Second Email

Email number 2 from Elder Giles arrived today! It's so good to hear how well he's doing:

This week has gone by a lot faster than last week. My relationships with all the Elders in my district have grown so much! These are my best friends, unfortunately, most of them are going to Colombus. 

         

This past Sunday, my entire district (Elders and Sisters) crowded into the elevator, it was so crowded. All the Elders decided to jump so that the Sisters would get scared.. well, the elevator stopped and we were all stuck in there for an hour and a half. It got so hot in there, by the time we got out we were all covered in sweat hahaha. It was so funny, it was a real good experience too though. We all opened up and told some stories about ourselves. It made us all a lot closer. We didn't get in trouble or anything, no one cared for some reason.. they just thought it was funny.

My companion is a riot! It's so funny, because he doesn't try to be funny. For example, a few days ago I was writing in my journal at the end of the day. My companion was singing this really weird sounding song for like 10 minutes. Finally, I asked him what he was doing. He said, "oh, sorry. I sing russian folk songs when I get nervous" HAHAHA russian folk songs?? We really do get along great though

I'm really starting to love it here. I'm kinda sad that I'm leaving in a few days. We have to leave the MTC at 5:30 in the morning on Wednesday, so I have to wake up at like 4.

On sunday, there was an MTC devotional and Neil L Anderson was speaking. It was a really good talk, I was so excited to be a missionary after that. Also, the day before that I saw Jeffrey R Holland. I was in the front office with my companion because he lost his wallet so we were getting it from Lost & Found. While we were there, I heard everyone's radios go off saying that Elder Holland was coming. Then everyone stood up and put there hands behind their backs. I turned around and there he was. Walked straight through the lobby, outside, hopped in a car and left. I didn't say anything or do anything, but I saw him. So, that was sweet.

My entire district did a session together at The Temple this morning at 6:30. It was so cool when I walked in the Celestial room and saw all my friends there. It's how I imagine it will be after we die, with all of our friends and loved ones there waiting for us. The Temple rules! haha

I sent a letter a few days ago with a letter to Jeremy, Hannah & Averie (because I love them the most) I just sent the rest of the letters this morning though, to Mom, Dad and Amanda. You guys don't need to write me back individually. I just wanted to write you all an individual letter.

Next week, I'll be a Texan. Hootin' rootin' and all. I'm really excited to meet all the people there. I'm getting a little nervous for my flight though, I keep thinking about that Twilight Zone episode with that thing of the wing.

     I love ya'll

-Elder Giles

Matt & his district

Brother & Sister D. (from the ward)

First Email

We received our first email from Elder Giles today! He still has his wonderful sense of humor and is loving his experience in the MTC! Here are some excerpts from the email:


I know my way around the MTC and I really like it here. In my district here are the San Antonio missionaries and the Colombus, Ohio missionaries (the same mission that Seth is in! Seth could possibly be training one of these kids in a few day!). I thought that was pretty cool. There are 5 other people in my room. Elder Moss & Elder Butterfield, Elder Hill & Elder Paulsen (Colombus), and then Elder Lee, who is my companion.

I fly straight to San Antonio at 9:05 a.m. on September 4th. I know it's early, but I'll still try to call. If no one answers... I will come home from my mission. 
This is only my second full day here. To be honest the first day wasn't that bad at all, I think I was still just in the moment and too excited/nervous to feel anything else. Yesterday was a really good today, but I had a few times where I thought things like, "I wonder what Chumlee is up to?", "What am I doing here?", and  "I hope my friend, Craig Gottleib, is staying safe".

I got your package just a few minutes ago! Along with all the letters people have sent me so far (oh yeah, today is my P-Day). Thank you very much!! haha I was at dinner eating and my district leader brought all the mail to our district, I think I got the majority of everything he had. I love my family and friends so much!

The food here is waaaaay chill. haha the only bad thing about the food is that our district eats the first every meal, so I have breakfast at 7, lunch at like 11 and then dinner at 4:30. Dinner at 4:30? they must be out of their minds. I go to bed starving because my gut is used to digesting pounds of carne asada every night. Hopefully there is a Del Taco or Rancherito's close by in my first area, i'm not sure how much longer my stomach can hold out. 

I have learned a lot so far, more than I that I would within 2 days. I think I learn a lot because I actually care and want to know as much as I can. Like, in school, I didn't give a care how many times "pi" can get divided or what Newton's "theories" were. Pi sucks and Newton's ugly. I think of everything I have learned so far, the thing that has stuck with me the most is to not study up too much on the lesson or what you will say or stuff like that, but get as in-tune with The Spirit as you can, because The Spirit will guide you to know what to say when you need to say it, and The Spirit will ultimately let the convert know that what I am preaching is true.

All and all... I love it here. I love being a missionary and I love wearing the name of The Savior of the world over my heart. I am constantly overwhelmed with how powerful The Spirit is here. I don't care about the number of baptisms I have. I just want others to be able to feel The Spirit, to know that they have a Father in Heaven who is constantly watching over them, and that they can be with their families forever. I am so thankful for the testimony I have of these things. I hate being away from each of you. I love each one of you more than I can express, but I need to teach others that they can be with their families forever. Wish me luck as I search for those who are looking for truth, looking for peace and looking for happiness. I love you all

MTC

Elder Giles is now in the MTC! We will definitely miss him but are so excited for him. He is so happy to be there! In his talk on Sunday he said that, "Everyday in the mission will be like Christmas morning." He still had that attitude today and we are so happy and proud of him! Here are a bunch of pictures from his special day entering the MTC: