So, what happened this week? I went on a companion exchange with a good buddy from my BYU ward. That was way good. We have a lot in common and we talked about doctrine all day. It was very edifying. It’s interesting because Dad sent a thought about Abraham and his obedience and trial. This elder told me about these Abrahamic trials that everyone is supposed to pass through. It was something to think about that I never really heard about.
And it was interesting that Brad warned me about robbers this week. I don’t think most missionaries write home about this stuff, but I’m not like most missionaries. We got robbed. They broke into our house while we were out. It’s interesting that this day I was on this interchange and I happened to have my camera and all my money with me, two things that don’t happen all the time. I’m doing my best and God protects me. But don’t worry, we’re fine.
So here’s something interesting that doesn’t happen every week. A brother in this ward is going on a cruise in February and going to Miami and Tampa. He’ll be in the Tampa airport flying back. I’m sure it wouldn’t be too hard to connect with him and send me some cool stuff. I could get you the information. But I know it’s harder than it sounds and Dad will shoot it down. I know you’re trying to spend less and I don’t need anything. And I don’t know the customs laws that make that expensive. It would be cool though. . . .
So here’s an idea I had the other day while reading my patriarchal blessing. Dad will probably shoot this idea down too, but in True to the Faith it says you can share your blessing with immediate family members. I’ve never shared mine with any immediate family members and I’ve never read any of yours. And most patriarchal advice is just commandments that everyone should be doing, and most blessings are valid to everyone that’s obedient. So my idea would be to make a Whitaker family semi-patriarchal blessing. It would be very interesting to see what God is counseling us to do and then we could help each other to do it. It would be a really cool FHE. Too bad everyone isn’t together any more.
And another thing I was studying this week was joy and happiness, from Alma 27ish. In the Guia de las Escrituras, if you look under felicidad it sends you to gozo. And gozo sends you to obedience. Happiness, joy and obedience. Wickedness never was happiness, Alma 41:10. Obvious. And true joy comes only to the truly penitent and those that seek happiness. True repentance and obedience brings joy. The Guia says that true repentance is born from love of Jesus Christ. It’s amazing. I love studying the scriptures.
Yeah, nothing else really happened this week. Kind of boring. Thanks for all the emails. Thanks for all the prayers. Thanks for being examples. But I love you all. I’ll write you again when I’m 20 years old.
Elder Whitaker
Monday, January 11, 2010
4 January 2010
I have really good news for the entire world. The Spirit made it manifest after I read the family newsletter. I’m sorry it didn’t come to me until after reading it. In like 2007 I wrote a Christmas letter that never got sent out. Send that next year. Or use it as a back up next year, Plan B. Who knows? 2010 might bring a really funny year. I mean everyone loves baby jokes.
But I enjoyed the Christmas letter. Honestly I wasn’t rolling on the floor laughing, though. It was interesting to know that Weston busted his knee this year. That was new news. Is he using the torture chamber? Good thing Dave has good advice for all that.
I want to share how I learned again this week that God loves me and he loves me a lot. I was cleaning the house and I found a conference Ensign from October 2007 and a church magazine from 1974 explaining temples. How does God know I love studying conference issues and temples? And how did they just happen to be hiding in our house? One thing I would love to study is the topics hit by the apostles to see if there is a major trend to show how as members we still don’t get a lot. For example, in October 2007, President Hinckley talked about anger in the priesthood session. Sound familiar?
And here’s another thought I had while studying. I’ll share it. Jesus Christ was God’s first spirit child. So in the eternities we spent in heaven before we came to earth he was there the longest. I read somewhere that we will have to study and learn a ton in heaven after this life before we will be ready to create our own planet and all that good stuff, for eternities possibly. All this post-earth learning will take place in the celestial kingdom. We were in the celestial kingdom with God before we came here, and Jesus Christ was there longer than the rest of us. Now my idea is that Jesus Christ spent those eternities taking those mandatory classes that the rest of us will take after we die, the classes that are the prerequisites to perfection. I think he might have took them before he came to earth and that’s how he was so much better prepared than the rest of us. I’m still working it out in my mind but at least for me it helps explain how he did it. If there’s a talk that talks about this I’d love to read it.
