Elder Tyler Lunt's Mission Site
The Latest from Elder "Lant"
Date: July 29, 2008Area: Brazil CTM
Companion: Elder Campbell
Hi Mom and Dad and David and Leah!!!
Another week!! Wow, time is flying! Mom, I loved your letter just now so much!! It was perfect! I love that letter that I get every week- the Monday night one! I LOVE hearing from everyone so much! I hope you all know how much I love it all. And if you havenīt heard back, or think itīs taking too long, Iīm just trying to be a good missionary and teach you patience. Haha, also there is a giant mail strike in São Paulo. I just BARELY got letters from the first week of July this week! So, donīt worry, Iīll get back to you.
First of all, my finger is.... there! Sometimes I donīt know if thatīs better, or worse! Haha! Mom, actually, itīs on my left hand! And yes it is the same finger I did it to last time!! Can you believe that?! Itīs my pinky, but it was the middle joint this time, and Iīm pretty sure that I fractured the bone below it- the top of the bone right by the knuckle. Or maybe just the knuckle itself? Itīs still pretty swollen, and I canīt move it. I get to wear a cute popsicle stick though and I get to draw on it when I get bored! Haha, it really is fine, Itīs just going to take a while to heal I think. Just under two months with the splint on my hand! Woo hoo!
Also, Iīm totally over my sickness now! I am doing SO good!I was doing just as good when my body was sick, now my body and my spirit just agree with each other.
Anyway, this week was amazing, as usual. It is getting so exciting as I get closer to Belém!!!! I feel like I did just before I left home again!! Iīve been so surprised at what a big deal this part is- heading out to your mission, and what a big accomplishment, and event it really is. Just like before, people you see tell you how itīs coming, and how excited for you they are.
Last week, there were 4 more Brazilians that came in that are going to Belém, and Iīm already becoming friends with them, and learning SO much! I donīt know that Iīve ever talked about how much I love the Brazilian missionaries here! Iīm on my third set of Brazilian roommates now! It is so much fun, we stay up talking about as much as we know how to every night, teaching them how to pray in English, I show off my sweet tricks, like my magic penny trick and everything, and they teach us so much, ah man itīs SO fun! Oh my gosh, and I learned the coolest trick EVER! I have to make a video of it- it is so cool- ah... we have so much fun!
I am continually amazed at Elder Williams. If you were confused, last time, I told you that he had gotten to talk to his mom, and that she didnīt have much time. So, since then, he has kind of been waiting for the news of her passing. This Saturday, we had class, and the last half of class was the Saturday night Large group meeting with all of the American missionaries. We all took our seats, but I went back and got a drink. We had all been having a ton of fun that night and everyone was being hilarious, but when I came back, I asked Elder Williams something, and he was distraught, and apologized and said that he had just gotten a note to meet with the president after the meeting. I looked at him and my heart sank. He knew, and I knew. We were a few seats away, but I said that I was so sorry, and the meeting started.
After the meeting he went to meet with the president. We had planned on having a district sleepover in Elder Simpsonīs room, because he had to leave for his mission this week because of transfers in his mission and we wanted to do something with him. But I went upstairs, and told everyone that we would have to do it some other time, and that we needed to pray for Elder Williams, and be aware of what was going on. Later that night, before we were all about to go to sleep, he came in my room, teary-eyed, to say good night and give us all a hug. We embraced, and I just wanted to make it all better, it was so sad. We all expressed our love for him as we have so much this past little while.
Sunday afternoon, we were talking, and he told me how he had written something to send to his family for the funeral, and he wanted to give it to us at the district meeting after the fireside that night. Of course he could, he could have asked me to jump out the window that we were next to, if that wouldīve helped him. Later that night at our district meeting, I turned the time over to him at the end, and he explained to everyone what he wanted to do. He began to read the beautiful words he had written for his mother to us, and tears instantly filled my eyes and began to roll down my cheeks. The spirit was so soft and gentle, but so overwhelmingly powerful, like it so often is. I watched Elder Williams bear the words of that special, undying love that a son has for his mother. I cannot describe that amazing, special moment. He finished in tears, and bore his testimony. He told us how much he wanted to be here, and how much he wanted to serve. He said that the Lord couldīve called him a few weeks later, and that he couldīve been there, but that he had been called to serve NOW, and that was when he was going to do it. He said that he wanted to be happy, and that he didnīt like being sad, and that he was going to do his very best. I am absolutely astounded by Elder Williams. Everyone is. He and I have grown SO close, and mom, I fully plan on him staying with us when I come home!! It was another experience of this experience that I will never, ever forget.
