Week 5 - One week to go!

Hey Guys!!

Well, this week I got my travel plans!! I’m leaving early in the morning on the 8^th, arrive in Houston about 1 pm and will get to right to work!! This week has been really good but kind of hard thinking about leaving the MTC.  I never thought I’d say this, but part of me like doesn't want to leave, hahaha… but I know Texas is going to be great so I can’t wait!! 

My favorite day this week besides today of course was yesterday. We had our district testimony meeting and it was so amazing to hear everyone’s testimonies and how the spirit has been affecting them here! It’s so amazing I wish you all could be here to feel it. Hermana Moore and Elder Hess of course are always my favorites; they always know how to keep my spirits up and help to bring some sunshine to my soul haha. 

Well next week I’ll be in Texas! I’ll still have Monday and Tuesday to email so that will be good! I won't know what area I’ll be in until I get there, so I’ll let you guys know or my mom will let you all know!

I would love to bare my testimony in espanol… Yo se que esta iglesia es verdadero, y Jesucristo es real y es nosotros salvadors. Yo se que todas personas en mi vida esta en mi vida por un rezón y yo se que Jose Smith es un verdadero profeta en la últimos días en el nombre de Jesucristo, amen.

I love all you guys so much and I’ll talk to you next week! See ya!

~Elder Tidwell

This is my favorite teacher ever, Hermano Clark.

Spring Time!

My Crew

Week 4 - Road Trip and Wisdom Teeth!

    Today, Elder Tidwell didn't have quite as much time to email. As he sat down to get online, the fire alarms went off and they had to exit the building. He said that there was some sort of fire, but as far as he knew, it was nothing serious. Along with that, he had some issues getting his pictures downloaded so it took more time than usual. He seems to be doing good and is looking forward to getting out into the mission field! Only 2 weeks left and he will be headed to Houston. 

Hey there guys!! 

I’m super crunched for time but I thought I’d write a quick little update!

Things are going great at the MTC! Haha I’m starting to get Spanish more and more every day!! My teachers really like the fact that I really try hard and speak Spanish all the time. Even when I don’t know the words I put myself out there and keep speaking it!  It’s crazy I only have two weeks left!! Man time flies!

Our little road trip...the one in the middle was our super cool driver Ben.

One day this last week,  my companion said his mouth was really hurting, so we went to the doctors at the MTC a few times and they told him he had to go to the dentist. Since he lives like 30 min. away they had him go back to his home town! We had someone drive us there who happened to be from Texas and gave us some good advice! My companion ended up having to call his mom and she came down and apparently he had to get his wisdom teeth out! It was so hard for him to see his mom again and all of his 6 sisters were there. I don’t know if I could have done that but he’s doing better! Haha. Other than that, not really much has happened that’s different.

On our way to the dentist.

Something I have loved, is that our teacher, Hermono Clark is so awesome! He just really knows how to teach us in the best ways and has such an awesome spirit about him. He’s by far my favorite teacher J haha!

Well, until next week, I love you guys!!

~Elder Tidwell

P.S. Here is a new phrase I learned in Spanish…

Pelota tan Fuerte (Ball so hard)!!

Ummm...Yes Elder P is tall...6'9" to be exact.

Hangin with Elder Hess.

Hermana Morre and Hermana Browning

Just being us...

Week 3 - A new district...shinsplints...time is flying by!

Hey there guys!

My week has been flying by!  Actually all the weeks have been! hahaha. It’s going by crazy fast!  We got a new district of all guys, two of which are going to Canada, two are going to California and the other four are going to Argentina! 

High point to my week was we had this super deep discussion in class that was really good. And… one of the investigators we were teaching was an ACTUAL investigator and said he would get baptized!! My companion and I were the first ones that he has ever said yes too! So you could say that it is pretty sweet!! Also we had one of the apostles talk in our devotional!! 

Something that has been tough… me and my companero (companion for you non Spanish speakers)  have had kind of a tough time finding a rhythm to both be on, but we're working on it and things are getting better!! Another thing is not being able to listen to my music! Hahah like some old school rap or R&B just sounds so good… but we can't listen to it here. It’s okay, I know the reason for that is important.  I still sing them in the hallways and in the room though!  Which ties into my favorite moment of the week…Elder Hess and I were singing regulators by Warren G in one of the rooms when Elder Wilson came in and started jamming out with us! No joke, one of the best things ever!! 

Something fun we did was, we had a huge group hackysack sesh!  It was so much fun! Another thing was just talking Spanish; I never give up even if what I’m saying is completely wrong. I keep talking Spanish well because that’s how I learn it best!! 

We have gym like 5 days out of the week and I usually play basketball the whole time or well pig with Hermana Morre and Elder Hess! I did end up with shinsplints last week. They definitely weren’t fun! Lots of ice after gym time and they are getting a better.