Oh, Steven, thanks for the letters. 2 in one week. I was in heaven. I want a step-by-step guide of how to beat the third dungeon. I’m in withdrawal from useless Zelda knowledge. Oh, and you’ll love this. In my BYU ward was Travis W. He’s really smart. He’s in my zone. And he has a BYU math headband. I saw it. It completed my life . . . almost.
So my birthday present from President this year is on the 19th we are going to the temple. It’s like 30 minutes away from here on the bus.
And tell Kyle T. that I love his guts. We live 3 or 4 blocks from the beach. I’m going to put a letter in a bottle and hope he gets it. But Kyle, I don’t understand Brasilero so I need a translation in English in parenthesis to understand the random words you throw in those letters. Other than that I love hearing from you. I love your guts and I think I wrote you a letter. You’ll get it eventually.
And say hi to Brother P., but don’t tell him that I’m still working on my goals. When I feel good about them, I would love to share them with him. Tell him thanks for being a good home teacher.
Oh, and this week we did a sweet service project as a zone. We dug a water pipe trench. It was a foot wide, two and a half deep, and like 80 yards long. It was fun. I enjoyed myself and the exercise. My back is ripped. Luckily we were digging in sand and it wasn’t hard at all. It kind of reminded me of Florida and Africa with pine trees and everything. I said to myself, “I’ve hiked this before.” They were some wonderful moments.
Well, I love you all. Thanks for all the prayers and support. Good luck adjusting back to normal life. Just try to remember Christ still.
Elder Whitaker
But I enjoyed the Christmas letter. Honestly I wasn’t rolling on the floor laughing, though. It was interesting to know that Weston busted his knee this year. That was new news. Is he using the torture chamber? Good thing Dave has good advice for all that.
I want to share how I learned again this week that God loves me and he loves me a lot. I was cleaning the house and I found a conference Ensign from October 2007 and a church magazine from 1974 explaining temples. How does God know I love studying conference issues and temples? And how did they just happen to be hiding in our house? One thing I would love to study is the topics hit by the apostles to see if there is a major trend to show how as members we still don’t get a lot. For example, in October 2007, President Hinckley talked about anger in the priesthood session. Sound familiar?
And here’s another thought I had while studying. I’ll share it. Jesus Christ was God’s first spirit child. So in the eternities we spent in heaven before we came to earth he was there the longest. I read somewhere that we will have to study and learn a ton in heaven after this life before we will be ready to create our own planet and all that good stuff, for eternities possibly. All this post-earth learning will take place in the celestial kingdom. We were in the celestial kingdom with God before we came here, and Jesus Christ was there longer than the rest of us. Now my idea is that Jesus Christ spent those eternities taking those mandatory classes that the rest of us will take after we die, the classes that are the prerequisites to perfection. I think he might have took them before he came to earth and that’s how he was so much better prepared than the rest of us. I’m still working it out in my mind but at least for me it helps explain how he did it. If there’s a talk that talks about this I’d love to read it.
Oh, Steven, thanks for the letters. 2 in one week. I was in heaven. I want a step-by-step guide of how to beat the third dungeon. I’m in withdrawal from useless Zelda knowledge. Oh, and you’ll love this. In my BYU ward was Travis W. He’s really smart. He’s in my zone. And he has a BYU math headband. I saw it. It completed my life . . . almost.
So my birthday present from President this year is on the 19th we are going to the temple. It’s like 30 minutes away from here on the bus.
And tell Kyle T. that I love his guts. We live 3 or 4 blocks from the beach. I’m going to put a letter in a bottle and hope he gets it. But Kyle, I don’t understand Brasilero so I need a translation in English in parenthesis to understand the random words you throw in those letters. Other than that I love hearing from you. I love your guts and I think I wrote you a letter. You’ll get it eventually.
And say hi to Brother P., but don’t tell him that I’m still working on my goals. When I feel good about them, I would love to share them with him. Tell him thanks for being a good home teacher.
