Week 3 - Pictures

Elder Hayes and Elder Peterson with the signature Elder Peterson smile.

Elder Anders Peterson - called to Dallas/Ft. Worth Marshallese Speaking

Elder Zollinger

Ran into Sister Johnson from our old ward in Colorado.

Love to see the Temple

Time for some laundry

District Elders and the Indonesian Flag

Week 3 - Ready to Go, Relying on the Lord, and Related to a Celebrity

First off, tell Kaitlyn sorry she didn't get this email, because I left the letter with it written down in my room.

Anyways, HELLO FAMILY!! How are you doing? Things here at the infamous MTC keep on going! It feels like just yesterday I was emailing you all last week's letter. Time is flying and boy am I READY TO JUST GET TO INDONESIA!! I still learn lots but the whole sitting down all day is getting old even though we learn new things everyday. I am extremely grateful for my teachers and that they only speak Indonesian to us! Even though we may not understand everything, it is so nice to have classes where we can actually communicate in another language! It's getting easier and easier even to the point that when random elders or sisters talk to me I sometimes respond in Indonesian and I have to remember that only a select few people here can understand me.

One cool thing that happened this week was during TRC where we talk to return missionaries or people who are fluent in the language and they are just themselves not a fake investigator as a lot of the MTC is. But Elder Campbell and I just went into our lesson with one scripture prepared and that was it. We asked Sara what her favorite scripture was in the Book of Mormon and she told us Helaman 5:12. Elder Campbell and I had that exact same scripture to share with her and when we told her that we had picked that scripture beforehand her eyes just lit up and it was so cool just to have a conversation on relying on the Lord and how we need to build our foundation on him.

On Sunday, T.C. Christensen was the devotional speaker and that was way awesome because he has created a ton of movies. The two movies he talked about were "17 Miracles" and "Ephraim's Rescue." It was truly an inspirational devotional as I was able to truly connect to it and really think about what my family has done. I was able to show my district on my fan chart that I'm related to Ephraim Hanks and they all thought it was really cool.

Earlier this week, over half our zone left we went from like 80 missionaries to 30 which is still pretty large for the MTC. Our zone was incredibly unique as we have at least 8 different languages in it which makes it hard to find hymn books in English sometimes and hard to sing with everyone because we all are learning different languages.

Something Elder Campbell and I have really been working on is teaching people not lessons. When we teach the people rather than teaching the lessons, you can fell the Spirit way more and truly the gift of tongues comes in because usually we have no idea what we are saying but the people understand and they want to learn more. Even when they don't keep their commitments, we still continue to meet with them because they want to. 

Yes, I get to go to the gym everyday and play soccer and basketball and all I have to say is there is weak competition :) It's still a lot of fun because I love to just play the game.

Elder Peterson and I see eachother ALL the time and it is way cool. By the way dad, he is sending a letter to the house so that you can give to the bishop because he has no one else to send it to so be on the lookout for that.

It's funny to hear about all the fun things you all are doing and have planned and I hope that they are fun. But just wait until I get to Indonesia, out teachers tell us the CRAZIEST stories about snakes and lizards and just things that go on there that Americans don't even think about and that just makes me more and more excited!

I hate to hear about all the struggles that each and every one of you are going through as well. I wish I could help but all I can give is pray about you and tell you to turn to the scriptures and the Lord because people can't do anything. We learn and are prompted through the guidance of the Spirit. 

Not that it pertains to much, but I was reading Alma this week and the account of Alma the younger and I just started the account of the Sons of Mosiah. These men were truly in tune with the spirit and perfect faith that what the Angles told them were true and no matter what they did The Lord would deliver them up. I tell you that no matter what happens, the Lord will deliver you up as well as me because Indonesia will humble me! I love you all and hope to receive mail and pictures and email from you all because I LOVE TO READ THEM!! 

Elder Hayes

Week 2 - True Immersion and the Lord is My Light

Hello Everyone,

Last week was a trial run of emailing and all of that good stuff. This week I have things figured out and have a general email for everyone. It's hard to come up with an email in the MTC when everyday and week is basically the same.

First things off, I love to read notes and emails from anyone no matter what they say because the MTC is the legal way to brainwash kids. If I didn't write down what day it was I would lose track almost instantly. However, even though we are all brainwashed, I feel the spirit everyday which is great because I need it constantly as I learn more and more everyday.

The gym has been closed, but I've been able to lift and play soccer daily which is great and that's how I learned who won the World Cup. We were walking to the field one day to play soccer and as a car drove by they yelled out the window that Germany had won. I didn't want Germany to win but oh well!

I'm kind of answering all questions within this one email so, you will all have to read it and look for the answers to your questions.

