Week 8 MTC

FAMILY!!

Como estan?? Just another super fast week here at the MTC. Seriously, I've stopped keeping track of the days it flies so fast! Seriously.

SO the funniest thing of my life happened this morning. We were hangin out in the room and all of a sudden Elder Christiansen screams... MOUSE!!! hahah we all screamed and Elder Thompson and I tried catching it and stuff! It was under MY bed the whole time and every time it moved we all screamed like little girls. Seriously, the funniest thing ever! It moved along the wall and then we eventually forced it towards the door and then we didn't know where it went!! But that was pretty dang funny! Makin memories here at the MTC!

The devotionals this week were GREAT! On sunday we heard from Bro and Sis Wilkins, who served as mission pres in Brazil. They both talked about facing trials. Sis Wilkins said, "we have to be prepared for when the challenges come because they WILL come". Helaman 5:12 "And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall". Helaman is a perfect example of this. We always need to have our foundation in Christ so we can withstand the storms that come! Bro Wilkins was great too. He said that in life there are no problems, only opportunities. We need to choose to look at every trial as an opportunity to learn! Because, "No pain is wasted"- Orson F Whitney. I think we all could do a better job at managing our problems and turning them into opportunities. And we dont need to worry because "today is the tomorrow that we worried about yesterday." SO COOL! - Thanks Andrew. Somethin that keeps coming up in that we need to CHOOSE to be happy! Its all about attitude!

So craziest thing happened on Sunday! We were studying outside and LEXI JORGENSEN walks into the MTC! It was so cool to see her! Even though she was a little awkward. haha it was so fun! We didn't get to talk cuz she was on her way to a meeting but it was still fun to see a friendly face! Hahah and this week she sent me a package with a surprise inside... COOKIE DOUGH! gotta love same day delivery! It was still cold! So good!

On tuesday, we got to hear from Elder Russell M Nelson! He talked all about the importance and role of the Book Of Mormon and how it is a witness of Christ, and a companion to the Bible. I love the Book of Mormon and the power that it has within it. The October Ensign is amazing too! You all need to get it!

On Wed we got to host the incoming new missionaries! It was so fun but so sad seeing the cars driving away with everyone crying inside. I may or may not have shed a tear. I'm so glad that we just did the airport thing, cuz I wouldve been a WRECK. haha

SO...... I leave in 4 days. Complete insanity. Its about to get real bumpy real quick, but I'm so excited and so nervous! I'm so excited to call home on Monday too! CANT WAIT!!! Any ideas about what I should do on the plane?? I'm more nervous about that than anything else! haha

So my latest AH-HA/ Lightbulb moment came this week. I was thinking about Lehi's dream in 1 Nephi and how Nephi learns that the "Tree of Life" is the Love of God. I got to thinkin that we need to come unto the "tree of life" JUST like we need to come unto Christ. And the scriptures or "Iron Rod" leads us to Him! And once we get to the tree we can partake of the fruit or of eternal life! That probably doesn't make sense, sorry, but Basically we need to follow the scriptures and come unto Christ! And we are promised blessings when we do! I have loved learning about the Love of God and how it ALL comes down to love. We obey out of love and Everything that God puts in our path is because He loves us. I know that when we love each other, and serve each other, it will make us happy.

Thats so crazy that Garretts goin to Hong Kong on his mission! CRAZY!! Good luck bud!

Thank you for all that have written me this week! I love you all so much! The last day I receive dearelders will be tomorrow so if you want to write me, write me before Friday morning at 11am!

I love you all so so so so much!

Thank you so much!

LOVE,

ELDER HJELMSTAD

Week 7 MTC

2 Nephi 31:20

Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfast in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.

ANOTHER WEEK IN THE MTC! CRAZY! I can't believe how fast it's gone, only one more p-day! And next week we FINALLY get to host and receive missionaries at the curb!! I'm so excited!

So by far the best part of this past week was something that Elder Christiansen said. He's from Hooper Utah, aka farm land and has a lot of funny sayings that I call "Hooperisms" This week at lunch he ate a jalepeño and said, "Thats right! Dance on my tounge Jalepeno!" He was dead serious! We died laughing. haha the littlest things amuse us in here.

Another funny thing that I love is really random. A shoe horn. They're totally pointless but so great! Haha I have no clue why I even use it but it's kinda fun. haha Elder Thompson and I always have to announce that were using the shoe horn, it's hilarious.

