October 13th Letter

Hola Padres!!!                                           October 13, 2010

Well I don’t know where all this time here has been going, today is start of week six! I only have about 2 and a half more!!! Ridiculoso!!! Well this week is kind of hard to remember I am just going through the days and they are starting to blend together more, but I will try and pick out the highlights for you.

Well this week since the temperature dropped outside, so did the one inside. I don’t know if they just didn’t turn on the heater or what but our room was about 69 before we went to bed and we woke up and it was like 55 in our room, we assumed it would get better so we just let it go for a while but it still was only about 60 for a week. So on Friday we tried to duct tape the vent of but that failed cuz it would just make noises and such. But then we opened the vent itself and filled it with towels, needless to say our room is much much much much warmer.

Oh Saturday, it was BYUs homecoming and the game was so ridiculously loud we could hear it for the whole night. It kind of bummed me out to know that I wouldn’t be able to watch College Football for two years but I can still keep up on the scores.

That same night we pulled a prank on our teacher, he had been kind of bummed the whole week because he had gotten dumped by his girlfriend so to perk up his spirits we changed a few words in a song. He taught us about command form in Spanish and he told us "besa me" is the command form to kiss me.  Elder Vance asked about it so it wasn’t like he just teaches us those things. But we took those words and threw them into the end of ”God be with you till we meet again” and needless to say, it made his day a whole lot better. I still have my prankster skills a little on the mission.

The Spanish is getting so much better.  I am understanding a lot more and also being able to talk more.  If I had to guess I would probably be about the skill level of a 4 or 5 year old. Our big task this week is to teach in Spanish. So we will see how that goes. Yesterday I went about 4 hours speaking only Spanish. It was actually good. But I still have a long way to go.

Last night was also our devotional, it was so legit! It was by Richard C. Edgeley. He talked about missionary work, who would have thought!! I love these devotionals, they are always exactly what I need at the right time! They help strengthen my testimony and why I am here. The main thing that helped me was this quote by James E. Faust, I absolutely love it! It says "Faith is the power, obedience is the price, love is the motive, and Christ is the reason." I know that I am out here to help other and bring the to Christ. It is because of Him why I have a work to do in the first place. I love you both and all!

Live it, Love it, Preach it!

With much love,   Elder D

Two Letters Oct. 4 and 6 and pictures!

Elder Davis and Elder Wood, CompanionsMTC District

Hola mis Padres!!!        October 6, 2010

Yes, conference was absolutely amazing!!!! I don’t think I have ever gotten so much out of conference before. The talks were so amazing. I took like 20 pages of notes; I don’t even think I have taken that many notes in school before! My favorite talk was probably Elder Packer’s or Nelson’s I think, both on agency.

I did see the Scrimsher’s, it was pretty awesome. I was walking back from the Provo Temple and something said to look out for a big red suburban.  And sure enough, it was pulling into the MTC parking lot.  It was cool to see Jett.  I took a few pictures with them. Elder Scrimsher didn’t end up in my zone but I think it might be better that way. I have seen him around a few times since and have talked a little here and there. Honestly, I am learning a lot of Spanish and a lot of Gospel Doctrine, pero I am really anxious to get out of here and be out helping real people. This place kind of takes a toll on you when you are here for a month!

I was planning on starting the email talking about the weather, but I’m not Grandpa Swoboda. J But the weather here is pretty nice it is only around in the 70s and 60s, it has been overcast and raining basically the whole week and is a nice change.

        But like you said, I am getting some crazy new Spiritual insights here. I think this is the only place that we can receive some of these insights. I look forward to the time each day that I have to read the BOM or LDM in Spanish and PMG. It is truly changing my life! The other day Elder Gunter and I had to teach the Plan of Salvation to some other guys from our district and I am truly learning how to become a good teacher and feel what the Spirit is telling me to say. It was one of the most Spiritual experiences I have had since I was here! It was so awesome! I also learned that even if we think that we aren’t teaching well that the Spirit does most of the teaching through us anyways, so it is the Spirit that takes our message into the investigator’s hearts and testifies of the truthfulness of our message.

