Letter 2.19.14 - Provo MTC West

Hello Everyone!

Alright so we are beginning week 5 at the MTC and only have about 12-13 days left before we head on out to Costa Rica. The temperature is currently 77 degrees there and Provo is freezing. Time to leave.

Spanish is going great. We have been studying very hard and know the basic conjugations for verbs in all of the tenses. We are currently learning subjunctive tense. It's getting easier to speak the language using HSI. When we are in lessons we don't struggle with the words we want to use. Obviously the people that we are teaching speak much slower spanish than the people will in Costa Rica. Understanding is pretty good and speaking a little less than that. But we fell very prepared to go out.

This last Monday the older Hermanas left. They were the District above us.. In the SD Card I'm sending home this week I'll introduce them to you. They were crazy awesome sisters and the MTC feels a little empty without them. They really helped my testimony grow. On Saturday and Sunday they all asked for Departure blessings. Elder Leska and I all gave two blessings a piece. It was his first blessings. It was a very sweet moment for all of us. 

Our TRC investigator Gabriel is coming leaps and bounds. He wants to be baptized and has a firm testimony. We invited him to church which he accepted and promised to obey La Palabra de Sabeduria. No mas coffee. He taught him about the Restoration and the Plan of Salvation and he knows that his father is in the Spirit World learning the gospel. If Gabriel comes to church we are gonna have another lesson on just baptism and why he is procrastinating. Hes a potential Eternal Investigator. 

Finished teaching Alfredo. Our maestros (teachers) act as investigators that they baptised on there missions. Hermano Turner is Alfredo. Alfredo didn't feel worthy of forgiveness because he broke apart his family through cocaine and his wife is a raging alcoholic. He had an unmatched love for his daughters though which is what pushed him to take the discussions. In the end we failed but we're on the right track. Tonight is the talk back about our experience.

I cant wait for you to get the pictures this week. BTW. The SD card you sent me was full of Brendons mission pictures. So the one I'm sending home is Elder Vandermeyden's. You need to send this coming on back pronto. I'm also sending Brendon's one back cuz I can't delete the pictures on it anyways. So send Elder V's back and the one I sent back the last time. 

I do need some favors. I need you to print out the lyrics to the hymns "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing", "Be Still My Soul", and "How Great Thou Art". Gracias

Send them in the mail or in a package. Over the web is not good cuz I won't get it till next Wednesday and I love getting mail! It's the best thing in the world going to the mailroom and seeing that you got some. Hermana Morales gets 8 a day. But my 1 or 2 a week are worth way more. Please write me letters! I only get 1 hour on computer which i use the whole time for this email. i have time to hand write actual letters after. I like it more as well. I can take them on the go. You put my emails on the blog for everyone who wants to read this can right?

Megan, where were you by chance today from 9:10-11:30? I had a cool experience if you were where I think you were, but if you were just at work then nevermind.

Devotionals are awesome. We have amazing speakers come. Last sunday President Matt Holland of UVU spoke on Joseph Smith. He is the son of Elder Holland who introduced him. It was also Sister Hollands B-Day. 

Love you all,

Elder Neider

PS. I have 30 mins left worth of email time so if you write back quick.  I can answer questions or something. I'm going to get the laundry so I'm be back online in about 10 mins.

Letter 2.12.14 - Provo MTC West

Favorite scripture is D&C 67:10 -

“And again, verily I say unto you that it is your privilege, and a promise I give unto you that have been ordained unto this ministry, that inasmuch as you strip yourselves from jealousies and fears, and humble yourselves before me, for ye are not sufficiently humble, the veil shall be rent and you shall see me and know that I am—not with the carnal neither natural mind, but with the spiritual.”

So I love the MTC still. Its great here. Today I went to the temple and I learned a lot about the love that Heavenly Father has in this world for us. It was great. I love when I see Heavenly Fathers love for his children. We came up with a great way to help investigators understand His love on a little deeper level. We simply ask the investigators, "What was it like to hold your children in your arms for the time? What did you feel?" It is such a uniquely different experience for everyone and its personal. people can feel a spiritual kind of love that far surpasses that of everyday love. It really helps paint a picture for them and invites the Spirit. 