So on Tuesday we got to hear from Elder M. Russell Ballard! It was so great! He told us a quote from Joseph Simth that said, "Round up your shoulders and bear it." I liked this because it reminded me that Gods not going to leave us alone in our trials. Lexi Jorgensen shared this with me in her last letter. "If God leads you to it, He will guide you through it." I thought that was genius! Just like how in the criptures it always says, "And it came to pass" NOT, "And it came to stay!" Another thing that I liked that he said was that, "the Closer we come to Christ, the closer he comes to us". In class we were faced with the question, "How far would you walk to see Christ?" We need to constantly be striving to do what's right and He will help us! All we need to do is Trust In Him!

That was what my studies were about this week, hope and going forward with faith. I read about Hope in the missionary Handbook, Preach My Gospel (maybe look up the seciton, it's under christ like attributes. kinda short) and then I looked up scriptures. My favorite one was 2 Nephi 31:20 "Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfast in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life."

I love this scripture! It's everything we need to do! I cried when Mom said that she loved that scripture too and wanted me to read it this week because I was gunna share that with you guys today! I also loved Ether 12:4 and how Hope needs to be the anchor of our souls."Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God". Elder James Faust gave a talk about hope in Oct 1999. It's amazing! I realized that I need to go forward with faith and trust in the Lord like it says in Proverbs 3:5-6! "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

We need to do our best to trust that what the Lord has in store for us is JOY. Because he wants us to be happy! He is our Heavenly Father and we are His kids! This week read Ether 12. It's about faith and hope. I love it!

I saw Elder Carpenter, finally! I didn't see him til Saturday but it was so cool to see him! He seems to be doin great! I was so happy to get through my first week and I bet he feels the same way!

Spanish is still coming slowly! The hardest part is using what you learn! Cuz we learn so stinkin much but it's hard to put it into use! I can read Preach my gospel in spanish pretty much. I'm expecting to start over when I get down to Argentina and realize how little I know.

About my tooth ache: I went to the clinic this morning and they have a dentist come in and check you out before they schedule an appt with a doctor and he thinks it might just be sensitive because of my toothpaste so I'm going to get a different kind, w/o whitening stuff.

We haven't heard if we have our visas yet but we get our official travel plans tomorrow morning! So stoked!

Yes, I mailed my mission call letter home today, so it should come beginning of next week.

Mom, I don't need anything as of right now and I have no clue what you're talking about with Sis Hollingsworth and those treats??? :)

Nothings really different yet about us leaving the MTC soon but next week we have one day that describes what we'll be doing and it's sort of an orientation.

My knees are still weak, so pray for me that they will hold up for the next 2 years. And sleeping is just like home, some nights good, some nights bad. But I miss my bed like crazy! And my pillow!!

Alright, well I love you so much! I never stop thinking about you!

LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!!

ELDER HJELMSTAD

MTC Week 6

2 Nephi 25:26

" And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for remission of their sins"

HOLA!

This week has gone by so fast! Seriously, this place is like Limbo! One day takes FOREVER and then it's been a week. I totally remember writing in my journal, "Its only been 2 days!" and now it's been 6 WEEKS! Insane.

Well first off I got the package! Thank you so much! I loved the scripture case! and I love all the other stuff! Thank you so much! It totally made my day. And I may or may not have secretly listened to Carrie Underwood right away...haha. But really! THANK YOU! I love getting packages cuz I feel like its a little piece of home. Oh and Mom remember when you called the clinic to pay for the shots?! Well, I WAS IN THE WAITING ROOM! When she hung up she called me over and was like, "Your mom loves you! I just talked to her on the phone!" So close but so far! But, I get to call you guys in 18 days! I'm so excited! They have call cards here for pretty cheap, so I'll buy some.

Sunday was great! That was so cool to hear that Dad got up and bore his testimony. The whole "airport scene" was so surreal, I'm glad that the ward got to hear about it. I just thought of it as leavin my earthly father and entering into my Heavenly fathers care. On sunday, we had mission conference and heard from 6 different people. The whole thing that I got from it was OBEDIENCE. Heavenly Father loves us so He gives us commandments to help us find happiness, and we obey cuz we love Heavenly Father. John 14:15 "If ye love me, keep my commandments" and were promised blessings by doing such! I'm so grateful for obedience because it's such an important lesson. We obey out of love! Everythings out of love!