Can you believe that your little boy has been here at the MTC for a whole month!!!!  The time is just cruising by and I am loving the time I have here. One spiritual thing I would like to share is from the last chapter of Luke. In this chapter Simon Peter and some other apostles are fishing again after the death of Christ. They weren’t having any success and Christ says cast the net on the other side and they do and they catch a TON of fish!!!! Then Christ asks, "lovest thou me more than these?" Peter answers and says " thou knowest I love thee Lord." Christ then says "Feed my sheep". To me this just meant that by giving up my two years I am showing my love for the Savior and that I need to forget about "fishing" or the things of home and that they will be there after I am done "feeding his sheep".

We had an awesome devotional last night by Elder Neuenschwander. Everyone was amazed that I knew how to pronounce and spell the name but I had to confess I was familiar with it before I was here. (Thanks Brother Neuenschwander, from Burbank Ward!!) He gave an awesome talk on how to improve our mission, he talked about how we make our missions what they are, and that it truly depends on us. Another topic was honor the title we hold, not too many people in the church have the chance to be called Elder and people notice us wherever we go and are and we should be representing Christ wherever we go.

        Well I love you both so much! Everyone else who reads this as well!  I have sent home some pictures.  Enjoy! 

Live it, Love it, Preach it!

Love,           Elder D!!!

LETTER IN THE MAIL on OCTOBER 4, 2010 

Como le va?  How is it going?  I got your package today – technically I got it on Saturday but couldn’t pick it up until Monday - the place was closed because of conference.  I am extremely grateful for the package.  I was not happy for all the dots though!  They were all over my desk and floor!  The candy bars were awesome!  Thank you for the book.  I am sure I will use it on my mission.  Thanks for the stamps!  I did need them!  I enjoy writing people back, it shows that I really do care for them.  I know I don’t have to write back all the time but I want to!  (As a Mom, I mentioned to Chad that it is nice to write back but sometimes he may simply not have the time and those who write him will understand if they don’t get a letter back for a while.)

The pictures you sent were awesome!  I have them posted  up so I can see them a bunch and show them off – my dog, my niece and nephew, my parents.  It is so crazy that Chay Chay will be 2 next week!  Make sure to give her a hug and kiss for me.  Keep sending pictures, I love seeing everything back home.  I don’t miss it, I just like seeing things back home! 

I haven’t lost any weight.  I am starting to eat better.  I highly think black beans and rice will ever by my favorite!  I really want some soyu Chicken and rice!  I think I have gained only about 4-5 pounds.  The mail is great!  (I asked if he was receiving enough mail or too much?) It would be nice to know some of the local high school football scores if you can send me some.  Maybe even newspaper cutouts? 

I LOVE YOU BOTH SO SO SO MUCH!  Tell Dad his baby will be home before he knows it.         Love,        Elder Davis

Letter #4 - 9-29-2010

Letter Number 4!  September 29, 2010

Hello Family and Everyone else!

My cold has gone down a little bit, I am still congested a little and have a cough every now and then but I can go to sleep most nights. I did get your letter or puzzle, I should say. Jett, or Elder Scrimsher should be here today and I’m pretty sure I will be able to find him; he will be the only kid with the last name Scrimsher! Well that’s cool you got to see Shelby. I wish I would have got to see her before I left but it is what it is.

I am glad that you are staying busy, I wouldn’t want you both to moping around the house all day just crying your eyes out. J  I am supposed to be here and I will be back soon enough. That is crazy that Elder Gibson is going home. I heard from (Elder) Lunceford a few times and it’s weird to think he is coming back to Utah the same time Gibson is.

What BYU class did you take? (I told Chad I have started my first on-line BYU class in an attempt to “finish what I started at BYU”.) I can see the Y from my room window. It’s pretty crazy to be so close to so many people I know but yet be so far away.

Things happening here.... well we had two elders from our district leave. But before you jump to conclusions, they went to a different MTC in Guatemala. It’s weird how you grow so close to people in just 3 short weeks. its nuts to think I have been here for 3 weeks already, but I still have six weeks left! I am ready to just leave and head out with the little Spanish knowledge I know. The days are blending together and it’s hard to pick out the certain things that have happened. We have a new teacher now, his name is Hermano Synder. He is from Utah, but served in Mexico. He is pretty cool. My Spanish is expanding incredibly. I love how you learn so fast here. It is kind of mandatory.