The older Hermanas in the district above us are leaving on Monday. Last time this happened with the Elder District the MTC felt very empty. We've gotten to know them really well and its gonna be tough to say goodbye. 

There's not much I can think to write right now. Currently we have 1 investigator named Alfredo who feels that he is unworthy of repentance. It is pretty frustrating cause no matter how great the lesson is he flat out refuses to do the commitments. Our second investigator Natalie dropped us because she is now the homeroom teacher of the new Hermanas that came in this P-Day. We are doing TRC now. TRC is where members who speak the language and are taught as themselves or as an investigator. We got Gabriel. Hes very accepting and is well on his way toward "baptism". 

Lately we have been getting chastized by everyone in the MTC who doesn't have authority to do so. Teachers come in and make fun of our lessons because its not what they would've done in the field. So because it's not their lesson, we are doing it wrong. Also everyone pulls the "whos name do you wear on your nametag" card. an elder asked his companion to throw a snowball at him, (Elder Shumway loves snow) and we were all chastized because Jesus wouldn't have throw a snowball. Thank you lunch lady for your all knowing wisdom. It was very hard to not want to argue or say something snappy, but we withheld our comments and moved on. Elder Miller wasn't happy the rest of the day. 

I really do love it here. but I know there will come a day when its time for me to leave and begin the real work. im learning the language pretty good. The different tenses are a struggle for me. But it's coming. Teaching is always a great experience. The Spirit is a very awesome and powerful companion. I'm being stretched in ways I never thought possible. I love it. I wonder what life will be like when I get home at times. Movies, songs, the world, and especially the people. Please write me. the extra support really helps. I'm sorry if it takes me some time to reply. I'm only allowed to write on P-days. I get one hour for email which is the time I spend on writing this email. and i write hand written ones throughout the day. the SD card and a description on the pictures is in a letter on its way home now. I love hearing what good things are happening in everyones lives. I love it all. 

Yo se que nuestras familias puede ser eternas. Pero usted necesita trabajar todas dias. yo se que Padre Celestial sabe toda bedicones que nosotros necesitamos. mi espanol is no muy bueno. pero venira. estoy agradecido por El Espiritu Santo y el don de lenguasy caridad. Orare por este don especialmente. Caridad es tres cosas. Amar de Cristo, amar por Cristo, y amarando otras personas come Cristo. yo se que este ser verdad. En el nombre de Jesucristo Amen. 

TRANSLATION - 

I know that our families can be together forever. But we need to work all day. I know that Heavenly Father knows we need all bedicones. My Spanish is not very good. but it's coming. I am grateful for the Holy Spirit and the gift of charity lenguasy. I will pray especially for this gift. Charity is three. Love of Christ, love for Christ, and Christ amarando other people eat. I know this to be true. In the name of Jesus Christ Amen.

