Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Letter from 12/5/2011
Thank you for the birthday wishes! It was weird being away on my bday!! But I am so glad to be where I am! I loved getting Kaiah's email, and I told her that I would be so happy to baptize her. But I also told her if she doesn't want to wait she is welcome to do it now.
We had a great visit from President Gamiette this week. But his lesson crushed me. I have not done enough. I am not doing good enough still. I need to do more, I need to be better! I didn't prepare for my mission the way that I needed to. I did not do the things that I needed to do, and it is killing me now. I regret it so much.
I dont know. I had a really hard week. I feel so overwhelmed...
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However, Brother Salijo has some very kind things to say about Elder Garcia.
He said, "He is much more ahead than a lot of elders serving in their second year." and "His dutch is almost perfect. Are you sure you haven't got any dutch ancestors?"
It seems, at times, Elder Garcia, can be harder on himself then necessary. He puts his heart and soul into the Lord's work and we're so proud of him!
We had a great visit from President Gamiette this week. But his lesson crushed me. I have not done enough. I am not doing good enough still. I need to do more, I need to be better! I didn't prepare for my mission the way that I needed to. I did not do the things that I needed to do, and it is killing me now. I regret it so much.
I dont know. I had a really hard week. I feel so overwhelmed...
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However, Brother Salijo has some very kind things to say about Elder Garcia.
He said, "He is much more ahead than a lot of elders serving in their second year." and "His dutch is almost perfect. Are you sure you haven't got any dutch ancestors?"
It seems, at times, Elder Garcia, can be harder on himself then necessary. He puts his heart and soul into the Lord's work and we're so proud of him!
Monday, November 28, 2011
Letter from November 28, 2011
I was not productive with my time!! And I don't have much left!! But Hi! I did not get transferred, but I did get a new companion!! Elder Fuenzlida.. I am excited.. But i am so sad to see Elder Fernandes go.. I sure hope that every transfer isn't like this.... But what can you do!! It will be a great learning experience for me!! And I am excited to learn all that I can!! I am so glad you had a great thanksgiving!! We are actually eating today!!! I don't have batteries for my camera!! SO hopefully i can find a few before we head over there!! As far as pants go, I just need to buy a few more pair. I can have them made here so you don't have to send any. And if anybody from Suriname adds me on Facebook it is okay!! I am so excited to get my packages!!! I love mail!! And the last package was amazing!!! Things are going well mama!! I am really struggling with the loss of Elder Fernandes. Maar ik moet gevon doorgaan!! Ik houd van u mama!!! En ik ben so so dankbaar voor uw liefde in mijn leven. Ik ben sorry dat dit brief so cort was. It will be better next week!!
Love your Son who will soon be 20!
Mason
Love your Son who will soon be 20!
Mason
Monday, November 21, 2011
Letter from 11/21/2011
Ik ben so blij om van u te horen!!! En u Nederlands is heel goed!! U heeft veel voruithang gemaakt!! But my week was swell!! And indeed the meeting went according to plan! Everything worked out wonderfully!!! Things are shaping up in Uitkijk, but there is still work to be done. Things are amazing. Transfer calls are this week and I really hope I dont have to leave. I love it here!! I told Kell that I am sending her something!! I felt bad that it was going to be so late. So I decided to tell her. I heard that you had a legit birthday celebration!!
I got all of your letters the other week!!! I loved them!! And boy does Kaiah crack me up!! She is so funny! The puzzle was hilarious!! We will be eating Thanksgiving dinner at the Salijos place this year. I am really excited, but really sad at the same time.. I miss the family. You all mean so much to me!! I am soosososososososososososososososososososo grateful for the light jullie are in my life!!
Dutch is coming mama, and I feel more and more comfortable everyday. I have a word of advice! If you really want to learn the language! Buy a Book of Mormon in Dutch and read it cover to cover. And I can promise that if you do, you will be speaking perfect Dutch. It is a promise from the President of the church!! I do it everyday and mark/underline the words I dont know. And it has helped so much!!
Things are sweel here in Suriname!! The sun is shining and the weather is sweet!! And sometimes it makes me want to move my dancing feet!! Ha gotta love Bob Marley!!
I am going to be 20........ dont know how I feel. And Kell is 17. I don't know how I feel about that either!.... But anyway I love you!!
I got all of your letters the other week!!! I loved them!! And boy does Kaiah crack me up!! She is so funny! The puzzle was hilarious!! We will be eating Thanksgiving dinner at the Salijos place this year. I am really excited, but really sad at the same time.. I miss the family. You all mean so much to me!! I am soosososososososososososososososososososo grateful for the light jullie are in my life!!
Dutch is coming mama, and I feel more and more comfortable everyday. I have a word of advice! If you really want to learn the language! Buy a Book of Mormon in Dutch and read it cover to cover. And I can promise that if you do, you will be speaking perfect Dutch. It is a promise from the President of the church!! I do it everyday and mark/underline the words I dont know. And it has helped so much!!
Things are sweel here in Suriname!! The sun is shining and the weather is sweet!! And sometimes it makes me want to move my dancing feet!! Ha gotta love Bob Marley!!
I am going to be 20........ dont know how I feel. And Kell is 17. I don't know how I feel about that either!.... But anyway I love you!!
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Letter from 11/14/2011
Hoe gaat het met U? Ik hoop dat this finds you happy and at peace! Alles is goed heir in Paramaribo Suriname! I had a lueke week! We have had some really great things happen here in Uitkijk!! We had 40 people at sacarament last week and 39 this week! (that's quite a bit for Suriname and A LOT for Uitkijk). The winds of change are a blowing here in Uitkijk! We have a meeting tomorrow to discuss the future of our area. They are thinking about closing it down. That would break my heart..... We have made so much progress with our members. They have come so far. And we can still do and will do so much more! I am so excited for the next few weeks. Things have been going great! I love my mission more and more everyday. I now know why dad was always telling me that I needed to go. And I will be eternally grateful to him for it. So I just mailed the pics today. So they should come in the next few weeks.
I have so much going on! I wish you could be here to see the rain storms they area absolutely amazing. We lose our power about once a week it seems. We had to shower with bucket the other day because without electricity we have no water. Ha! it was an interesting/sweet experience. I am slowly developing a love for reading. I don't know what is happening to me.... I love to study even though I am not to good at it yet. But maybe one day. But life is dandy! We have made some amazing friendships here in Uitkijk! It will always have a place in my heart. I am definitely coming back one day!
The future is bright! And I am excited to see what it holds.
Lobi
Elder Garcia
I have so much going on! I wish you could be here to see the rain storms they area absolutely amazing. We lose our power about once a week it seems. We had to shower with bucket the other day because without electricity we have no water. Ha! it was an interesting/sweet experience. I am slowly developing a love for reading. I don't know what is happening to me.... I love to study even though I am not to good at it yet. But maybe one day. But life is dandy! We have made some amazing friendships here in Uitkijk! It will always have a place in my heart. I am definitely coming back one day!
The future is bright! And I am excited to see what it holds.
Lobi
Elder Garcia
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Letter from 11/7/2011
The week was good!! I am so grateful for my companion! He really is a great guy and has helped me so much along my path of becoming a better missionary!! We have really tried to find new people this week with little success. But we just need to keep chugging. .
I am so proud of Kell Bell!! That is awesome that she is going to Thailand!!
There is too much to report this week. I have had a lot of time to think about my personal growth and development. And it has been really tough for me...