My companions and me are becoming really close. They are the kind of kids I would usually choose to hang out with but they are becoming so really good friends. Elder Wood may even end up becoming a roommate at BYU-I after the mish.

I am sorry if these letters are short it’s just hard to remember all the events to enlighten you. We had an incredible fireside on domingo. aka Sunday. The speaker kept me awake and was super entertaining. He had some awesome insights and gave us a ton of advice to be better missionaries. Every speaker throws out a few comments about obedience and being worthy to have the Spirit. I think the Lord wants to stress the points a little bit.

I do love you and miss you pero my place is here and soon will be in St. George. I want you to know that I love you guys so much and know that these two years will go by fast! I will be home before you know it and then you will have to get used to living with me all over again. Thank you for being there!

Live it, Love it, Preach it!

Elder Davis

p.s. Oh and if you want, you can send me a package with some caffeine! Its like alcohol here. lol Everyone yearns for it. So any goodies from home, homemade cookies? I love you!

Elder Davis

(We were able to send one package that included COLD REMEDIES and some basic supplies. A second package was sent this week with candy bars, excedrin, pez dispensers, missionary stories, etc.)  -- the mom :)

From Father to Son

PREFACE:  As many of you know, Darin served in Hawaii on his mission.  His mom rarely wrote and his dad, never.  Darin wrote to Chad and expressed his love for him and the gospel.  Chad’s reply was….priceless.  Enjoy.  (Both of Darin’s parents have passed away.)

On Mon, Sep 27, 2010 at 1:37 PM, Davis, Darin L. <dldavis@energy-northwest.com> wrote:

Elder Davis,

It was good to get your letter last week. I am so glad to hear that you are finding it exciting to learn and live the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I am sure that as you are learning  and growing in the gospel, You are also growing as a good man.

We attended the open house at the Scrimsher's for Jett's farewell yesterday. They left this morning to drive to Utah. Just think You will see him almost by the time you receive this E-mail. Shelby said to tell you hello, she was here from Knoxville, Tennessee.

As your mother has told you I have been trying to read every night from The Book of Mormon and other church sources. I have felt that I need to have a better understanding of the gospel myself.

Last week Bro. and Sis. DeMille asked when and where you were going to be at in southern Utah, I told them you were in the MTC until the 9th of November, they said darnit, They are going to be in St. George for 3 weeks this next month and wanted to try to find you. We are having Elder Gibson and Ward to dinner on Friday night, before Elder Gibson goes home this next week.

Chad, I want you to know that I know the church is true and that Joseph Smith was/is a true prophet of our Heavenly Father. I know the Book of Mormon is the most correct book on Earth and it was translated by the gift and power of God for us to use in our lives, and to share with those that will except its teachings. What you are doing is one of the most important things you can do in this life, other than being a good Husband and good father to your children when that time comes. Remember we love you and are praying for your success every night. Remember to treat your companions with love and respect, as you would like to be treated.  I love you very much and want you to know that.

Love,

Dad

From: Chad Davis [mailto:chad.davis@myldsmail.net]
Sent: Wednesday, September 29, 2010 6:58 AM
To: Davis, Darin L.
Subject: Re: Hello Son!

That sucks that the Demilles will be there right before I will. pero I will be there soon enough hopefully.

I hope you stay strong and love the gospel, and love mom, and the grandkids. Give them all a hug for me! I miss you pops! You don’t even know! I hope that you will continue on this path of reading the Scriptures. I know they will bless your life, just like it is blessing mine! I will be back shortly! I love you so so so much dad! Don’t be afraid to share the gospel if the opportunity presents itself. I was always too scared to follow the promptings I got to share it, but I realized that missionary work isn’t for ourselves but for our Brothers and Sisters, that they are all children of God too; and that he wants to have all of us return to live with him. We need to live worthily to receive the promptings from the Spirit then act on them!

I love you and mom and even Emma! I would like to hear from her, so if she wants to write me an email or letter it would be nice to hear from her!

I love you pops!

Live it, Love it, Preach it!

Elder D

Letter Number Tres (3)

Hola Pardres!                        September 22, 2010 

Well I will get every email on Wednesday mother.  I only have 30 minutes total on the computer. So I will just flow out my words and you can fix it for the blog!