Oh, and this week we did a sweet service project as a zone. We dug a water pipe trench. It was a foot wide, two and a half deep, and like 80 yards long. It was fun. I enjoyed myself and the exercise. My back is ripped. Luckily we were digging in sand and it wasn’t hard at all. It kind of reminded me of Florida and Africa with pine trees and everything. I said to myself, “I’ve hiked this before.” They were some wonderful moments.
Well, I love you all. Thanks for all the prayers and support. Good luck adjusting back to normal life. Just try to remember Christ still.
Elder Whitaker
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
15 December 2009
Hey everyone,
Thanks for all the letters. They really help. Thanks for the prayers too. So the new news this week is that transfers came and went. Of the 4 elders that live in our house we are all staying.
So this past week I realized I have been out here for 6 months already. The time has really flown. I’m nervous because everyone says the second year goes by even faster. But I’m realizing why that is, and I’ll kindly explain it to “all a yallz.” When the average American is younger than 18 years old, time is divided into 2 categories – school and summer. School goes by super slow and summer goes by fast. The mission passes like summer. I’m enjoying 2 years of straight summer.
And for the phone call, I understand that they have this phone through the internet and they have done this before; I’ll ask them about it. I think the other 2 American elders in my area will do the same, but we’ll keep in touch about it. I’m excited to hear that everyone will be there. Write down questions so we have something to talk about. And President says we have an hour. I’m excited to obey that. I realize that a lot of missionaries might not obey that. It might be one of the best gifts to Jesus Christ we can give him.
Thanks for everything. Good luck Dad. I love you guys.
Elder Whitaker
Thanks for all the letters. They really help. Thanks for the prayers too. So the new news this week is that transfers came and went. Of the 4 elders that live in our house we are all staying.
So this past week I realized I have been out here for 6 months already. The time has really flown. I’m nervous because everyone says the second year goes by even faster. But I’m realizing why that is, and I’ll kindly explain it to “all a yallz.” When the average American is younger than 18 years old, time is divided into 2 categories – school and summer. School goes by super slow and summer goes by fast. The mission passes like summer. I’m enjoying 2 years of straight summer.
And for the phone call, I understand that they have this phone through the internet and they have done this before; I’ll ask them about it. I think the other 2 American elders in my area will do the same, but we’ll keep in touch about it. I’m excited to hear that everyone will be there. Write down questions so we have something to talk about. And President says we have an hour. I’m excited to obey that. I realize that a lot of missionaries might not obey that. It might be one of the best gifts to Jesus Christ we can give him.
Thanks for everything. Good luck Dad. I love you guys.
Elder Whitaker
Monday, November 30, 2009
30 November 2009
Well, thanks for all the emails. It’s good to hear the family is doing well. And I’m glad everyone is pre-occupied about having a good newsletter this year. I’m excited to read it. I was thinking a bit about what I would write, at least on my behalf. You can tell the world that I spent the last 5 days in South America dead broke. It’s kinda funny to think that. I didn’t have one penny or peso to my name, but the Lord always provides and I lived.
Thanks for the email Dad. It does help to know that so many people are praying for me. It’s just some things in the mission you never expect to happen and thus can’t be prepared for them. But I will tell you one thing, everything that is happening to me is making me a better person. And every time I have a problem President da Silva is there to help me. That man is the most amazingly spiritual person I have ever had the privilege to know. It’s hard to explain, but my interviews with him make me feel like I’m talking to God. And I mean that in the most respectful way possible. He is God’s representative in Uruguay and I have the privilege of serving under him. I was reading, in the conference issue Ensign, a talk about enduring difficulties in the first session. Trials come from 3 sources: natural events, other people, and your own wrong choices. It’s some interesting doctrine.
Mom likes to hear my favorite scriptures every now and then. Here’s what I’ve been studying recently – Alma 13:12 and D&C 50:29. It’s an interesting journey to get to the point where you hate sin. That’s a problem I see in missionaries here. We tolerate breaking rules. Once we become completely and consistently pure, anything we ask God will grant, and, even better, God will let us know through the Spirit what to ask for. That’s how you accomplish goals with God’s help.
Oh, and I have a question for you guys, but more for Mom because she’s the smartest. I was reading under “prophets” in the Bible Dictionary. Could someone explain to me the difference between a forthteller and a foreteller? English dictionaries don’t exist over here, and who really knows what a forthteller is anyway.