So, this next week... WE DONT GET "DEAR ELDERS" until Thursday night! So tomorrows the last day I'll get em... hint, hint. The mail room is movin, so it's gunna be a little crazzyy. THANK YOU TO EVERYBODY THAT WRITES ME! I love getting mail! It always makes my day!

So, this past Saturday we had a sub teacher and we talked about what we want to get from our missions and how we plan on acheiving that. I said that I wanted to come back a better man, son, brother, and friend. She then asked me how I plan on acheiving it and I was kinda stumped. She then told us that in order to change, we have to invite love into our lives. We need to learn to love Heavenly Father, then people closest to us, then it's a domino effect from there. From then on I've tried treat my companion with love and look at everybody as Heavenly Father would look at them. It's definately a challenge because it has to be on the top of your mind ALL the time! But, I really have enjoyed it because you feel better, and they feel better! But First we have to develop our Love for Heavenly Father and Christ. I invite all you guys to try a little harder, to be a little better every day in the way you treat and look at other people!

So something that I haven't gotten to talk about is the Service that we do once a week for an hour. On Tuesdays, we wake up at 5:50 and have to go to another residencial hall and basically do chores! Haha from cleaning the bathrooms to vacuuming, to takin out the trash, we do chores! It's really early but it's also pretty fun! We just talk the whole entire time and clean! Pretty sweet!

This week in personal study I've studied a bunch of things but I've started to read the Book Of Mormon in spanish for 20 min a day. Our teacher said that if we do that, our comprehension and speaking abilities will improve and be mastered by 6 months! I think it's worth a try! I still am struggling with my R's. I blame my high pallet. But it's gunna take time, so it's all good. Other things that I've studied in personal study is the life of Christ! I started reading "Jesus the Christ" again and it's so great.

My spanish is comin along but it seems like I'm at a stand still, but I know I'm learning a little every day. We started learning about a new tense called SUBJUNCTIVE. It's pretty much insane. We realized that we need to use it like half the time we speak...haha so that should be interesting. But again...with time I know it will come.

The other suggestion that I have for you guys is to read 2 Nephi Chapters 31-33. Chapter 31 is called "The Doctrine of Christ." I love these chapters because they're very straight forward. I love how it says that we need to follow the example of Jesus Christ as best as we can! Another of my favorite verses that I found was 2 Nephi 25:26, " And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for remission of their sins". Christ is the center of the gospel! Just like he is the center of my name tag! It is only through Him that we find pure JOY! He provided the way!

I love you all so much! You're all awesome! I miss you so much! Oh and I decided when I get back I'm not goin to fall semester cuz I just want to be home. :) haha

And congrats to Adam Pulsipher! Chile will be great and spanish is the best! I can't even IMAGINE learning chinese or something. Props to Bro. Lundquist.

LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!!

Elder Hjelmstad

LOVE YOU! MISS YOU!!!

Week 5 MTC

My new ring....

My CTR ring!

(CTR= Choose The Right)

HLJ ring up close... (Haz Lo Justo)

...which means "Do The Just"

My classroom. Pretty legit TV's!!!

"Card in the bookstore! haha We thought it was Mary but....

Nope! It's Jesus!"

Elder Hjelmstad and Brown!!!

Buddies from Water Polo in H.S.

and BYU

Elder Hjelmstad and Lyon...

Both born July 8th, 1992

Roomed together at BYU

Submitted their mission papers on the same exact day

Josh reported to the MTC one week before Elder Lyon

Elder Lyon just left for Peru where he will do the remainder of his training and serve his mission.

This is Sister Tenney

aka... Tressa or Jackie's best friend

She will be leaving to serve her mission in Russia about the same time Josh leaves for Argentina.

They both leave the Missionary training center at the end of September.

Hey Family!

So the weeks keep pickin up speed! I cannot believe that I've been in here for 5 weeks! Totally crazy. This week was really good, but just like any other week, it had its ups and downs!

After I got my shots last Thurs... I got sick. I HATE IMMUNIZATIONS. I laid low pretty much the whole entire day on Sat and then felt way better.

Sunday was great as usual too. The devotional on Sunday was given by a member of the Mission Presedency here at the MTC. He's a retired doctor, so he talked about the importance of being healthy on your mission and to not do anything stupid to get yourself sent home. It was a really good talk because he said that we have to be healthy missionaries in order to be effective missionaries. He gave us a breathing exercise that will help our stress levels not effect us too. I really enjoyed it.

