Provo MTC Photos

Elder Searle at the Provo Temple

Elder Searle and his companion Elder Anderson

Elder Searle and the World Map

Letter #8 - Hey!

Well all of you have heard I got my visa and will be going to Brazil tomorrow. I will be heading for the airport around 8 am and when I get there I can call you guys after i get through security and find my gate. I´m super excited and can´t wait to go. I was a little scared because I didn´t know if I was going to be able to talk to people. But last night the speaker talked about going without fear because the Lord is with me. So know I am ready to move forward and at least try failing and if I am able to communicate then that will be a greater blessing. So ya I'm doing good.

 

I'm already packed up and my bags weigh less than coming here. I think the weight measure thingy is off but I am defenitly under 50 lbs. Maybe I just really good at packing, who knows. So ya I am my own flight leader and the only one in my group flying to Brasil on that flight so it is going to be interesting flying without a companion.

 

Elder Anderson is doing much better and his heart condition is genetic but will go away in the next couple of days. It also looks like he will still be able to sereve a mission.

 

Ya so I guess I will be getting a lot less mail and more emails after today. ya... I am running out of things to say. Everything here is the same I learn more of the language, then teach, and then plan out a new lesson and try to understand the investigators needs. That has been one of the hardest things to do. Try to understand which doctrine the investigator needs and how it will help them progress toward baptism and staying active.

 

Nuno one of our investigators has agreed to baptism and hopefully Elder Anderson will be able to fit in the last two lesson in. I know he will be able to teach them, but i hope he doesn't have to go to the doctors for another set of tests. in the next day or two he will find out the official results. If you guys could pray for him that would be great.

 

Well I miss you all and hope you are all doing well and having fun. There is a laundry bag here at the MTC that has two seperate pockets to seperate whites and colors. As well as tons of other things, so ya I hope that helps decide what Spencer needs before he gets here at the MTC. Hopefully Spencer is studying PMG everynight as well as knows the purpose, 1st vison and all the scripture masteries. Trust me you want to know at least the 1st vision and the purpose, both are in PMG. Love you all.

Elder Searle

Update!!!!

GOOD NEWS - since the letter Elder Searle called his mother and notified us that he will be leaving for Brasil on Tuesday, October 25.

We are thinking that the quickest way to send him your thoughts is through email.  Here is his email:
richard.searle@myldsmail.net

If communication occurs differently we will post it here.

Letter #7 - Companion's Health and Am I ever going to go the Brazil?

Dear family,
so I don't know if you got my letter about my companion being in the hospital but for the past week he has been in and out getting test about his heart. He has been having heart problems about a week ago and has been through a lot.....My companion, Elder Anderson has a heart conditon that is genetic. Elder Anderson will be able to serve in Brazil and he will be okay as long as he doesn't push himself for the next week and takes lots of meds. Basically his heart's sac, the sac that surronds his heart, is inflamed and swollen making the heart work harder. He will only have one more imflamtion in his life and the specialist predicted sometime next year.

Glad the Trek was a succes and all of you made it home safely. I hope Treyson learned a lot and hope the blessings you all recieved on the Trek will help strenghthen your testimonies. I hope Hannah had fun in Thatcher and finalmente Spencer recieved a job. LOL just kidding spencer. I love you all and glad to hear you are all doing so well.

The language is going alright. I am having a hard time saying the words correctly but I know alot and I learned the blessing of being tired. So when you are awake you rely on the active part of your brain rather than the sub concesences. Well when you rely on the other you are able to use more words and plus you are so tired you don't care how the sentence is sturctured you just say it. It's kinda cool because you need the Spirit to help you use that side off the brain too or else it is all jumbled words.

Happy news is two more Elders are leaving for Brazil, Elder Anderson heard from his Family that his visa is on the way so sometime this week will get it. I guessed they checked the status of his visa. I do not know how. I love my teachers and are very helpful as well as most of the district, basically everyone. I have seen lots of new missionaries come and go, triste and I really want to be in Brasil. I am slowly learning to accept that I may be sent somewhere until I do get it but I can say that basically I served two different missions. Yup that is a short summary of what has happened here. If you want me to explain anything just ask, oh and I am doing something cool in my opinion and I want you guys to be involeved.

Ok so I have a list of stuff to do/watch when I get back so that way its on paper and I don't have to think about it so I want all you guys to decide on one thing I should do/watch that you think I haven't already written down that would be awesome. It would be like a game across the would. :D Love you all and only 23 months left lol I just realized I have already been here for 5 weeks wow. Tchau! amo se.

Elder Searle

Letter #6 - Family Fun

Mom- Thank you for the B-day card. It was nice. Also thank you for the package and sweats. It is starting to get cold here. I bought socks at the MTC store so don't worry about the white socks.  I got it on my birthday so ya.. I got to open something on my B-day :). Love you Mom sorry I couldn't write more running out of time. I will probably write a letter.

 

Dad-  Thank you dad for the letter.  They don't really have SYL and at the same time they do.  Its more like as you progress the more you use it outside of class.  Most of the time in class you have to use your language. I do try to use as much of the language through out the day. Maybe you should do the same :p. lol anyways understanding is my issue. I can speak and memerize a lot of words and phrases but have a had time understanding what words are what.  I getting better but right now all I know is the basic idea of the conversations not the actual conversation.  I can understand my district because they use limited words and they are basically in the same area of speaking as I am.  They have a program called TALL, which basically helps you learn words, phrases, and grammer. there are a few listening parts too. Te amo e tem muito bom dia.

 

Spencer-  Thanks for the 4 sentences they really help lol. Yup knee is getting better, language is kinda getting better, and my understanding is getting a lot better.  The MTC has its good moments like temple walks, going to the temple, playing soccer, actually every good moment is away from the MTC except teaching.  When I teach I feel uplifted and full of energy.  It doesn't make any sense because I am so tired.  Keep being 20% cooler.