And FYI to everyone, Michelle is dominating in her letter writing efforts. She’s the best. But don’t worry, I’m not mad. I just like updates.
What else do I have to say? Happy Birthday Dave, enjoy Tucanoes with whomever.
The baptism we had this week went very well. I felt the Spirit a ton. It was kinda funny because we didn’t start the water early enough so we spent like an hour running buckets of water from the kitchen to the font, never did that before. Lucky it was a hot day because the water was not warm.
Stay beautiful Michelle and enjoy your jacket.
I love you all.
Elder Whitaker
Thanks for the email Dad. It does help to know that so many people are praying for me. It’s just some things in the mission you never expect to happen and thus can’t be prepared for them. But I will tell you one thing, everything that is happening to me is making me a better person. And every time I have a problem President da Silva is there to help me. That man is the most amazingly spiritual person I have ever had the privilege to know. It’s hard to explain, but my interviews with him make me feel like I’m talking to God. And I mean that in the most respectful way possible. He is God’s representative in Uruguay and I have the privilege of serving under him. I was reading, in the conference issue Ensign, a talk about enduring difficulties in the first session. Trials come from 3 sources: natural events, other people, and your own wrong choices. It’s some interesting doctrine.
Mom likes to hear my favorite scriptures every now and then. Here’s what I’ve been studying recently – Alma 13:12 and D&C 50:29. It’s an interesting journey to get to the point where you hate sin. That’s a problem I see in missionaries here. We tolerate breaking rules. Once we become completely and consistently pure, anything we ask God will grant, and, even better, God will let us know through the Spirit what to ask for. That’s how you accomplish goals with God’s help.
Oh, and I have a question for you guys, but more for Mom because she’s the smartest. I was reading under “prophets” in the Bible Dictionary. Could someone explain to me the difference between a forthteller and a foreteller? English dictionaries don’t exist over here, and who really knows what a forthteller is anyway.
And FYI to everyone, Michelle is dominating in her letter writing efforts. She’s the best. But don’t worry, I’m not mad. I just like updates.
What else do I have to say? Happy Birthday Dave, enjoy Tucanoes with whomever.
The baptism we had this week went very well. I felt the Spirit a ton. It was kinda funny because we didn’t start the water early enough so we spent like an hour running buckets of water from the kitchen to the font, never did that before. Lucky it was a hot day because the water was not warm.
Stay beautiful Michelle and enjoy your jacket.
I love you all.
Elder Whitaker
Monday, November 23, 2009
23 November 2009
So, Elder Bednar visited this week. That was awesome. We did a question/answer session. It was really interesting. One thing he wanted to teach us is that the Holy Ghost is the real teacher. Elder Bednar can’t always be with us, but the Holy Ghost can. That’s the biggest thing I learned.
So for P-day this morning we went to the beach as a zone. There was this famous eagle head slash house. Dad will be crying for joy because I read the explanatory sign in the front of it all. (I’m so mature now.) This eagle head gismo was a famous writer’s house. We also played football on the beach. My district leader played college football last season at a junior college. He’s a big guy. But I two-hand-touched him down.
We’ll have a baptism this week. Leandro is 15. It’s kind of hard to explain his situation. I think he’s a foster child that lives with members because he had a tough life living with his parents. The gospel will bless his life.
So, I’m getting better at the guitar. And I’m going to try to send photos right now. Pray for me.
But thanks for everything. It’s truly a blessing to be serving the Lord full time.
I love you all.
Elder Whitaker
Your prayers worked! He was able to send a few photos. Admittedly they don't look very "missionary-ish" but it was preparation day, and he is wearing his name tag on his t-shirt. We can always imagine him cycling through town in his white shirt and tie.
So for P-day this morning we went to the beach as a zone. There was this famous eagle head slash house. Dad will be crying for joy because I read the explanatory sign in the front of it all. (I’m so mature now.) This eagle head gismo was a famous writer’s house. We also played football on the beach. My district leader played college football last season at a junior college. He’s a big guy. But I two-hand-touched him down.
We’ll have a baptism this week. Leandro is 15. It’s kind of hard to explain his situation. I think he’s a foster child that lives with members because he had a tough life living with his parents. The gospel will bless his life.
