Let me start at the beginning, on day one, I got my companions. that's right... companionS. I have two. I am in one of the rare, but awesome triple companionships. My companions are Élders Jensen and Meyers. Elder Jensen is from California and Elder Meyers is from Washington State. They are so awesome! Both of them are 18, such as is the norm in the MTC nowadays. Elder Jensen is going to Colorado with me and Elder Jensen is going to Fort Worth, Texas. Elder Jensen and I are the only missionaries going to Colorado Denver Sur Spanish speaking, and Elder Meyers is the only Elder going to Fort Worth Spanish Speaking... As far as we know...
Well, once we were aquainted, we set right to work. We started learning Spanish first thing once we got there. Luckily, I took 3 years of Spanish in High School, but most of my district has less than 2 years. My companions both have zero. Elder Jensen studied French and Elder Meyers studied Italian. I'm the lucky one I suppose. Anyway, have been learning a lot and I already know more Spanish than I ever knew before. My District has an assignment to memorize all 400 words, phrases, and scriptures in the next 8 days. I totally got this.... hopefully. I think I would be doing a lot better if High School taught you how to pray and testify and teach... Oh well.
In other news, the MTC food is just as good as they say. I have already had biscuits and gravy, grilled chicken, breakfast burritos, fish tacos, and many more tasty foods.
My Zone consists of all Spanish speakers, and our residence consists of the Spanish speakers, the Koreans, and the Tongans. Apparently the Spanish speakers are a rowdy bunch, so the Koreans hate us. My district has a lot of rituals and traditions that are just hilarious. For example, yesterday was white elephant day. We all went and bought little gifts for our randomly drawn person, and exchanged them that night. The catch to all this is that whatever you receive, you have to carry around with you all p-day. So, it was just my luck that I got a 30 ounce bottle of bleach. "Just in case you get thirsty". I gave my elder some twistable crayons to tape to his shirt. I know that was lame, but I'll be raising the bar next week. I'm thinking a bag of rocks should make a good gift XD. My favorite ritual so far though, is the pull up challenge. When we first got to our residence Wednesday night, some elders asked if we thought we could beat the pull up champion who got ten pull ups. Elder Jensen was all like "that's easy!" So they told him to meet them downstairs in ten minutes. (We live on the second floor) When we went down, our entire zone was there. They all lined up single file, their backs to the wall along the hallway. At the end of the hallway, they hung a sheet from the ceiling and "prepared" Elder Jensen behind it. Then everyone began chanting and an Elder walked out bearing a flag... I think it's like the Croatian flag or something... Anyway, Elder Jensen followed behind. Once at the bar, the flag bearer put the "great chain" Around Elder Jensen's neck. (it was just a chain necklace". Then everyone went silent as he grabbed the bar. Then for every pull up, they chanted the number in spanish "UNO, DOS, TRES, CUATRO, CINCO, SEIS, SIETE, OCHO, NUEVE, DIEZ, DIEZ, DIEZ, DIEZ!!!" At first I was confused, but then I realized the joke. You CAN'T beat the record, you can only meet it. That's why it's unbeatable. After Elder Jensen jumped down, they smeared some shaving cream on his face as an emblem of courage and we were dismissed. I can't wait for the new arrivals to show up on Wednesday, so we can do the same to them. That's the thing about the MTC, you gain seniority very quickly. Once you've been here 3 weeks, you're older than most people there, and its not just about MTC age, you literally look older. Everyone who has been here longer just looks like 20. My zone leaders look 20 and both of them are 18! I don't k is how it works but that's the way it is. This zone also has a lot of other hilarious traditions, but I'll talk about those once I've experienced them. But look forward to reports of Linen day passover, red tie, gray pants day, family dinner, and more.
Anyway, life here is very different, but in a good way. I feel the spirit daily and I am developing a closer rationship with God with each passing day. I love the gospel even more than I did before. I'll admit Spanish isn't easy, but I know that if I work hard the gift of tongues can be mine and I can learn a new language. I hope to hear from you all, your emails mean so much to me!
Y por el poder del Espíritu Santo podréis conocer la verdad de todas los cosas (Moroni 10:5)
LOVE Y'ALL,
--Élder Davís Él Élder
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