 

Treyson- Thanks for the letter trey, and the 2 sentences lol.  You basically two uped spencer.  anyways, what I have learned is that what you think isn't interesting is quiet interesting, for example every week we have a fireside and a devo.  We get to sit in really uncomfortable chairs and listen to invited speakers.  The only reason we go is 1) we have to 2) to gain insights 3) one of the 12 or the 1st presedency could be speaking :o.  And you can't misss your chance seeing a prophet of God in person, right? Plus its just nice to here whatever you guys are doing, even if it is the samething everyday. It puts a smile on my face.  Keep being 40% cooler ( cause you 2 uped spencer)

 

Hannah- Thank for the letter hannah. It was sweet plus next to mom and dad you had the longest letter :).  I love my teachers they are a really big help. Yesterday one of them helped me say words correctly because I already slur my words together.  I going have to work harder to make myself understood. I hoped you had a wonderful B-day and got everything you wanted, if you didn't you can give dad a kick in the pants for me ;).  I'm glad you love your teachers, don't grow up too fast. Enjoy Jr. high, it is meant to be fun.  I miss you and hope you are doing your very best to help Mom.

Letter #5 - Update

Mom-  My knee is doing really well.  The doctor gave me a brace and told me home therapy should be ok.  i also learned that my knees are funky and the groove which my knee sits in is shallow.  Meaning that it is very easy for my knee to dislocate and move around.  The brace they gave me is supposed to stop that and its the best brace I have had yet, kind of wished i had it in high school. The MTC store basically has everything, from shirts, jackets, bags, soap, deodorant, razors, alarm clocks, pens, paper, print pics, hymn books, candy, journals, envelopes, stamps, etc.  All of that you get 40% off and then the free stuff is Peach My Gospel ( 2 if you are speaking a language), BOM in your language (unless you speak English), the little pamphlets that Dad bought in Portuguese except they are in English, umm I got a water bottle with a filter and then language books to help you learn the language.  I would just buy the pens and notebooks and stuff you can get really cheap (like at the dollar store and just get it there) anything you get at the Desert Book store you can basically get at the MTC store and get it for cheaper.  If there is anything you want to know just ask.  thank you for the letters and I like both however when I get in Brazil, emails will be faster than letters.  I love the support and love.  I miss you all.  Thank Grandma and Grandpa Mangum for their letters and insights too. As well as anyone else who has sent me letters.  Goodies are always welcomed and I just want the bottom sweats.  It looks like I may be here through November, hopefully I don't get reassigned somewhere cold either. Love you Mom!

Dad- Thanks for the support and insights Eu vou estar firme e te amo. Eu sei que Eu sou bendito e sento suas amor. Obrigado!

Spencer- Waz up! Need another to say more :p Thanks for picking up Tony and being his friend and thanks for the support and love from the last letter lol.

Trey-Thank you for the Letter Trey. It was great to hear about you and how well you are playing.  I'm sure it will still be rough and there will be lots of ups and downs.  Here is some advice, pray before a game and after a game. pray in your heart and thank God for all that he has given you and the opportunity to play volleyball. It is a blessing to be on a team filled with good guys.  Volley =ball was the best sport to play on because everyone wants everyone to do well.  And if you desire to do well I'm sure if you thank him he will help you grow.  I love you too and don't grow too tall.

Hannah- I sent you a B-day card so hopefully you got it and hopefully you don't open it until your B-day. However if you did then I love you and hope you will have a wonderful B-day.  I also heard you did very well in the orchestra concert, Congrates!  The MTC is good and the language is having its ups and downs.  I'm almost at the point that I can spell words out based on how it sounds (only a few words here and there).  I'm also blessed to have a teacher that grew up in Brazil and knows the culture and how to say Brazil Portuguese.  My knee is doing great and I'm getting better. Thank you for asking. Love you.

Love everyone of you,

Elder Searle

Letter #4 - Dear Mom & Dad 9/21/2011

Thank you for the letters and Uncle Shawn and his family (they sent me a package of yummies).  The MTC is great and Elder Anderson is the perfect companion.  If I may ask can I have my sweats w/the Jaguar name on it from basketball?  I want them for when it gets cold here in Provo.  I'll probably stay here until November.  By the way, stuff there is stuff Spencer does not have to buy because it is sold at the MTC - journal, hymn book, scriptures in another language, notebooks, pen, stamps, envelopes, laundry detergent and other things like candy, snacks, drinks, dry cleaning, etc.  Some of the stuff I got for free.  On Tuesday, Elder Nelson talked to us about the Book of Mormon and asked 4 missionaries to come and role play w/him.  One of them was his granddaughter.  It was fun to listen to an apostle talk more open and direct.  I felt as if he was talking straight to me.  The Spirit is strong here and I'm enjoying learning more each day.

Love your son

Elder Searle

PS With the sweats can I get a couple of socks - during laundry some disappeared.  I only need white socks.  Thank you :)

Obedience brings blessings - Exact obedience brings miracles.

I just got the letter on Wednesday and I'm sorry Spencer's arm is swollen.  Hopefully he gets better.  Can't wait to hear about Trey's tournament.  How's Hannah and on P-day we do laundry around 6:30 and emails around 7-7:30am.  That's cool to hear about the Trek and Dad wants to up the training????  I don't believe it - Just kidding.  The stuff Spencer doesn't have to buy is cheaper here because he is a missionary.  I got a backpack for $18.  The language is getting easier each day, but I know I will be like "O Que?" when I get to the field.  Thank for all the support and love.  I miss you all (voces) and happy to serve the Lord.