Fri, 28 Dec 2012
December 28, 2012
Hello,
It's only been a few days since I wrote (extra
email on Christmas, how exciting), but a fair amount of stuff has
happened. For starters, it's been snowing like crazy. We've gotten more
snow in the last week than we did all last winter. If I weren't a
missionary (or had a coat) I'd probably be having some crazy snowball
fights (a lot of Elders are doing that anyway; one of my zone leaders
hit me in the face with a snowball {he's looking over my shoulder right
now and he wants me to add that he hit me with love, I'm not convinced,
however}{the same zone leader is sitting next to me without his suit
coat on, which makes him a sinner}). There's a fad where an Elder will
kick a tree while people are walking under it, and it will dump snow on
them. I gained five pounds over the weekend, more than I've gained the
whole rest of the time I've been here. My district still hasn't gotten a
temple cleaning assignment, and since it's reopening next week, it
won't be happening. We do get to clean buildings on campus though. Not
very exciting, actually. Definitely ready to get out of here. I'm glad
to hear that you had a good Christmas, and I hope, Mom and Dad, that you
had a good anniversary, also. So, Jonathan left on his mission? Does
that mean that he's in the MTC right now? Good luck to Jeff with his
papers. Witshing you good health, and a happy New Year.
Love,
Elder Bryan Hall
Tue, 25 Dec 2012
December 25, 2012
Hello,
Merry Christmas. I suppose that because we were
not permitted to call home from the MTC, they gave us extra time for
emails this week. I appreciate the Christmas gifts that were sent to me
and express my sincerest gratitude for those who thought of me this
season. Last night we watched a wonderful Christmas program with some
truly beautiful music. Then we watched the movie A Christmas Carol
together (and they gave us popcorn). This morning we had the opportunity
to hear from Elder Nelson and his wife; they spoke to us on a variety
of topics. This afternoon, we have some free time before another musical
program. We'll conclude the evening by watching It's a Wonderful Life.
It's also snowing, so we have a white Christmas (Elder Solis' first).
Looking forward, It's almost time to leave for Mexico, if my visa ever
gets here. I'm so excited for this chance to celebrate the birth of our
Saviour, Jesus Christ. He knows me and came into the world so that he
could give me the chance to be eternally happy. I love Him, and I love
all of you as well. Remember why we are here, and why we commemorate
this day. Again, Merry Christmas.
Love,
Elder Bryan Hall
Fri, 21 Dec 2012
Pictures from the MTC
These are my first two companions Elders Gallagher (the tall one) and Cobia (the pelerojo).
Elder Ortolano, my second companion. Believe it or not, he's full-blooded Brazilian.
Elder Hammond, another Elder in the zone. He has since left for the Peru MTC.
Me and Elder Ortolano at the Temple.
My district minus two: Elder Cobia, Elder Gallagher, Hermana Earl, Me, Elder Ortololano, Elder Hammond, Elder Suxo-Sanchez.
Scenery.
My district with one one our teachers, Hermana Baum. She served in Florida and is an art major at BYU.
Had to have one of these, right.
Another of our teachers, Hermana Keller. She's in a dental hygiene program at UVU. She plays the mandolin.
Me and my current companion, Elder Solis. He's from Fresno.
December 21, 2012
Hello,
Not a lot has happened this week. It's pretty
routine at the MTC, it doesn't even feel like Christmas. They've got a
few lights and decorations up, but since we spend most of the time in
our classroom, we don't ever see any of them. Elder Solis has been sick
this week, so that's been kind of hard to deal with. It has been
snowing, we've got about four inches right now, and it's super cold. My
district hosted this week, so we stood out on the curb as new
missionaries came in and helped them get to where they needed to be. It
was cold, but enjoyable; we got seven hundred people in on Wednesday.
And among them were our first jovenes, so the MTC should be getting
pretty full in the next few weeks (after next week when no one is coming
because it's the day after Christmas, although I don't know that that
would be any worse than six days before Christmas, but I don't make the
arrangements for these things, so I don't know that I should make any
comments about how they do these things). At the Sunday fireside, they
brought in a family of singers from Branson to make lovely music for us.
