Hello San Diego

C arrived at the San Diego mission home last night.  His mission president sent an email today with these two pictures saying they already loved my son.  Made me happy. 

Hey family!

Im safe but really nervous. I got my two companions about a half hour ago so im not quite sure what to think right now. The weather is quite nice down here. This really is hard. My pday is on Tuesdays.

So basically I am with the Spanish speaking missionaries so everything will be in Spanish. This is such a big change from
the MTC and I am really missing the MTC right now. 

The mission home was nice though. The mission presidents were really kind and made us dinner and breakfast this morning. Then the mission president interviewed everyone of us and got to know us better so he could know what companionships we would get into. then the companions of us four Mexico elders arrived and the president assigned us to our companions. I dont even know my companions names yet...sad, but then again I just met them a half hour ago.

On the layover at phoenix, it was supposed to be 45 min but we had maybe 2 minutes. So we got off the plane and started walking to the next terrminal and on the intercom it said that they were closing the terminal in 4 minutes. Then we started booking it in the airport. We were sprinting like crazy. We barely made it to the terminal and closed it when we walked in. Im so happy we made it or else that would have been bad. The flight landing in the Phoenix airport was also pretty scary. The dust storm and what not made the airplane go crazy. Tipping from side to side bumping us around. It was intense. And the guy on the plane sitting next to me said to me saying, "you were obedient at the mtc right?" and I said yep, and then he said we'll be safe. Another guy next to him earlier said " it makes you feel a lot better when you are sitting next to a missionary" I thought that was neat. hahaha

So I also can't look at mail until pdays either or email. This is going to be a rough and new change compared to the field. Tonight we
actually will be going out and proselyting. around dinner. Pday is
only from 10 to 6 on Tuesdays. so barely anytime compared to what I am used to. I wish I could have more to say but only been here for like 1 hour in the field.

I hope people are reading the book of mormon. I know you can finish it by the end of march. I also look forward to hearing about the
assignments you did on the Atonement.

Its sad to think that I wont be able to hear from you in a week from
now. I know this next week is going to be really tough and nerve
wrecking but I will pray for help. I know the Lord will help me here. I will need to find the reason why Heavenly Father wants me here in San Diego before I go to Mexico, even if I am a "greenie"

I love you Mom and Dad for everything that you have done for me. If it werent for you two, I wouldn't know where I would be. You have helped me so much and it is much appreciated. Its really hard being away from you...not going to lie... I feel alone..I love you so much and I wish I could just give you a great big hug that would never end. A hug would be so nice to have. Not for another 22 months though. And I just left my first companion Elder Fox and that was hard. Anyway sorry for being a little down. I love you all and I want you to stay strong.
Love Elder Loveland 

Should be getting my reassignment

Querido familia,

How are things going for all of you? Things are going pretty well here. So the news on when I get reassigned? Well we haven’t gotten our travel plans for Mexico so we definitely haven’t gotten our visas. I should be getting my reassignment on February 23rd. I’m actually really excited to get a second call! Such a fun event! :) 

So this past week, I had my goodbye with Wes. It was sad, but we will see each other in less than two years so it’s all good. He was really excited to go to San Antonio. 

My Spanish is getting a lot better still, as well as our lessons. Our lessons are directed by the spirit. We can tell that we are touching the teacher's life who is playing as the investigator. I wish you could be seeing me teach these lessons in Spanish. It would be the greatest thing. I want you all to see my progress. I’m trying to see if I can record a lesson on my camera, but I’m not sure yet. My teacher is going to go check and see if it’s ok. 

Something I learned this week is the Atonement. I know about it but I learned to apply it in every lesson that we teach. It is the central event of God's plan. Without the atonement, there would be no way for us to return to our Heavenly Father. The Atonement is so great, and I pray that we all try to learn more about it. I challenge all of you to study something about the atonement or just study it. Share with me or write down things for yourself what you have learned from it. The Atonement is central to everything. I promise you will gain a stronger love for the Savior and other people by studying the Atonement. It WILL bless your life.  

     

I’m happy for Elder Tesch and his mission call.

I’m really excited to call you all soon.  It’s going to be really weird talking to you, but I am really going to enjoy it.  I can’t wait to hear all of your voices.  I miss you all so so so much.

     

I'm pleased to hear you are all still reading the Book of Mormon.  Learn to love it as I have learned to love it.  I challenge all of you to finish the Book of Mormon by the end of March, no matter where you are in it.  Reading it at that pace will open your eyes, and you will understand the stories and teachings in it that much better.  When I read a lot at a time, I learn that much more.  It has helped me a lot.  I finished it about a week and a half ago.  I finished the Pearl of Great Price too.  Now I’m on page 104 of the Bible, and I also restarted the Book of Mormon in Spanish where I am at 2 Nefi 2.  I have been reading a whole lot.  The Book of Mormon is very important, and I want you all to have a testimony of it.  You learn more and more every time you read it.  I pray that you will find time to read and complete the Book of Mormon by the end of March.

     

I love you all and hope you read the Book of Mormon.  Stay strong.  I love you.

Love,

Elder Loveland

Might be temporarily assigned

Hola Familia!

     How are things going? Things are pretty good here. Something new is happening here though! Guess what!? Mexico is having problems with passports! :o Wes is getting reassigned temporarily to somewhere in the states. There is a highly likely chance that I will too in a couple weeks. So make some guesses within the states! :) Whatever happens with this I know it is Heavenly Fathers plan and I have accepted the fact. On the bright side if I go in the states temporarily, I will get mail quicker, send mail quicker, prepare my Spanish better for Mexico, and I can tell people I’m on a diet and they won’t get offended. So all is well :)

     I finished the Book of Mormon this past week and started the Pearl of Great Price. I’m only three pages away from being done with that too! I think I might start the Bible. I also started the Book of Mormon in Spanish and I’m in 1 Nefi 18 I believe.

