Ah, another week. I'll start with Tuesday. On Tuesday, Elder Nelson and Elder Ballard came with their retinue of the Seventy and other such offices. It was for the 50th anniversary of the MTC. They mainly talked about the history of missionary work, and living up to it. Elder Nelson gave a dedicatory prayer on five of the buildings here. As much as I enjoy listening to the apostles and such, it is most definitely afterwards, when we have the district meeting to all review what we enjoyed most from the talks, that I enjoy the most. Hearing the same talks from 16 different points of view, in this case, since we had 2 combined districts, is when you get to hear lots of different views that are cool to hear and think about. Our district is down to 9 now. We had 2 elders go to advanced, and 1 just left to the Dominican Republic MTC. I'm kinda jealous, because the food there is said to be awesome, and they can play ping pong during gym. Very jealous. So we have 8 elders and 1 hermana left, all leaving on March 12th, or thereabouts. I took the names I had left to the temple today. All 8 were done, endowed. Do you want me to send you them, or something like that? And either way, life is happening here. It's good.
Matt and Sam - Duplo's huh. I remember playing with them, but I was at an age where I didn't know names. And by the time I could remember, I didn't have anyone to teach them about. I just remember them as big Legos. And if all the little kids get nametags, can you get one too? Nametags are fun. What'll you be planting around the pool? Little magical bushes? Cursed boganvia? That, I realize I didn't spell right. It's such a bad plant I didn't even try to learn how to spell it's name. And I'll need more than a name, likely. A written description of the plant is nice.
Alex - I wrote that essay at midnight. Or later, the night before it was due. Bryce did the same thing. Piece of cake. And I could have done much better. About your injuries, you get so lucky. Almost cutting your foot asunder, falling from trees, etc etc. I almost with you had cut your foot so I could say my brother cut his foot asunder. I'll have to look up how to say that in Spanish. I know you're not invincible, however, because you cut yourself with your own machete. Hah. The axe isn't quite so sharp as it was in the beginning, either. But it is surprisingly resilient.
Dad - Regretfully, the Dear Elder from which I read your email converts all the font into Times New Roman. Or possibly Arial. Probably Times New Roman. And one thing I hope I'll have is excellent meetings when I get back to regular church. I didn't have as many of those as I'd like before.
Mom - Oh, the choices real people have to make. I'm not exactly envious at this point of actually having to make choices that matter. But I'll get over that. I think you know what you're doing. And by the way, the most home-like meal I've had so far here is ham and au gratin potatoes. It's just a good combo. It wasn't as good as it at home, but it wasn't bad. And I'm sad I couldn't use such high class silverware. Ah, Fry's. Send them my love, by using those coupons to purchase goods.
Matt - That's an interesting thought. A 20 foot worm inside of you. The title "hook"worm doesn't sound all that pleasing either. I don't think I'll have to worry as much about worms as 85 percent of the other South American missions. And I do have a missionary daily planner. As such, I use it daily. I like it. It helps me focus better, as well as an easy place to put goals, daily ones. It interests me, this RM planner. Sounds fairly legit. And about the Zebra pens. I have one blue one. I almost thought I had a red, but I left that one there because it ran out of ink. I've been testing out the several several different varieties of pens at the store here. I'm thinking a fine point one for the scriptures, and then something else for other things. Like a Zebra, which I have. However, I've been writing in my journal with a pen called the Pilot Razor Point. It looks like it's from the '90s, with it's plastic case that has that undertone of glitter. I found it at home or somewhere. I like it for my journal because it writes a bit heavier than the Zebra but doesn't just pour out of the tip like gel point pens or so many other ball points I've tried here. Using the right pen is a very delicate art. Regretfully, it's floundering from near ink depletion, so I'll have to replace it soon. It'll be quite the journey. And that cloning idea- it's pretty good. But would you make the clone smarter or dumber than me? There's a fine balance. And I would have loved to tell my fellow elders I make a wonderful hand towel, but the first week my food decided to use my suit as a towel. It's not like I ever dumped food all over myself or anything so foolish, but sleeve dips, falling food, etc, can happen. I got my first suit dry cleaned though. And memorizing all the scriptures? Crazy. Loco, as the elder behind me just said in a different context. The branch president, or something like that, President Tyler, said that he memorizes scriptures, remembers them, by the experiences they're associated with. And he has a scripture for basically every situation. A lot of good experiences. Hopefully I can have quite a few as well.
I don't like Matt more than you all, just because I wrote more. Just thought I'd throw that out there. I'm thinking about erasing it. Tell Grandma her letter was greatly appreciated. Time is done. I'm going negative.
With love,
Elder Hansen
Letter from the Family Jan 30, 2012
Hey Nick,
They told ,me I needed to start the letter this time.. Just so you know, Matt is convinced that must have had a very deprived childhood since you don't know what Duplos are. To correct your ignorance, Duplos are the big version of legos that are meant for the younger age kids.
Matt and Dad finished putting our bedframe together. We hauled it to my house so we can sand and stain it. I picked a Red Mahogany stain so it'll be darker with a red tint. I'm pleased to share that Matt didn't shoot himself with any more nails, just the one in his finger.
We were busy with Nursery again today. One of the little boys was trying to figure out how to strangle Matt with his own tie and another one kept trying to drive his car up my dress. Our lesson was about how we should all be like sheep so Jesus can be our shepherd. Then we colored a sheep and glued cotton balls to it. It got a little crazy when we got out the cars during playtime and a couple fights broke out about who gets which car. They were also busy pulling kids out so they could take pictures of each one for the bishop and primary. I guess they've decided that each kid needs a name tag to wear so everyone knows their name. It sounds like a couple kids got lost with the old nursery leaders.