So, I’m getting better at the guitar. And I’m going to try to send photos right now. Pray for me.
But thanks for everything. It’s truly a blessing to be serving the Lord full time.
I love you all.
Elder Whitaker
Your prayers worked! He was able to send a few photos. Admittedly they don't look very "missionary-ish" but it was preparation day, and he is wearing his name tag on his t-shirt. We can always imagine him cycling through town in his white shirt and tie.
Monday, November 16, 2009
16 November 2009
So Mom, I took money out of my account because I bought a bike this week. Our area takes 20 minutes to walk to from our house, and longer to get to our appointments. Maybe I can send a picture some day. The tuko turned out very well. I’m learning a lot about cooking. And yes I shared with all the elders. With 200 pesos we can all eat very well when you actually cook something. It’s like 10 dollars.
And Mom asked if I am developing my piano skills. Kinda. Every now and then I’ll have some extra time in the chapel to practice, but I’m still not good enough to accompany anyone. But it just so happens that this week I started learning the guitar. It’s really not that hard. I was practicing with chords and I know like 4 or 5. I learned the hymn “Testimony” and although Dad won’t approve I practiced on some country songs that Elder Jones has. We’ll see if I can develop this talent, although I don’t really have much time to do so.
So my companion is from Honduras, Elder Ferman. He has a bit less than a year in the mission. And the other 2 elders are the zone leaders, Elder Brown and Elder Jones - from Utah and Missouri respectively. I love Elder Brown and Elder Jones. Elder Jones reminds me a ton of Brad and it just shows me how much the Lord knows me and what I need and when I need it. Elder Jones is the one who has a guitar and is teaching me. He says he will give it to me too when he goes home. Cool.
Brad I got the letter from you last Monday. Thanks a ton. It’s what I needed to hear.
And David, I love your story. I had almost the same thing happen this week. Except I was pondering what I should do to solve this problem I have. I was looking in the scriptures for answers, but I didn’t find a solid answer, so I went to my room to pray. As I knelt the church music was playing and the words were ´´I know he’s smiling down on me¨´. God knows what we need. When I do my best I have total confidence that God is smiling down on me. Everyone can have this confidence.
So I’m really excited for this Friday. We’re having a conference with both Uruguayan missions with Elder Bednar.
But thanks for all the prayers. Thanks for raising me in a home where obedience was expected. Not every missionary had that blessing.
I love you all, Elder Whitaker
And Mom asked if I am developing my piano skills. Kinda. Every now and then I’ll have some extra time in the chapel to practice, but I’m still not good enough to accompany anyone. But it just so happens that this week I started learning the guitar. It’s really not that hard. I was practicing with chords and I know like 4 or 5. I learned the hymn “Testimony” and although Dad won’t approve I practiced on some country songs that Elder Jones has. We’ll see if I can develop this talent, although I don’t really have much time to do so.
So my companion is from Honduras, Elder Ferman. He has a bit less than a year in the mission. And the other 2 elders are the zone leaders, Elder Brown and Elder Jones - from Utah and Missouri respectively. I love Elder Brown and Elder Jones. Elder Jones reminds me a ton of Brad and it just shows me how much the Lord knows me and what I need and when I need it. Elder Jones is the one who has a guitar and is teaching me. He says he will give it to me too when he goes home. Cool.
Brad I got the letter from you last Monday. Thanks a ton. It’s what I needed to hear.
And David, I love your story. I had almost the same thing happen this week. Except I was pondering what I should do to solve this problem I have. I was looking in the scriptures for answers, but I didn’t find a solid answer, so I went to my room to pray. As I knelt the church music was playing and the words were ´´I know he’s smiling down on me¨´. God knows what we need. When I do my best I have total confidence that God is smiling down on me. Everyone can have this confidence.
So I’m really excited for this Friday. We’re having a conference with both Uruguayan missions with Elder Bednar.
But thanks for all the prayers. Thanks for raising me in a home where obedience was expected. Not every missionary had that blessing.