The MTC is pretty cool. The food still kind of sucks, it is basically the same thing every day. Milk and donuts/cereal for desayuno, some form of hamburger and fries for almuerzo, and the dinners are extremely random every day. The coolest part about the being here is the time we have to study. It’s cool to have 3 hours set out just for studying the gospel. We go play soccer basically everyday. It feels nice to get outside and run around! 

I loved the letter from Elder Scrimsher.  I did find Jared's advice very useful and am sending him a letter back.  We actually saw clips of Elder Holland's talk about missionary work, which Jared referred to. Elder Holland is an amazing speaker.  This is my purpose for being here, and that started when I put on that tag that said, "Elder Davis." I now represent him for two years.    Mom, I know you are probably crying by now and saying, "Where did my little Chadboy go?"  But I am still here, just have a new purpose and meaning to life!

The Provo Temple is awesome. It looks super tiny from the outside but the inside is huge! Then when you come out the front doors you have the awesome view of Utah Lake and Orem and Provo. 

I am sorry if I keep mixing in Spanish. They told us to use it as much as possible even if it is spanglish. So it just comes out like that throughout the day. I really wish I could just be fluent already and be out teaching real people instead of these volunteers that come in for us. Teaching is probably the coolest part but I just want to teach real people and have them feel of the joy this gospel brings.

Well it seems like things at home are still the exact same. Bry is still getting into trouble and getting into things he shouldn’t be. But I can just hear the screams thinking about it. (Bryson got into an abandoned lawn mower and was stung by several wasps.) I am definitely going to miss that kid, and Chay Chay too. (Bryson is 3 1/2 and Chaylyn is 2.) It’s weird to think about home sometimes and all the stuff that is going on up there. But I chose to come out here and I know that I will begin to love it more and more and more each day. There are a few things I do miss from home like family. Lets not get this mistaken for being homesick because I am not. It’s just weird to think that it won’t be another 23 months before we see each other. But I know that we all will be blessed for this sacrifice.

My companionship is getting better. I have TWO companions, Elder Wood and Elder Gunter. It’s still hard being in a trio, but we are learning more about each other everyday and understanding each others personalities. Its tough but we are pushing through it. We have the first lesson down. It’s just hard to fit it to the needs of the person we are teaching, so we are striving to teach by the Spirit to meet the needs of the people that hear the message.

On the down side--I am getting kind of sick. I have a sore throat, runny nose, and a cough. I guess that’s what happens when you are in such close proximity to 2700 other missionaries. I have been taking medicine and airborne trying to boost my immune system. Don’t worry dad, I can still hear your voice saying drink lots of fluids, take some Nyquil and all that stuff you would say if I was home.

The Spanish is coming a long pretty good. I can introduce myself as a missionary for the church and have a brief conversation and find out what their interests are and how their family is and that’s about it. Oh and I can give a brief testimony. I am sure that it will come eventually. I actually memorized the first vision in Spanish too! But before you think that it is a huge accomplishment and say “wow that’s a lot, how did he do that when he didn’t even memorize it in English?” It was just from the part that says “I saw a pillar of light”, or vi una comlumna de luz en espanol.

Well I love you guys and love the work! My worries and nervousness is going away. I am glad to be here and one last experience before I have to go. We had a district leave this week. We had the cool opportunity to sing “God Be With You Til We Meet Again” in Spanish. We sang it in the hallway at the top of our lungs with the whole zone. It was pretty cool, and we get to do it again on Sunday because there is another district leaving. So potentially Jett may be in my zone! That would be pretty tight. I know that this place is where I am supposed to be. I love it here and love this gospel.

I love you so so so so much! Give Bry and Chay a hug and kiss for me! 

With love,

Elder Davis

Letter No. TWO!

Hola padres!                              September 15, 2010

Well I don’t even know where to start with what this week has brung. My P-days are gonna be Wednesday so I can email on this day, and do all my laundry. But it’s still cool to get mail. So everyone can continue to send me real letters or while I am in the MTC you can just look me up on Dear Elder, and then I get what ever you send in the mail that day or the next, and it is free. I know you will love that mom.