There is so much that I need to do. So much that is expected of me and I am a little overwhelmed. But I know I can figure it out. I was given a flower from the Tapoh girls the other day they are sweethearts. And they crack me up! But I am loving my time here in Suriname!!! It has been a blessing and I am so thankful for my call to serve here!! For the Qs last week. Uitkijk is rather large!!! It is huge actually.. And the majority of our days are filled with fietsing( Biking). But it is a great way to stay in shape so I'm not complaining.!!. I have alot going on in my mind and I am not really sure how or where I need to begin to sort it all out!!
Love forever,
Mason
I am so proud of Kell Bell!! That is awesome that she is going to Thailand!!
There is too much to report this week. I have had a lot of time to think about my personal growth and development. And it has been really tough for me...
There is so much that I need to do. So much that is expected of me and I am a little overwhelmed. But I know I can figure it out. I was given a flower from the Tapoh girls the other day they are sweethearts. And they crack me up! But I am loving my time here in Suriname!!! It has been a blessing and I am so thankful for my call to serve here!! For the Qs last week. Uitkijk is rather large!!! It is huge actually.. And the majority of our days are filled with fietsing( Biking). But it is a great way to stay in shape so I'm not complaining.!!. I have alot going on in my mind and I am not really sure how or where I need to begin to sort it all out!!
Love forever,
Mason
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Letter from 10/31/2011
I hope this finds you happy and laughing!!:) The week was swell!! We had our first baptism here in Uitkijk, and it was an amazing experience. The spirit was so strong. We rented a bus and were able to have most of the family in attendance and it was rather wild. But I am so thankful for the Tapoh family. They have been so kind and loving to us. And we have now officially been labeled the favorite elders of all time in Uitkijk. Pretty leuk, eh? But I pray that the Lord blesses me with more baptisms as it was such an amazing experience!!
As far as the family home evening went, it was awesome. We talked about eternal families. I had to give a short toespraak on work within the family and according to the Jansens (senior missionary couple) my Dutch was not too bad!! It is getting better each and everyday I can understand most things that people say. ... It's the speaking my thoughts and feeling that is the problem but I make progress everyday of the week!!
My best experience thus far has to be the baptism. Seeing the change in her and the spirit I felt was amazing. My worst has been struggling with my personal conversion. I am still battling that process but I have a much better attitude now than I did before. And reading Bro. Robinsons letter really helped. I have been too hard on myself. I need to find that balance. But other than that things are great! I love it here, and I know things can only get better. I have many trials and challenges to overcome but what is life without a little struggle.
I bought a bible in SarananTongo today (the local street creole). I am excited to start slowly learning their language. Even though it will not be nearly as hard as Nederlands. But I have had some great success here in Uitkijk. And we have some great plans that will only help things get better!!!!
I am sorry that I can't send you a longer email.. The time is short and the inbox full. I will be sending pictures home soon in the mail. So be expecting them in a few weeks!! Ik houd van you mama!!!!
Met Lobi!
As far as the family home evening went, it was awesome. We talked about eternal families. I had to give a short toespraak on work within the family and according to the Jansens (senior missionary couple) my Dutch was not too bad!! It is getting better each and everyday I can understand most things that people say. ... It's the speaking my thoughts and feeling that is the problem but I make progress everyday of the week!!
My best experience thus far has to be the baptism. Seeing the change in her and the spirit I felt was amazing. My worst has been struggling with my personal conversion. I am still battling that process but I have a much better attitude now than I did before. And reading Bro. Robinsons letter really helped. I have been too hard on myself. I need to find that balance. But other than that things are great! I love it here, and I know things can only get better. I have many trials and challenges to overcome but what is life without a little struggle.
I bought a bible in SarananTongo today (the local street creole). I am excited to start slowly learning their language. Even though it will not be nearly as hard as Nederlands. But I have had some great success here in Uitkijk. And we have some great plans that will only help things get better!!!!
I am sorry that I can't send you a longer email.. The time is short and the inbox full. I will be sending pictures home soon in the mail. So be expecting them in a few weeks!! Ik houd van you mama!!!!
Met Lobi!
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Letter from 10/25/2011
I hope this finds you well and happy!! My week was good!! But it has been trying!! The work in Uitkijk is tough, but we are making progress and really trying to help the members get excited about missionary work. So hopefully we see some results soon. We have our first baptism on the 29th, so this week. I am so excited! Fabienne is a cutie.
I am so glad that you had the opportunity to finally meet Elder Thompson. Everyone loved him here in Suriname! Hopefully this won't be the last baptism here in Uitkijk. We have a lot of really good potentials but we have a lot of work to do. We had a really awesome multi family family home evening last Friday. I had to give a short talk about working within a family to strengthen and build each other up. I was so scared. But according to the people in the crowd I did a really good job., I have seen the blessing of the gift of tongues in my life. Some people thought I was from the Netherlands. Who would have thought.
I have been trying really hard to learn the language and soak up everything I can. Elder Fernandes said I have the potential to have better Dutch than him. Which was a shock. But all I can do is keep working. But other than that it has just been missionary work. We are learning how to cook. And I have baked about 5 cakes in two weeks for sisters in the ward. I am a pro! Ha grap je. Dat is Naderlands so you know. It means just kidding. But anyway, things are splended in the Jungle. The critters are crawling, and the wlid monkey is howling. I have to catch or kill something new and exciting everyday!! Gotta love life. And I do!! Sorry this is short, time is short as well.
Love,
Mason
I am so glad that you had the opportunity to finally meet Elder Thompson. Everyone loved him here in Suriname! Hopefully this won't be the last baptism here in Uitkijk. We have a lot of really good potentials but we have a lot of work to do. We had a really awesome multi family family home evening last Friday. I had to give a short talk about working within a family to strengthen and build each other up. I was so scared. But according to the people in the crowd I did a really good job., I have seen the blessing of the gift of tongues in my life. Some people thought I was from the Netherlands. Who would have thought.
I have been trying really hard to learn the language and soak up everything I can. Elder Fernandes said I have the potential to have better Dutch than him. Which was a shock. But all I can do is keep working. But other than that it has just been missionary work. We are learning how to cook. And I have baked about 5 cakes in two weeks for sisters in the ward. I am a pro! Ha grap je. Dat is Naderlands so you know. It means just kidding. But anyway, things are splended in the Jungle. The critters are crawling, and the wlid monkey is howling. I have to catch or kill something new and exciting everyday!! Gotta love life. And I do!! Sorry this is short, time is short as well.
Love,
Mason
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Monday, October 17, 2011
Letter from Oct. 17, 2011
How gaat het? So I had a much better week this week. Things are slowly starting to click. I still cant speak the language but you know I do my best!!
Thank you for your letter it made my week!! And tell kaiah that i love her to death!! She cracks me up !! That book was hilarious! And also tell her that that blue rock she sent me I carry it around with me everywhere. And it always reminds me of her!! So fabienne is a 9 yr old girl in a family of 10.. It is crazy here....so many children. But anyway she is soo so so so shy and it has taken me a while to break down her initial barrier. But I think I have finally punced through!! And I am afraid to say all the girls love me here. I am told that i am mooi (FINE) almost everyday!! But you knew that already!!! She is a sweetheart! And I know this will bless her life!! But things have been going a lot better! We deep cleaned our apartment today! It felt so good!! We biked 40 km the other day my legs are going to be hugely buff when I come home it is ridiculous!! I had lunch at brother Salijo's house today!! He says hello!!! And apparently he will be visiting SLC in Oct. 2013 and he is planning on visiting us!! I am so excited for him to come to salt lake!!! He is such a loving man. And he is going to teach me how to cook!! But life is swell mama!!! Things are starting to pick up and I can feel my testimony each and everyday!!! I love this work and I am so thankful that I have the opportunity to be apart of it!! I need a few things I need the address of aaron steffensen, and the email address of Rich Ingerbretsen!!! And my visa card doesn't work here in suriname so i need you to call the bank and see if there is anything you can do.. But other than that know that I love you!!! You are my amazing mama!!! And I love you to death!!