I love you all, Elder Whitaker
Monday, November 9, 2009
9 November 2009
Thanks for the pictures, Mom, today was the first time I actually saw them. I don’t know if I was stupid and I’m getting smarter, or maybe this computer is better. Maybe I’m getting smarter, that would fulfil something in my patriarchal blessing.
This morning was very interesting, but first the update. Elder Gonzalez is from La Serena, Chile. He’s a good guy. I have one transfer more than him. Unfortunately, this morning we got a phone call and he’s going to a different area and I’ll be getting a new companion. I’ll be junior companion again – so much for being a leader . . . but I don’t care. I’m still excited to work here. Oh, and my area is called San Jose de Carasco. It’s like 30 minutes outside of Montevideo. It’s very different from my past area. The people are way more affluent and as a result they work which makes them generally more busy. But this ward has an awesome ward mission plan and I’m excited to be here working.
Brad sent some questions so here are the answers:
How’s your Spanish coming along? Amazing. I can say whatever I want and I understand a ton. I need to study grammar more, because so far I haven’t studied barely at all and I want to speak better. I’m working on my accent and I’m trying to learn more words. The hard thing is knowing which words to learn, because I don’t know them yet. But it helps having 4 consecutive Latin companions.
Are you in a 2-man apartment or a 4-man apartment? 4 man, with 3 Americans. The other companionship is the zone leaders. One of the zone leaders was in this are last transfer, 3 new missionaries, and they split the area.
Is your companion’s old companion still in the area/apartment? No, we both came new.
Are you in a ward or a branch, and about how many people went to church last week? Ward, between 80 and 100 I think. It’s a strong ward, and lucky for us most of the members live on our side of the division
When you arrived, were there already a lot of investigators? We have a couple that look promising.
If not, what are you doing to find more? Contacts at first, but the ward’s mission program is starting up and we’re going to start working with the members a lot and getting to know them.
What city is your companion from? I had 2 companions from Santiago (Garcia, Osorio). Already answered that one.
And I’m out of time. Dad wants me to send some pictures, but it takes work and I don’t have a USB cord. I’ll try to send some eventually. But thanks for everything. I’m doing great. But now I’m going to go home and cook fideo con tuko, or pasta with a meat sauce. I hope it turns out well.
Love you all, Elder Whitaker
This morning was very interesting, but first the update. Elder Gonzalez is from La Serena, Chile. He’s a good guy. I have one transfer more than him. Unfortunately, this morning we got a phone call and he’s going to a different area and I’ll be getting a new companion. I’ll be junior companion again – so much for being a leader . . . but I don’t care. I’m still excited to work here. Oh, and my area is called San Jose de Carasco. It’s like 30 minutes outside of Montevideo. It’s very different from my past area. The people are way more affluent and as a result they work which makes them generally more busy. But this ward has an awesome ward mission plan and I’m excited to be here working.
Brad sent some questions so here are the answers:
How’s your Spanish coming along? Amazing. I can say whatever I want and I understand a ton. I need to study grammar more, because so far I haven’t studied barely at all and I want to speak better. I’m working on my accent and I’m trying to learn more words. The hard thing is knowing which words to learn, because I don’t know them yet. But it helps having 4 consecutive Latin companions.
Are you in a 2-man apartment or a 4-man apartment? 4 man, with 3 Americans. The other companionship is the zone leaders. One of the zone leaders was in this are last transfer, 3 new missionaries, and they split the area.
Is your companion’s old companion still in the area/apartment? No, we both came new.
Are you in a ward or a branch, and about how many people went to church last week? Ward, between 80 and 100 I think. It’s a strong ward, and lucky for us most of the members live on our side of the division
When you arrived, were there already a lot of investigators? We have a couple that look promising.
If not, what are you doing to find more? Contacts at first, but the ward’s mission program is starting up and we’re going to start working with the members a lot and getting to know them.
What city is your companion from? I had 2 companions from Santiago (Garcia, Osorio). Already answered that one.
And I’m out of time. Dad wants me to send some pictures, but it takes work and I don’t have a USB cord. I’ll try to send some eventually. But thanks for everything. I’m doing great. But now I’m going to go home and cook fideo con tuko, or pasta with a meat sauce. I hope it turns out well.
Love you all, Elder Whitaker
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