Monday was the best Monday yet! I usually don't like them because gym is in the morning so theres really not much to look forward to afterwards. But it was actually really great! We had a sub in class and He served in Argentina! We talked about the food, people, etc. for like an hour! It got me really excited! I can't wait to meet the people and love them! At lunch I got a letter from ELDER DAVIS!! That was great! And then at dinner I saw LINDSEY AND CAPELLA. Then I got a letter from KELLIE about her baptism! I felt like I was hangin out in Tmec again! It was so great!

Tuesday was Really, really, really, amazing! It had been rumored that an apostle was going to come speak to us at the devotional but we didn't know for sure. We sang in the choir again, just to make sure that we had seats in the gym! Right before the meeting started...Elder Jeffrey Holland walked in. He gave an amazing talk about missionary work. I took a ton of notes and I want to give you all of them, so I'm going to send them in my next letter and maybe Mom can type them into here. My favorite line he said was, "Let your mission change your life forever." After the talk there was a special musical number, a duet with 2 girls. It was a special duet though because one girl sang, while the other signed the song. The song was fantastic and then on top of that I thought about Jenee and her ASL and between those, I basically started balling. The spirit was so strong and I could really feel the Love of my Heavenly Father.

In choir we sang, "Faith of our Fathers." It was really great cuz I kept thinking of how grateful I was, for you guys and your faith to join the church. Thank you so much!

Speaking of love, This week I've been studying love and how we need to love others because God loves us. I've really loved studying it because not only do I feel loved, knowing how much my Heavenly Father loves me, but I realize how much I can love other people. For me I've always struggled expressing my love, but It's been a goal of mine to show people I love them, by serving them and listening to them. 1 John 4 nails it right on the head. I love that chapter.

My favorite scripture of this week is Corinthians 2:9!!!
"But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him."

I know that when we love others, serve others, and look at them like God looks at them.., WE are happier!

So my language goal this week was to learn how to ROLL MY R'S. ITS HARD!!!! I basically just have this list of words that I say over and over and over and over and over again. BUT.... ITS WORKING. Haha I've gotten a little bit better. A teacher said that it took her 3 months to learn, how so hopefully my tounge catches on soon.

So the food here is actually not too bad, but... THE FRUIT IS. The fruit is never very good/ripe/normal colored. Oranges are yellow, bananas are green. The only good fruit they have is cantaloupe. Luckily, I just started liking cantaloupe like a month before I left, because I eat it pretty much every single day here! Sometimes they have pineapple and those are the best days ever.

K, well I cant really think of anything else except that I'm doin great! I love all of you so much! And I love being a missionary! OOhhh and I have the BEST FAN CLUB EVER!

LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!!,

Elder Hjelmstad

Elder Landers (Roommate) & I

Elder Thompson (Roommate) & I

Elder Drete (in coat) & Elder Barker

Week 4 MTC

Moroni 8:16

...Behold, I speak with boldness, having authority from God; and I fear not what man can do; for perfect love casteth out all fear.

I firmly believe that any man's finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear, is that moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle - victorious.

-Vince Lombardi

HOLA!!!

This has been a pretty great week! Times goin fast and I got to see Capella in the cafeteria

and I saw Lindsey today too! SO GREAT!

Thanks so much for sending me that package! I loved everything inside! That pillow looks totally sweet too! The cupcakes were DESTROYED, haha but I still ate them. And the ipod was perfect except....no carrie underwood singing How Great Thou Art...I might send it home just for that one song. Seriously!!! haha but I'm so lucky to have such a supportive family!

Last week my companion, Elder Christiansen fell on his wrist during soccer, so we got walk off campus to get x-rays... but TODAY we got driven to a doctor over by Provo HS! We got out of "jail" for like an hour and a half! Haha It's weird cuz, when you're outside the gates of the MTC...you're a missionary...and people look at you like you're a missionary. Ha! We didn't stop and preach to anybody, but while we were sitting in the waiting room, a couple walked in and guess what...THEY SPOKE SPANISH. So...we talked to them. :) They spoke really, really fast. haha but We actually had a conversation with them. They asked where we were from and where were goin and for how long and stuff. The lady actually knew some friends that live in Rosario! She referred them to us! Totally got my first referral. haha!!! We got her friends' names and number so I'm gunna keep that safe until I get down there! My companion is okay though, just got a little brace for his wrist.

