Wednesday, June 25 First P-Day Email Home

The last week here has actually been pretty special. The new Mission Presidents for this year have been here for the last 7 days, so lots of the Apostles have been too. I've seen L. Tom Perry, D. Todd Christopherson, Neil L. Anderson, M. Russel Ballard, Russel M. Nelson, Dallin H. Oaks, and Dieter F. Uchtdorf!! All the Elders and sisters here have been super starstruck over all these amazing visitors we have been having. The power when these men are in the room is amazing, and helps build up the spirit for us all. 

I've managed to only cry once so far...though I'm close again right now. Thank you so much for emailing me. I didn't think I'd be an Elder who craved email this much...But its funny, when the badge goes on, the cravings go up.

I am actually pretty tired, but my room is actually a lot of fun. My Companion, Elder Tyler Peterson, is a 6'3" football player, a starter at TE and DE, from Southern Virginia University, and is a really funny Elder. Hey is pretty homesick, and hates being here so close to his family--who live in Provo--so he is trying to fast-track himself to Germany in 2 weeks, instead of JUL 29th, The other two Elders in my room, Elder Lehmitz and Elder Greaves, are both hilarious, and I'm glad that we get along so incredibly. 

I hope that you keep the spirit in your heart all at times. The Sanctity of this campus is amazing...There is nothing like it, except perhaps the temple. I've never felt so focused or spiritual in my life..

***

It is strange putting on this tag everyday. I never expected to feel so...separated from the world. Part of it is probably just being in the MTC, but part is also just...being ein Missionar. Having such a controlled, focused, Heiligen (sanctified) live is amazing. Its everything I hoped it would be and more. I'm learning so much German everyday...and even though my high school German vocabulary isn't helping with the gospel much, just the conjugation and grammar understanding I brought with me has helped immensely. I am so glad I took those classes. 

***

Ich Liebe dich, meine Mutter. Ich Möchten zu gesprachte zu Sie dass die Evangelium War ist, und dass ales die Menchen wissen diesen denken wahr ist. Das Buch Mormon ist wahr, und Jesus Christi is unser Sünopher. Das ist meine zuegnis, in der name Jesu Christi, Amen.

(that was all from memory!!)

Tuesday, June 24 First Letter Home

June 21, 2014

Meine Eltern (parents):

First, a couple house cleaning items:

·      Our MTC P-day is Wednesday.

·      I do not have a watch. If you could send me one, that would be seht gut.

·      I can’t find my foot powder. Did I forget it?

·      I would love if you’d put this letter on the blog.

Other than that, the first few days of my mission are going very well. The first evening may have been the longest day of my life. After a short orientation tour and receiving my official nametag, we immediately began German class. Our teacher will only speak German to us, so we often do not understand him, but I feel that we are improving rapidly.

After 2 hours of Deustche Klasse, we moved on to a group role-play session, where we learned the basics of beginning a lesson with an investigator. After a few hours of that our zone/branch, which is all the German missionaries, met together with our Branch President. There are about 50 German-speaking missionaries here, and they are all brand-new. Our zone is different, because all the other languages rotate, with missionaries coming and leaving every two weeks. The whole German zone leaves and is replaced every six weeks, making district leadership hard to organize.

My companion is Elder J. Tyler Peterson, from Provo. He played football (American Football) at Timpview, and started as a Tight End at Southern Virginia University for one season. He is planning on playing for BYU when he gets back, so he is not too bad at football. At 6’3” and 215 lbs, he is a little intimidating, but really a nice guy at heart. He is super homesick already, though, and struggling to focus, but I have faith that he will get better.

Our district is the only one in the zone with no sisters, so we spend all our study and class time together. Elder Greaves is our DL, and his companion is Elder Lehmitz. Elder Asay and Elder Peiffer round out our district, though they are actually Zone Leaders as well. It is funny, we have all the stereotypical missionaries here. They are all great, faithful men, and I love them. Peterson is big, athletic, and (trunkie, maybe?). Elder Greaves is obsessed with nice clothes and hair. Lehmitz is super quiet, but smart. Asay is tall, awkward, and loving. Peiffer is short, has a beautiful singing voice, and is one of the most spiritual people I’ve ever met. Not sure who I am yet, but we all get along extremely well, which is a blessing.

Last night we all sang “How Great Thou Art” together as a zone, in German. It was an amazing experience, several of us – including me – were close to tears. We are really coming together as a whole zone. We all love each other, and I am looking forward to continuing to learn from and with them.

I love you all, and miss you, but I’m not homesick yet. That will probably happen next week sometime, but nicht jetzt. If I had any 1 piece of advice to offer, it would be to keep a hymn in your heart, for that is what helps the time roll by, and the tears to dry.

I love you, Mom. Thank you for teaching me everything from tying mein shoes, to writing this letter. Don’t worry about me. My companion is big enough that no one will hurt me.

Gott sei mit euch,

Elder TJ Burton

P.S. I will try to write 1 “snail mail” letter a week, and 1 email as well. Veilen Danke!

Reporting to the MTC

Elder Burton reported for duty at 1230 on Wednesday, June 18. So proud of him!