Everyone, please continue in your prayers for Elder Williams. After that, I asked Elder Simpson to bear his testimony, once more in English for us. Elder Simpson also went through the same trial 3 years ago, and his testimony was incredible. I didnīt want to spoil the spirit that was there with my words, so we ended the meeting on the note of the spirit, and the whole night was incredible.
After that it was bed time, and... the only chance we wouldīve been able to do the sleep over, so we did it!! Oh my gosh, it was so much fun. Elder Williams said that he wanted to do it so bad, but only on the condition of him getting the bunk he wanted. Oh man, I wish you could just see how absolutely hilarious he is. Everyone is, we have SO much fun together! I think it was so good for Elder Williams. We all dragged our mattresses down the hall and slept in Elder Simpsonīs room that night, and it was a BLAST.
Anyway, I think my time is just about up! Man, I canīt tell you how much I LOVE getting to do this every week! I love you all so much! And I love getting to share what I can for the time being with you! I want to be able to share it with everyone, but I hope everyone can see these as personal, just for them too. And remember, I really am doing my best, and that it takes a LONG time right now to communicate with you all!
David your letter was hilarious! Iīm writing you back! Just know this- The word for īwordī Portuguęs is īPalavra`. I say it all the time! Oh, and every Brazilian loves those two movies!
Ok, I love you so much! All of you! I hope you can feel it!!!!!
Josh, buddy, hang in there man. You are amazing.
Ok, Iīm sorry, me and my crippled hand have to go! Bye! Oh, mom, Iīm sending a letter for Leah, and one for you in the mail today, Elder Williams wrote you a little something too mom. Ok, BYE!!!!
Love, Elder Lunt. Or, Lant, as the Brazillians say!
Another week!! Wow, time is flying! Mom, I loved your letter just now so much!! It was perfect! I love that letter that I get every week- the Monday night one! I LOVE hearing from everyone so much! I hope you all know how much I love it all. And if you havenīt heard back, or think itīs taking too long, Iīm just trying to be a good missionary and teach you patience. Haha, also there is a giant mail strike in São Paulo. I just BARELY got letters from the first week of July this week! So, donīt worry, Iīll get back to you.
First of all, my finger is.... there! Sometimes I donīt know if thatīs better, or worse! Haha! Mom, actually, itīs on my left hand! And yes it is the same finger I did it to last time!! Can you believe that?! Itīs my pinky, but it was the middle joint this time, and Iīm pretty sure that I fractured the bone below it- the top of the bone right by the knuckle. Or maybe just the knuckle itself? Itīs still pretty swollen, and I canīt move it. I get to wear a cute popsicle stick though and I get to draw on it when I get bored! Haha, it really is fine, Itīs just going to take a while to heal I think. Just under two months with the splint on my hand! Woo hoo!
Also, Iīm totally over my sickness now! I am doing SO good!I was doing just as good when my body was sick, now my body and my spirit just agree with each other.
Anyway, this week was amazing, as usual. It is getting so exciting as I get closer to Belém!!!! I feel like I did just before I left home again!! Iīve been so surprised at what a big deal this part is- heading out to your mission, and what a big accomplishment, and event it really is. Just like before, people you see tell you how itīs coming, and how excited for you they are.
Last week, there were 4 more Brazilians that came in that are going to Belém, and Iīm already becoming friends with them, and learning SO much! I donīt know that Iīve ever talked about how much I love the Brazilian missionaries here! Iīm on my third set of Brazilian roommates now! It is so much fun, we stay up talking about as much as we know how to every night, teaching them how to pray in English, I show off my sweet tricks, like my magic penny trick and everything, and they teach us so much, ah man itīs SO fun! Oh my gosh, and I learned the coolest trick EVER! I have to make a video of it- it is so cool- ah... we have so much fun!
