December 16th

HUGE thanks go out to Maria Cardenaz

for showing us the trick to opening a CD Drive on a computer without power. Because of her 1/2 second of back breaking work, we have the pictures from the MTC which were holding us up and we can now proceed with the updating.

Thanks a million, Maria!

P.S. Check out the new links to Mark's Photos, under his top picture in the right column.

6/10/2008

Family,

Even less time to write today. I have a meeting with the Travel Dept. today during my letter writing time.

The Spanish thing is really interesting. It is interesting that I can listen to my teachers and catch some of what they are saying. I keep shocking myself when I am assigned to write something in Spanish and I can actually think of something to write and write it almost correctly.

This weeks we also started practicing teaching the Lessons, (Lesson 1/el primaro leccion) and I can say, somewhat, what needs to be said. I can form thoughts on the lesson and say a lot of it.

One of the best ways I am learning Spanish in my personal/companion/language study is reading from PMG and PME (Predicad Mi Evangelio) and writing in Spanish helps. It is still really hard, though, and will not be considered to be even almost fluent until at least 6 months in the field. I face a lot of rough road ahead in learning.

I just got back from the meeting I had this morning. I only had to stay for the first 30 minutes.

Elders Clark, Hoopes and I are the only ones form our district that are going to BAW (Buenos Aires West). Everyone else is going to Paraguay. Our district is really cool. We all get along well. We, all together, strive to be better, all the time.

At the meeting we received instructions for the next meeting we have when we will meet the Consul General of Argentina. We signed some papers and got lots of fingerprints taken. The best part of the meeting, is that we were the first to get called up to do the fingerprints so we got to leave early since that was the only reason why we were there. There are about 8 or 10 other missionaries at the MTC that are going to BAW.

We share a floor with the Anzianos (Elders) that are going to Italia (Italy). Different missions have their own personalities. Paraguay Elders are more silly/goofy. Italia Elders have a temper, and Argentina BAW Elders are more responsible. ;-)

Anyway, Elder Jensen and I got to talk with one of the more friendly Anzianos. We were actually in our planning session in our residence room and he came right in and started talking. Planning is usually done in the classrooms but on Sundays after the movies [Testiments, Legacy, The New Testament...] we don't have time to go to the classrooms so we plan in the residence and our room door is rarely closed so Elders randomly stroll through room all the time.

Entonces (so/then) this Anziano came to chat. We learned about his conversion, which is cool, and we also learned about his mission. Did you know that Italy does not have a temple? The goal of the Elders here in the MTC is to get a temple. They have to work very hard and convert at least 2 stakes worth of people. The church abroad has property but they need more members and then they need to get permission from the Pope. The old Pope was very supportive but the new one they have now will be giving the church trouble.

The MTC advertises and tries to get people to wash their hands and if hands are washed often, illness in reduced by 20% in the MTC. But, something didn't work out because I got sick and I am just now feeling better.

One of the things we don't get enough of here at the MTC is sunshine and out-side air. All the walkways are covered and we only go outside to get to another building.

One of the questions that is asked a lot here is, "What do you miss"? My answer is my family, home, my dogs, my truck and my work.

I do miss you all and always look forward to hearing from you.

-Mark

06/03/2008

You probably got my email. The computer was bugging me pretty good. I was typing the email, then it was gone. I logged back on and retyped what I was saying then finished. I tried to select the email from the address book but whatever happened, I lost the email. I had copied partly along the way so you got what I had copied. I don't entirely remember what it was I said, so you might get some repeat here.

Thank you for your letters. Thank you, Britton, for the picture and Kristin, thank you for the Duck Tape. I was able to make the adjustments on my scripture case. I ran out of cookies. (I've learned to appreciate cookies from home more.) Grandma sent me a box with the water filter bottles in it along with some cookies.

I think I have figured out why Elder Spelta said, "Dont eat the cookies," from the cafeteria.

I am sorry to hear there has been so much misfortune there. The news about Pauline is really sad. But keep in mind she is in a better place and possibly faces another opportunity to the Gospel.