They were definitely the highlight of the fireside this week. They had
us down to the travel offices this week to sign some papers for our visa
applications, which still haven't been sent in; they told us that we
are not likely to have them on time. Speaking of Brother Malcolm, I have
run into Elder Malcolm a couple times since he showed up here two weeks
ago. He seems to be doing well, although my Japanese isn't quite good
enough to know for certain. Congratulations on getting a job, Mom. I
hope you have lots of fun. I had planned on sending a Christmas card
home, but, here at the MTC, they are dearer than gold, so I haven't been
able to get my hands on one. This is probably going to have to be my
Christmas card so Merry Christmas. Hope you're all doing well,
Love,
Bryan
Sat, 15 Dec 2012
Mission Update
Salutations,
This week has been a little hectic. We got
new companionships, since one of the elders got his visa and left (that
makes my fifth companionship of the mission). My new companion is Elder
Solis; he's from Fresno. I appreciated the care package you sent and am
working on eating the treats. My teachers have been somewhat stressed
out because of finals week, so that's been a little strange. One of them
is leaving for Christmas break tomorrow, so we won't be seeing her for
three weeks. The Temple's closing for the holidays, so we won't get to
go for the next couple preparation days, but we're all hoping that we'll
get assigned to one of the temple cleaning crews. The MTC gym has been
closed the last few days, so it's been difficult to get our exercise. Es
posible que mi visa veniria entes de salir de el CCM, pero no es
probable. La oficina de viaje aqui no me ha llamado con informacion
sobre la condicion de mi visa, yo se que la oficina de visas en Mexico
esta cerrado por esta mes. Yo se que la maneera en que estoy escribiendo
no es correcta, pero esta computadora no puede hacer accentos.
Imaginelos. Ojala que, podria irme al propio tiempo, pero pienso que yo
serviria un cambio en los estadosunidos. Espero que todos esten haciendo
bien,
Amor,
Bryan
Fri, 07 Dec 2012
December 7, 2012
Hello,
Crazy transfers this week. I was switched to a
different companion, moved to a different apartment and then given a
second companion. I'm thinking that there are going to be some emergency
transfers when I get to the field, or there's no way we'd be going
through all this. Yesterday, we were conscripted to move a whole bunch
of desks around; they're making room for all the new elders we're
expecting come January. Class has been a bit empty with half our elders
gone, but it's still been lively and going well. There are Christmas
decorations going up all over campus; it doesn't feel very festive,
though. We were able to watch the First Presidency Christmas Devotional,
where we heard the First Presidency speak and also the Mormon
Tabernacle Choir. Our teachers have been way stressed out because it's
finals week at BYU and they have to get their stuff together for that. I
love my companions, and we're all way past ready to leave for the
field.
Love,
Bryan
Fri, 30 Nov 2012
December 30, 2012
Hello,
I'm pleased to hear that you enjoyed your
Thanksgiving. In response to your questions, in order: yes, yes,
sometimes, education packages, some, yes, yes, no, no, yes, yes. (Note from Jan…really helpful, huh? I guess the message is that I ask too many questions.)
With
that out of the way, I have been learning lots of things about the
gospel and Spanish (los dos) and growing close to my district. It's
impossible to describe the experience to anyone who hasn't had it yet. I
appreciated the package you sent (I got it yesterday) and the letters
from the primary. Please let them know that I appreciated the gesture. "Elder
Hall would like to thank you for thinking of him. Serving a mission is
like nothing else in the world." I liked the ties you sent me (I'm
wearing one right now, and no, Thomas, it's not ugly) although I wish
they had tail holders since I tie my ties with long tails and don't use
tie clips.
Love,
Elder Bryan Hall
Mon, 26 Nov 2012
November 23, 2012
Hello.
Thanksgiving at the MTC is actually a fairly
unusual day. Dinner was terrible, though (the food is actually fairly
poor all the time). We had a special devotional session in the morning
(Elder Holland spoke) and special programming for the rest of the day.
