Y'all know I'm havin' a dandy out here, don't y'all?

Jk. I'm not that hick...yet. At least I don't say heaps, right Sis. Tanner?? ;)

 

Well, another week gone by. Good week. This letter may be kinda disorganized (like all of them, according to Shelle), but I write things in my planner I want to remember to tell you about...plus Shelle's right, I'm Elder Distracto, OH WELL, so here goes...

 

First of all, I am ALWAYS sweaty. Except right now, in the church it's nice. But I feel Shelle's sweaty pain, literally. It's wild. You notice I said Shelle's pain. I'm sure Kev feels it too, he just don't complain so much...at least to us..;) I tease Shelle, cause I love her. She's real good. And writes amazing letters to me. SOO helpful, although I don't get to reply much. I take all-the-way cold showers every day. Craziness. Apparently OK's been having a really mild summer...until I got here. Almost literally. It's insane. There's been one or two decent days, but mostly I'm crazy hot all the time. I've been blessed to embrace it though. I definitely have. We also have REALLY loud bugs in the trees in the evenings. Are those cycaydas or however you spell that? Or crickets? There were tons of crickets outside this mornin. We go running every Mon. Wed. and Fri. Also, an investigator showed Elder P and I some HUGE guns the other day, Kev. They were intense. And he modified them, of course, being a redneck, he painted them Camo, and he bought really nice scopes and parts for them. Incredible guns.

 

I got my first flat tire today, woot. Apparently Elder P gets them all the time, and he's already gotten two since I've been here...crazy, but crazy funny too. And ps. shelle, Elder P and I were singing the Edge of Glory the other day and I told him about tha time at fireworks, if you remember..:)

 

A terrible thing happened the other night...a dog was hit by a car, right in front of us as we rode down the street. Scarring event, really. I think it lived, but it was awful. It was worse when the kid saw it...but we rode away, or else I would've lost it. Man...poor creature, and poor kid! So sad. I'm still trying to think of what I can learn from that...i got nothin.

 

I feel what Ann felt, about our fam. It's hard being away from y'all...really hard sometimes. On tuesday or thursday I was having a real hard time in the morning, missing the fam. The only time I was really sad about missing y'all. It was just hard...BUT then (pay attention Al and Lex)..."wait for it, wait for it, wait for iiiiiit"...You Can Change came on my iPod!! Changed me, really. It was amazing. Then a couple other songs came on that really helped a lot. Cool how the Lord works sometimes. I love it.

 

Yesterday, we were at the W's, members, again for dinner, instead of lunch/dinner, like normal Sundays. And it was just Elder P and I, instead of the whole District (Elk City Elders, Weatherford Sisters, and us). We were sharing a spiritual thought with them, which led to a conversation, which led to Bro. W telling us about a Q&A with E. Bednar where someone asked how it was to be an apostle and he said every minute of his life is guided by the spirit. That made me realize, that's basically how it is to be a missionary. It's not even our time, it's the Lord's. Amazing reminder.

 

Big event this week, we had exchanges with the Elk City Elders on Friday, cause Elder P, our DL, got to go to Elk City to interview a 9-yr-old for baptism the next day, Saturday (which was awesome, Powley and I got to be the witnesses). So i led out the area, here in good ol' Clinton, with Elder T, who had only done transfers in Clinton once, but that helped...after only being here for a 1 1/2 weeks...pretty scary at first. But Elder T taught me a TON about faith. He's from an island north of Fiji, called Kirapate, or something like that. He learned English in the Provo MTC, and he knows it pretty darn well. He's been out for about 9 months, I think. He has more faith than almost anyone i've ever met. It's incredible. When he prays, he says, "Bless us with the miracles." So simple, probably partially cause English isn't his first language, but also cause of his faith. I wanna develop faith like that, and i pray for it often.

