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
posted at: 15:32 | permanent link to this entry
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
posted at: 11:00 | permanent link to this entry
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
posted at: 15:55 | permanent link to this entry
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
posted at: 13:38 | permanent link to this entry
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.
posted at: 13:28 | permanent link to this entry
Bryan Elliot Hall
St. Peters, Missouri
Page created: 09 November 2008
Page modified: 09 December 2017
