February 15, 2010 (via email)

Week 3 was awesome y'all! We've now started to teach lesson 2 (The Plan of Salvation) and are continuing to constantly learn spanish.
This last week I also decided to participate in the choir, and man, do I love it. The choristers are great and work with us so well... almost seemlessly.

We learned a new song on Sunday and it is so beautiful. I also got to watch Music and the Spoken Word and learned how much I love MoTab.

Elder Winger and I continue to get along with each other quite a lot, and are learning how to listen to each other more during lessons.

The Dominic Republic bound Missionaries (Elder Warren and Elder Rich) are leaving this week to go to the MTC there and we are so sad to have them leave us now. Elder Warren and I have gained such a friendship in these last couple of weeks that is so hard to describe.

Lastly, I'm still waiting for emails... and I'm loving the treats that get sent to me quite often.

Yo sé que la Iglesia de Jesucrist es verdadero, y Jóse Smith fue una profeta. Yo sé que el Libro de Mormón es verdadero tambien.

Cíao!!!
 
Note:
His email address is: i.asplund@myldsmail.net

February 7, 2010

Hey Family!

Thanks again for all the goodies and boots. Those helped a ton.

Well, this week was Fast Sunday, as you probably knew, so I got to participate in my first of two testimony meetings that I will be part of while I'm here. There was such a spirit there that...I really can't describe. The power of all these missionaries' testimonies was incredible, and I even took a chance to bear my testimony as well. While I know it was short, I know it was powerful.

In the evening, we were provided a fireside by Chris Williams' soon-to-be mission president. President Cardon and his wife have such a testimony about the hymns and the history of the Book of Mormon, it blew me away.

For Mom: So to add to your knowledge of the MTC, I'll let you know our Tuesday schedule.

6:30 awake, shower, prepare
7:00 breakfast
7:30 gym
8:30 personal study
9:30 companion study
10:30 language study
11:30 lunch
12:15 class studies
4:30 dinner
5:15 missionary directed time/choir*   (I'm joining choir)
6:00 devotional
7:15 district devotional review
9:00 plan

I know this seems crazy, but this is only the Tuesday schedule.

For Dad: I forgot to thank you for the letter. Last night during prayer I got the feeling to read my patriarchal blessing. So I read the one I thought was right but remembered that I had your blessing, too. Thanks so much for those. I've been keeping it close to my heart.

I can't wait to hear more from you all. I miss you all so much

Ian Asplund

PS Boo Saints!!!

February 5, 2010

Hello Family,

I wanted to thank you guys for the wonderful treats. The food here isn't horrible, but the side effects are...less than admirable.

For Mom: I cannot tell you how many rules for "the game" I have to follow. And I'm glad to hear about Jacob's fate, and am glad that the dogs are doing okay. I do miss them :-(

For Maggie: Take care of Lil' Red for me and I am praying hard for you. I know that this year of your life is one that you will look back on as a metamorphosis just like Zuko. And also, like him, it's the choices after this metamorphosis that will help you become who you want to become.

For Ellie: Good luck with Annie. I know you so want the part of Annie, but I still think you'd be a great Lily. Regardless of what you get, though, I'll be happy for you.

For Griffin: I miss my little bro so much. My piece of advice for you: Aim for Jacob's head.

For Dad: El CCM es tu brillante. Yo amo aqui. Mi companero es en bien. El nombre es Elder Winger donde de West Jordan, UT. El tiene mucho amar para todos. Comprendo espanal mas y mas. Ensenamos leccion uno ahora. El Espiritu Santo es tuvo alli y ensenamos muy bien. Yo se que Dios restaurado Su evanelio traves o Jose Smith (probably said wrong). Yo ano tu. En el nombre de Jesu Cristo, Amen.

For Grandpa and Grandma Asplund; One of the elders in my branch is a grandchild of Jerry. His name is Elder Travech...I think.

I can't wait for your next letter/package/picture. I love you and miss you all!

'Til next time... Ian Asplund

PS. Remember boys, flies spread disease.

Notes:

• I asked what the MTC is like. I guess there are lots of rules. Also, the reference to Jacob is a large cutout of Taylor Lautner who plays "Jacob Black" in the Twilight series. We move him around the house to scare people, but I guess Griffin and his friend, Alex, found a good use for him: target practice with Ian's Nerf guns. 
• Lil' Red is the kids' car. Zuko is a character from Avatar: The Last Airbender. Ellie received the part of "Grace" in the elementary school production of Annie.
• The PS is another reference to Band of Brothers.