 

Tato, we were talking about the scripture where it says "straight is the way", etc. Like from Facing the Giants (aka cheesiest movie ever..."I'm so overwhelmed"). That made me think of when the funny coach is saying that about the field goal. And then I thought of "Bobby Lee Duke and his 85 players." THEN I kept thinking of all our inside jokes...like "HE TRIED TO KILL ME!", and I almost fell off my bike, I was laughing so hard. It was awesome. Made me miss the Netflix and cereal nights though.

 

Elder P and I bonded the other night, telling about our love lives. Amazing what that does...jk. But really, it did help us come closer. This was after exchanges too, and that helped me be more outgoing too. I had to, leading out the area. BTW, our district is Elk City, Weatherford, and good ol' Clinton. They are also the areas that make up our ward, which meets here in good ol' Clinton. The ward here is awesome and made me super escited for my future family. I love it here. Man... Bro. P especially rocks. He's in the Bishopric, and actually just got here to the church. We're gonna hang with him today for p-day.

 

Had a rough time with the G's this week...our appointment fell through on Friday and we haven't had contact with them since. Super sad, and a huge trial of our faith. We're not gonna give up, but we may give them a break, to not seem too pushy, since they've had bad experiences before with missionaries doing that.

 

I clean up our apartment sometimes, and I think of Mama. Hard job, but helps me relax. Hurrah for Israel song came on the other day and i thought of that story you told me, Mom. Super awesome.

 

Look up 3 Nephi 5:13, it's the definition of a missionary. It rocks.

 

I have been to Montana Mike's again on Friday with Bro. C and Elder T. It was real good. And I drank a TON of lemonade. they have bigger cups here and endless refills. I also ate french bread with PB&J...the things you eat when you're out of food. I have hunger confusion too. Super weird.

 

Mormon Messages are an incredible tool!! Every missionary should have them! I love it.

 

Well, I gotta go. I love y'all a ton. I'll send some pics next week hopefully. I pray and fast for you LOTS, escept fasting...just once for that.

 

Love,

your Elder Tanner

 

-I Love the Lord-

OK, babay

I'm here in Clinton, OK!!! And my comp. is Elder P from Sandy, UT I believe. He went to Brighton High, so wherever that is. He's great! He's a really good teacher and trainer. He definitely gives me a lot of growing opportunities, which is good. We've already had some incredible experiences together! It's gonna be a good transfer.

So, I don't have tons of time, but I'm gonna try to say as much as I can.

We got here on Tuesday, and we had orientation, our bikes were at the stake center, and we went tracting a little. I told you about that and how cool that was. Then on Wednesday morning, after sleeping at the AP's apartment, cause the mission home was full and we had some missionaries with a senior couple and more with the ZL's there. There were like 30-something new missionaries, mostly Elders. And according to Pres. Walkenhorst, as he said in Stake Conf. for the OKC Stake yesterday (he spoke in it and we watched it broadcasted in the church here in Clinton), there's gonna be a lot more coming. Our mission is growing a lot.

I love it here. I feel the foreign country feeling. Makes me so grateful for how we live and all that we have. People here live in messes all the time. I've only been in a few really clean homes. And they were members homes. But they live in it, and they're still SO happy. I love the people here so much. It was hard my first night, teaching a couple who have a lot of challenges, a cigarette-smelling home (like almost all homes here), and not many teeth (most people are missing at least a few here). But now I embrace it and love it. They're so humble. Why should I be so proud? Silly Elder Tanner.