Oh, so my comp and I changed rooms this week and moved in with Elder Thompson and Elder Landers. Pictures are comin in the mail. Before movin in with them we had a room to ourselves and it got a little boring at times, so now it's fun to hang out and chill with the other Elders. We say a lot of religious jokes in here, haha they get pretty funny cuz we cant really joke about anything else!

The devotionals were great this week! Elder Zivic and wife spoke to us on Tuesday! They're from ARGENTINA! They both had really stong accents but got the message out perfect in English. Sister Zivic spoke first and gave "motherly advice." It was such good stuff. She had a few amazing quotes that she said, that I loved. She said, "Happiness comes from circumstances, Joy comes from God." I think this is spot on perfect. Dad and I always talked about how joy is something special. It's a level of happiness that is long lasting. God is the difference. It's the eternal perspective knowledge that gives us joy. We are so lucky! Sis Zivic also said, "nothing is impossible to the Lord." Once again, spot on. I love all the scriptures that give me comfort, that I can do anything, through Christ and Heavenly Father. (Alma 26:12, Phil 4:13, 1 Ne. 3:7) Elder Zivic gave an amazing talk as well. He said that we choose every day what were gunna put into life. He said that life is like an echo, what you do and say is eventually going to come back at you. He told us to give our very best for the next two years for, "total dedication is complete vistory."-Ghandi and he alse shared a sweet quote by V.Lombardi that starts "I firmly believe that a mans finest hour..(mom look that up please :)" He told us to not settle for less than our abilities. Take it one step at a time and rely on the Lord. Faith + Works = Miracles.

My favorite scripture during personal study was in Moroni 8:16. I like the last sentence when it says, "for perfect love casteth out all fear." If we love like Christ loves, and come unto Him, we have nothing to fear. His love far out matches us. I'm so grateful for my Savior and the comfort I feel when I'm doing the right thing.

So, this week I finished the Book of Mormon! BEST BOOK EVER. I seriously was glued to it. I felt so good every single time I read it, I didn't want to put it down. I didn't want it to end either! I know that anybody that reads the Book of Mormon can and will feel the comfort of the Holy Ghost. It's another testament of Jesus Christ and the love He and Heavenly Father have for us. For those who dont know about the Book of Mormon, It's a record of a group of people that left Jerusalem around 600 bc and were led by the hand of God to the Americas. The book has different accounts of their dealings with God and also tells about when Christ came to the Americas, after He was resurrected. He said that he was to visit "other sheep which are not of this fold." Those sheep, or people, were visitied by Him and taught by Him. The Book of Mormon can answers any of our questions, and silence all our fears. I know that the Book of Mormon is true because I've prayed and received an answer that it is true. It has changed my life!

So, I'm almost out of time but everyone should read Alma 32, it talks about faith and acting on our faith.

Real quick... this week I said somethin pretty funny when my comp and I were goin to get a drink. I said, "Vamos tomar un bebe" I tried to say "lets go get a drink" but didn't know what drink was, but the verb is beber, so I took a whack at it. We started laughing because it sounded like I said, "lets go take a baby." haha we got a good kick out of that one.

K well I love you all so very, very much and and so grateful for you and your support. I'm one lucky missionary!

Love,

Elder Hjelmstad

Quote of the week: "Happiness comes from circumstances, Joy comes from God"

-Sister Zivic

p.s. mom can you please send me the monson quote I taped up under my polo plaques in my room and some pics of me playin polo and Jeds Highs and lows poem, and tell tyler sarber to write me. and KELLIE.

dad- can you send me come back stretches and neck stretches? Thatd really help!

I LOVE YOU BOTH SO MUCH!

Week 3 MTC

Doctrine and Covenants 130: 20-21

20 There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated-

21 And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated.

FAMILIA!!

DANG! I cannot believe I've been gone for 3 weeks already! Totally insane. K so this week was great! I'm totally in the swing of things here at the MTC. Never seems like we get enough sleep though. haha but its fine. The language has been comin along slowly but surely. The tenses are stickin a little bit more each day and my vocab is increasing as well.