Not much else to report. We're still picking lemons and we're getting ready to plant all the area around the pool. Matt's pretty much finished with the sprinkler stuff and it's supposed to be getting warm enough that we shouldn't have to worry about frost killing the plants.
Until next time,
Matt and Sam
To my Brother:
Hello nicholas. How is it going? Thats nice. So guess what. I was in my senior English class the other day and i was reading reflective Essays and i came across Bryce's And yours It was titled 'Fireside Relflections'. You dog! I never knew you could write! It was well done. Life rolls along here like normal. Oh and i have a crazy experience to tell ya about. I decided that I would go to dad and tell him to have me do something last Saturday. He had me clean up and chop wood and all that fun stuff.so i had the sharp axe, you know the one ty likes, and i was destroying wood pieces left and right and then there is the big piece that is taking forever! i was swinging that axe as hard as i could and it wasn't working. I swung it again and it glanced off the log and right at my foot. It hit my left foot full force, and kinda bounced off. It didn't cut the shoe. It didn't go in my foot. I was somewhat shocked as i was left wondering what had happened. I felt the tip of the axe and
it was just as sharp as the day you and ty bought it. I came in and told mom what happened, and she said' You must be livin' right.'. I thought about that and realized that i was living right. I was doing everything i should be. Its a real blessing i am not hurt worse than i am. I had kevin and parker over and we pulled off a 30 minute notice movie night and it was really fun. Like it was a blast. I went outside and looked at the house and thought about life and realized how blessed i am. Basically pretty cool stuff. On another note i am still rallying the troops, or other guys in my group of friends, to ask the girls to the dance. They are joining my group like crazy. All will work out in the end. Life is great. Just wanted you to know that its great that your out there because the lord is really sending blessings to me here because of your service. Thanks bro.
Peace: Alex Da Hansen.
Nicholas,
I'm writing in a wide sized font to make you think of this as a voluminous email from me. I think you surpassed my total quantity of letters home on your first email.
We had an excellent three meetings at church today and your mother and I even taught one of them. People like your mom more, but they put up with me when she teaches.
Your emails have made me very happy. The effort you have been making and expressions you have shared confirm to me that you understand what the Lord expects of you and your testimony.
Matt suppose to write later so I don't want to use up all the ink.
Love,
Dad
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Hi Nick,
I love reading your e-mails. Thursday is now one of my favorite days because your e-mails come then. I'm so happy you are doing so well in the MTC. Your spiritual development makes me want to try harder to be become better.
I had a doctor approach me with a job offer to do education at his mini hospital for their staff one day a week. I went to the interview and they tried to sell themselves to me - I didn't even need to give them my resume. I think I could probably name my own salary (within reason of course). It's an attractive offer. It would be fun to develop education for them. They don't have any plan in place and I would really enjoy that type of teaching. However, I just haven't felt really positive about it. Then yesterday in church, Bishop Lindblom talked about President Uchtdorf's talk on simplifying things and focusing on what matter's most. I realize that as nice as the money would be, I need to focus on my spiritual relationships. I need to spend time with Alex and my other family members. I need to simplify my life and not make it busier. It all became so clear, and I now can see myself turning down the offer.
Not much else to tell. Jeanne and Bill will be coming to visit this weekend. Alex has Mormon Prom and his group continues to grow. I'm feeding them before the dinner, but it shouldn't be too difficult. Roast pork, twice baked potatoes, cheese-garlic biscuits, salad and when they get back from prom, chocolate cobbler with ice cream. Not too time intensive and pretty easy. I told him I'm not unpacking the china though. Maybe it's time to get new dishes... I am breaking out the new silverware.
You're still getting lots of offers from Fry's. Glad they don't know you have left. Some good coupons in this last batch.
Dad actually offered to play Carcassone with me the other night. His idea. I was shocked. We played without the farmers. Definitely easier to score. He beat me by 2 points. Next time I'll have to do the farmers. He says he doesn't know how to play them and I can win that way. We'll see...
Have a good week. I still have 2 glasses on the top shelf in the kitchen. Maybe they'll stay there until we move... Love you, Mom
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Stupendous. That's my word today. In espanol es 'estupendo'. I'm enjoying my Monday without work or school. I do need to study about microbes and parasites though. I've learned all about pinworm, tapeworm, hookworm, roundworm, etc. Some of those bad boys can grow up to 20+ feet long - in your gut! I don't remember if you have been issued one yet, but you will be getting an awesome missionary day planner. It really is a fantastic planner. Which is why I have ordered an RM planner. Pretty much the same thing, except RM style. So far it's working beautifully. I get more done with a plan and a regular place to write do my to do list and thoughts. By the way, let me know if you remembered to bring any Zebra pens with you. If not I'll make sure they make it into a package for you. You probably read what mom said about us still having two glasses left up on the ledge thing above the fridge. What she didn't mention is that we intend to put them in an incubator and let the microbial c
ultures grow. We will then use that to clone you and once again have someone to do dishes and such. Plus I'll have a towel around when I need one. I hope you are being of service to your fellow missionaries. Let them know you make an excellent towel, just not so much for shower use. More of a hand towel for the cafeteria.
Hope all is well in MTC land and if it isn't stick with it anyways. I expect you to come home with the scriptures memorized. All of them.
Kefel'
El escribidor mysterio
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