Wednesday, March 18, 2009
It's a boy!
Looks like the Davis Family will have another manly male added to the ranks. We found out this morning at our ultrasound appointment. Doctor said everything looks good and baby looks healthy! No names have been picked just yet. Plenty of time for that. We are just happy that baby, so far, is healthy.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Eric 3/10
Hey Family,
The MTC is awesome. It's a roller coaster though. Spiritual highs, discouraging lows, and work, work, work. My testimony of the First Vision has grown exponentially. I've gotten a little taste of rejection and disappointment from our MTC progressing investigator and the call center. I'm still learning so much Spanish and doctrine and the more I learn the more I understand I still need to learn. I'm trying every strategy in the books to gain a stronger relationship with the spirit. I totally agree with whoever it was that said, "You can't be too prepared for a mission." If I were advising someone to prepare for the MTC, I would have them start by reading the Book of Mormon 10 times, the New Testament 3, the 4 gospels 2 more, the Old Testament once or twice, and Preach My Gospel (cover to cover) 2 or 3 times, and then memorize every scripture mastery and about 50 other scriptures. Then they would need to learn about work, love, and the spirit. That person might be ready for the MTC. My BYU roommate, Trevor, just got called to the Ecuador Guayaquil South mission. I'm so excited for him. I think he checks in the same day as Greg, who I'm also very excited for. I watched a talk by Elder Bednar about becoming a missionary not just going on a mission, and I felt like I want my sisters to marry a missionary, not an RM. I also have to say thank you, thank you, thank you for so so many things. You guys got me here. I wouldn't be on a mission if I hadn't had such awesome parents. I also have to wish Dad a happy birthday. The 7th was a little hard but we keep so busy that the hardest part is remembering. The Scott Family sent me 2 dear Elder packages, which reminds me, Thanks for all the cookies and letters. It's really great to get letters all the time, but I can't possibly respond to all of them. P-day is actually the busiest day of the week. But we get to go to the temple and slow down a bit so it's still a great day. I got to watch Elder Holland's broadcast (rerun) on The Gift of Teaching, that was powerful. Elder Hart and I are going to start teaching an MTC investigator in spanish next Monday. Question for Mom, when did you start studying the scriptures straight from Spanish? I wish I had talked to you guys alot more about your missions. I guess I've never really been a question asker. I don't really have time to read all of the cousin mission letters, but if there are sections you think I would like to read, please send them. Just a note, My address is mailbox 87 and departure is April 20th. the mail people want all the details. Congratulations Marly on permit, always, always, always be alert. BYU would be great for Josh. That missionary stuff will be awesome for Rachel. I don't know how I could have done that though. You guys could send me some of Rachel's blog posts if you want :). Thank you guys for the music. My companion is kindof obsessed with If You Could Hie to Kolob. If you could find a piano arrangement / solo something of I know that My Redeemer Lives, I would be so happy. Good Luck with Life, it really gets alot easier when you give everything to the Lord. All you have to do is everytime you think "I Want" when "God wants" would be different, pick the second one. Every Time. God rewards effort. I'm sure of it because I've learned some Spanish. I Love You!
-Elder Davis
The MTC is awesome. It's a roller coaster though. Spiritual highs, discouraging lows, and work, work, work. My testimony of the First Vision has grown exponentially. I've gotten a little taste of rejection and disappointment from our MTC progressing investigator and the call center. I'm still learning so much Spanish and doctrine and the more I learn the more I understand I still need to learn. I'm trying every strategy in the books to gain a stronger relationship with the spirit. I totally agree with whoever it was that said, "You can't be too prepared for a mission." If I were advising someone to prepare for the MTC, I would have them start by reading the Book of Mormon 10 times, the New Testament 3, the 4 gospels 2 more, the Old Testament once or twice, and Preach My Gospel (cover to cover) 2 or 3 times, and then memorize every scripture mastery and about 50 other scriptures. Then they would need to learn about work, love, and the spirit. That person might be ready for the MTC. My BYU roommate, Trevor, just got called to the Ecuador Guayaquil South mission. I'm so excited for him. I think he checks in the same day as Greg, who I'm also very excited for. I watched a talk by Elder Bednar about becoming a missionary not just going on a mission, and I felt like I want my sisters to marry a missionary, not an RM. I also have to say thank you, thank you, thank you for so so many things. You guys got me here. I wouldn't be on a mission if I hadn't had such awesome parents. I also have to wish Dad a happy birthday. The 7th was a little hard but we keep so busy that the hardest part is remembering. The Scott Family sent me 2 dear Elder packages, which reminds me, Thanks for all the cookies and letters. It's really great to get letters all the time, but I can't possibly respond to all of them. P-day is actually the busiest day of the week. But we get to go to the temple and slow down a bit so it's still a great day. I got to watch Elder Holland's broadcast (rerun) on The Gift of Teaching, that was powerful. Elder Hart and I are going to start teaching an MTC investigator in spanish next Monday. Question for Mom, when did you start studying the scriptures straight from Spanish? I wish I had talked to you guys alot more about your missions. I guess I've never really been a question asker. I don't really have time to read all of the cousin mission letters, but if there are sections you think I would like to read, please send them. Just a note, My address is mailbox 87 and departure is April 20th. the mail people want all the details. Congratulations Marly on permit, always, always, always be alert. BYU would be great for Josh. That missionary stuff will be awesome for Rachel. I don't know how I could have done that though. You guys could send me some of Rachel's blog posts if you want :). Thank you guys for the music. My companion is kindof obsessed with If You Could Hie to Kolob. If you could find a piano arrangement / solo something of I know that My Redeemer Lives, I would be so happy. Good Luck with Life, it really gets alot easier when you give everything to the Lord. All you have to do is everytime you think "I Want" when "God wants" would be different, pick the second one. Every Time. God rewards effort. I'm sure of it because I've learned some Spanish. I Love You!