We went back to the RC again and I chatted with Natasha again for about 30 minutes. I have learned more about her and her circumstance and I respect her more and pray for her family. She is the only one, at least is seems, in her family left that has good feelings toward the church. Her parents have both gone Anti. Mostly her dad, but also her sister-who she looks up to-. Natasha sneaks onto the church website to contact the church when her parents are not home. She gets on several times a week, recently at least. She wants a stronger testimony and she wants to know if the church is true so she actually gets online for the missionary discussions or Sunday School.

I really wasn't expecting to talk to her again. I will prepare to teach her something for next time. Though, if I do, I will probably not get to Chat with her again. An online lesson is way different from an 'in-person' and I will need practice. None the less, I will pray for her and her family.

I am surprised at how much I am catching on to the language. However it is really hard and I feel I am struggling more than others. But I shouldn't judge or compare.

Anyhow when we read from Preach My Gospel (PMG) in Spanish, I can catch on to what is said. And with effort I can write out a sentence that makes sense but I still need a lot of work. One thing I dread is that it takes 6 months to catch on in the mission field, if you're good at it, and up to a year for most, before the language is more natural and fluent.

Kristin, sounds cool that you are putting some of my letters on the Blog.

Britton, thanks again for your letter, good luck with your band. Remember to be True to the Faith.

Kayla, I hope you do well on your driving test. Drive safe.

From the way it appears, if I have a problem with weight for the flight, I'll be glad I don't have as much as others and I am glad I am smaller so my clothing is less weight.

So much to say, so little time. I did not think I would ever write this much. I did learn to like and appreciate writing from my college classes, though.

There are lots of cool people here. Elder Jensen is quite humble. My other roommates, Elders Clark and Hoopes are very respectable. They are strong, faithful and knowledgeable in the Gospel. They were just made our Zone Leaders.

I think our district is one of the best. Especially compared to the zone that resides above us on the 2nd floor. The 'quiet time' and 'lights out time' rules must not have gotten to them.

The speakers here at the MTC are often reminding us, "when I was a child, I thought as a child, but when I became a man, I left behind childish things." Some have not taken it to heart, while others have.

Well, it is time to go. I look forward to your letters and next Tuesday to write back. I love you and miss you.

-Mark

Talk Exchange

Talk- "Hope"
MTC
Mark Runolfson
5-25-08

What is hope? What do we hope for? What can hope do for us?

• What is Hope?

Hope is an abiding trust that the Lord will fulfill His promises...It is believing and expecting that something will occur. "As President James E Faust taught: 'Hope is the anchor of our souls. Hope is trust in God's promises, faith that if we are sons and daughters of God and that His Son, The Lord Jesus Christ, saved us from death.'" PMG pg.117

• What can we hope for?

Mormon taught "Behold I say unto you that ye shall have hope through the atonement of Christ and power of his resurrection, to be raised unto life eternal and this because of your faith in Him according to the promise." (Moroni 7:41)

So, we can have a perfect brightness of hope that we "shall have eternal life" if we can "press forward with a steadfastness in Christ...love God and all men...[feast] upon the word of Christ and endure to the end. (Tttf pg 86)

• What can hope do for us?

"Hope helps us conquer discouragement" (PMG pg 117)
"When [we] have hope, [we] can find joy in life, [we] can 'have patience, and bear with afflictions, with a firm hope that [we] shall one day rest from all our afflictions.'" (TttF p 86)

If we want this hope, how do we get it?

"As you strive to live the gospel, you grow in your ability to abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost'"(Romans 15:13).

You increase in hope as you pray and seek God's forgiveness...You also gain hope as you study the scriptures and follow their teachings. The Apostles Paul taught, "'Whatsoever things were written afore time were written for our learning, that we, though patience and comfort of the scriptures, might have hope (Romans 15:4).'" TttF pg 85

Now, I pray that we all have hope, and remember we gain hope through righteousness and study. Doctrine and Covenants 59:23 states, "But learn that he who doeth the works of righteousness shall receive his reward, even peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come". Remember this promise from the Lord, and have hope and endure.

Those of us that do have hope in the promises of God, let us share this hope. Help others to get "sure, unwavering and active" hope for we have been called and our "faith, hope, charity, and love...[qualifies us] for the work." (Doctrine and Covenants 4:5)

PMG- "Preach My Gospel"
TttF- "True to the Faith"

Family and Friends,

I hope all is well there. I am doing fine. The MTC is pretty cool. There is always plenty of food and always lots to do.