I am continually amazed at Elder Williams. If you were confused, last time, I told you that he had gotten to talk to his mom, and that she didnīt have much time. So, since then, he has kind of been waiting for the news of her passing. This Saturday, we had class, and the last half of class was the Saturday night Large group meeting with all of the American missionaries. We all took our seats, but I went back and got a drink. We had all been having a ton of fun that night and everyone was being hilarious, but when I came back, I asked Elder Williams something, and he was distraught, and apologized and said that he had just gotten a note to meet with the president after the meeting. I looked at him and my heart sank. He knew, and I knew. We were a few seats away, but I said that I was so sorry, and the meeting started.
After the meeting he went to meet with the president. We had planned on having a district sleepover in Elder Simpsonīs room, because he had to leave for his mission this week because of transfers in his mission and we wanted to do something with him. But I went upstairs, and told everyone that we would have to do it some other time, and that we needed to pray for Elder Williams, and be aware of what was going on. Later that night, before we were all about to go to sleep, he came in my room, teary-eyed, to say good night and give us all a hug. We embraced, and I just wanted to make it all better, it was so sad. We all expressed our love for him as we have so much this past little while.
Sunday afternoon, we were talking, and he told me how he had written something to send to his family for the funeral, and he wanted to give it to us at the district meeting after the fireside that night. Of course he could, he could have asked me to jump out the window that we were next to, if that wouldīve helped him. Later that night at our district meeting, I turned the time over to him at the end, and he explained to everyone what he wanted to do. He began to read the beautiful words he had written for his mother to us, and tears instantly filled my eyes and began to roll down my cheeks. The spirit was so soft and gentle, but so overwhelmingly powerful, like it so often is. I watched Elder Williams bear the words of that special, undying love that a son has for his mother. I cannot describe that amazing, special moment. He finished in tears, and bore his testimony. He told us how much he wanted to be here, and how much he wanted to serve. He said that the Lord couldīve called him a few weeks later, and that he couldīve been there, but that he had been called to serve NOW, and that was when he was going to do it. He said that he wanted to be happy, and that he didnīt like being sad, and that he was going to do his very best. I am absolutely astounded by Elder Williams. Everyone is. He and I have grown SO close, and mom, I fully plan on him staying with us when I come home!! It was another experience of this experience that I will never, ever forget.
Everyone, please continue in your prayers for Elder Williams. After that, I asked Elder Simpson to bear his testimony, once more in English for us. Elder Simpson also went through the same trial 3 years ago, and his testimony was incredible. I didnīt want to spoil the spirit that was there with my words, so we ended the meeting on the note of the spirit, and the whole night was incredible.
After that it was bed time, and... the only chance we wouldīve been able to do the sleep over, so we did it!! Oh my gosh, it was so much fun. Elder Williams said that he wanted to do it so bad, but only on the condition of him getting the bunk he wanted. Oh man, I wish you could just see how absolutely hilarious he is. Everyone is, we have SO much fun together! I think it was so good for Elder Williams. We all dragged our mattresses down the hall and slept in Elder Simpsonīs room that night, and it was a BLAST.
Anyway, I think my time is just about up! Man, I canīt tell you how much I LOVE getting to do this every week! I love you all so much! And I love getting to share what I can for the time being with you! I want to be able to share it with everyone, but I hope everyone can see these as personal, just for them too. And remember, I really am doing my best, and that it takes a LONG time right now to communicate with you all!
David your letter was hilarious! Iīm writing you back! Just know this- The word for īwordī Portuguęs is īPalavra`. I say it all the time! Oh, and every Brazilian loves those two movies!
Ok, I love you so much! All of you! I hope you can feel it!!!!!
Josh, buddy, hang in there man. You are amazing.
Ok, Iīm sorry, me and my crippled hand have to go! Bye! Oh, mom, Iīm sending a letter for Leah, and one for you in the mail today, Elder Williams wrote you a little something too mom. Ok, BYE!!!!
Love, Elder Lunt. Or, Lant, as the Brazillians say!
| <<Previous Letter | Go back to letter index | Next Letter >> |
