"A missionary is someone who leaves their family for a short time so that others can be with their families for Eternity" A letter to Aubrea 4/24/08

I have been doing great.  I have seen Colton a few times.  His companion is super gay.  Not in the homosexual way cuz that would be ok, but in the Peter Priesthood I wanna be 100% Obedient and have no fun.  Colton will learn a lot from him but he needs to have some fun.  Anyways I was happy to see Colt. 

I have not been having the best day.  I'm in class but feel like writing you what's been going on instead.  I t started great.  A Samoan Sister from my zone asked me to give her a blessing of comfort today and that was great.  Well, after gym I got a letter from mom.  And she always sends a piece of gun to me when she writes.  I was excited to get this gum and chew it tonight back at my room cuz it's bawal (forbidden) at the MTC other than in the bedrooms.  Well it was on my bed with my letters and Elder Nivfi a Big Tonan, came in and asked for it. I told him no he can't have it.  He then ate it! 

I got pissed and went to hit him in the face but didn't. I was able to stop myself.  I was mad at him and pushed him out of my room told him not to come back in, then slammed the door.  I felt bad after and he came back in and was saying in Tongan I don't know how to share. I told him to be a man and talk about me in English or Tagalog so I could understand it.  He told me I don't know how to take a joke.  I told him, "eating my stuff after I say not to is not a joke.  I't s disrespect.  If you don't respect my stuff, you don't respect me, so we are not good anymore."  Man, I was so upset.  Now I'm more upset with myself for getting mad.  I'm glad I didn't hit him.  I think we will fight before we leave the MTC, I just don't wanna get sent home.  I try to keep my cool. Some times this Elder needs a little "force" to make him listen.  

Moving on, There is nothing between Sister Spikes and I.  She is just a friend.  She reminds me a lot of you so I treat her almost the same as I treated you but with more respect most of the time.  She wrote all of the Elder's parents in my district.  Some people think her and I have something just cuz I'll take her books to class, drop off her mail, and take her tray at meals, plus much more.  I just treat her with respect.  Other sisters see that and wish they had Elders who would do that for them just to be nice.  I have really changed since I have been here.  I'm nice to everyone because we are all here doing the same work.  There are blacks, whites, tans, and browns, but we are al one.  Everyone is the same.  I put others before me now.  

Tonight,  Is TRC.  15 minutes of talking  in Tagolog only and 35 min. to teach a lesson.  Tonight its lesson 2 for the second time.  I love this lesson.  

LATER ON THAT DAY:

Just got out of the TRC.  The two RM's I taught were amazing.  We joked in Tagalog and English and the lesson was taught by the Spirit.  My teacher said we did great.  

Just to let you know,  The Elder and I just said sorry.  So it's all good now.  I love him.  I really do.

I have noticed Tagalog has messed up my English writting.  

Time to go the teacher is back. 

Mahal kita

Elder Brunson

Week 5

Hey Everyone,

This week has gone by so fast.  It's true that the days are long but the weeks are short.  It's been over a month already.  Now there are two Elder Brunsons here and we have James out in the field already.  The work is going forward.  

I'm still getting along great with both my companions.  They are great.  As most of you have probably heard already colt knows one of my companions.  It's nice to go see colt and hang out a little bit.  The other night security caught me sneaking back to my room.  They didn't trip to hard about it though.  They didn't even get my name. 

I'll be sending home some more pictures sometime soon.  It's been beautiful here.  Walks to the temple have been great for lots of pictures. 

Scriptures for the week are D&C Section 31.  Read it all.  Sister Ottley told me about them and so I read it.  She is a good friend of mine and pretty crazy in a very cool way, but when she needs to be she is very spiritual.  I'm grateful for the missionaries here who love and build me up.  

Pray for me to know more Tagalog.  This week is the start of only Tagalog in class and in the TRC.  One of my teachers left because they are doing a lot of moving around cuz BYU semester just ended so they have ppl leaving and coming on to work.  He will still be a teacher here just not to me.  It's alright though.  We will get a new one today.  

Well I love you all.  I hope to hear from you all soon.  I have to get back to work cuz my 23 months will be over before I know it. 

Mahal kita 

Elder Brunson