May 28, 2009

Olá Família de Walker! I finally figured out how to type in Portuguese, with all of the accents over the letters and stuff. I'm doing so well! The language is finally starting to come. Yesterday, I taught my first lesson in Portuguese. It was pretty tough, but I know more than I think I do. It went pretty well. I was at least able to get my point across. I am loving it more and more here. Not so much the MTC, but just my mission in general. To be honest, I'm getting pretty tired of the MTC. Especially the food. But I love all the people in my district and zone. It is so awesome. But, I'm really excited to get out of here and to get to Portugal. Only only a litte over 3 more weeks! That is crazy about Bailey! But somehow doesn't surprise me. I have actually had the thought that she might be gone before I get home. Either mom and dad will get rid of her, or something like that would happen to her. I'm glad she's ok though. Today, on my way to the temple, I saw Cameron Crockett. I totally didn't expect it. But it was cool. I guess he works at the MTC, because he said he would try to come visit me. I don't really know. I'm sorry to hear about Grandpa Sheril. He seems to have one problem after the other. I hope he is ok. Dad, I don't really know what my favorite scripture is. But you can give them this scripture to put on it. It's 2 Nephi 26:33. I really like that one. I truly have been having a blast here. I love studying, and learning, and teaching. It's crazy how blessed I feel here, and how strong the spirit is here. That is one thing I will miss about the MTC. Eu sei que o Evangelho de Jesus Cristo é verdadeiro. Eu sei que eu sou muito abençoado estar aqui. Eu amo o Senhor. Eu amo este evangelho. Eu amo a minha família. Eu sou grato por Joseph Smith e seu fé. Eu sou grato estar em a minha missão. Este é o trabalho de Deus! Eu amo vocês! Eu esperanço vocês são bem! Até logo!
Elder Walker

Friday, May 15, 2009

Querida Familia,
Thanks for the email. I am so glad you wrote! It's so nice to hear what is happening. That's so awesome about Griffin and Gretchen! I honestly didn't really know if they were going to. And then when i got here, dad told me they might. I am so excited! Gretchen is so awesome! Tell Griffin congrats for me. For the engagement, and for his work! He is probably so good at it because he was a missionary, eh? I'm so happy for Liz. I told Sonny before he left that she was going to do it. And he was way excited as well. I hope your concert went well mom. I wish I could be there to see it. I have been listening to Motab on cd though. Thanks again for all of the cds and the player! I love them! I am having such a great time here! I love being a missionary. I am so excited to get to Portugal. But really nervous at the same time. I'm mostly just nervous about the language. I don't feel like I know as much as I should. But that's probably how everyone else feels. I don't really know. Plus, I have been sick for the past couple days. I had to get one more immunization shot, and I think that's what caused it. Because that's what happened the last time I got immunizations. So studying has been kind of slow the past two days. But I am still enjoying it so much. I love learning about the gospel everyday. I was nervous before i left because in high school i sometimes hated sitting through class, and I thought it would be the same here. But it's not. Its actually pretty fun in class. I can always pay attention. I love it. It has definitely been the best choice I have ever made. I love this gospel. I really have become best friends with my whole district. I get along with everyone. It is so much fun. I tried again this week to watch Music and the Spoken Word mom, but the place where we watch it is closed for 2 weeks because they are re-doing the floor. So I won't be able to for another 2 weeks or so. I was pretty disappointed. Well, I miss you all. Sometimes I wish I could be home with all of you. I wish I could be at Griffin and Gretchen's wedding, and Matt and Liz's sealing. But I know I am where I am supposed to be. Eu amo voces!!! Ate logo!!!
Elder Walker

