1st Week in the Field! - Bryan/College Station...A hard but good week!

Woohoo! Week 7!

      Things seem to be going well for Elder Tidwell.  He emailed yesterday morning and although he had over an hour, the computer seemed to be running slow while he was downloading pictures so it took up a lot of his time.  I would like to share a little more info from some emails and letters he sent that he didn't have time to include in his email below. 

       After arriving on Wednesday, they were greeted at the airport by their Mission President and his wife. They all went back to the mission house for orientation and a, "real Texas BBQ" for dinner. The next day they met their trainers and left for the areas they would be serving in.  Tristin was sent to Bryan/College Station...which is funny because he was actually hoping to serve there. He is in a nice apartment (his words) and so far the weather has been pretty mild. He said it's actually been pretty rainy (which, coming from Oregon is not a big deal). At this point he is in a car mission, which can change depending on location of his next transfer.  He was able to have dinner with a couple of families on 2 different nights and said it was really nice.  He is helping teach English classes, which  seems like a really neat experience! Even though things are going well, he said that this has been one of the hardest weeks of his life. He knows that there will be ups and downs and is trying to focus on the positives and is looking forward to settling into the groove of things.

       He seems good and loves the people he is serving with! I am looking forward to continued letters and emails as he serves! I absolutely love this boy!!

On the phone with my family before leaving for Texas!

Heading for the mission home!

Just off the plane!

Some real Texas BBQ for dinner!

      

My trainer, Elder Christensen!

Hey family and friends!!

On our way! College Station here I come!

Well it’s the first week out in the field! A little bumpy at first, but now that it’s Monday, it’s a new week and time to let things smooth out! The first day me and my companion taught an English class at one of the churches and it was so amazing just to be there helping out! My favorite thing that’s happened this week was probably quoting Disney movies with my companion, he loves Disney movies hahah.  But also just talking to families and knocking on peoples’ doors has been fun. Everyone here is super nice for the most part which is always an emotion booster!

My new district! I think I fit right in here! haha

Sunday (yesterday), was so great! We got to help out in primary (it’s Sunday school for kids) and be honorary teachers for the day! It is a little funny having to switch from English to Spanish all the time hahah… sometimes people talk only Spanish or they talk both and rather talk in English so it’s just getting used to it. :)

Things here have been pretty good for the most part; my companion and I get along really well with each other.  We have the same kind of standards and he has really helped me out a lot with some things which is so cool! The district I’m in is just a bunch of dorks which is exactly why I love them already hahah!!  I’d love to keep writing but I sure have to go! Thank you all so much for always being there and I’ll keep you posted on what happens next week!!    

Love y’all!    

 ~Elder Tidwell  

                 ***Here are some random pictures from when Elder Tidwell left the MTC and arrived in Texas!***

Me and Elder Samson the night before I left the MTC.

Saying goodbye the morning we left...Me and Elder McCardle.

Me and Elder Wilson

Elder Pigott and I...ready to go!

The whole group of us leaving the MTC headed for Houston!

Breakfast the morning of meeting our trainers.

At the mission home with Elder Pigott.

Waiting to meet our trainers!

Saying goodbye to Elder Pigott as we strike out with our trainers!

My home for the next 12 weeks!

Not to shabby! 

Until next week!! (P.S. Don't mind the root beer bottles in the window, left by the last Elders! haha)

Travel Day! Texas, get ready for Elder Tidwell!

Called to Serve...Off to Houston!!

Well, Elder Tidwell left the MTC this morning and has arrived safely in Texas! Not only was I able to email with him Monday and Tuesday, I also got to talk to him on the phone before he left for Texas and after he landed and was waiting for transportation with his Mission President. What a blessing to have had this time to communicate with him! Funny thing, he already commented on the humidity and he hasn't even left the airport yet! The weather will be quite a change for him!! He is doing great and is excited to meet his trainer and get to work. When I got off the phone with him he was headed to the mission home for orientation where he will stay overnight and then will be off to his area where he will serve. It is amazing the changes that have already occurred in just 6 weeks in the MTC! He really is an amazing young man and I can't wait to hear about all of his experiences. As soon as I get his address, I will update you all. Below is his email from yesterday while he was preparing to leave. 

Hey guys! 

It’s great to be emailing you again! I leave the MTC tomorrow around 4:30 in the morning and it’s so crazy to think about leaving! This place has become almost like a home away from home and I have to leave it again. I'm really excited for Houston though and to meet my missionary trainer!! The past two days have by far been the most difficult while here. Seeing Elder Hess and all my other district members leave was so hard for me. I didn't think it was real until they were all gone. They all have had such an impact on my life and I love them all soo much! I wouldn't have ever wanted another district or in my words family. I can’t wait for us all to get back and tell our stories on how we took part in changing the world. :) I’m so thankful for the family and friends in my life who have supported me and I love you all so much! 

Next time you hear from me I’ll be in my  first week in Texas! So until then!!  I’ll talk to you guys soon!

~Elder Tidwell

Rockin my PDX gear!

Just us elders with Hermano Rowly!

Last week with these guys!

Last week with my district!

Last night all together.

Hermano Meek and Hermano Woodbury, my two other favorite teachers!

Entered the MTC as best friends...said goodbye as brothers.

                                                                                   

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!