As I have studied this week, 2 Nephi chapters 31-33 hit me so I encourage you all to re-read them. Along with you actually reading that I'll share one more thought before I have to go-- Mosiah 4:11 says,

 "And again I say unto you as I have said before, that as ye have come to the knowledge of the glory of God, or if ye have known of his goodness and have tasted of his goodness and have tasted of his love, and have received a remission of your sins, which causeth such exceedingly great joy in your souls, even so I would that ye should remember, and always retain in remembrance, the greatness of God, and your own NOTHINGNESS, and his goodness and long-suffering towards you, UNWORTHY creatures, and HUMBLE yourselves even in the depths of HUMILITY, calling on the name of the Lord daily, and standing steadfastly in the faith of that which is to come, which was spoken by the mouth of the angel."

That scripture is powerful and almost makes you feel terrible but it's okay as it says in Psalms 27:1

"The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?"

This is very comforting and helps us to know really who we need to rely on.

I'm loving the packages and emails. My companion and I can give an overview of the first lesson in Indonesian which is crazy but I love speaking the language. I'll share my testimony at the very end. Everyone's goals that I've heard have been awesome and I hope you can all keep them. I love you all and always pray about you.

Saya tahu bahwa Injil Yesus Kristus benar dan bapa sargawi mengasihi kita. Saya tahu bahwa Kitab Mormon benar dan itu akan membantu kita akan apa pun. Kita bisa berbecara akan Allah dan Bapa Sargawi melalui doa dan mereka akan menjawab doa-doa anda. Saya mengasihi anda!!

Elder Hayes

Week 2 - Some Pictures from the Indonesian Mission Facebook Page

Week 2 - Letter to Kaitlyn and Zachary

Kaitlyn & Zachary got their own letters from Spencer this week. -- They were pretty excited that he took the time to write them.

First P-Day and Learning the Language

Hello Family,

Today is my first P-Day and because today is the first day I am in desperate need to do laundry!! The MTC is crazy!! There is absolutely no sense of time and I typically forget that there is an outside world. 

On the first day, I got here and just threw my things in the room and headed straight to class and the teachers just started asking me questions in Indonesian and I had absolutely no idea what they were saying! At this time I can teach basic gospel principles and know a lot more vocab in this crazy language than I could ever imagine of knowing in one week. Also, there are 8 Malay missionaries and the language is literally the exact same minus a few words so we like to talk to them. With that being said, it is still very difficult to understand and there are new things to be learned about it every single day.

In total, there are 12 missionaries heading to Indonesia; 10 elders and 2 sisters. My companion's name is Elder Campbell and he is from Pleasant Grove, Utah. Let me tell you now, he and I are like complete opposites but we get along. He plays basically every instrument you can think of and I play sports! :) Personally, I think he is quite but who knows we make things work. The Indonesians are split up into 2 districts and our district is super funny! 

The best thing that happened was probably being able to see Elder DeCoursey! I love him and it was so cool just to see him and eat with him right before he headed out into the field.

The Lord has helped open me up and turn outwards towards others. We watched a MTC talk about the Character of Christ given by David A. Bednar and that was deep. Also, on our Tuesday devotional, Neil L. Andersen talked to us and I was able to sit about 8 rows from an apostle of the Lord. It was one of the greatest experiences so far.

A daily routine for me consists of waking up early, eating, class, eating, class, eating, and then personal, companionship, and then language study and then off to bed. Sometimes there will be few kinks in there.

On the 4th of July, we got to watch 17 miracles and actually stay up to watch the fireworks. Hopefully I can figure out how to upload some of the pictures because I have some good ones!

We only get an hour to email so my email will have to come a little short because the printer broke and so I spent time reading the emails and that counts. ;( I love you all and keep you in my prayers as well as Mrs. Fortune as that news brings tears to my eyes. I talked to him everyday of the school year and can only imagine what that brings to the people there. Please send my concern to others.

Sampai Nanti (until next time)

Elder Hayes

P.S. can you please send a few stamps in a letter?

The First Letter

Hello Family,

I made it safely! The layover was really tight but I made it just in time! As soon as we got here we were thrown into class and it's 100% Indonesian. The language is crazy and sounds like gibberish. My companion is Elder Campbell and he is from Pleasant Grove, UT. I GOT TO SEE ELDER DeCoursey AS WELL! I know this is short, but we were told to write you on the first night. Already things are happening as we've listened and talked to a few investigators. I love and miss you all! The Church is true and there are no doubts about that!

Love,

Elder Hayes

P.S. Way to slip in the good luck letter Mom! Plus look for my emails. I'm pretty sure my preparation day is Thursdays here in the MTC.

P.S.S. My letters will get longer, just today was crazy and long and its late so don't worry!

Called to Serve