We had a really cool experience with the G family on Friday or Saturday, I can't remember. The dad, L, was baptized in Arizona or somewhere, and the rest of the fam aren't members. The wife, M, went to some other church until she saw them turn away a beggar man. When she told us about that, she started crying, it hurt her so much. I felt so sad for her. Anyway, Elder P and Elder T (we call him Elder T, he's from an island near Vanuatu and he knows people from there! Plus he and I might go on exchanges together on Friday...yeah, I'd be leading out our area...scary, but exciting) found L on the street one day and told him to call them...and HE DID! That doesn't really happen, but it did then. He called us twice! When we got to his house for the appointment, he wasn't there though. The mother, two daughters, and one of their boyfriends were though. We started talking to them and I thought L must've ditched out on us (O me of little faith), but then the son S walked in and shortly after, L came in too! We actually taught the entire family that live there, their daughter is at college or something, and the boyfriend!! On a Saturday afternoon too! (I guess it was Saturday...hehehe.) They were almost all very receptive, except one of the daughters, K, but she was just being a teenager, texting, etc. They all, except the boyfriend, came to Stake Conf. too!! The ward really welcomed them, which was a huge blessing since they expressed concern about that to us. (Sorry for jumping around, I just wanna tell as much as possible). We taught the restoration. After, we gave them each a BofM to read personally and as a family. They all committed to that. Then they all committed to baptism, which you're supposed to have them do first lesson!! But not a set date yet. We'll see how things go, but I'm being optimistic. One thing that scares me is M's mother, who i guess is pretty against the church. I pray for them to be strong despite that every day. Another positive thing though is that L, in the opening prayer of the lesson, asked Heavenly Father for an eternal family, in different words, but that's what he essentially prayed for. He asked for his family to be closer and not argue so much, which is where he and his son were when we got there, i think. I hope things keep going well. Elder T and I, assuming he's the one I go with, will be teaching them on Friday again! Woot. Pray for them.

We also teach Hispanics a lot and some of them only speak Español...but Elder P speaks it too. Me though...no habla Español. I understand a lot of their conversations though, surprisingly. I can usually get the gist of it. Elder P wants me to learn...but yo no se..? is that how you say it?

There are SO many dogs, and they jump all over us as we teach sometimes, but they're usually pretty nice. I love petting them while we teach, cause I love dogs. There are some SUPER cute puppies too! If there are this many dogs in Georgia...Sister Barrett's, or I guess Brittany :), gonna have a fuuuuun time..;) She doesn't like dogs at all. But I love it. They chase us on our bikes sometimes, it's funny. Yeah, no car, just bikes. The other two areas in our district have them though, the Elders and the Sisters.

There are also SO many classic accents here, I love it. Like red neck, Okie red neck, Indian, Mexican, etc. And guess what...when i leave the house of someone with an accent, I accidentally speak in that accent, like I did with the lady in NYC who sold me sunglasses ("ten dolla?"). Kinda embarrassing, but mostly just really hilarious. I thingk it is, at least. I LOVE the people SO much!! And the members here are awesome too. Y'all need to go out with the missionaries sometime! It's helpful for them, for you, and for the investigators/inactives/etc. Especially Tato! Call the Elders there. They may not be able to have you go, but you can try. It'll be good experience for you!

We had dinner at some members' house last night, the Wolfs, and they remind me of Gma and Gpa Twitchell a lot! And we ate with some other members, the A's, on Saturday and they are hilarious and SO nice. We get fed pretty often here, I believe.

The Bishop came out with us one day and we met with this couple and their dad, or dad-in-law, or something...their relative. It was awesome. It made me realize that I judge so harshly by how people look. They had tattooes and smoked and were very rough looking, but they loved our message and were going to come to Stk Conf, but didn't answer when we went with Bro. P (in the bishopric) to pick them up. Which was too bad, but I still have faith in them. He said he didn't want to be judged for his tattooes at church, so he was nervous, but Elder P offered him a white shirt, and he seemed more comfortable with that. They seemed excited to go, but I dunno...we'll see. All in the Lord's time, of course. Everything is.

One cool thing I realized, and then I saw that papa kinda mentioned this in his letter to me, is that people aren't always gonna be baptized. We can only bring them what we have to offer, then it's up to them to find out for themselves. We're just here to guide. Now that i think about it, that's been a big theme this week.