     Spanish is getting better. Listening and speaking it is getting much better. So I’m liking the progress. Something I need is the Line of Authority, so if there is any way we can try again and send it to me, then it would be great. :) So my stay here is at least 2 and a half weeks. It could be more if I don’t get my visa and then I’ll be reassigned. My guess is Missouri probably because I had a dream here that I was going to be called there while I was here in the MTC. But that dream doesn’t have to be taken literally like that. It could also be that I am meant to go to the states before Mexico. I’m much more optimistic here now.

     Things are getting better even though it is kind of a blur. Same old stuff every day. But I am like a pro here at the MTC. I’m loving it. I may not like it here too much, but I do like the gym times, reading mail every night except on Sundays and sending mail quick rather than it will be in Mexico. So I need to cherish this time I have in the MTC before it changes a lot.

     Keep reading the Book of Mormon! I’m proud of you for reading it. It is the keystone of our religion. Read it, ponder it, and pray about it. I love you so much, and love all of your support. Expect a letter this next week. Have a happy valentine’s day. Remember I love each and every one of you so much. Stay strong and be optimistic. :)

     Querido Familia,

?Como le van?  Está bien aquí.  L idioma esta mas mejor que la semana pasada.  Hablan me sobre como sus vidas están.

     There is some Spanish for all of you.  It could be a bit better but people would understand what I’m saying.  Goggle translate might and most likely does not do a very good job at translating.  

     Anyway, how is everyone?  Every one doing well?  How is the Book of Mormon reading coming along?  Are people excited for Valentine’s Day?  By the way, Happy early Valentine’s Day!  I hope everyone has a good week.

     So there really is a chance that I will be temporarily be reassigned and a big one at that.  I guess it should be close.  They better not send me to Idaho or Nevada or that will be pretty depressing.  But I’m looking at the positives of it.

     I heard that there was a buck in the backyard, and someone shot it!  That is so awesome.  That sounded like a fun experience.  I wish I saw a buck down in Henderson.  Maybe some day.  Haha

     Good job mom with scrapbooking.  I know that takes a lot of work but we will all appreciate them so much throughout our lives.

     Good luck with the Valentine’s party.  Sorry to hear that a lot of people won’t be able to make it.  I’m sure it will be great through with whomever decides to go.

     I am pretty excited to leave the MTC.  I’m ready to start teaching out in the field.  Yes, this place helps out a lot, but I want to go change people’s lives.  This place is the same ol same ol everyday.  Every day here feels like a Monday with wearing church clothes, except for Thursdays and Sundays.  Those feel a little different.  P-day is what kind of keeps us sane, as with letters at night and one hour of personal time each night.  It’s so important for us to have these or else people would go insane.  Haha

     I miss you all and love you all so much.  Keep reading the Book of Mormon, keep praying as a family ,keep looking and feeling the Spirit.  Stay strong.  Be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works.  I love you, and Happy Valentine’s Day.

What a miracle! I'm so blessed!

Dear Familia,

So there was something cool this week that I found out. I was talking to my branch president and I guess the doctor talks to the branch presidents about the sick missionaries. He told my bp that I was on the brink of being a serious sick missionary. Like it was almost serious. Which means big time! But because people prayed and fasted for me, having faith in Christ, I got better. I feel so blessed to not have crossed that serious line. I’m so grateful for everyone that prayed and fasted for me. I could have possibly been asked to change missions or go home if it crossed the serious line.

    

Keep continuing to grow your faith in Christ. It will bring miracles. 

Thank you for all the support that you have given me.  I saw Colton Freeze also.  He gave me a hug for you (Mom). 

So things here are going pretty well.  Every day seems like the same exact day but oh well.  I’ve been working out and playing basketball.  It’s all been helping out a lot.  I do pushups, crunches, leg lifts, Russian twists, planks and pull-ups.  The reps and time goes up every Wednesday.  It is tough but it really is helping out.  I have actually seen a four pack now.  The food here is really good most of the time but I prevent myself from eating the unhealthy stuff most of the time.  This is probably the healthiest I have ever been.  I can’t believe it but it is really nice.  

Spanish is still coming along.  Still exceeding my district a lot at it.  I feel like I’m in the kindergarten class with all these new people to Spanish.  But whatever.  I help them out with the Spanish.  Lessons with investigators are still going well.  And like I said on the email about how I was on the brink of crossing the serious line.  What a miracle!  I’m so blessed!

     

Oh and I have not gotten a haircut yet.  I’ll probably get one in like a week or two.  I’ll make sure I get a good barber or else I will freak out!  Hahaha

   

Please thank David and Yadira for me.  That was so kind of them.  I’m definitely going to love this sauce. (A SUPER hot chile sauce they made just for him)

I have been getting the hang of things around here.  I am one of the older people in the MTC now, so whenever new missionaries come in on Wednesdays I do kind of snicker.  I kind of feel bad for them, but I did my time!

    

So the district was at 11 people but then we lost the two elders, and then we lost the three sisters.  And the sisters are going to Quito, Ecuador.

I believe I can call you on the 27^th of February because of travelling.  So I’m excited for that!!!

Thank you to all of you that sent letters or dearelders this week.  It has been much appreciated.

     

I love and miss you all so much!  Stay strong and listen for the Spirit.  I love you all and I include all of you in each and every one of my prayers. Notice the blessings.

Love,

Elder Corbin Loveland