August 9. 2017

1. What do you hope to accomplish this last week in the MTC?

 I hope to get better at being in the missionary mindset while I am here and I hope to use as much Spanish that I can while I am here. Understanding American Spanish speakers has gotten relatively easy but I know when I get to Ecuador it will be back to square one.

2. What are you most looking forward to when you arrive in Ecuador?

 I am really excited for the weather in Ecuador and meeting my mission president. I have heard a lot of good things about him which is really comforting. Also I cannot wait to meet the people and play soccer and eat that food. Here at the MTC we play basketball which is pretty fun but I gotta be doing my state proud and show them how we ball in North Carolina. (This means periodically I make a left-handed layup but the elders here are really good).

3. We are hoping to get a chance to talk on the phone to you while you are waiting around at the airport, anything in particular you are looking forward to asking or talking about?   

I do not have anything particular on my mind to ask about but I am sure that I will think of things while I am here.

4. Best thing that happened this week?

Sunday was the most legendary night at the MTC. So usually we have a devotional at 6:45 and after the devotional is done we watch a video of our choice. Some are talks given by apostles at the MTC and others are like Mormon movies. But this Sunday the devotional started 15 minutes early and they announced during the devotional that the presidency wanted everyone to watch "Character of Christ" for the video so we would just stay in the location where we heard the devotional and they would play the talk after we took a quick bathroom break. It was a little weird for them to do this but I was kinda excited because I had wanted to watch that video anyways. But as the video is playing we keep on seeing these tech guys walking around and setting up equipment which was weird. As the video was finishing we were about to get ready to leave and go back to our dorms like we always do when everyone starts standing up.

My district and I were like what is going on and we hear someone say "It's Bednar" and we are like do not say that you are playing with my heart.

Then I see the man in the flesh get up and walk on the stand and I was super excited I was freaking out. His first words are "Is that not the best cookie monster impression you have ever heard?" This was a reference to the talk "Character of Christ" which he gave 10 years earlier at the MTC. We then did a Q&A with the Bednar's for the next hour and a half and it was amazing. They are so knowledgeable and I learned so many things from them. One of my favorites was Bednar said that prayer should be like the creative periods in the temple where there is a spiritual creation where you make a blueprint. The actual creation of the thing and finally a return and report. This blew my mind that he got that out of the temple. It was so awesome to hear them and they got us good with their surprise but everyone was on a spiritual high that night. Jenny Oaks Baker gave the earlier devotional and I feel bad because he totally stole the night.Yeah it was legendary. He was the one person I wanted there the most

I went to the temple today.  It was hot but I loved it. It stinks that I will be unable to go for 2 years but that is okay.

Anywho I was wondering if you could do me one last favor. The same brand that sells those bands you got me (which rock) also sell these handles called the perfect handles and I was wandering if you could send those to me. I got your target package and Justine's package and they were super clutch and this week was much better than last week

I have gotten your dear elders and they are always great. I love whenever you write me.

I report to the travel office at 4:50 and fly out at 9:30 to Atlanta. Our layover is from 2:30 to 5:00 in Atlanta and we arrive in Quito at 10:30 at night. I am really excited to eat cafe rio in the airport. I am allowed to use the card in Utah and Atlanta right?

I leave on Monday. I will send the number soon if I have it I am just waiting for my laundry to finish. Also could you send those handles today so I can get them before I leave. I am getting pretty buff here. I think I will have gained 10 pounds by the time I leave. I have already gained 8

I think I have a box to send stuff to Justine but I am sure I can get one from someone in my zone. 

I got both of yall's packages and they have been so helpful.

I hope Gavin is enjoying Band Camp. That is funny that people are asking about me. So great to hear all the local news. I imagine bishop had some funny stories from camp. That is awesome that Joceyln got engaged and that you will meet them at the wedding. I am sure some of the Jones family is learning sign language now. I am sad that I am missing Jason's wedding. Do not tell my other uncles but I consider Jason to be the cool uncle. Gavin is a pretty awesome guy and the stories I hear about him are awesome. That is funny that Rick is a bishop.This is my last email until I talk to y'all which has me excited. I love y'all and cannot wait to talk to you.
I am so ready to go to Ecuador.

Love,

Elder Tucker