I am slowly catching on to Spanish. The spirit here is great! One of the best times of the week is Tuesday when we get to have a General Authority come and talk to us. When a General Authority comes, all (about 2000) missionaries gather in the Gym. This large group of Missionaries can really invite the spirit when we sing hymns. The testimonies of the General Authorities and their wives are awesome. I can really tell and feel that they really know that the Church is God’s Church. They don’t doubt a bit that Joseph Smith was a prophet or Christ is our Savior.

The presence of the Holy Spirit is so comforting, it brings so much joy and peace. It is the only reason that us missionaries can study different languages without crashing under the stress.

One thing I suggest to anyone thinking of serving God as a missionary would be “study the Gospel well”. Know it. Study out of Preach my Gospel. But not only that, practice teaching it. Practice in Family Home Evening. You may think you know the gospel, and you probably do, but try teaching it to someone who doesn’t know it. It is a little challenging at first. I promise if you study and practice teaching the gospel, you will benefit one way or another. One way you can benefit is that your understanding will get better. Another, is you will get better teaching. Which will help you share it with others.

The one thing I can promise if you study and practice teaching with the right attitude is you will feel the holy spirit tell you it is true. You can feel the spirit whisper to you it is true.

I can feel the spirit so often here. It helps me so much. It comforts me incredibly. I know the holy ghost has been testifying to me that Joseph was a prophet, Jesus is the Savior. He loves us, he atoned for us, and we are, in reality, amid the progress of God’s plan of happiness.

I am so happy that I have the opportunity to serve God and take the truth to some of His children.

There is something the missionary dept has found. That is that the missionaries have more success and converts have stronger faith if members help the missionaries. Members can help testify of truth. As people testify, the Holy Ghost testifies as well. Members can fellowship investigators. When investigators feel welcome it is easier to get them to come to church.

Thank you everyone who has helped me get to where I am so I can help others in this vital work.

I hope we will all remember the greatness of our blessing-to know the Gospel.

Mark Runolfson 5/27/08

5/27/2008

Family,

Thank you for your e-mail. I don’t want to get distracted but I do miss you and love you and I love to hear from you and get all your news.

The news about the Martinusens is incredible! Thrilling! They are in my prayers. I actually can hardly keep in my excitement!!!

We have worked at the Call Center (referral center, aka RC.) We have gone twice. Mom: I don’t think I will tell you when we go so that you don’t try to call. Our District is a designated ‘Chat District’. We are to primarily chat with people on the church website-one of the websites at least. Our first visit was only a review but our second visit was a bit better. The first visit, 10 mins of Available Status, there was only one call. Everyone got all excited just because it was a call. Elder Orchard took the call and had to counsel a member to her bishop for a blessing. Twice that night we got calls for our ‘prayer line’ which we don’t have. Oh well.

The second trip was a lot better and we had a handful of chats. I got one call shortly after we got started. I think the guy got up on the wrong side of the bed. The rest of the hour and a half we were there I was on chat with a girl named Natasha. It was hard trying to figure out how to help her. She wanted to know about the church and if it was true. However, her Dad hates the church. I do look forward to going again but hope I can maybe talk to or chat with more people and be of good help. But whatever the Lord wants.

Our time is split up pretty well with language study; spiritual, personal and companion study; class time and practices in the TEC or TRC where we can teach Teachers or Volunteers and get feed back.

If you want to send me something, I would like a small snack box for the room especially crackers like Wheat Thins. And a family photo.

The MTC does make me laugh sometimes. Our dist. has two awesome teachers and we get along great. We do have serious moments, but usually the day is all good.

I would love to get some stories of some of our ancestors. If you would like we could maybe trade talks. Write a talk about something and I will keep writing and we could switch. Each week every missionary writes on one of the selected Christ-like attributes.

I want to get some photos from here to you.

I love you all,

Mark

5/20/2008

Kristin-

I have been gone for almost two weeks but the time has just disappeared. They say missions bless the while family, I hope it certainly does. Could you read the letter to the family? I have limited time to write so I don’t want to repeat a lot.

My companion, Elder Jensen, and I get a long well. His most prominent strengths are singing and he’s not shy. We both do well at keeping the peace. I’ve gotten to know my district pretty well. They are almost family.