Met liefde (with love),
Your Son
Thank you for your letter it made my week!! And tell kaiah that i love her to death!! She cracks me up !! That book was hilarious! And also tell her that that blue rock she sent me I carry it around with me everywhere. And it always reminds me of her!! So fabienne is a 9 yr old girl in a family of 10.. It is crazy here....so many children. But anyway she is soo so so so shy and it has taken me a while to break down her initial barrier. But I think I have finally punced through!! And I am afraid to say all the girls love me here. I am told that i am mooi (FINE) almost everyday!! But you knew that already!!! She is a sweetheart! And I know this will bless her life!! But things have been going a lot better! We deep cleaned our apartment today! It felt so good!! We biked 40 km the other day my legs are going to be hugely buff when I come home it is ridiculous!! I had lunch at brother Salijo's house today!! He says hello!!! And apparently he will be visiting SLC in Oct. 2013 and he is planning on visiting us!! I am so excited for him to come to salt lake!!! He is such a loving man. And he is going to teach me how to cook!! But life is swell mama!!! Things are starting to pick up and I can feel my testimony each and everyday!!! I love this work and I am so thankful that I have the opportunity to be apart of it!! I need a few things I need the address of aaron steffensen, and the email address of Rich Ingerbretsen!!! And my visa card doesn't work here in suriname so i need you to call the bank and see if there is anything you can do.. But other than that know that I love you!!! You are my amazing mama!!! And I love you to death!!
Met liefde (with love),
Your Son
Monday, October 10, 2011
Email from Oct. 10, 2011
How gaat het met u? Ik ben altijt blij om u emails te ontvangen!!!
Suriname has been good this week! Elder Fernandes and I have had some good success!!! A typical day for us is we rise at 6:30 shower, eat, and then begin our studies at 8. We study from 8 to 12 and then we are out the door! We go to appointments, go tracting, and do everything else that is involved with missionary work. We generally have lunch around 3 or 4 and then return to our apartment around 9-9:30 to eat, plan for the following day, and then finally sleep!!! It is busy and hot and crazy, but I have really enjoyed it.
I have been struggling the past couple days with everything. I don't want you to worry but it has been hard for me. The language and the spiritual level I am required to maintain. I regeret the time that I wasted before my mission doing things that took me away from the spirit. I wish I would have prepared for this time in my life. I fell so far behind the rest of the missionaries. With everything. And it has been really hard for me. Especially spritually. I feel like I am fishing in the dark most days. But Elder Fernandes gave me a book to read about what it takes to be a good missionary and the frist step is converting oneself, and I know that is what I have to do, and it needs to be my top priority.. But until that point things are going to be tough. Keep me in your prayers!! Especially that I will find and obtain my personal conversion!! Because I heb het echt nodig.
So my favorite thing to do it talk with the childern and get to know people!! It has been a blast!! We we are playiong soccer with the kids for an hour every Friday and it is amazing they have such good hearts!!! And I am the fan favorite!! The kids love me a little too much sometimes!! They are always hounding me. It is definetly helping me develop some patience. The most difficult thing is talking with people because I can't really speak with them. But I like it. It is slowly getting easier!!
I love Uitkijk. We biked to Saramaka the other day and we were able to find 6 new investigators and share 7 different lessons.
We had a real sad experience while we were there. We met a man from the Netherlands and we started talking with him. He wanted nothing to do with us. Elder Fernandes then asked him what was important in his life. And he started to say I dont what to start that conversation When Elder Fernandes askd him "is nothing important to you?", he sadly replied with "no, nothing means anything to me"...I feel so sad for this man. What kind of a life is it to live where nothing is important. I am so gald that i know what is most important in this life at such a young age. I am so greatful to have the gospel in my life! But other than that all is well! We have a great vision for Uitkijk!! It is going to take some work but hopefully things will begin to progress!! We don't get much free time on our p-days. We always have something to do, or somewhere to go! But I have so many beautiful photos that I want to share with you!! We are going to have our first baptism on the 29th of this month! I am so excited! Her name is Fabienne!! She is a sweetheart!! I will keep you posted!!slacking!!! I love you mama!! Tot de volginde keer!!!
Suriname has been good this week! Elder Fernandes and I have had some good success!!! A typical day for us is we rise at 6:30 shower, eat, and then begin our studies at 8. We study from 8 to 12 and then we are out the door! We go to appointments, go tracting, and do everything else that is involved with missionary work. We generally have lunch around 3 or 4 and then return to our apartment around 9-9:30 to eat, plan for the following day, and then finally sleep!!! It is busy and hot and crazy, but I have really enjoyed it.
I have been struggling the past couple days with everything. I don't want you to worry but it has been hard for me. The language and the spiritual level I am required to maintain. I regeret the time that I wasted before my mission doing things that took me away from the spirit. I wish I would have prepared for this time in my life. I fell so far behind the rest of the missionaries. With everything. And it has been really hard for me. Especially spritually. I feel like I am fishing in the dark most days. But Elder Fernandes gave me a book to read about what it takes to be a good missionary and the frist step is converting oneself, and I know that is what I have to do, and it needs to be my top priority.. But until that point things are going to be tough. Keep me in your prayers!! Especially that I will find and obtain my personal conversion!! Because I heb het echt nodig.
So my favorite thing to do it talk with the childern and get to know people!! It has been a blast!! We we are playiong soccer with the kids for an hour every Friday and it is amazing they have such good hearts!!! And I am the fan favorite!! The kids love me a little too much sometimes!! They are always hounding me. It is definetly helping me develop some patience. The most difficult thing is talking with people because I can't really speak with them. But I like it. It is slowly getting easier!!
I love Uitkijk. We biked to Saramaka the other day and we were able to find 6 new investigators and share 7 different lessons.
We had a real sad experience while we were there. We met a man from the Netherlands and we started talking with him. He wanted nothing to do with us. Elder Fernandes then asked him what was important in his life. And he started to say I dont what to start that conversation When Elder Fernandes askd him "is nothing important to you?", he sadly replied with "no, nothing means anything to me"...I feel so sad for this man. What kind of a life is it to live where nothing is important. I am so gald that i know what is most important in this life at such a young age. I am so greatful to have the gospel in my life! But other than that all is well! We have a great vision for Uitkijk!! It is going to take some work but hopefully things will begin to progress!! We don't get much free time on our p-days. We always have something to do, or somewhere to go! But I have so many beautiful photos that I want to share with you!! We are going to have our first baptism on the 29th of this month! I am so excited! Her name is Fabienne!! She is a sweetheart!! I will keep you posted!!slacking!!! I love you mama!! Tot de volginde keer!!!
Pictures!
Here are some pictures from Mason this week and some of the area that he's in. He's doing great!