We taught 3 different lessons to our pretend "investigators." I always get wayyyy nervous right before them because I wanna do good but once we get in the room the spirit just carries the conversation and Spanish comes and it's just so amazing. We are teaching Pablo and Rodrigo right now. We've taught Pablo the whole first lesson and got him to Pray for us out loud, which was so awesome because he said he'd never do that. Rodrigo is praying about if he believes in God, so we'll see where that goes. It's fun and challenging! Learning to teach in spanish is so much different than english, cuz its ALL basics, nothing too crazy cuz I don't know the words to elaborate! haha

So my district is so awesome. 2 of us are going to Rosario, 2 to Mendoza, Argentina and 4 to Asuncion North in Paraguay. We just had 3 Elders from our district leave this morning to switch over to the Dominican Republic MTC though. We have a ton of fun! They are all really great guys and it's fun cuz were all in the same boat for the most part. I'm really close to Elder Thompson, he's from Boise. We have a lot in common, so we talk a lot. haha We both miss our families like crazy! I would allow him to write Jenee... but hes got a girl. haha So ya, everybody thinks Jenees cute. It's hilarioussss. hahah

k my favorite part of the day is GYM because we get to run around instead of being inside! I play either bball or futbol. I somehow score every time we play soccer. TOTALLY LUCK every time. haha but but it's way fun! On tues we we're playin futbol and Elder Christiansen, my comp, fell and hurt his wrist so WE GOT TO GO OFF CAMPUS! haha We walked down the street to the BYU health clinic to get an x-ray. He's fine! Just swollen so that’s good!

K the devotionals were SO GOOD as usual. On Sunday, we learned about the definition of a successful missionary. He had a bunch of different definitions, but what I got out of it was, that a successful missionary does his absolute best at all times to work hard and be a tool in the Lords hands. He shared some great examples of successful missionaries, like the sons of Mosiah and Alma. The other devotional stressed that we are Children of our Heavenly Father, who loves us, and we love Him. He talked about how blessed we are to have a Heavenly Father that wants us to succeed and has provided a way for us to return and live with Him. We're so lucky to be able to pray to Him and feel of His spirit. I was reminded of the quote, "Two people can do anything as long as one is God." as long as we obey His commandments, He will bless us. d&c 130:20-21. I think... we should have an apostle coming soon! Oh and read the Hymn, Lead kindly light and Nearer my God to thee.<--- That’s my favorite one right now. :)

haha So I've still been readin the Book of Mormon like crazy. I LOVE IT. It is such a comforter in my life right now. I don't want it to end! I love learning from them and applying them to my life. We can all liken the scriptures to our lives if we read and apply them. 3rd Nephi is amazing and how it describes Christ coming to the Americas and visiting His "other sheep." Everyone should read it.

Oh so my companion, Elder Christiansen is also going to Rosario and Elder Lynn is going there too. Elder Lynn left our district 2 weeks ago though so we're not a trio, I think I told you that but I dk. Oh, I saw Jordan Brown and Jon a bunch this week! I seriously know so many people here it's awesome!

And YAY KELLIE!!!! I'm so happy for you! WRITEEEEE MEEEEE!!! Dear Elder is awesome!

Thank you so much for all of your support and everything that you do for me!!

I love and miss every single one of you!

Love,

Elder Hjelmstad

p.s. I don’t get dear elders on sat or sun, so it's either Fri before 11 or Monday. Just letting you know.

LOVE YOU so much and miss you a ton!

Lead, Kindly Light

Lead, Kindly Light, amid then circling gloom: Lead me on!

The night is dark, and I am far from home; Lead thou me on!

Keep thou my feet; I do not ask to see

The distant scene- one step enough for me.

I was not ever thus, nor prayed that thou Shouldst lead me on.

I loved to choose and see my path; but now, Lead me on.

I loved the garnish day, and, spite of fears,

Pride ruled my will. Remember not past years.

So long thy power hath blest me, Sure it still Will lead me on

O'er moor and fen, o'er crag and torrent, till The night is gone.

And with the morn those angel faces smile,

Which I have loved long since, and lost awhile.

Week 2 MTC

The FIRST ever Elder Hjelmstad!

FAMILIA!!!

Hey guys!

2 WEEKS!! WOOHOOO! Haha I cant believe its already been two weeks. craziness. First off Last week when I emailed you saying I hadnt seen Jon, well I saw him like an hour later after dinner! I saw him down the hall and yelled ELDER LYON really loud, probably not okay, but he heard me and then we embraced. haha its fun seeing him around! whenever I hear "HJELMSTAD" I know its him!

