Flu in the MTC

Just got this week's email from Aldste Haddon- and the MTC is not immune to the flu just because they're doing the Lord's work....he said that about 80% of the missionaries there got the flu and EVERYONE in his district got it except him, he feels like that is a huge blessing and is praying he remains able to avoid it. He even said that at one point, there were no toilets available in the MTC because so many elders were throwing up! Yucky! He calls it the omega flu. Maybe all of his crazy diet and workout rules are actually paying off!

 

We can't believe it but his travel plans are going to be given to him tomorrow...he said they're getting their flight plans soon, he's excited to get going but he's very nervous to be thrown into the middle of Sweden knowing very little Swedish!

 

The highlight of his week was being able to meet his friend Hunter at the curb when his family took him to the MTC yesterday. Hunter and Ty played high school football together and have been good friends. Hunter is called to serve in Taiwan, and Ty and Hunter (oh that's a little confusing...since we have a brother Hunter!) plan on going to school together when they both return home. Hunter is in Ty's building and he said he'll keep an eye on him until he leaves! He said Hunter enjoyed the first day there, and if he enjoyed the first day there, he'll do great and will have nothing to worry about because the first day is the hardest!

 

Specifically, Aldste Haddon said he wanted to share that in the MTC he learned that he doesn't know much about anything be he does know he loves the people of Sweden and feels blessed to be able to get to know them and serve and teach them as much as possible.

And, he loves and misses everyone back home!

Happy New Year!

This week was pretty much run of the mill for Aldste Haddon in the MTC....

Here are some of the main points he did share:

1. He gets his travel plans for leaving for Sweden next week...he's both excited and nervous and as of right now is supposed to leave on January 22nd.

2. Along with a lot of new 18 year old elders, the young 19 year old sisters are coming in to the MTC, and he said that things are crowded, but they're so focused on the work it doesn't matter! It's just good to see so many people excited about the work!

3. He feels sad for those who are struggling in the MTC but feels blessed to be doing so well and to be able to enjoy his time learning and living in the MTC.

Lastly, I asked him what he'd like shared on the blog specifically and he said:

"I love and miss everyone ha sorry I don't have much this week ha i will try to think of something beautiful next week!"



So let's all just cross our fingers for next week's "beautiful words"! Happy New Year everyone! And as always, thank you for your love and support!

6 Weeks Down...4 to go!

This has been a fun week for us because we've been able to hear from Aldste Haddon twice with Christmas and pday! He said that Christmas was good, and he REALLY appreciates all of the fantastic mail and emails he has been receiving from everyone! He has seen friends come into the MTC and leave while he's still there learning Swedish! He's getting better and better at it, but until he's in Sweden, it's hard to really get the hang of it.

 

Homesickness and anxiety among other Elders has been heartbreaking for him to watch, he prays daily for those struggling along side him, and although he faces his own trials as well, he knows everyone will be blessed for their efforts. He also said that the first wave of 18 year old elders has hit the MTC, things are crowded and it has added a different dynamic to learning, but it's great to see so many people willing to serve.

 

Here are the pictures he has sent home for this week as well!

 

Thanks again for all of your prayers, love and support! He can feel the strength from each of you and from our Father in Heaven!

 

 This is a fellow Elder opening the "gift" Ty gave him:



Christmas in the MTC

Aldste Haddon was not able to call us from the MTC for Christmas like missionaries in the field are  able to but he was able to email us on a day other than pday.

His Christmas e-mail said:
1.He hopes everyone had a great Christmas! Thank you for all of the gifts and letters it was amazing! Christmas was magical in the MTC so don't worry about him a bit!

 

2. He has a testimony of the sons of Mosiah and their ability to turn to Christ. He's excited to go share this testimony with others and encourage them to turn to Christ and become part of His restored gospel, and enjoy the blessings of the atonement.

3.This experience so far has taught him all of the blessings and mircales the Lord has places in his life. He knows that he is needed on this mission that that the Lord, Jesus Christ is his Savior. He feels blesssed to be able to give 2 years to the Lord, as He has been blessed so much in his life.

4. He knows the Christ is the ultimate gift along with the blessings of the atonement. He is excited to bring a message of joy to the people of Sweden and teach others about the Savior and blessings of Eternal Life.

He wants all of you to know he has a testimony of the Savior and our Heavenly Father and hopes that you feel the love of Christ this Christmas Season and throughout your life.

 

 

 

5 Days 'Til Christmas

Well this weeks email came later in the evening so we're posting later than usual too! Things are not much different this week in the MTC than they were last week. He loves his district and his teachers in the MTC, they're really getting him ready for the mission field and excited to go serve the people of Sweden.

 

He has noticed that letters seem to take awhile to get to people so he apologizes for things taking awhile, but appreciates the letters. He said that he can receive emails from his male friends and it is easier for him to respond to them so if you're a man-friend please e-mail him, he'd love to hear from you!

 

 

He also said that he has written a letter home with some more details on some experiences that he has been having in the MTC, we usually get his letters on Mondays or Tuesdays so we're not sure if/when we'll get the letter he mentioned because of Christmas but plan to post again within the next few days when we receive it.

 

It's a little sad that we won't be able to talk to him on the phone for Christmas because there is no way all of the missionaries in the MTC would be able to get access to a phone to be able to call home with, but we're glad to hear that he is doing well and look forward to his letter...keep your eyes peeled for the upcoming post with information from the letter to come! And, as always thank you for your prayers and support!

All the creatures are stirring...EVEN AN MOUSE!

Well another week in the MTC down and boy it has been an exciting one...

here is the story of the mouse:

 

"Everything is going greeat here, We got a pet mouse name Hans,
My buddy Allspo got it sent forom his girlfriend ha, We did have to let him go and it was so sad, We let him go outside
And then the mouse ran away but turned around and ran back to allsop and sat on his shoe. HA then he hopped over to the grass and brushed him off into the wild."

 

 

Elder Haddon also said that he is now the district leader and he loves interviewing and serving the elders and sisters in his district. He thinks that maybe someday he'd like his job to be something that lets him talk to and help people.

 

 

Ty ended his email by saying he loves and appricaites all of the letters especially during the holidays! he understands life is busy but he LOVES to hear from you as much as possible!

 

 

Thanks again everyone for your support! We all appreciate it! ...until next week!

 He said that this is a picture of them trying to look like true missionaries!



Another Week

Things are going well for Elder Haddon in the MTC, he has another week down and things are getting better for him everyday. He said that he still really loves his district and he's enjoying going to the temple every week. He said that it is such a sweet, peaceful place to be and he looks forward to the time that it gives him to just relax and feel the spirit.

 

He loves hearing from everyone and is asking for a list of addresses so he can write as many people as possible, so leave a comment with your address if you can or email me (tayshay91@hotmail.com) and I'll get the addresses into an address book that we plan on sending him.

 

 

He said that life in the MTC is good and fun, but the same everyday: eat, learn, eat, workout, learn, eat, play, sleep. Eat. I guess he isn't going hungry there!

 

As always, thank you for your prayers and letters! They mean so much to him and to our family!

 That guy must be about 7ft tall. Elder Toliliofo, he played for Hawaii.

 Elder Bassett, from Ty's home ward, they are good friends and worked together all summer.

 Another district picture

 The Swedish missionaries and their sweaters! Cute. Matching!

 Ty and Elder Jones from Stansbury also serving in Sweden.

 All friends from Stansbury Stake.