Monday, October 3, 2011
Letter from October 3, 2011
So a week has come and gone and I love Suriname!! Uitkijk is an interesting place with its own tempo. Things are just slower here. People move slower, talk slower, and live slower. I love it here!. My apartment is nice. I will hopefully remember my camera next week to upload some photos. My house is hot, bug loaded and just beautiful. We have A-C in our room which has saved me. I actually get cold at night. But Uitkijk is a little farmish town in the middle of the country. We have a store and a chineese resturant and that is about it. There is not much out here. But its pretty easy to catch a bus here and get to the city. The only thing is that the buses don't have schedules. When the bus is full they leave. So who knows how long you will be waiting. But I love it. My dutch is coming. Everyday I can say more and more, and understand more and more. I have been speaking 100% dutch with Elder Fernandes which has been amazing. I have also been trying to learn Saranantongo (street Creole). It is going to be a little bit harder than expected, but the kids have been an amazing help. I loved watching conference. It was a treat!!! I absolutely love it here. I haven't had anything too to eat strange yet. The most lekker thing has been Roti!!! It is curry, meat. beans and a whole bunch of other sutff that i dont know. And you pick it up with the Roti bread which is kinda like pita bread or naan!! It is so so so so so good!! I love it. I was hoping to lose weight so hopefully that happens!
My zone is the beans knees!!
Elder Tullis
Baker
Fernandes
Scott
Norton
Sadler
Warner
Grange
Job
Peredson
Bell
Gwuinn and me!
They are a great group of guys! I'll put a photo up next week. The work has been slow. But I know it will pick up with time. Reopening an area has been a great learning experience. I love Uitkijk!! Oh, and I had to buy a bike! So So when there is a big withdrawl it is me! But other than that I don't have much.!!! Me takki u en graan tangi fu!
I love you!
Elder Garcia
My zone is the beans knees!!
Elder Tullis
Baker
Fernandes
Scott
Norton
Sadler
Warner
Grange
Job
Peredson
Bell
Gwuinn and me!
They are a great group of guys! I'll put a photo up next week. The work has been slow. But I know it will pick up with time. Reopening an area has been a great learning experience. I love Uitkijk!! Oh, and I had to buy a bike! So So when there is a big withdrawl it is me! But other than that I don't have much.!!! Me takki u en graan tangi fu!
I love you!
Elder Garcia
Monday, September 26, 2011
Email from September 26, 2011
I have so much to tell you and I dont really know where to begin. So after leaving AL I arrived in Trinidad @ 12 that night. I spent nearly 2 hours in customs and wasn't able to get to bed until about 2 that morning. We met with Pres. Gamiette that next morning. He is absolutely amazing!! I cant describe him. We had dinner at his home and we met with his wife and had a wonderful spirtiual meeting. And then we found out where we would be serving. I have been assigned to the City of Uitkijk!! It is in the southeast part of Suriname!! My comp is Elder Fernandes from Belgium!! He is an amazing guy!! I have learned so much from him. Suriname is everything and more than I imagined. It is beautiful. The people are so kind. At least the ones I have met with. It is so hot, I have never sweat so much in my life, and PB and J's are a 2-3 time a day occurance, but I love it!! Trinidad was amazing!! But I dont think you should go there. You would die! People drive like maniacs and you wouldnt be able to handle it! But it was beautiful!! Everything about the place. It was covered with trees and flowers and these houses waaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyy up on the mountain side. I dont know how they got them up there!! I had a blast. Elder Buhler and Elder Helms the AP's were so good to us. Roti and doubles were amazing. I will send pictures later. The Jansens are soooo soooo kind. They are so good to us. Everything has been perfect these first few days. I am having a lot of difficulty understanding the people but i know it will come. My comp speaks perfect Dutch and I asked him to only speak Dutch to me so hopefully it will help. But I dont have too much to report. I fell into the swewage drain today!. Thankfully only up to my shins. It was a great first pday. The food is delicious!! The winkle (store) is awesome. and I love the native language!! Everything is amazing! My comp. and I are reopeneing an area so things are going to be tough. But I know with the help of the Lord we can make it through it. Send my love to everyone!! I will write more next week!!
Love,
Mason
Love,
Mason
Address to Send Elder Garcia letters
Elder Mason Garcia
P.O. Box 2932
Paramaribo, Suriname
South America
Anyone wanting to send Mason a package or have something they'd like included in a package being sent to him can contact his mom (Karen) at Garciax6@aol.com for information.
P.O. Box 2932
Paramaribo, Suriname
South America
Anyone wanting to send Mason a package or have something they'd like included in a package being sent to him can contact his mom (Karen) at Garciax6@aol.com for information.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Alabama Baptism
Here's a picture of a baptism Elder Garcia was able to attend while he was in Alabama. He really enjoyed the experience.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Email from Sept. 19, 2010
Hoe gaat het met je? I ben heel blij om uw email te ontvangen. And I am so excited to get to Suriname!!! I am all jumpy and twitchy!! I am so excited to finally get there!! I emailed Ryan today!! And I instantly got a reply! He says he is loving his mission in PA! It sounds like everything is going great with him! It was so good to hear from him! I miss that young man!
Krystal sent me some really cute pictures of my favorite nephew!! And tell Dodge hello for me! And Jeanette as well!!
So here is the low down on my time in AL! I have both loved and despised my time here in the dirty south!! The state is actually very beautiful! It has so many trees! And I want you to google Kudzu. It is a plant that has taken over the state! The people that I have come into contact with have been awesome for the most part, but you get that everywhere!! I definetly came to AL for a reason and I think it was to learn how not to work as a missionary. My trainer Elder D is a good kid. But he has absolutely no work ethic. It has been really hard being paired with him because I want serve with all that I have. I want to be going non-stop and he doesn't share that mentallity. And so much of my short time has been wasted. But I have tried to stay positive and learn all that I can from the situation!!
I am nervous to be speaking 100% percent Dutch here in a couple days. Pray for me! I am going to need it. But other than that I dont have much to report.!! I'll give you a call tomorrow!! And we can talk a little more in depth! Ik wil je te weten dat ik van u houd!!
Love uw zoon,
Mason
Krystal sent me some really cute pictures of my favorite nephew!! And tell Dodge hello for me! And Jeanette as well!!
So here is the low down on my time in AL! I have both loved and despised my time here in the dirty south!! The state is actually very beautiful! It has so many trees! And I want you to google Kudzu. It is a plant that has taken over the state! The people that I have come into contact with have been awesome for the most part, but you get that everywhere!! I definetly came to AL for a reason and I think it was to learn how not to work as a missionary. My trainer Elder D is a good kid. But he has absolutely no work ethic. It has been really hard being paired with him because I want serve with all that I have. I want to be going non-stop and he doesn't share that mentallity. And so much of my short time has been wasted. But I have tried to stay positive and learn all that I can from the situation!!
I am nervous to be speaking 100% percent Dutch here in a couple days. Pray for me! I am going to need it. But other than that I dont have much to report.!! I'll give you a call tomorrow!! And we can talk a little more in depth! Ik wil je te weten dat ik van u houd!!
Love uw zoon,
Mason
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Letter from Sept. 4, 2011
Hey,
Things here have been crazy! As you know, the tropical storm has been rolling through the state of Alabama. We got dumped on today. I don't know exactly how much we got, but we were projected to get 2 - 9 inches of rain.
So here are a few 'facts' about Alabama. The humidity is palpable. I have been sweating my behind off. And that classic southern "hospitality" is more like southern 'hostility'. I'm companions with Elder Decker from Boise, ID. Elder Sadler fortunately lives in the same apartments so hopefully we don't lose too much of our Dutch. I've been assigned to Oxford/Aniston and Jacksonville area, and the people are amazing here. They are a little rough around the edges, and they have crazy accents! But they are awesome. Our mission president, Pres. Holzapfel, is a stud. He is so intelligent, and he's all about the work. I really appreciate his dedication. We are lucky to have him.
We have a baptism on Saturday. I'm really excited! We spend about 5 hours in church on Sunday. We are in charge of the Anisten ward, and the Oxford branch. IT's impossible to cover our area. It's HUGE, but other than that life is swell. I like 'Bama. It is the ugliest, prettiest state I've ever seen. There is this vine called Kudzu that is everywhere. It takes over 130,000 acres a year. It looks like a grape vine that has taken over!