-Elder Neider

District Leader Letter 2.1.14

Letter 2.5.14 - Provo MTC West

So here's the update from this week of cool things that have happened. I became the District Leader this last Sunday. It's awesome. I love the MTC. Spanish is coming along great. ill be sending my first SD Card in the mail back home once you send yours. if I send the one I have now then I wont be able to save new pictures until you send it back. so send the other SD Card. Also...... Send a big ol bag of Nacho Cheese Doritos por favor! I LOVE them for no apparent reason and have been craving them. The older district of elders left this week so we inherited their food storage. We have all the food in the world.... minus Doritos. It makes me sad. Elder Miller has been daring me to eat lots of random stuff lately. I slurped a packet of Catalina Salad dressing and a full glass of maple syrup the other day. Tonight I will be attempting to eat a 1 pound Snickers bar that we inherited in under 30 minutes. I regret this decisions immediately but I'm suffering from pride. I've been sleeping well minus the fact that Elder Leska, (mi companero) sets the alarm for 5:30 so he can wake up to reset it for 6:30. It makes no sense, but it helps him. He is from Tuscon. Elder Vandermeyden is from Layton and Elder Miller is from Phoenix. Today we signed some documents for Visas so ill be departing to leave on March 4. I'll be able to call from the airport I believe but I think thats it. Mom. I love you. But you are notorious for not answering your phone. Well I call from the airport you have to answer. HAHAHA. but really. I'll keep you updated on that. Elder V and I are in the choir here at the MTC and its an amazing opportunity. It reminds me of High School Choir where a story would be told to get us to sing more emotionally. at the devotional last night, Elder David F Evans. He spoke on families and revelation. I encourage all of those who read my letters to reread the Family: a Proclamation To the World. We were told that we not only have to defend our faith and our church but we need to go out and defend the family nowadays. I love it. we get to go to the temple every P-Day. Today is was exactly what I needed. I know that families can be together forever. When you see the Warners next, give each of them a huge hug! I don't have the return address on me right now so this part of the letter is for them.

Thank you so much for sending me that package last week! It came at the perfect time. First off, "Caden, how are your friends?" Youre are an excellent new deacon my mi amigo. I actually needed to hear that when you sent it to me as a joke and i remembered what i learned from that talk. it heLped me treat our investigators better. Got me inside a door once or twice. Secondly, Riley, all the missionaries loved your cookies. I only got to eat one because everyone went back for seconds before I get my first. They loved them and asked who the valiant young lady was that baked these. And said it was my 9 year old bud that I became close with through Primary and Home Teaching to which my Branch President said, "Elder, if you don't ask her to make more, you are going home" We all laughed and he straight face said. "Im serious. Send more" so here I am. Asking you to send more. Thanks for keeping me out here. which brings me to my next person I want to talk to. Thanks you Luke for the money that you send me to add to my mission fund. It really means a lot that you sacrifice that for me. Lastly, Hermano and Hermana Warner. Gracias por todos que hace. Son muy excellente Padres y tienen sincero corazones. Gracias por sus hijos and sus testimonios. Cosas trabaja cuando ustedes son seguira Jesucristo. Even cuando King Noahs venir into su vidas.
TRANSLATION - 
Brother and Sister Warner. Thank you for all makes. You are very excellent parents and have sincere hearts. Thank you for your children and their testimonies. Things work when you are following Jesus Christ, even when King Noahs come into their lives.

Have fun translating. I think the scripture i want on the plaque is D&C 67:10. I'm not 100% percent sure on that though so don't say that yet. I found it today and I like it but I don't have a set of escrituras on my at the present so I can't be sure.

Called to Serve

Another little brother has his call and is ready to serve the Lord with all of his might, mind, and strength. In his time leading up to turning in his papers, we have had some great conversations. I have seen Satan work on him, like he would on any eager missionary, and I have seen him take those times of self-doubt and turn completely to his Savior. He is such a good example to me of scripture study and using their counsel to guide advice. He also never hesitates to share his testimony, small or big. I am loving the person he is becoming because of his efforts to be all that he can be. I know he is a great example to all those around him and that was made very apparent by everyone that showed up for his mission call opening. Family, friends, and old mentors were there to share in this milestone. Mom had us all put on guesses in. None of us guessed it.

Costa Rica, San Jose Mission, Spanish speaking. He leaves January 22 to preach the word of God and I couldn't be more thrilled. He has worked hard for this and the elation that was in his eyes as he held his call was one of accomplishment.

Caden, yes, I am tearing up as I am writing this because I feel such an overwhelming amount of love for you. I have loved the "alone" times that we have had, where the Spirit has been so strong. I am so unbelievably excited for you and for this experience. It is only 3 months away. It will feel like an eternity to you but it will be a short time for the rest of us. I am going to cherish the heck out of you. I am going to get my fill of you before the people in Costa Rica get you for two years. You will do amazing things over there. Things you may see the fruits of and things you may not. But your sacrifice will send blessings unconditionally. Go get 'em Shooter Boy!