January 14, 2010

Family,
Today was weird. Yesterday and today I've been getting angrier and angrier. The maturity level of this group is starting to wear on me. Everyone is getting more comfortable with each other and are interrupting class for jokes and off topic comments. I was really starting to get enraged tonight. I almost came to a boiling point this evening in class but our teacher, Sister Galli, based her whole lesson on this issue and called some people out and really straightened us out. She even helped me as a district leader with a list of goals to help the "younger ones". It's funny, I had been praying about this issue since Monday and the answer was so simple. But right now I'm eating Peanut M&Ms and drinking a cactus cooler so it's all better. I want to write more on the e-mails, but I can't think in a laundry room full of 40 missionaries doing laundry. It's the only time to e-mail and it's timed. I've loved your mail from everyone in the family and Aunt Lauri. I want to write everyone and then some, but there is not time in the day. I am so busy! But that's a good thing, right?
All I have is this little pocket notebook that I can write my thoughts down during the day and at the end of the day look at it. It's my little quiet place . . . tee hee!
The food is something else. You know how everyone told me, don't drink the orange juice? No, it is everything else that will give you gas! If you want to know how I feel, just read Jeremiah 4:19 , it should explain everything.
Being a district leader just means I have to go to more meetings than everyone else and report about everyone and do more paper work. The hardest part is keeping everyone on task, and being the example. But maybe that is what I need to learn, who knows.
Melanie, it's great to hear you have made it past the first round. I'll be crossing my fingers for you in the interview. Just be yourself. (interviewing for a foreign exchange student program)
I miss Lexi too, by the way. I actually found some Lexi hair on my stuff and put it on my desk in honor of that little squirt.
Roxanne, I will write you again when I find a couple extra minutes. It's good to hear that you did not break your hand, hope you had fun. (snowboarding)
Mother, I did get the immunizations you sent, thanks! I hope your Grand Central Walk went smooth, even with all of the 'concerns'.
Rachel I hope your diet goes without a hitch, don't get tempted endure to the end! --it's one of the principles I've been learning. I hope school treats you good for you and Roxanne.
Dad, I don't know what to say about Levi and Kovin in your primary class. I hope you get some extra help from someone! Just be patient and hand out many stickers. It sounds like work is keeping you busy so that's always good.
Mother, the beds are not nice. They are extremely stiff and I have a hard time falling asleep every night so far, but no biggie. I'll be out of here soon. I received my travel plans today and the morning of the 26th I get up at 2:30 to be at the travel office at 3:00, then fly to Texas, then to Illinois so the whole trip is going to be almost 5 1/2 hours of flight time, plus 2 1/2 hours layover in Texas, I'm excited . . .
I still have only seen Kelsie and first two days I was here. I am trying to find her so I can get a picture, but so far, no luck. Sundays are slow unless you're district leader, then you have meetings all morning, then Sacrament meeting, then Sunday School, then class, then devotional. We all have to prepare a talk every Sunday for Sacrament meeting, it's hard. But I don't get stressed out though, the only thing that really stresses me out is organizing my day in a planner. It kills me to be so organized. We had a devotional Sunday by the MTC director, but on Tuesday our devotional speaker was L. Tom Perry, pretty crazy, I know.
No snow yet. The only gloomy day was the day you dropped me off, but is is a bit brisk in the morning. This morning we had to be at gym at 6:35 am and all I had on was shorts and a t-shirt, I got the shakes.
I received a name badge the second I walked into the MTC, they are on top of things here. I took some pictures at the temple on Wednesday but I want to get a few more taken before I send them home. It's really been great though, the district in the room next to us are cool and we always hang out and eat snacks together, funny I know. But at gym we are the outcast basketball team that stinks so we all play together. I found a cool red Nike headband so I've been rockin' that to gym and it gets all of the guys pumped and ready for basketball. But today, Jan 15, yes it took me 2 days to write this letter, I ran a mile at gym to try to wake up since it was 6:35 in the morning. That was a bad idea. My legs are sooooo sore and the altitude doesn't help. I love you all and love your letters. Keep on sending them. They inspire me.
LOVE YOU!! Elder Brady Hale