Football truly is a religion down in the south. And their fans are absolutely ridiculous! It's either you bleed Crimson or you bleed Orange and Blue.. It's Alabama or Auburn or NOTHING! It's rather annoying. I love football, but I would never talk sports with these people, but at least I stay updated on college football.
We've had tornado warnings every day this week. Hopefully we don't get swept away. I haven't died yet, and I still have all my limbs.
Ik houd van u!
Love,
Elder Garcia
Things here have been crazy! As you know, the tropical storm has been rolling through the state of Alabama. We got dumped on today. I don't know exactly how much we got, but we were projected to get 2 - 9 inches of rain.
So here are a few 'facts' about Alabama. The humidity is palpable. I have been sweating my behind off. And that classic southern "hospitality" is more like southern 'hostility'. I'm companions with Elder Decker from Boise, ID. Elder Sadler fortunately lives in the same apartments so hopefully we don't lose too much of our Dutch. I've been assigned to Oxford/Aniston and Jacksonville area, and the people are amazing here. They are a little rough around the edges, and they have crazy accents! But they are awesome. Our mission president, Pres. Holzapfel, is a stud. He is so intelligent, and he's all about the work. I really appreciate his dedication. We are lucky to have him.
We have a baptism on Saturday. I'm really excited! We spend about 5 hours in church on Sunday. We are in charge of the Anisten ward, and the Oxford branch. IT's impossible to cover our area. It's HUGE, but other than that life is swell. I like 'Bama. It is the ugliest, prettiest state I've ever seen. There is this vine called Kudzu that is everywhere. It takes over 130,000 acres a year. It looks like a grape vine that has taken over!
Football truly is a religion down in the south. And their fans are absolutely ridiculous! It's either you bleed Crimson or you bleed Orange and Blue.. It's Alabama or Auburn or NOTHING! It's rather annoying. I love football, but I would never talk sports with these people, but at least I stay updated on college football.
We've had tornado warnings every day this week. Hopefully we don't get swept away. I haven't died yet, and I still have all my limbs.
Ik houd van u!
Love,
Elder Garcia
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Monday, September 5, 2011
Birmingham, Alabama
Mason has arrived in Alabama and it sounds as though he is being very well taken care of by the senior missionaries!
He will be serving in this area until his visa comes through.
That mission has a blog and there are some pictures of their new "visa missionaries"
http://alabamamissionupdate.blogspot.com/2011/09/friday-saturday-and-sunday.html?showComment=1315266380650#c8837495812757187399
He will be serving in this area until his visa comes through.
That mission has a blog and there are some pictures of their new "visa missionaries"
http://alabamamissionupdate.blogspot.com/2011/09/friday-saturday-and-sunday.html?showComment=1315266380650#c8837495812757187399
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Mason Left the MTC Early!
As of 9/2/11 Mason has been reassigned to Birmingham, AL until his visas for Trinidad and Suriname are ready, so please not send any mail to the MTC.
Any mail can be sent to Mason's home address. It will be forwarded to him as soon as a new address is available.
Elder Mason Garcia
1163 Emerson Avenue
Salt Lake City, UT
84105
His parent's and sisters got to talk to him while he was enroute to AL and he seemed excited and nervous to finally get out of the MTC and into the field!
Please keep him in your prayers!
Any mail can be sent to Mason's home address. It will be forwarded to him as soon as a new address is available.
Elder Mason Garcia
1163 Emerson Avenue
Salt Lake City, UT
84105
His parent's and sisters got to talk to him while he was enroute to AL and he seemed excited and nervous to finally get out of the MTC and into the field!
Please keep him in your prayers!
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Letter from August 31
So my time should end on Monday. We unfortunately did not get our visas like we thought we would but hopefully they will have them on Thursday. The other three Elders in my district landed in the Netherlands on Monday. I cant believe they are already out!! We're next. I found Elder Shephard I think. You have been emailing his mom he is going to the west indies french speaking. It was really cool to see him. Its crazy to think i left two months ago today. I have been in the MTC for 9 weeks. And hopefully i dont have to spend too many more here. I might go crazy. But other than that. Things are great. Elder Jeffery R. Holland came and spoke to us last night. It was absolutely amazing to hear from an apostle of the Lord. The spirit he brought into the room was overpowering. He truly is an amazing man. A man of God.
Elder Sadler and i have our room back now! We had an injured elder in our room and he had knee surgery yesterday! 9 hours in a hospital waiting room for me. It was sad to see him go... He was bummed.. But i think it will be better for his recovery.
Dad sent me a picture in the mail today. I was 11 yrs old. And i noticed just how big my teeth were. I am gald that i finally grew into them.
So Kevin and i are the last brothers to remain in the MTC. Brent left on monday. He has been in Chile for almost two days. I cant believe it. Its crazy... Im next.
Send my love to the Family!! Till next week my dear mama! I Love you.
Love Mason
Elder Sadler and i have our room back now! We had an injured elder in our room and he had knee surgery yesterday! 9 hours in a hospital waiting room for me. It was sad to see him go... He was bummed.. But i think it will be better for his recovery.
Dad sent me a picture in the mail today. I was 11 yrs old. And i noticed just how big my teeth were. I am gald that i finally grew into them.
So Kevin and i are the last brothers to remain in the MTC. Brent left on monday. He has been in Chile for almost two days. I cant believe it. Its crazy... Im next.
Send my love to the Family!! Till next week my dear mama! I Love you.
Love Mason
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Getting Ready to Leave the MTC
So I got my travel plans!!! And that means there's a very good chance that I have my visa! I'm going to Suriname! I leave on a bus at 5 a.m. on the 5th of September to drive to the airport. My first flight is from SLC to Dallas, then Dallas to Miami, and Miami to Port of Spain, Trinidad. I should land there around 11:05 pm.
I'll be in Trinidad for a few days. THEN IT IS OFF TO SURINAME! I can't wait! Please let everyone know, and send me everyones cell numbers so I can call them from the airports.
I love you Mama! Your boy is Suriname bound!
Jezus Christus staat central in God's plan.
Ik ben go de volgende maandag naar Suriname gaan.
Ik find mijn moeder heel mool.
Love,
Mason
*If mailing Mason anything to the MTC please make sure it will get there before Sept 5th, as he will no longer be there to receive it*
I'll be in Trinidad for a few days. THEN IT IS OFF TO SURINAME! I can't wait! Please let everyone know, and send me everyones cell numbers so I can call them from the airports.
I love you Mama! Your boy is Suriname bound!
Jezus Christus staat central in God's plan.
Ik ben go de volgende maandag naar Suriname gaan.
Ik find mijn moeder heel mool.
Love,
Mason
*If mailing Mason anything to the MTC please make sure it will get there before Sept 5th, as he will no longer be there to receive it*
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Letter from August 17, 2011
Hallo!!! Hoe gaat het met u??? Hopalijk alles is goed!!