-Elder Davis
Friday, March 6, 2009
Thank You
Thank you all so much for the beautiful tulips. People keep asking how we are doing this week, We're doing great. But everytime I open my mouth to respond such, the tears come. I think the tenderness also comes from the realization that others even remember the date and are thinking of Erin too. Lauren and I went up to the cemetery yesterday to take flowers and a butterfly balloon. Someone had already left some roses. It's always so touching to me to know that others remember her and miss her also. We're happy. Our kids are all doing what they are supposed to do right now, even Erin. We are truly blessed.
Eric 3/3
3/3/9
Hey Family!
There's alot to say and you've written so many letters to respond to (thanks) so I'm going to jump around alot. Learning a new language is so much work! Rachel is really strong to never be able to escape to the english language. And I have to learn both Spanish and the language of the spirit. 6 days a week there isn't enough time to study the scriptures and then on Sundays there is to much free time. I'm going to finish the Book of Mormon soon and then I'm going to read the New Testament and Jesus the Christ. I really don't know what scripture to do for my missionary plaque. I've considered Alma 29:9, D&C 122:7-9, D&C 6:34, D&C 84:88 and many many others. But I think I'm going with D&C 123:17. But verse 12 and 13 in that section are really good too. I don't know. My comp is from Colorado but he was adopted from Russia when he was 4. He is going to Anaheim, CA. Typical Daily schedule (Mondays): wake up 6:30, classroom study 7:00 - 7:45, B-fast 7:45 - 8:15, Gym 8:25 - 9:15, class 9:45 - 12:30, Lunch 12:30 - 1:15, MDT (includes personal/comp study and teaching appts) 1:15 - 5:30, Dinner 5:30 - 6:15, 6:15 - 9:00 class, Daily planning 9:00 - 9:30, study until bed at 10:30. We have devotionals / firesides every Tuesday and Sunday night and I sing in the choir Tuesday nights. Every meeting / devotion / class is awesome and filled with the spirit. I'm in the laundry room right now waiting for a batch. I really like the other Elders in my district. Our really awesome zone leaders just got released. I've seen Sister Dunn, Elder Heap, Elder Soto, tons of kids from BYU and others that I can't think of right now. The food is great, they make a good beef and tatertot casserole that was awesome. The referral center is really good. We talk on the phone with nonmembers across the nation. My comp taught the whole first lesson to a preacher's wife and committed her to read the Book of Mormon and pray about it. We've signed for 2 MTC investigators, people who pretend to be investigators, and we take them through the whole process. One in spanish, one in English. I play volleyball 5 times a week. I blessed the sacrament in Spanish and our fast and testimony meeting was awesome. I'm working hard and learning so so much. Thank you so much for everything I've learned from all of you. I love you guys!
-Elder Davis
Hey Family!
There's alot to say and you've written so many letters to respond to (thanks) so I'm going to jump around alot. Learning a new language is so much work! Rachel is really strong to never be able to escape to the english language. And I have to learn both Spanish and the language of the spirit. 6 days a week there isn't enough time to study the scriptures and then on Sundays there is to much free time. I'm going to finish the Book of Mormon soon and then I'm going to read the New Testament and Jesus the Christ. I really don't know what scripture to do for my missionary plaque. I've considered Alma 29:9, D&C 122:7-9, D&C 6:34, D&C 84:88 and many many others. But I think I'm going with D&C 123:17. But verse 12 and 13 in that section are really good too. I don't know. My comp is from Colorado but he was adopted from Russia when he was 4. He is going to Anaheim, CA. Typical Daily schedule (Mondays): wake up 6:30, classroom study 7:00 - 7:45, B-fast 7:45 - 8:15, Gym 8:25 - 9:15, class 9:45 - 12:30, Lunch 12:30 - 1:15, MDT (includes personal/comp study and teaching appts) 1:15 - 5:30, Dinner 5:30 - 6:15, 6:15 - 9:00 class, Daily planning 9:00 - 9:30, study until bed at 10:30. We have devotionals / firesides every Tuesday and Sunday night and I sing in the choir Tuesday nights. Every meeting / devotion / class is awesome and filled with the spirit. I'm in the laundry room right now waiting for a batch. I really like the other Elders in my district. Our really awesome zone leaders just got released. I've seen Sister Dunn, Elder Heap, Elder Soto, tons of kids from BYU and others that I can't think of right now. The food is great, they make a good beef and tatertot casserole that was awesome. The referral center is really good. We talk on the phone with nonmembers across the nation. My comp taught the whole first lesson to a preacher's wife and committed her to read the Book of Mormon and pray about it. We've signed for 2 MTC investigators, people who pretend to be investigators, and we take them through the whole process. One in spanish, one in English. I play volleyball 5 times a week. I blessed the sacrament in Spanish and our fast and testimony meeting was awesome. I'm working hard and learning so so much. Thank you so much for everything I've learned from all of you. I love you guys!
