Dear Family and Friends,

     I'm starting to really enjoy the MTC. I still kinda hate the mornings when I have to wake up at 6:30 and wait in line to take a shower then go get dressed in a small room with five other guys. Other than that, I'm doing pretty good. I think my spanish is getting better. We've been constantly having to teach 'investigators' in spanish, and I struggle to express myself in spanish a lot. The teachers keep reminding us that it has only been two weeks. We have seven more weeks to go to learn how to teach in spanish. There's not really a whole lot to talk about. We've basically been learning spanish, the lessons, and how to teach. One of my teachers is Hermano Frost (or Brother Frost). His really cool, and we all love him. He's somewhat laid back, but still serious about us learning spanish and how to teach. He has a cool story about his mission. He was called to the Everett, WA mission, english speaking. About half way through his mission, his mission president called him and told him that he needs to learn spanish. So he got some spanish books from his mission president and started to learn spanish. I though that was really interesting. It seems like he's been speaking spanish forever though. All the teachers are amazing at spanish.

     My schedule is pretty busy. Most of the days, it's just a mix up of the same things we do every day. We have what's called Classroom Instruction. In that class, we will learn spanish grammar, or learn how to teach a lesson, or get help with whatever we feel we need help with from the teachers. That's also the time we use to go teach the 'investigators'. Our Sunday's are not too busy. Everyone misses their Sunday naps, including me. Most of the day is kind of boring, but at night, we have a fireside. Usually someone from the high ranks of the MTC speaks to us then. Afterwards, we have the opportunity to watch some LDS films like Joseph Smith: The Resturation, or The Testaments. So we're not completely deprived of media here. Tuesdays are the longest days in my opinion. They're packed full of everything. First of all, every day we have gym so we can release any built up energy and get exercise. On Tuesdays, since they're so packed, gym starts at 6:05. It's so hard to wake up that early. 6:30 is already hard enough, but to have to get up that early and try to be active is a challenge. The other reason is because we have devotionals Tuesday nights. The difference between a Sunday fireside and a Tuesday devotional is the people who speak. On Tuesdays, someone from the Quorum of the Seventy comes and talks to us. That's really cool. Just this past Tuesday it was Elder Alfonso. I remember him talking in last General Conference. Next Tuesday is an extra special Tuesday; apparently last December was the 50th anniversary of the MTC, so the First Presidency wanted to visit with the missionaries at the MTC and talk to them. They haven't had time until January 31st. At first, I heard the Prophet and the First Presidency were going to come. But then I heard a few days ago that the First Presidency were too busy to come, so a few members of the Quorum of the Twelve are going to visit. I'll let you know what happens next week.

     Here are the answers to the three questions. I like that idea, so let's keep doing it.

     1. I get the most excited when I see Brandon Walker. I've seen him quite a few times so far and have gotten a couple pictures with him. Kyle Byington came in yesterday (on Wednesday), but I haven't seen him yet. I'm looking for him really hard though. So it's probably those two, just because I've been friends with them for a while.

     2. The best thing about the MTC is probably the love here. It sounds kind of wierd, but the Love of God is big here. It's more common to give other Elders that you know well a hug instead of a hand shake. I think it's to build love and friendship between all of us missionaries and to practice loving everyone out in the field; even though the only people you hug are other elders.

     3. I haven't really thought that much about Chubs to be honest. I do miss him when I think about him, but I have important things to do here and I have more things to miss at home. (Sorry Chubs...)

     Well, until next week..

          -Elder Gajewsky

Dear Kyle,

     I'm glad to hear you're doing well in school. School is very important. I'm also glad to hear you're enjoying my room and keeping it nice. Going on a mission has helped me to understand more about the importance of education. Don't worry, when I come back I'll be getting an IPhone. I really started to dislike my phone a lot. But a phone's a phone, so be happy you have one. If you want, you can rearrange my room however you want. So yeah, keep it up. Also, read! Read lots. Find a book you think you would like and just start to read. Love you!