My week has been good this week. Im sure you are getting sick of my emails, because they are the same thing week in and week out but not too much changes here in the good old MTC. We had a really good talk given to us by Elder Heet on Tuesday and about the gifts of God. He brought up an interesting point that I have never thought about before. He said that everything we receieve on our missions is a gift from God. Every prompt, every investigator, and every baptism. Nothing is because of us, and without the Lord we would be nothing. He told us this, " Elders and Sisters I want you to do absolutely everything that you can in the field, work as hard as you can to help guide others to Christ and after you have done this. After you done everything that you can expect nothing in return". It is when we do that we ask ourselves two harmful questions. 1. Am I good enough? 2. Why was my investigators so hard? The baptims we receive are gifts of both agency and God's power. And I thought to myself that if I can bring just one soul unto Christ. If I can help one person live a better life by living this wonderful gospeI i will be successful as a missionary. But hopefully I can help many more. But other than that not much is different, except maybe me. One of our teachers is getting married on Saturday. So this Friday will be the last time Elder VanRij, Mortensen,and Kunz will see him before they head out on their missions. It'll be a sad day when that happens. I've been reading the New Testament lately it is beautiful. The things Jesus taught, the miracles he was able to perform were amazing. I love the bible. But anyway i LOVE you my sweet mama!! Never forget that.
Love your Elder,
Mason
My week has been good this week. Im sure you are getting sick of my emails, because they are the same thing week in and week out but not too much changes here in the good old MTC. We had a really good talk given to us by Elder Heet on Tuesday and about the gifts of God. He brought up an interesting point that I have never thought about before. He said that everything we receieve on our missions is a gift from God. Every prompt, every investigator, and every baptism. Nothing is because of us, and without the Lord we would be nothing. He told us this, " Elders and Sisters I want you to do absolutely everything that you can in the field, work as hard as you can to help guide others to Christ and after you have done this. After you done everything that you can expect nothing in return". It is when we do that we ask ourselves two harmful questions. 1. Am I good enough? 2. Why was my investigators so hard? The baptims we receive are gifts of both agency and God's power. And I thought to myself that if I can bring just one soul unto Christ. If I can help one person live a better life by living this wonderful gospeI i will be successful as a missionary. But hopefully I can help many more. But other than that not much is different, except maybe me. One of our teachers is getting married on Saturday. So this Friday will be the last time Elder VanRij, Mortensen,and Kunz will see him before they head out on their missions. It'll be a sad day when that happens. I've been reading the New Testament lately it is beautiful. The things Jesus taught, the miracles he was able to perform were amazing. I love the bible. But anyway i LOVE you my sweet mama!! Never forget that.
Love your Elder,
Mason
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Email from August 10, 2011
Hoe gaat het met u?
Well I am now starting my 7th week in the MTC. Only 2 1/2 more to go until I am out of here. I am so excited, but I have loved my time here. I have
grown and learned so much.
I had a cool learning experience during the devotional last night. A member of the 70 gave a talk of an experience he had while serving as a mission president. He talked about a women who worked at a small deli in the heart of her city. And every couple of days the missionaries would stop by and purchase a drink or a treat. And she soon became interested in them. Also she had been talking to one of her friends who was a member, they had been talking about a book called the Book of Mormon. So this woman finally built up the courage to go and speak with the missionaries. So one day they stopped by the deli made a purchase and left, the woman hung up he apron and followed them. But when she was following them she overheard them talking about a woman in a way that wasn't appropriate for anyone to talk about a woman. And she turned around and didn't talk to them and he wasn't sure if she ever tried again. It was just an eye opening experience that as missionaries we are being watched 24/7 regardless of time or location. People notice the things that we say and do, and it not only has an impact on how they view us and our message, but it also has a positive or negative impact on the church. As missionaries we are the face of the church. And we need to act accordingly.
So we get 30 new missionaries in our zone this week. 8 new Dutch elders too!! I'm pretty excited! Its weird to think that we are already at this point. It seems like only yesterday I was entering the MTC. Time is flying by. I don't have much to report today. Tell Kaiah that I love her and that her art is hanging up on my wall!! I love you!! Sorry this one was short!! Ik houd van jullie!!!
Elder Garcia!
Well I am now starting my 7th week in the MTC. Only 2 1/2 more to go until I am out of here. I am so excited, but I have loved my time here. I have
grown and learned so much.
I had a cool learning experience during the devotional last night. A member of the 70 gave a talk of an experience he had while serving as a mission president. He talked about a women who worked at a small deli in the heart of her city. And every couple of days the missionaries would stop by and purchase a drink or a treat. And she soon became interested in them. Also she had been talking to one of her friends who was a member, they had been talking about a book called the Book of Mormon. So this woman finally built up the courage to go and speak with the missionaries. So one day they stopped by the deli made a purchase and left, the woman hung up he apron and followed them. But when she was following them she overheard them talking about a woman in a way that wasn't appropriate for anyone to talk about a woman. And she turned around and didn't talk to them and he wasn't sure if she ever tried again. It was just an eye opening experience that as missionaries we are being watched 24/7 regardless of time or location. People notice the things that we say and do, and it not only has an impact on how they view us and our message, but it also has a positive or negative impact on the church. As missionaries we are the face of the church. And we need to act accordingly.
So we get 30 new missionaries in our zone this week. 8 new Dutch elders too!! I'm pretty excited! Its weird to think that we are already at this point. It seems like only yesterday I was entering the MTC. Time is flying by. I don't have much to report today. Tell Kaiah that I love her and that her art is hanging up on my wall!! I love you!! Sorry this one was short!! Ik houd van jullie!!!
Elder Garcia!
Email from August 2, 2011
So another week has come and gone. It's crazy to think that I have been out for 5 weeks...I only have 3 1/2 left!!! I am going to Suriname!!! I had a really good week. I finished the Book of Mormon yesterday! It was a great spiritual experience to have finally done that!!
James left for Russia yesterday. Espen leaves on Monday. It's crazy that all my buddies are starting to leave.
I don't have much to report this week, so sorry this is so short. Anyway, things are going well with Elder Sadler. A lot better than before. I am the new District Leader and things are going well! I love studying now! I love learning the language and Dutch is starting to click. My vocabulary still needs a little work but that will come. My teacher told me something pretty cool yesterday! He said, "you come to the MTC to learn about the gospel and to learn how to teach. You just happen to be learning to do those things in another language." I know the language will come...And if I just continue to do what I'm supposed to do the Lord will bless me. I had an awesome time at the temple this morning! I love the peace that is in the temple.
I'm sorry I don't have more to say! This week has been kind of a blur!
I LOVE mail more now than I ever have or ever will in my entire life!!
Ik houd van u! Met all mijn hart!
Love,
Elder Mason Garcia
James left for Russia yesterday. Espen leaves on Monday. It's crazy that all my buddies are starting to leave.
I don't have much to report this week, so sorry this is so short. Anyway, things are going well with Elder Sadler. A lot better than before. I am the new District Leader and things are going well! I love studying now! I love learning the language and Dutch is starting to click. My vocabulary still needs a little work but that will come. My teacher told me something pretty cool yesterday! He said, "you come to the MTC to learn about the gospel and to learn how to teach. You just happen to be learning to do those things in another language." I know the language will come...And if I just continue to do what I'm supposed to do the Lord will bless me. I had an awesome time at the temple this morning! I love the peace that is in the temple.
I'm sorry I don't have more to say! This week has been kind of a blur!
I LOVE mail more now than I ever have or ever will in my entire life!!
Ik houd van u! Met all mijn hart!
Love,
Elder Mason Garcia
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Hi everyone,
So a month has gone by. I still have 5 more weeks to go, but things are swell!! I just got back from the temple. It has been closed the entire time I've been here! I love the spirit in the temple. I wish I could feel the same peace that I feel there all the time.
So Elder James Christiansen and Elder Earl leave for Russia and Denmark soon. I am not ready for them to leave. They have been such an amazing source of guidance and inspiration during the first four weeks of my time in the MTC. I'll be sad to see them go. But anyways, Dutch is still kicking my butt. There are days when I think I am starting to get it, and then we do an exercise in class and that initial thought of "yeah I'm starting to get this" gets tossed straight out the window. But I know that I have grown so much since my first few days in the MTC, and the amount of Dutch I've learned in these few short weeks has been absolutely amazing. God really does bless his missionaries with the gift of tonges.
