Okeedokee,
I will do my best to answer the questions....
Yes, I did get the package! We loved the beef Jerky. It was so so yum!
No, I have not ran into Helen yet. I keep my eyes peeled though every time I am walking around campus or in the cafeteria. Hopefully we run into eachother soon!
Yes, I did hear that Jackson has a job here at the MTC! That is so so cool! I have not seen him again though since that time when I saw him on my way to the temple two weeks ago. But he sent me a DearElder and told me he had recieved permission to eat lunch with me and my district. So I'm sure we shall see each other soon. It would be way cool if we could somehow have all three of us cousins meet up somehow. I bet Jackson can figure out what Helen's schedule is since he is a teacher and all that.
Mom: Regarding your question about what my companion does when I'm busy with District Leader responsibilities, this is basically how it goes. When there is a DL meeting with the branch presidency, the entire District gets that hour and a half block of time as "extra study time". When I'm giving interviews to the members of the District, those who are not being interviewed get "extra study time". Basically, whenever I'm busy with District stuff, the District gets to have extra study time. So it's a pretty sweet deal for them. I wish I had more oppurtunities to study though because when my companion and I plan a lesson together, I never have as much time to study what we have prepared. So I rarely feel as ready as I would like to feel going into our teaching practice situations.... but, esta bien.
My progress in the language: I made a goal at the begining of this week to stop bringing notes into my lesson begining on Saturday. I was not feeling ready for this, and in fact, I was thinking about bagging the goal and waiting until next week to start teaching without any notes. However, last night, Thursday, we went to teach one of our volunteer investigators, and after knocking on the classroom door where he "lived" and getting invited in, I realized that I had left my carefully prepared espanol lesson back in my classroom on my Desk!!! I was a little worried that I was going to have an epic fail moment. But, I smiled to myself and thought, "Way to go Ben, looks like you will get to achieve your goal by accident... Don't screw this one up." I was able to teach a lesson about prayer and its importance in my life and the importance it will have in the life of Anderson, our investigator. (This was not what I had prepared for, but it was what Anderson wanted to learn about) When Anderson explained that he didn't know how to pray very well, and would rather have us pray for him, I was able to assure him that I could help and guide him through the prayer. It took a bit of creativity with how I used the espanol that I actually know, but I walked out of that lesson honestly feeling like it was the best one I have given since coming here to the MTC. Rather than having faith in my carefully prepared script, I had to have faith in the power of the Holy Ghost and his ability to aid me in my Spanish. It allowed me to listen more attentively to the questions and concerns of Anderson rather than just teach the lesson I had planned for. It was wonderful.
Daniel: Funny you asked about the food again. It is all starting to be pretty much the same to me. Every meal we have 3 or 4 different options. There is always a burger and french fry option....which I used to really like, but now I rarely go for it. There is usually some type of chicken, rice, or potatoes. There is always a leftover line from the previous meal. You would probably like it a lot. I however am getting tired of the same greasy mass produced food here at the MTC. But, esta bien. It is still food. It all ends up in the same place in the end.
Ok, not much time left. But I have a few matters I need to take care of before signing off and begining my handwritten letter home.
First of all, I got a DearElder from the Mike and Chelsea Ostler family! It was lots of fun. My primas really want a picture of me in that shirt I mentioned in last weeks letter. So, I will be sending my camera's sd card home this week sometime. There will obviously be more than just a picture of me in that shirt. So enjoy! But make sure to send that one to my cousins. I promised them in a letter I wrote them this morning that my Mom would take care of it for me.
Also, I recieved a DearElder from Makayla Tilleman this week. I couldn't see a return address on the DearElder print out (usually there is one). So if you would, get on FB and tell her I got it, but need a return address. She can just send it to me over DearElder. Gracias.
Well, I love you so much my family. I have some sweet stories I want to share with you, but there is no more time to do it over email. It makes me sad that you will have to wait several days before it reaches you via the snail mail, but alas. Tis the life of a missionary. And at least it gives you something to look forward to.... right?
Your Missionary Son and Brother,
Elder Ostler