February 1, 2010 (D-Day +5)

Hey Mom! Wow...I just...wow. I can't believe how awesome my mission has been so far. Day 1...President Uchtdorf came and welcomed all the new missionaries to their missions. Also, I won't ever be able to see the MTC video as well, so you can be happy.

My companero (companion) is Elder Winger. He's from West Jordan, UT and is an ox! He's big, excited, and very valiant. Our district is so awesome as well. All but 2 of our district are going to Argentina, Cordoba. The one companionship that is not going to Cordoba is going to the Dominican Republic.

Spanish is coming back to me fortunately, but it's still a struggle. Our teacher--well, all the teachers--have spoken Spanish to us right off the bat, and we've been confused every day since. The spirit is helping us all through and we're advancing quickly.

Sunday was amazing with priesthood meeting taught by Brother Jolley. Our sacrament meeting was about the plan of salvation, and we had a fireside that was all about singing hymns. The spirit is so strong here and I'm so glad that I'm relying on it so much already.

Give my best to the family and tackle Wilbur for me.

Ian Asplund

*Notes:

• The D-day reference is from Band of Brothers. He and Maggie used to watch it together all the time.
• Brother Jolley and his wife are serving in one of the many districts within the MTC and are from our ward. We were thrilled to get word that Ian was in their group. It gives us an inside view as to how he is doing. Patty Jolley regularly gives me updates. 
• Wilbur is the dog.
• His signature "Ian Asplund" is how he has signed his notes and cards since he was in kindergarten. We always joked with him that we knew who he was and could just sign "Ian," but it still continues. 

10....9....8....

Wow, I cannot believe it, my life is quickly coming to this huge and amazing moment. This week might as well be titled, ".......

well... I can't decide what to title this week, but i do know that the next chapter of my life is "Called to Serve" hence what my blog is currently titled.

I don't know how to describe my feelings now, but i do know that it is truly excitement

T-Minus 13 Days

I can't believe I'm this close to leaving. 4 months ago, I was still in shock that I had finally got my mission call... to Argentina nonetheless. Now here I am... have just gotten my 2nd Hep-B shot and have almost finished what my mission president asked me to study.

Oh how time has flew. There's a side of me that has always been ready, but now that I'm here... it's quite humbling to know that I'm now allowed to jump into the fray and now I feel like it shouldn't be this close... this high up. But the excitement and the overwhelming joy I feel from knowing what I know about the gospel is the nice and gentle push to help me trudge through the fear of the future unknown.

3 Days of work left as well. What an experience it has been. Getting to meet new people and to love them more than I expected to. It has also helped me reach the goal that I set before I even got the job. $2,000 in the bank and a little more. This is a huge thing for me, knowing that, not only can I set a goal, but I can accomplish that goal.

It's amazing what has happened in my life in the last 6 months, and how much has changed around me, changed in me, and how much my testimony has strengthened. I know that all these things will continue to change and grow, and it will all be for my better.

And speaking of change... this blog will evolve a little to match with the upcoming two years. All my letters and all my pictures from my mission will be posted for everyone to look at and read. I hope you all take time to read of my experiences and maybe even feel the spirit in them.

I'm grateful for you all and love you all deeply. T-Minus 13 Days

It's The Final Countdown! (da da da duh... dadada da duh)

Well those months have flown by and now here I am... 24 days away from walking into the MTC in a whole new world...a new fantastic point of view.

I honestly cannot believe how fast these last few months have flown, I'm almost all set for this experience, just a few more things to tackle. But one thing I know for sure is that I do have a testimony of this Gospel, and I do know that for those who are willing to hear it and give it a chance that it will change their lives... just as it has changed mine. I know for those that read the Book of Mormon that they will know it is true, if they pray constantly about it and study it out in their hearts and minds. I know that prayer works, I have seen it work through my family and throughout the church. I know that Priesthood works and performs great miracles, also through my experiences at home. I know that Joseph Smith restored this church and that he did see the Father and the Son, through my studies of this last year. I know that President Monson is the Prophet on the earth today and if we listen and apply his and the apostles teachings, they will also aid us in the changing of our lives. These things I say to you are true, and I know it. I bear these things unto you the name of our Lord and Savior, yea even Jesus Christ. Amen.