Also, Annie, we met this CRAZY Aussie lady!! She was married to a Mormon, inactive till he died. She's had missionaries over there forEVER! She has more pass-along cards than we do! She said she's read the BofM, but we "won't dunk her", or get her baptized, in american english. She was so funny! She is mostly blind and says she pretty much stopped cooking, but she had just happened to have made an apple pie recently, like that day or the day before. So she gave us some of that, and it was amazing! Not like yours, mom, but good;) she showed us pictures of elders who had been there and Elder Manumaleuna, who played for BYU, and blocked that field goal against Cal, served here in Clinton!!!!! He wrote his name on this huge wood board in our apartment too, where everyone writes their names. Pretty sweet, eh?

also, Elder P's not a very clean guy, like he doesn't clean things, like the apartment. but i'm actually doing okay with that. He wasn't very outgoing or anything in High School and I can tell. But he's great and i love him! We get along really well. He did xc and choir and lifeguarding, so that's sweet! I prayed to have similar interests as my comp. and the Lord blessed me.

Sorry I can't write more, but i love you all a TON! your love and support mean everything. Sorry to those i couldn't respond to this weeek, like Shelle. I loved your letter so much though and i love the pictures!!

Elder P doesn't know the address of our apartment...but you can send them to the office. That's what he does. Strict obedience i guess;)

I love it here, a lot. Wouldn't want to be anywhere else right now. I know I'm supposed to be here in li'l Clinton, OK.  

-I Love the Lord-

Love y'all,

Elder Tanner

OKC!!!

Fam bam,

 

I'm here! It's amazing. I love it already. We've done some orientation, gotten paperwork and stuff, ate really good food made by Sis. W, and went tracting with Elder E!! It was one of the coolest experiences ever! They took us out, usually one experienced missionary with 2 or 3 newbies, but I went alone with Elder E. We got a return appointment on the first door! I did it too, first time. Kinda freaky, but awesome. There were let downs after that though, so I've experienced both. It was awesome.

 

Love you all. This is gonna be awesome.

 

-I Love the Lord-

 

Love,

Elder Tanner

"It's all good" <--Tato should understand that

Holy camolia! This is crazy stuff, the mission. I love it though, despite a rash all over my body. That doesn't really matter, unless it makes me not able to leave on Tuesday...that'd put a real downer on...well, lots of things. BUT I will be happy anyway, cause in the grand scheme of things, or just in really any scheme, it's not a big deal and IT'S ALL GOOD! My rash is nothing compared to the Savior's suffering for me, which includes this rash. He knows exactly how this feels, and it ain't fun at all!

Anyway, I had some of the coolest and most real missionary experiences ever this past week in TRC. We taught a guy named Thrijae (3-jay), and he is so stubborn. He took till about the end of our time with him both times we visited him to open up. BUT when he did, I can't even describe how amazing he was! He feels guilty for his brother's suicide, but we helped him understand that he isn't and that he can see him again. He loved that. We invited him to pray at our first visit (not baptism...I know, shameful), and at our second visit, after a LOT of convincing, he told us that he had prayed and knows for himself that the church is true! It was incredible! He's a rockstar, and I love that guy.

Well, my time is over-ish. I spent a lot of time reading this week...OOPS. Better next week. And I wrote it all down in my journal, so no worries! We'll see if this will send at all.

I love you all so much!! I think I miss you...but it's hard to say here. It's where I'm supposed to be and I love it. I'm trying to develop the Character of Christ by turning outward, not inward. Especially when I want to turn in. I tried that when i was at the doc for the rash. I prayed for Thrijae and our other investigator, rather than for myself. It was really cool.

I hope I get to sleep tonight, I've been up for a few hours every night with rash problems. We'll see. The Lord has blessed me to be happy and not tired anyway.

Ps. we just went to the temple, and it was amazing!!

I Love the Lord.

Love you all,
Elder Tanner

First email #ShelleBetterAppreciateThis #ILoveAFullChestPocket

So...it's only Friday, and I've already been through the rollercoaster. I've felt a lot of different emotions. A lot all at once. I can't believe how busy we are and people actually survive this! It's insane, I think. I know it's possible though, through the Lord.

