to have his brother, Connor's, Eagle Court of Honor. Even though we were so busy getting Spencer ready, we needed to take the time and Honor Connor in his great accomplishment. It ended up being a great day with lots of friends, family and leader's who were there to support him. The two highlights were we had the four brothers dressed in their scout uniforms sing again, "We'll Bring the World His Truth." There wasn't a dry eye in the audience. The other was Connor leaned over to mom just as the meeting began and asked if he had to have a Mentor picked out. Mom neglected to talk to him about it. So when it came time to give out the pin, he choose his brother, Spencer. Well, if you didn't have a tear during the song, then you for sure had one at that moment. Even the two brothers managed to drop a tear or two.

What a difference and hour makes! They love each other so much, yet .......