We had an amazing Tuesday devotional last night. Brother Simmons, a previous member of the 70s came and spoke to us. HE talked about the importance of having the holy ghost to be with us. And how it isn't given to us. We must be willing to ask for it, and take it for ourselves. God isn't going to give us everything. We need to ask in sincere prayer, do absolutely everything we can to live worthy of those promised blessings, and then be willing to use them when the time arises. In essence, we need to be willing to go out and take our blessings.
That message hit me. I need to be more willing to go get my blessings. I need to be more willing to do everything I can to bless the lives of the people of Suriname. I love this gospel!!
I love you!
Elder Mason Garcia
So a month has gone by. I still have 5 more weeks to go, but things are swell!! I just got back from the temple. It has been closed the entire time I've been here! I love the spirit in the temple. I wish I could feel the same peace that I feel there all the time.
So Elder James Christiansen and Elder Earl leave for Russia and Denmark soon. I am not ready for them to leave. They have been such an amazing source of guidance and inspiration during the first four weeks of my time in the MTC. I'll be sad to see them go. But anyways, Dutch is still kicking my butt. There are days when I think I am starting to get it, and then we do an exercise in class and that initial thought of "yeah I'm starting to get this" gets tossed straight out the window. But I know that I have grown so much since my first few days in the MTC, and the amount of Dutch I've learned in these few short weeks has been absolutely amazing. God really does bless his missionaries with the gift of tonges.
We had an amazing Tuesday devotional last night. Brother Simmons, a previous member of the 70s came and spoke to us. HE talked about the importance of having the holy ghost to be with us. And how it isn't given to us. We must be willing to ask for it, and take it for ourselves. God isn't going to give us everything. We need to ask in sincere prayer, do absolutely everything we can to live worthy of those promised blessings, and then be willing to use them when the time arises. In essence, we need to be willing to go out and take our blessings.
That message hit me. I need to be more willing to go get my blessings. I need to be more willing to do everything I can to bless the lives of the people of Suriname. I love this gospel!!
I love you!
Elder Mason Garcia
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Friday, July 22, 2011
Letter from July 20
Another week has come and gone. It feels like I have been
gone for ages, but at the same time the time is flying by. One of our teachers, Broeder Justice, shared
a quote with my class. He said, "The minutes and hours go by slowly, but
the days and weeks fly by." That is
exactly how I feel right now.
My companion, Elder Sadler, is from Peoria, IL. He is
studying at BYU to be a mechanical engineer. The others in my district are:
Elder Mortensen from Draper, UT. He is our district leader. He is a really cool
cat! One of those calm, cool collected
type of guys. He has a presence about
him. Elder Kunz is from San Diego, CA.
He has an amazing work ethic that I am trying to model myself
after. Elder VanRj is from South Jordan,
UT. He is one of the funniest kids I
have ever met! And finally Sister Wimmer.
She is from Pleasant Grove, UT. She is quite the character! Our district is getting better. We are cracking down on our studies more, and
are really increasing our teaching skills.
Dutch is starting to come to me, but it still hasn't
clicked. I am having a hard time memorizing vocabulary. I spend a lot of time
on my knees, so I know it will click. I
just hope it is soon.
We saw the older Dutch group off on Monday this week. It was a sad day in the MTC. They were such a
great group. We have to retire from the
game of volleyball because it just isn't the same without them, but it has made
me much more excited to get out of the MTC. I know there is still so much I can
and need to learn from my time here, but man I'm ready to get out! My teacher has so many pictures of Suriname,
and I can't look at them without getting itchy feet. I just want to get there and to serve and
LOVE the people, and help them have the happiness that the gospel brings my
life.
Don't forget to pray!
It has such tremendous power!
So, yesterday for lunch, Mama would have said, "that's
my son" if you had seen the amount of empty plates accumulated on my
dinner tray! I have never been more
hungry in my entire life. I had a full
salad, 3 pieces of Texas style garlic toast, a huge bowl of clam chowder, some
fried fish, and the biggest and most heel lekker (most tasty) hot dog that has
ever existed on the face of de aarde (earth)!!. To top that off I had 2 glasses
of water, 1 glass of milk, an ice cream sandwich, an apple, and a banana! AND I
have lost a pound while at the MTC! Who would have known?!
Things at the MTC are getting better. I have had some trying
days this past week, but I know the Lord is looking out for me. I love and
think of you all every day!
Love,
Elder Garcia
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Letter from July 13
Time is flying in the MTC. Today is my 2 week point!! Things are slowly getting easier and easier. We were given two new investigators last week. Kurt and Ben. We have to teach them every single day, in Dutch! But I guess that is what we will be doing in just a few short weeks. I finally realize why missioary work is so important, and why missionaries love it. I have this love for Kurt. He is so important to me, and yet he doesn't even exist! He is a character that my teacher is playing. He doesn't believe or even want to believe in God, and only invited us in so his girlfiend wouldn't get mad at him. I want to do everything I can t help him. I care so much about him!
Espen, Brent, and I have a little pow wow every night. I don't see James or Devan too often, but when I do it's always nice to catch up. Its so weird to think we are all within a few feet of each other but we are not a part of each others everyday life. The MTC is growing on me. I still can't wait to get to Suriname to love and serve the people, but there are so many things to learn here. My teachers are awesome. Everyday they give amazing and uplifting lessons.
The food still sucks!! EXCEPT I had kalua pork last night for dinner!!! MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!! Its was heel lekker!!!
It reminded me of the good old days on aloha island hanging with the bruddas at da luau!
I'm sorry this is short, but I gotta go!
Love,
Elder Garcia
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Mason's letter from July 6, 2011
Hoe gaat het? How's it going? Things in the MTC are crazy. My first week seems like a blur. I've been here for a week but it feels like a day. And yet at the same time it feels like an eternity. I love the MTC it has such an amazing spirit. I have never been more frustrated in my life but the rewards I have received from being here are beyond description. I have grown so much closer to God. So my companion is Elder Sadler from Illinois. He's a pretty good guy. We don't have much in common, so it's been kind of tough for me to get along with him. But I know with time it will all work out. 5 other Dutch missionaires came into the MTC the same day that I did. Elder Vanrij, Elder Kunz, Elder Mortensen, Elder Sadler, and Zuster Wimmer. They make up my district. They are awesome. So your district is kind of like your class you are with them all day everyday. Then your district is in a zone or group of districts. Espen is in my district. He's actually my district leader! I have seen every single one of my buddies in the MTC. Brent and I actually live on the same floor so we have a little pow wow every night and catch up on the days events.
I still haven't gotten used to the schedule 8 and a half hours of sleep is not enough for me...I have been dragging my butt on the ground most days. So my daily schedule goes something like this..wake up 6:30am and shower and get ready. Breakfast at 7:20am then personal study time at 7:50am. I have 2 three hour classes each day and 50 minutes of gym time. I have an hour language study. Dutch is kicking my butt. It's really hard. But I am understanding more and more everyday. Our teachers are Broeder Christiansen and Broeder Justice are awesome!
Well I gotta go! Ik hout van u! I hold to you! or I love you!
Elder Mason Garcia
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Pictures from the MTC
Saying bye to his niece Kaiah
Adios Mama
Ju'Elle
Last group shot
2 out of his 3 sisters
Mason's First Letter
This is Mason's first letter from the MTC.