THANKS YOU SO MUCH FOR THE PACKAGE! That was so fun! I loved every single part of it! Right when I opened it up I looked at the picture album. Btw I cry every time I think of my family... but well get to that later. So anyways, my district wanted to see you guys, so I started showin them the pics and of course started crying. haha so annoying! But the Granola is AWESOME. toffee is AMAZING, zone bars were hilarious, and LETTERS WERE SO GREAT! I was chompin at the bit to read them asap but I had to wait until night. They were so fun to read!

So, my spanish is comin along... I'm pretty good at vocab, so I'm just workin on tenses and all the weird rules that the spanish language has. Its hard but NOT EVEN close to how hard it would be to learn chinese or somethin crazy. I just keep tellin myself to take it little by little and itll come. It already is.

So, this past Sunday was like the weirdest day of my whole life! Ultimate roller coaster day. Testimony meeting was amazing. Elders can bear their testimonies in English or Spanish, and they were all fantastic. Towards the end of the meeting I was crying and couldnt even sing the last song cuz I was crying...so annoying! Once again, I'll come back to that later. haha! So ya testimony meeting was GREAT! Then we had lots and lots of personal scripture study time and also had a mission conference where the MTC pres talks about stuff. During personal study and the conference I was just super depressed and down for some weird reason. I was overwhelmed and stressed out and I couldnt get rid of it. I kept doubting myself all the way til the Devotional at night. The devotional was on faith and was so GOOD! I said a prayer in the middle of the address and all of a sudden felt better than ever. It reminded me of the anology of the heart monitor and how we know were alive when the line goes up and down. Sunday turned out to be great though!

OK so my district thinks that I cry a ton and that I have a story about everything. haha gotta love that reputation! I seriously cry almost every time I bear my testimony or talk about my family. haha Ive never been a cry baby until now! But I keep everybody intrigued with my stories I guess. I told them I was colorblind and how I broke my leg sledding. They liked those ones! haha

So, today we were in the temple and this cute old lady came up to my companion (the white one-Elder Chrtistiansen) and I and another companionship and asked where we were goin. The other elders said they were goin to Paraguay and that they were better than us. She replied and said, "ok well, THEY are HOTT!" while she looked at us! I was dying laughing! I love old ladies! hahaha

In my personal scipture study this week I've just continued to read the Book of Mormon and I'm loving every minute of it. If anybody has questions about the Book of Mormon, they should pick one up and read it for themselves. No words can explain the comfort that It brings me. I've been underlining stuff that I like, but the two words that I circle the most are JOY and PREACH. And thats what I'm doing! I'm preaching joy! Joy that I have had my whole life because of the gospel. To me Joy is more than happiness. It's a view of life and a way of life. I'm so grateful for the gospel in my life!

So the spanish word I found out this week that was my favorite was "ESCONDIDO!" It means "hidden!" I was so surprised when it found out! I just thought it was cool for some reason. haha

I was so sad to hear that Gramma had to put down Yogi! :( She needs a new dog PRONTO! Please let her know that Im thinkin about her and love her!

Lastly, I just wanna thank everybody that has written me! You guys are AMAZING! I get so many letters! I have the best fan club ever! haha but seriously they mean a lot to me. They are all so uplifting and I love hearing what's goin on in your life. Come up with some questions that I can answer cuz I never know what to write you guys about!

I LOVE YOU ALL!

K Mom I dont need a sleeping bag and I'm pretty sure Ill be fine without a rain coat. And could you send Dee's emails to me through dear elder?

Dad- How do you shine shoes? haha you never showed me!

How's Travis doin? Tell him to write me with some MTC advice, please.

I'M SO EXCITED FOR KELLIE!!!!! That makes me so happy! I sent a letter home to Linds and her before I found that out. Please get it to them if you can asap and tell Kellie to write me.

I LOVE YOU GUYS SO MUCH!

I MISS YOU LIKE CRAZY!

Elder Hjelmstad

Wearing it proudly!!!!

Argentina is a long way from Temecula!!!!!

Can't wait to get there... 7 more weeks!!!!

Josh's District

Josh and other spanish speaking missionaries

Josh's first two companions...

Elder Lynn, Elder Hjelmstad and Elder Christiansen

Elder Lynn setting up in Josh's room at the MTC

The famous MTC bunk beds...