I wish I could write more but I’ll have to continue my stories next week! I love you all and thanks for the letters, emails, packages and support!!

-Elder Tidwell

Keeping that selfie game strong! haha

Just messing around!

My District and the new district.

Last picture with Josh and Natalya after devotional before they left the MTC.

Elder Hess and I

One of the newbies,Elder Wilson and I

Week 2 - Daily Schedule, Food, and Weather...

Hey there family & friends!

          

         The MTC has been pretty good! I definitely have had some home sickness, but I'm pulling through! My days really start off with waking up at like 6:15 a.m., so we can lay in bed and officially wake up before we get out of bed at 6:30 a.m...man what a struggle. Then we usually have study time in our classroom at about 7 a.m. until 7:45 a.m. and then eat breakfast (the breakfast is okay). After breakfast we go back to class and usually have a teacher from like 8:30 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. Then we have lunch and are back to class between 1:15 p.m.- 1:30 p.m., depending on how long we take to walk back ;). Usually after lunch is when we will stop and get mail, drop letters off and hit up the store on campus. It has snacks, clothes, books, letter writing materials and all that good stuff! Then we go back to class and study some more, work on lessons and stuff until finally we go to dinner at 5 p.m.! Everyday is kind of a little bit different, but that's pretty much our schedule.  The food here is okay... some days it just looks pretty gnarly, but other days are actually pretty good!! On Fridays, for dinner we have Papa John's pizza...It's by far my favorite day! They always have other things we can eat too, so no one goes hungry ;).

          My Spanish is coming along...I can speak a full sentence now. It's pretty difficult but sometimes I surprise myself because the words will just come out. We have 2 investigators now that we are teaching fully in Spanish. I know I will keep getting stronger with the language.

          Kind of funny thing...as you know my last name is Tidwell, and on my tag it says ELDER TIDWELL. Quite a few people have looked at it and they say, "Oh ELDER TOWEL....," umm yeah:/... Hahah! 

           I really love the district I'm in! They always keep me on my toes! My favorite people by far have been, Elder Hess and Hermana Moore. They are both so funny and each bring something different to the table personality wise that I've needed to make the MTC, well... more bearable, haha. 

           The weather here has been super cold!! It's a lot like Oregon, just dry and there isn't any green here, which I kinda don't like. I miss how green home is. It has snowed quite a bit here, but it's usually gone within the day. That's pretty much been it! I can't wait until next Monday to write you all again! Thank you so much for your support, emails, and letters! I love you all so much!

- Love ELDER TIDWELL

Cookies from mom!

Last picture with District A before they left.

Caught up with Elder Stott...it's fun to see long time friends here.

One of the Elders from District A loved peanut butter, but had to leave it behind, so he gifted it to us. haha

Study materials.

My camera was taken by some of the sisters in District A.

A quote left by Hermana Winn.

First Letter and PDay!!....6 days in.

     Well, I will start off by saying, I was beyond excited when I checked the mail and there was a letter from Tristin!! He had written it his first day at the MTC and was fairly brief but said he was doing well. He also said his PDay would be Monday and gave a promise of pictures and more details on how it's going!! Yay!! That meant I would hear from him today. I am not going to lie...I checked my email every couple of minutes and was dying in anticipation to hear from him.


Here is what he emailed:

Hey Friends and Family!

     

     The first couple of days were pretty brutal and I almost fell asleep in one of my classes. When I was at lunch on Wednesday after I first got to the MTC, I walked by this hallway and there was Josh (Elder Stott)!!! It was so good to see him and just talk. My companion is Elder Pigott and I am in the same District as Gannon. Actually we share a room!!

     The biggest struggle of the week has definitely been getting used to not being able to talk to the fam all the time and just getting use to the language. Also the A district is leaving on Monday next week...it's so hard because we've only known each other what, like three days and we've already became such a close family.My biggest concern since I got here has been like knowing enough to do it (be a missionary) but at the same time I know that because of the Spirit I've already been feeling and from the support of you guys and the gift of tongues I can make it through, and I'll be just what the people of Texas need.

         My biggest success of the week has definitely been getting to be with the awesome District I'm in and the help that they all give each other is amazing. Also just feeling the Spirit, it's been so strong its just unfathomable.

My most favorite person this week has definitely been Elder Hess! Or Elder Driggs he's the one with glasses I took the picture with in front of the Temple. They both are so funny and are just there for me when I just need someone to talk too.  

Well that's pretty much it, things are getting better but I really miss you guys and I can't wait to email even more next Monday!!

Glad to be going through this with a friend.

My Companion and I...

Elder Driggs and I.

My District

A and B District

Still has the photo from when his dad went into the Army for Basic Training.

Until next week...I'm out!