June 27, 2013 Badaboom!

Barev-sez!

Wow, this first at the MTC went by pretty quick. What everybody else says about it is true. The days are super long, but the weeks are short. The Armenian is coming along. I can say a simple prayer in Armenian and also start a conversation. It takes me about 3 minutes to read the first verse in the Book of Mormon. I don't really know what I'm saying, but I know the right sounds. :) (Well, I know what I'm saying because I already know what the verse says...  but... well... you know.)

There are starting to be some funny language mix-ups in class. There are a couple words that sound very similar, but are completely different. One time, a girl in my class accidentally said, "And I know that Joseph Smith was crucified." Another time someone was talking about how our purpose in life is to suffer. It's pretty funny when it happens to other people, but I'm sure I won't be laughing when I say something like that. :) The word "suffering" kind of sounds like "badaboom!", so it's fun to joke about that.

So there are 6 people in my apartment instead of the usual 4. This makes showering in the morning very difficult. We only have a half-hour for everybody to shower, get ready, and be in class. What we have to do is take turns waking up early.

In my apartment there's Elder Hall, Elder Stone, Elder Hanson, Elder Aidukitus, Elder Vance, and me. They are all speaking Lithuanian except for Elder Vance and I. We all get along great. Elder Vance is really good at beat-boxing. Sometimes Elder Hanson and I will sing while he's laying a sick beat. :)

 My Branch President is President Mickelsen. He's a really nice guy, but a little strict. He's leaving in a couple weeks for a mission to Germany. In the Branch Presidency there is Brother Parrish and Brother Mangum. They are both really cool guys.

 Wasn't that broadcast awesome? I loved President Monson's story about the city of St. Thomas. I really liked L. Tom Perry's talk too. Also... as cool as it would have been for me to be on the screen, I wasn't in the choir. :/ I guess I just have a look alike here that the MTC. :) 

[Family insert: We found Shad in the sea of missionaries singing in the broadcast last Sunday. Kristie took a screenshot of it & we sent it to Shad. We looked at the picture again & still think it's him. We're also attaching it to this email so you can see we're right! :)]

I saw Cameron's parents there and we talked a little bit. I also saw Sam and his brother. It was cool. I'm sad I didn't get to see Jenny! That's cool she was there. I saw Tristam Thomas as well. We didn't get to stop and talk, though. I saw a couple girls from Provo High in the choir. I also saw Sister Porter.

 I went to a devotional on Tuesday with Janice Kapp Perry. It was super good! I was even tearing up a little when all of the missionaries stood up and sang Army of Heleman/As Sisters in Zion. You could feel the spirit so strong. I saw Braden Griffen there too and we were able to chat for a while. He's going to Ventura, CA and speaking Spanish.

For Prep-Days, we get to go to Brighams Landing. That place with Burger Supreme and SubZero. I think that's pretty awesome. :D

My schedule is different every day, so I'll probably just send you a picture of our schedule.

Love and miss you all!

Elder Cook