I need some duct tape. My scripture case needs some adjustments. The MTC is comfortable enough. I feel like I am living like a King! At least compared to where I am going. I have seen some pictures, heard some real letters and some rumors. But whatever the case is in Argentina, I know the Lord will provide. As Nefi [Spanish spelling for Nephi] said, the Lord doesn’t command anything unless he shall provide a way.

Thank you for the journal you gave me at Christmas. I am putting it to good use. Thank you for the cookies. I enjoyed them. Maybe there were too many at a time, but still enjoyed them. Everyone says they are gaining weight. People will probably lose some in their walking areas.

My residence is on floor 1 but class is on floor 5 and no elevator for our use! But I should be grateful for the extra exercise. Tell Mike thank you for the Hymn book again. It came in handy quickly. Especially the English Index in the front

There was one more thing for the family if you could relay the message. Check to see if the Tuesday MTC Firesides are available on the BYU channel. I will be there and they are cool!

Thank you so much for your messages. I loved to hear from you!

Elder Jensen is my companion. Here at the MTC, we have Personal Study time, Companion Study time, Language Study and Classroom Instruction. In class the teacher teaches both Spanish and the gospel. One of our teachers just left.
He is moving to New York. Hermono Warr is my favoite teacher. He brings the spirit in so well and invites an atmosphere of love for each other. Our district is a good district, we all get along good. For young men getting ready to go on a mission, I suggest they STUDY from Preach My Gospel. It is magnificant and is the main study book used here. It directs you to the scriptures and prompts you to ponder. I am getting to love it.

Britton: good luck with the tallent show.
Kayla: be safe on the road. I dont get any extra sleep. we get to bed at 1030 and get up between 6 and 630. There are a lot of missionaries here that does that Ummm thing, it bugs me also. But I have to fight it some times when i try to think of the Spanish words.
Dad: I will check with my Branch Pres. for the Pristhood line of authority. Maybe he can get it. I already asked his counsler but he said get it from you.
Mom: good luck helping Linda, thank you for trying.

They feed us well here. I had in my room at one time between 1 and 2 dozen cookies I gratefully received from loved ones, also.

Please remember the Randolfs/Mundays at the motel.

I have learned how to pray, testify, and do some verb rules in Spanish. All the verbs end with either -ar, -er or -ir. Each verb has 6 times about 16 differant was to say it. :-( But with practice you get the pattern.

Each week everyone needs to prepare a talk for sacrement meeting, it is extra work but i enjoy the extra study.

I learned some cool tips on how to mark scriptures. When you use different colors you can mark 1000s of different subjects. Using circles, boxes, lines, vertical, horizontal, shading, doting, and use other shapes to point out words. All the while, using differant colors for each method. Creat a system you understand. I am going to try to make a Study Journal where I can keep track of this and keep and make notes.

I get letters from DearElder the next day you send it. I can only check my emails on Tuesday and I only have 30 min to check and write. I seem to manage alright. I would love to write more and be more detailed.

I look forward to hearing from you again.

Love you, Miss you,
-Mark

All

I just got my email set up, currently I am waiting for my laundry. My P-Days here are tuesdays.

I did get to see Matt. Not for long though. our schedules don't match up. I study only with my district. All 10 of whom reported the same day as myself.

My room, Elders: Jensen, Clark and Hoopes, have been getting up at 6am and preparing for the day. Breakfast is at 7. Classes and Study Times go all day. lunch at 11:30, dinner at 4:30. Each district has there own teacher(s), our are Brother Cantreres (Spelling?), Warr, Archibald.

Learning Spanish is pretty hard. the hardest part of it is our lessons are taught in Spanish. It is hard to fallow what is said, but it does give us good experience. I read about what was taught later on and practice on the computer program (TALL Lab). I have learned a good hand full of subject in Spanish, some really difficult ones and some easy.

One of the best ways we are learning vocabulary is using pictures and ideas, not translations. So, read and say a Spanish word and compare it to a picture or acted out idea. This way the correct idea of a Spanish word is learned. Spanish does not have direct translations, only similar meanings. We have been learning Verbs, and each verb can be said at least 6 different ways.

Love Mark
Write to you later!