We did a service project for an organization called Ouelessebougou in
which we prepared care packages for the people of Mali. We finished the
day by watching the movie "17 Miracles" about the Willie-Martin handcart
company. I probably won't be able to send you pictures until I get to
the field because there are only twenty computers in the MTC that let
you upload pictures. Needless to say, it is extraordinarily difficult to
get time on them (especially since a lot of people don't observe the
thirty minute time limit). I have been getting on well with my
companions and district; most of my district will be leaving for other
MTCs next week. I haven't gotten word about my visa specifically, yet,
but Mexico just changed their visa requirements, sent a whole bunch of
applications back to the Church to be resubmitted, and closed their visa
office until February, so my visa situation doesn't look good. I've
only been here two weeks, but I'm already ready to get out of here and
hit the field. I hope you fellows enjoyed Thanksgiving without me and
had a good time visiting with Grandma and Grandpa.
Love,
Bryan
Fri, 16 Nov 2012
November 16, 2012
Mom and Dad,
Today is my first P-Day. I already got a new
companion; his name is Elder Ortolano, and he's from Brazil. I'm
settling into life at the MTC; my Spanish is coming along fine: not a
whole lot to tell. On Wednesday, Elder Cobia locked us out of our room
while we were showering, and we had to wait for forty minutes in our
cold wet skins for someone with a key to get there. I love my district,
we're getting along great. Our teachers are fantastic, they know so much
about the language and the gospel. The food is fine, but not great. I
did find my immunization card, and I got your package; thanks for the
sock. We've been teaching a mock investigator (in Spanish); his name is
Ricardo, and he's from Argentina. In our last lesson, he suddenly told
us in English that he was our teacher and would be in charge of our
actual class time from then on. We've had some incredible devotionals
this past week, on Tuesday we heard from a member of the Seventy, and on
Sunday we heard from the President of Administration here at the MTC.
I'm singing in the MTC choir which is nice because we don't get to do
much singing here.
Love,
Bryan
Sun, 11 Nov 2012
November 10, 2012
Mom,
I don't
have an actual P-day today, but we were told by el Presidente del CCM to
write a short note home anyway. I got your letter, it will be wonderful
to see my sock again. also, if you could send me my immunization
report, which never made it into my luggage, that would be fantastic.
Now for the good stuff: I have two companions in the CCM (it happens
when someone doesn't show up) Elders Cobia and Gallagher. We are getting
along wonderfully. My teachers are fantastic, it snowed six inches last
night, and that's all I have time to say.
Love,
Elder Hall
A Mission Blog
Marc set up blogs for each member of the family several years ago. Bryan has never written in his, so I am going to use this site to post Bryan's mission letters. But first, an introduction.
Bryan received his call to the Mexico, Villahermosa, mission. Of course, he will be learning Spanish. He studied Spanish for 3 years in high school, so we'll see how much he remembers.
He put in his papers and received his call from our ward in St. Peters, Missouri, but we moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, in August. Bryan had been working as a lifeguard and swim instructor at the YMCA before the move, but since he had just over two months in Nevada before leaving, he was unable to get a steady job here. He worked a few days here and there, including building a patio cover for his parents. But because of this, he was really ready to get on with his mission.
We were able, in October, to see many extended family members so that Bryan could say goodbye (for two years).
I drove Bryan to Provo on Tuesday, November 6th (election day?!), so that he could report on the 7th. We stayed the night with Marc's uncle and aunt, Hyrum and Nancy Hall. We enjoyed a nice breakfast with them and a good visit. On the way to the MTC, we made one last stop at Walmart where we got batteries and a couple other last minute things.
Then it was goodbye for two years. We are grateful that we will have to opportunity to stay in touch with letters. We know that we will miss Bryan, but are excited for the experiences that he will have during this time.
Bryan Elliot Hall St. Peters, Missouri
Page created: 09 November 2008
Page modified: 09 December 2017