Anyway, I wrote a letter my first night and put it in the mailbox this morning, so that should be there pretty soon. The first night was already super busy. We had a big meeting with some of our fellow dork dots. Kinda crazy. The leaders here are incredible. I can tell they have enormous love for each of us, which was really important for me to hear that first night, and last night, but that's a different story. Elder B from Viewmont is in my District and his comp. hadn't gotten here yet (he's a real character), so he got to be in a threesome with me and my comp. Elder N. He's a cool guy. I think he's kind of struggling with personal study and things like that, and his gospel knowledge is lacking a little bit, but who am I to judge?? I don't :) He's super nice and is trying to try hard, I think. He wants to be out here and really tries to participate in class and such. He is a bigger guy. He is probably about 6'3", and a little heavier set (is that how you say that? Husky? Idk..) I love him though. I'm determined to. Even if he has sworn a couple times, once under his breath and once not-so-under his breath. I try to talk really appropriately to help him.  My district, all elders, rocks! We're already pretty tight and getting tighter. I love these guys. We have some amazing sisters in our zone. One, Sis. C, has already been on a three month trial mission for health reasons, and has helped me a lot with relaxing and knowing how to do things, through tips and such.

Wow...distractions. Time flies when you're writing emails. After the meeting, we went to some...wait for it, wait for it, wait for iiiiiiiit..."teaching experiences" (OOOOO...AAAHHH). Weird name for teaching some fake some real investigators. (ps. feeling a lot of pressure writing this...from shelle, from my blessing at setting apart) It was a really cool experience though.

This is hard. The next morning was rough...after a while. In class I got pretty overwhelmed with my comp. and teaching experiences just with us two, planning for those, studying enough, being a good enough missionary...EVERYTHING imaginable. I felt more confused than I've ever felt in my whole life. I felt so many different things. I just wanted to feel the spirit, which I was...but there was so many other things to feel too. AHH! It kinda stresses me out, thinking about it. I felt better later, again, when we met our branch pres and his counselors and their wives. They are incredible. I really felt their love, which was extremely comforting. A lot of people have said to not get too overwhelmed with everything, but then they tell us all these things to overwhelm us...It's a little contradictory, I think. Hopefully I'll be able to completely stop that thinking. I will. It is hard though.

I feel like I can't adequately express everything I've felt and am feeling. There's just so much to feel!!

I love being here though. I know Elder Schouten and John have felt like the MTC felt like a prison, but I feel like it's training camp for the most sicktastic army ever!!! It rocks! We're all here for the same purpose, and we're all trying our best. We have similar goals in mind and are going through similar things. It's a great unifying feeling. I'm trying to have that overpower anything else.

I love P day so far. I love being able to have some freedom. It was well-timed for me. I needed to have a little more of a break. I've had a lot of really good conversations with Elder B. He's so easy to talk to, and I just love that Elder (not guy, we don't say that). I'm getting better at talking to Elder N. He and I are the only ones in our room for four, for some reason. Maybe we'll get roomies next week. Maybe Mason! Jk, that'd be way too nice. I need more trying times in here, so I can learn now and get better. So when I'm teaching real people, I'm not so distracted by these issues.

I hear that it'll get better after Sunday...all the time. So, we'll see how that is.

I need any advice from anyone I can get.

I've seen Brandon Kasparian, who works in the cafeteria, at lunch today. I've seen Elder Brown (Landon), Elder Garn (Trent), and some others. That has been nice. I still haven't seen Elder Richins though! That kinda bums me out.

My teachers, Sis. Smith and Bro. Heath, are awesome. Sis. Smith taught a lot yesterday, and she's amazing. Kind of reminds me of Sister Baker! Comforting. She says y'all too, which I like a lot.

I'll try to send some pictures, but we'll see.

Mason, anyone else mission prep-ing, friends, STUDY!!!! BE PREPARED, GET READY TO LOVE THE WORK, BE YOURSELF, ENJOY THE MTC! Hope I get to see you here next week! Love you all

--I love the Lord--

Love you all,

Elder Tanner

^^booyah, grandma