Well this week has been crazy. The first day seemed like it took an eternity to get through. My district is pretty cool. We had 12 guys in it. Six of them are going to Chile. Two are going to Guatemala. And the other four are going to different stateside missions. And those guys are all my roommates. The guys in our district are from everywhere. Dallas, El Paso, Balzac,  Alberta Canada, Tacoma, Idaho Falls, Sacramento, Two from Utah, and BOISE.

My companion is Elder Wood. He is from Sacramento. He is going to Tallahassee, FL. He is a pretty cool guy. WE seem to bond well. But I now have another companion. An Elder ended up going back home on the third day, so now I am part of a trio. Its Elder Wood, ME, and now Elder Gunter. He is from Dallas, and is going to Philly. It is pretty cool to see all of us grow together and the strength that we have.  You just feel the Spirit wherever you go here.

Its nuts to think that you learn everything so quickly. It was kind of weird to adjust to being away from home, and sleeping in a tiny little bunk bed. The electronical aspect of it isn’t all that bad. I am just mostly so busy that I don’t have too much time to think about it. We have been learning Espanol and the Restoration like no other. I can basically teach the Restoration from memory, and am becoming a better teacher. I also think I have learned more Spanish in this one week, compared to the two years of Spanish I had in high school. The coolest part is the time I have to study for myself. I get to learn and think of things that I never thought of before. We had an awesome devotional last night, by H. Bryan Richards. It was so awesome, the Spirit was so strong there. The played a clip of a talk of J.R. Holland. and it just made me realize the true meaning and power of the Atonement.

Well The food is getting kind of old. Its good don’t get me wrong, it just seems like we have the same thing over and over and over. Almost everyday for lunch we get some form of burger with fries and the dinners are just kind of random, but it is what it is. Well I do miss you guys! But I know that I am doing the right thing by being a representante de Jesucristo. Just had to throw in some Spanish for you! but this is truly where I am supposed to be and I will be home sooner then you know it! I love you guys and I love my savior! Just keep persevering with obedience and the Lord will bless you no matter what always remember that!

Stay True!

With all the love in the world,

Elder Davis

FIRST LETTER!!!

Dear Mis Padres!           September 9, 2010

All is well here in the MTC.  It is pretty crazy though!  I am basically on a spiritual overload!  It was a pretty long first day, but I pushed through it and my thoughts are of you two and being at home.  It is a weird feeling to know the two biggest parts of my life will be away from me for two years.  I do know that this is where I am supposed to be, I have felt this so many times the last two days.

My companion’s name oddly enough is Elder David Wood. (Chad’s best friend in Boise was our next door neighbor, David Wood, not a member of the church.)  He is from Sacramento, but you guys were wrong, he is going to Tallahassee, FL.  (We told him the elders in his district would all be going to the same place, as our districts did in the MTC.)  There are 4 of us staying in the states in our district.  There are 12 total in my district.  Six are going to Chile Santiago North, 2 are going to Guatemala and they leave in three weeks.  It’s weird that 4 of us are staying stateside but going to different missions.  Elder Gunter is going to Philly. Oh, and Elder Clark is from Boise and is going to Fort Worth, TX.  What makes Elder Clark even better is it is Corbin Clark, the same one that lived right around the corner and played Optimus Football with me.  It is pretty weird that we ended up in the same room at the MTC.

Well, we are feeling the spirit super strong.  I am growing with a love for this work and this language!  I LOVE YOU BOTH!

Forever and Always!

Elder Davis!

ENTERING THE MTC

Elder Davis entered the Missionary Training Center on September 8, 2010.  Here are some pictures leading up to the big event. 

Elder Clark shares his missionary name tag.

Good bye kiss to Chay Chay.  She is two!

30,000 GIRLS at BYU and Chad finds one he knows!

 Dad, Elder Davis, Mom.  Sad and HAPPY!

Welcome!

Welcome Family and Friends to my blog!  I have been called to serve my two year mission in the Utah St. George Mission (Spanish Speaking).  The mission covers the majority of the state of Utah south of Provo. 

I will enter the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah on Wednesday, September 8, 2010.  I will spend the next 12 weeks intensely learning the Spanish language. 

While Utah may seen close, the rules of my mission include no visits from family or friends.  I can receive letters!  WRITE OFTEN!!  :) 

Wish me luck! 

Love,  Elder Davis