Dear Mom,

     I got grandma's letters. I really enjoy hearing from her! However, I don't remember her email, so I'll just put her letter in this one and then you can just copy and paste into another email. Let me know of her email, so I can email her. I really hope your surgery went well. I remembered the day you went into surgery and I fasted for you. I hope if helped! I've been praying to like the food more and more, and I think my prayers are being answered. I'm enjoying the food a little more. Interestingly enough, I heard a story from the choir teacher about how his daughter wanted her scriptures for primary during Sacrament meeting one day, but her scriputres were lost at home. So he raced home with his daughter and they prayed to know where they were. Heavenly Father answered their prayers and led them to find her scriptures. So if He cares about a little girl's scriptures, and that I like my food, I know he cares about your hair growing back fast, so don't worry! I think they still could use some Robert Irvine help. I miss that show.. I'm glad to hear about Kaylee's birthday. I knew it was the 19th! I hope she enjoyed it a lot. I'll be sure to send those pictures back safetly in a package. Also, if you could. The MTC Bookstore doesn't have any spanish hymn books. I kind of need one, because our leaders and teachers want us to sing more and more in spanish. So could you buy me a small spanish hymn book (called himnos) like the one I got in my stocking for Christmas. Just a small compact one. With it, could you send me a couple of my pens? They are the Pilot G-2 pens. Probably in the cups on my desk or in the big drawer in the desk. Just a couple black ones and blue ones. They have them at the Bookstore here for like a buck, but I figured you guys could just send me them for cheaper. That would be a big help. Have dad send them I guess, since you're still recovering. Thank you! I love you!

Dear Dad,

     I'm trying hard to not think too much about the amount of time. I had a leader by the name of Brother Monson tell me to never think about two years. It's just incomprehensible to think about being gone for two years. I've been doing good at that. I was talkiing with another missionary in my district and we both found out that we're on a countdown. It's not good to be on a countdown here. It distracts us from what's important. I'm doing my best to stay focused on the work and just enjoy the Spirit here. I've seen Brandon Walker a lot here and it's always refreshing to see him. I can't wait to see Kyle Byington. Both of these guys are some of the only things that remind me of home (in a good way). Another big release is going to the Temple every P-Day. So later on today (Thursday) we'll be dropping by the temple and doing a session. I really like it. The Spirit in there is amazing. I asked mom to send me a couple small things, but then I realized that she probably needs your or Kelsie's help. Thank you! Love you!

Dear Julia,

     I'm happy to hear you're drinking Dr. Pepper for me. I think of you guys everyday. I miss you everyday, but I'm happy that I can serve a mission. Don't think about not seeing me. Always know that I'm helping others to come to Church and know that Heavenly Father loves them. Be happy and don't cry too much, you'll get a headache. I love you and I miss you, and I can't wait to see you; but I have to help people first.

Dear Kelsie,

    I got the package and I'm enjoying it a lot. I fasted for mom the day she went into surgery. I ended my fast with the Dr. Pepper and some ice. It was amazing. Send me those Swedish Fish if you don't want them. I'd love to snack on them. I'm glad to hear of your stories. I don't have much time to email, so I'm sorry I can't send a big email back. I love to hear from you though. I told mom a story from my choir teacher (yes, I'm in the MTC choir. We only practice like twice a week though, so it's not huge). You should read that story though. Love you! Keep sending me stories! They're the only connection I have to the outside world. (Dumb hamster cage). Also, send me letters as often as you want. Twice a week is great!

Dear Kaylee,

     I hope you had a gread birthday! I can't wait to her from you about it. I hope you liked your birthday card I sent you. I'm sorry I didn't get you a present. There's not many toys in the Bookstore here. Just books in a lot of different languages. I didn't think you would like any books like that though. Love you lots!

Dear Grandma,

     I'm so glad I could get an email from you! It's great you guys finally got snow. We finally got snow here in Provo. I think it's like 4'', so not much, but it definately should have snowed like this for Christmas. It's good that mom's surgery went well. I fasted for her the day she went into surgery. I hope Heavenly Father answered my prayers and helped mom out. She definately deserves to be fixed. That's so sad about Linda and Mark's kitchen sink. That's not good at all. They're in my prayers. The spanish is hard! We definately have a lot expected of us with the spanish, but I know we can do it. I know I can do it. I love you hear from you! Keep writing. Love you!

     -Elder Gajewsky