-Elder Davis
Friday, February 27, 2009
Elder Davis's latest letter
2/22/09
Hello Family!
First off, I need you guys to pay tithing for me on checks I got the las week, if possible I would like a copy of the sheet music for Come Thou Fount and If You Could Hie to Kolob, and I need a copy of my call letter, please. So much has happened there's no way I can get it all down. Luckily I've been writing in my Journal every day so I'm going to use that to help me remember. Thursday was really long and overwhelming. The first hour of class our teachers spoke in spanish about 95% of the time. And I don't know how to speak spanish, but I'm learning fast. My companion, Elder Hart, is great. He works hard and brings the spirit into my life. He'll help me learn in more ways than one. Gym time is Heaven. I play volleyball 1 hour, 5 days a week to get all my energy out so I play hard. I've really gotten used to the missionary lifestyle quick. Yesterday at one of the meals I didn't know where Elder Hart was for at least 3 or 4 minutes and I was really stressing out. We teach the first discussion in English on Friday and practice contacting in Spanish. The spirit here is awesome but it is really easy to do little things, like wasting time, that scare it away. I'm almost done reading the handbook for the second time and next I'm starting it in Spanish. I will finish the Book of Mormon soon but most personal study time is full of interruptions. (Elder Hart likes to talk and tell stories). The Sunday night devotional was great and then afterwards Elder Hart and I decided to do some companion study. We brought our scriptures and study journals out to one of the picnic tables and prayed hard to know what to study. The spirit led us to decide to prepare lessons to teach each other about Humility. I then prayed on my own to know how I could benefit Elder Hart through my teaching. I feel like I taught with the spirit and I've recorded what I taught, but Elder Hart's words were awesome. He read alot of 2 Nephi 4 and mingled the scriptures with testimony and quoting songs. It was a great experience. Spanish is really hard to learn, but at least it isn't Chinese. It's a good thing the spirit is here, because I wouldn't stand a chance otherwise. I'm doing great and I Love You Guys!
-Elder Davis
Hello Family!
First off, I need you guys to pay tithing for me on checks I got the las week, if possible I would like a copy of the sheet music for Come Thou Fount and If You Could Hie to Kolob, and I need a copy of my call letter, please. So much has happened there's no way I can get it all down. Luckily I've been writing in my Journal every day so I'm going to use that to help me remember. Thursday was really long and overwhelming. The first hour of class our teachers spoke in spanish about 95% of the time. And I don't know how to speak spanish, but I'm learning fast. My companion, Elder Hart, is great. He works hard and brings the spirit into my life. He'll help me learn in more ways than one. Gym time is Heaven. I play volleyball 1 hour, 5 days a week to get all my energy out so I play hard. I've really gotten used to the missionary lifestyle quick. Yesterday at one of the meals I didn't know where Elder Hart was for at least 3 or 4 minutes and I was really stressing out. We teach the first discussion in English on Friday and practice contacting in Spanish. The spirit here is awesome but it is really easy to do little things, like wasting time, that scare it away. I'm almost done reading the handbook for the second time and next I'm starting it in Spanish. I will finish the Book of Mormon soon but most personal study time is full of interruptions. (Elder Hart likes to talk and tell stories). The Sunday night devotional was great and then afterwards Elder Hart and I decided to do some companion study. We brought our scriptures and study journals out to one of the picnic tables and prayed hard to know what to study. The spirit led us to decide to prepare lessons to teach each other about Humility. I then prayed on my own to know how I could benefit Elder Hart through my teaching. I feel like I taught with the spirit and I've recorded what I taught, but Elder Hart's words were awesome. He read alot of 2 Nephi 4 and mingled the scriptures with testimony and quoting songs. It was a great experience. Spanish is really hard to learn, but at least it isn't Chinese. It's a good thing the spirit is here, because I wouldn't stand a chance otherwise. I'm doing great and I Love You Guys!
-Elder Davis
Friday, February 20, 2009
Taking Eric to the MTC
It was an incredible day. Eric was so ready and excited to start working. The address I have for him so far is:
MTC Mailbox #87
CHI-CON 0420
2005 N 900 E
Provo, UT 84604-1793
His estimated departure date in April 20. He doesn't have an email yet, but dearelder.com seems to work pretty well.
He was given a language evaluation when he checked in, which changed him to intermediate Spanish, a new companion, dictrict, etc.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
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