Friday, May 8, 2009

Thanks for the email dad. It really helped a lot. You're right. I'm pretty frustrated with the language. It's probably the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. But I am excited to learn it. And I know that the Lord will help me. That is so awesome to hear about Griffin and Gretchen! Has he proposed yet? I'm way sad that I am going to miss it though.
I still haven't been able to see mom on Music and the Spoken Word. I guess she wasn't there my first week. And last week was fast sunday, so we didn't get to watch it. I hope I will see her this week, and point her out to everyone. That is so awesome to hear about Liz too! I am so excited for her, and Matt. I wish I could be there for that as well. And that is so awesome about Uncle Richard too. Heavenly Father has truly blessed our family. Anyways, I am LOVING it here now! I am having so much fun with my companion, and my district. We have all become best friends. It's so fun to be around them all the time. I know why the Lord wants us preaching two by two. It's amazing. I still see Sonny a lot. Probably every other day. I haven't heard his French. But I'm sure he's doing awesome. He leaves on Monday! It's crazy. I still can't really construct sentences without looking at notes or anything. So maybe someday, you will get to read my fancy Portugese, but not today. I know this is the Lord's work. I feel the presence of His spirit here everyday. I love being here. I almost don't want to leave. I was able to adapt to life here so easily, I know that I receive help from the Lord everyday. I'm so thankful for the gospel in my life, and how much it blesses me. I'm so thankful to have a knowledge of the plan of happiness. And i'm so thankful for the opportunity i will have to find some of God's choice children, and give them the gospel. It has been the best choice I have ever made in my life, and I know i am where God wants me. I am so thankful for the drastic change in my life, from what it was over a year ago now. I am truly happy. I have been so blessed. I'm so thankful for all of you guys and your support. Our whole family is so blessed to have each other and to be so close and to have the gospel. I know that we will all be able to live with each other again for eternity. I miss you all. God bless you! Ate logo!!!

Greg's Second MTC Letter

Tudo Bem?! I just barely set up a new email account here at the MTC. And they only give me a half an hour to check and write emails. And I am only allowed to write to meu familia. I forgot to bring the letter here that you guys sent me, so i can't really remember what questions you had or anything. But I am doing great here. I am having so much fun! It has been really challenging learning this language. I don't really have any experience learning a new language, so it's been pretty tough. Right now I feel pretty stuck with it. I have learned a lot about pronounciation and conjugating verbs and everything, but I am having trouble being able to form sentences and get my point across when I am speaking. It is really hard, because we have already had to learn how to pray, and greet people, and it's hard because I basically have just been memorizing phrases, not really knowing what I am saying. But I know I will be able to learn the language. I know that Heavenly Father will fulfill His promise, and bless me with the gift of tongues in His own time. As I said, my companion's name is Elder Blair, and he is a way cool dude! We have so much in common! He is way funny, and we like to joke around a lot and have a lot of fun. Most of the other guys in my district are the same way too. I love it here. I know this is where I am supposed to be. I have seen Sonny a lot too. I already saw him twice today. It is so awesome seeing him here, but really weird at the same time. Because here it's like a different life, because EVERYTHING is new. And so, to see someone from my "other life" is really weird. But I love talking to him. He seems to be doing awesome. Today was the first time I got to go to the temple. I love it there! It's one of my favorite places to be. And last night, and today while I was at the temple, I have been thinking a lot about Uncle Matt again. And how much I miss him. But at the same time, how glad I am that we are going to be with him again someday. I love this gospel! I love the plan of salvation! It is such a comfort for me to know how much God truly loves us, and how much he blesses us. I know this is God's work. I know that we are here as substitutes for Jesus Christ. And I am so excited to spread the word to people who have no idea. I'm am so excited to spread the joy. So, how is work dad? Are you getting busier? Did Brennan end up working there? I hope its going well. I kind of miss working there already. I didn't see you in Music and the Spoken Word mom. Were you there? I was looking for you. I will look for you again this Sunday. Well I hope everything is going well for all of you. Tell Kaenan hi for me, and that he is a way cool dude. Oh, mom, I want to tell you that the best socks ended up being the acrylic ones. They don't make my feet sweat, and they dont hurt my leg hairs. I could maybe use some brown ones. Also, if you could maybe send me a backpack. Just a really cheap like, 5 dollar one, that would be good. I can't use it after the MTC, so don't go out and buy me a way nice one. And I could also use a few motab cds. I really like the hollywood one, and any other ones you want to send, if you have the time. Also, i don't know if you have any like broadway musical stuff, like Les Mis, or anything like that. That would also be good. Now I see why I would want music. My companion has a cd player, so cds will work. Just whatever. Thanks a bunch. Anyways, you can probably forward this email to other people, like our family. I just can't email to anyone else. Thank you so much! Eu te amo!!! I will write back again next Friday!
Elder Walker

P.S. Thanks for the cookies mom! I haven't tried them yet. But they look good. We get plenty of food in the cafeteria, so I am rarely hungry. I have gained 4 pounds since I have been here! We eat so much! But they will be good midnight snacks, so thanks!