March 15, 2010

Yeah, i don't have much time, and I'm gonna be taking Dad's advice on the email next week, also, Let grandma Asplund know that I'm recieving her letters and to keep sending them. So yeah, I can't tell you how happy I am to here about ellie, it was really scary last thursday and praying for her all day... but fortunately cause of the many prayers that were given for her in the temple and in my district, i knew it would all work out.

Well this week i get the opportunity to host, just like i was hosted when you left me here. I can't wait, we also maybe getting our travel plans this week so, fingers crossed!!!! There's only one thing I need this week, and that is more ties, my yellow one fell-apart, and my blue italy one is starting. I would like to have a big bag of Cooler Ranch doritos, but really not much else. Well about ready to go out and finally do what I've been trained to do, YES!!! This week we are starting to talk 24/7 in spanish, and I'm one of the most exctied about it. Well, that 's about it for all!! I love ya, and can't wait to here more. Oh and thanks for the Paper plates, That was a really nice thing to get. --Ian

Notes:

• Ellie had surgery on her mouth last week where they had to cut into her palate and bracket a tooth that was growing the wrong way. (In a few weeks they will attach a chain and we will begin cranking it down [insert grown here] over time.) Her recovery is slow and painful but she is doing well.

March 8, 2010

Yes, only Griffin. Well, not only am I praying for Ellie, but I´ve got my entitre district praying for her, and her name is also going through out the entire temple. So this morning after our P-Day temple trip, Elder Winger and I were talking, and we realized how little time we have here left at the MTC, in fact, 3 weeks. Our district is also now the oldest district in our branch. Over the last few weeks, I do admit, that I have forgotten to talk about the Characters that I am around every day so here we go. 1st is Elder Lazarte. He´s from Arkansas, and loves fishing like you´ve never seen anyone love fishing. 2nd is his companion Elder McClellan, who is from Houston Texas, and he´s a true texan, played football, big...everything, except and accent. Next there is Elder Adams from Texas as well. To Describe him think of Simon from firefly... that is Elder Adams, refined. He also happens to look a lot like Super-Man... There´s his companion Elder Gwynn. He´s from Logan, and is a very funny guy. He is super fast, and also is a pure farm boy, and can go all red-neck with funny  jokes and everything. Dang I´m almost outta time... well, I love you all, and ya, I can´t wait for Conference. ¡¡Les quiero muchisimo!! --Élder Asplund

Notes:

• The "Yes, only Griffin" refers to a story I told him. On Saturday, while going to a store to get shoes for Maggie's ballroom class, Griffin stood in between Ellie and I, put his arms around our shoulders and said, "So, ladies. Where are we off to?" Only Griffin.

March 1, 2010

I love that you are making a goal to go the temple every saturday, with the chance I've had here to go every monday, my mind has been clearer and I've had tons of revelations and guidance by the spirit. One, for example, happened last week. Elder Winger and I decided after the Endowment session, we'd go participate in Sealings. The man who was doing the sealings was Neal A. Lambert, and man, did he have a vigor and love for what he was called to do. I got to be proxy for some of the child to parent sealings, and... I can't believe what happened. Every one that I participated in, I could feel, and one point I swear hear, the thanks of every single person who was sealed to their family forever. Put aside the fact that it was the first time I had heard the sealing prayer, for both couples and entire families, I just can not describe what happened, I have learned, so so much there, that I can't wait to  go back every week, and one thing that also happened, because i've now felt the power of the temple in it's entirety, I have a goal, to go through with a, hopefully, future wife.

Well.... that's really about it for me, and also, there's one thing I would like to ask you to see if you can get a missionary mall: there's a bag there, with the brand of mountaineer or something like that, it's small, and is kinda green. I would really like it because the bags that they provide here aren't really the best, especially the shoulder bags. So yeah... if you can otherwise, I'm not home sick cause of all the pics and stories so far, and am coping well. AND I've got the cleanest desk and closest in my room!!! ---Ian

February 22, 2010

U S A!!! Sorry had to get that out first. I'm so glad to hear all is goin' well that a new job opportunity is available for the family. Also I need to apologize about the whole email thing... I haven't been able to receive emails, only send, so I just read about 10 emails that I didn't know I had.

If you can't find my other journal that's fine, I can get one here at the book store.... Luke is going to the Argentina, Buenos Aires mission, I just know it. Now on a report on the last week, we got to teach the 2nd lesson quite a few times last week and I'm so happy that I'm understanding how to teach better and better every time. One idea I just had was maybe you guys could read through Predicad Mi Evangelio (Preach My Gospel) as a family. It's so inspirational, and it could also be something you have the Laurels look through. Another thing that is happening is after this Thursday, we go back to Lesson 1 but now we are going to be teaching in spanish. I'm a little terrified but one thing I've known for sure this entire time is that if I continue to pray, be obedient and work hard the Lord will help me with this. well, I'm running outta time, i'd like to have the outdoor picture for the plaque if that is okay. Let Dad know I'm thankful for his emails, and for his prayer for the Missionaries yesterday, the oldest distirict in our branch left yesterday so it was a great day. I'll also be working on getting my SD card sent to you. Love you all, tell Wilbur I miss him much -Ian