I'm officially Elder Garcia. It still takes me a few seconds to register it. But the MTC is awesome!.Espen lives 3 doors down from me. I'm ging to see him and hang out with him every single day. It is still surreal. I can't believe that I am finally here. That for the next two years of my life I will be in a foreign country. But the spirit here is so strong. I have never felt anything like it. It is amazing. So I'll give you a laydown of my first day. After you dropped me off I was sent into a room where I picked up my tag, and some other info that I needed. Then we went to our classroom AKA the room I'll be living in for the next 4 weeks!
I'm officially Elder Garcia. It still takes me a few seconds to register it. But the MTC is awesome!.Espen lives 3 doors down from me. I'm ging to see him and hang out with him every single day. It is still surreal. I can't believe that I am finally here. That for the next two years of my life I will be in a foreign country. But the spirit here is so strong. I have never felt anything like it. It is amazing. So I'll give you a laydown of my first day. After you dropped me off I was sent into a room where I picked up my tag, and some other info that I needed. Then we went to our classroom AKA the room I'll be living in for the next 4 weeks!
Our teachers are awesome. Brother Christansen just got back from the Netherlands. And the other teacher, I can't remember his name, went to Suriname. I am so excited to speak dutch. There are 6 people in my class or district. 5 guys and 1 girl. My companion is Elder Sadler from Illinois . He is really a cool dude. So we are the only kids on the floor with only one roommate. Pretty lucky, eh? Our floor is crazy and I LOVE it!
After class we had a meeting, then lunch, and a teaching exercise. So we have 6 hours of class, 50 minutes of exercise. I know this is short, but I just wanted to let you know I'm alive, and I love you!
Love, Elder Mason Garcia
Mason's Farewell Talk
For those of you who couldn't make it to Mason's farewell last Sunday here is a copy of his talk.
Good afternoon Brothers and Sisters, my name is Mason Garcia. I have been called to labor in the West Indies Dutch speaking mission. I will be serving in the country of
So here are some facts about my mission and the country I will be serving in. The
The
The topic I was given to speak on today was the process of overcoming adversity. The Webster’s Dictionary definition of adversity is 1. An adverse fortune or fate; a condition marked by misfortune, calamity, distress, or an adverse or unfortunate event or circumstance.
It is inevitable that during this life we are all going to face adversity but it is our attitude and personal perception of these challenges that will determine the impact they will have on our life.
I recently finished my first year of college, attending two different universities. I spent my first semester at
All I wanted to do was come home, but I didn’t know why. The Lord knew both why I wanted and needed to go home but also why I had spent the last 4 and a half months in Appleton, Wisconsin. Going away to college gave me a glimpse of what it is going to be like to live away from home; away from the care of my mom, the support of my sisters, friends,and family. It helped me learn how to deal with adversity in different ways.
I would like to share a story with you that my coach at
The Old Mule:
Once upon a time a farmer owned an old mule who tripped and fell into the farmer’s well. The farmer heard the mule braying but was unable to figure out how to bring up the old animal. It grieved him that he could not pull the animal out. He’d been a good worker around the farm and although the farmer sympathized with the mule he called his neighbors together and told them what had happened.
He had them help haul dirt to bury the old mule in the well and quietly put him out of his misery.
At first, the old mule was puzzled but as the farmer and his neighbors continued shoveling the dirt hit his back he had a thought, he ought to shake off the dirt and step up. And he did just that. “Shake it off and step up…shake it off and step up…shake it off and step up.” Even though he took painful blows of dirt and fought panic he just kept right on shaking it off and stepping up!
It wasn’t long before the old mule stepped up and over the lip of that well. What could have buried him actually blessed him…all because of the manner in which he handled his adversity.
This story helped me when choosing how to deal with my situation. I could have either let the adversity hit me and remain in my situation unhappy and unchanged. Or I could proactively step up and face my challenges. Like the mule, I chose to step up, face adversity, and change my situation. So I made the decision to transfer to the
Even after being back home, back in my comfort zone, I was still unsure about whether or not I was going to serve a mission. But the Lord gave me guidance and examples to help me through these challenges. I would like to share a scripture with you. It’s found in 1 Nephi Chapter 3 Verse 7. It reads, “And it came to pass that I Nephi said unto my father I will go and do the thing the Lord has commanded for I know that the Lord giveth up no commandment unto his children save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he hath commanded them.”
God knew what I needed. He wouldn’t put challenges in my path that I could not overcome. I have had the blessing of having nearly 10 of my friends give their farewells and enter the MTC in the past 2 months and it is because of these guys that I am going. I could see the changes the gospel was having in their life, and I wanted to have it in mine. So as I’m sure you all know, I have decided to go on a mission. ;)
I know it won’t be easy and I know adversity will be one of my closest companions. It is facing this adversity and overcoming the challenges that I am most excited for.
I would like to share another story with you about handling adversity. It’s titled, “Potatoes, Eggs, and Coffee.”
Once upon a time, a daughter complained to her father that her life was miserable and that she didn’t know how she was going to make it. She was tired of fighting and struggling all the time. It seemed just as one problem was solved, another one soon followed.
Her father, a chef, took her to the kitchen. He filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Once the three pots began to boil he placed potatoes in one pot, eggs in the second, and ground coffee beans in the third. He then let them sit and boil without saying a word to his daughter.
The daughter moaned and impatiently waited, wondering what he was doing. After twenty minutes he turned off the burners. He took the potatoes out of the pot and placed them in a bowl. He pulled the eggs out and placed them in a second bowl. He then ladled the coffee and placed it in a cup. Turning to her he asked, “Daughter, what do you see?”
“Potatoes, eggs, and coffee,” she hastily replied.
“Look closer,” he said, “touch the potatoes.”
She did and noted that they were soft. He then asked her to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard boiled egg. Finally, he asked her to sip the coffee. It’s rich aroma brought a smile to her face.
”Father, what does this mean?” she asked.
He then explained that the potatoes, the eggs, and the coffee beans had each faced the same adversity, the boiling water. However, each one reacted differently. The potato went in strong, hard, and unrelenting but in the water it became soft and weak. The egg was fragile with the thin outer shell
protecting its liquid interior until it was put in the boiling water. Then the inside of the egg became hard. However, the coffee beans were unique. After they were exposed to the boiling water they changed the water and created something new.
“Which are you?” he asked his daughter, “When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a potato, an egg, or a coffee bean?”
In life things happen around us and things happen to us, but the only thing that matters is what happens within us.
I am excited to serve the people of the
Friday, June 24, 2011
MTC Address
Here is Mason's address for the MTC:
Elder Mason Mario Garcia
MTC Mailbox #320
WST IND 0905
2005 North 900 East
Provo, UT 84604
Elder Mason Mario Garcia
MTC Mailbox #320
WST IND 0905
2005 North 900 East
Provo, UT 84604
Friday, June 10, 2011
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Farewell/Open House
Here are some pictures of where Mason is off to spend the next 2 years....
Farewell Information:
Contact Information:
Farewell Information:
Mason will be speaking in the Emerson Ward on Sunday, June 26th at 1:00pm. [1621 South 1100 East]
Mason will be leaving for the MTC on Wednesday, June 29th. He will be there until approximately August 29th. His mailing address while at the MTC is:
Elder Mason Mario Garcia
West Indies Mission
Provo MTC
2005 North 900 East
Provo, UT 84604
You can also go to dearelder.com and send him an email through that site. It will be delivered the same day it's sent if it is in by noon. That is only while he is in the MTC.
We will have the address to his first area in Suriname when he gets there and is able to give it to us.
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