Midway through MTC Stay

Pictures have arrived!  Elder Schwartz has shipped a memory card home.  Here are some MTC photos....

Our first pic of Elder Schwartz with his MTC companion Elder Matthews from Wisconsin.



Here is the email message from this week:

I still can't believe that Andrew is graduating tonight!  I just graduated!  Wow does the time fly.  Give Andrew a big hug for me and tell him that hid big brudda is so proud of him :')  Oh and he better take a nap today, grad night takes a lot out of you.  He's coming to Provo soon, right?  It's great to hear that you're recovering from your surgery well Pops.   Elder Peterson had the same surgery as you at about the same time as you so I know how tough that must have been.  Elder Peterson and I were living in the same room at the time and every 3 hours throughout the night Elder Matthews and I had to make runs to the cafeteria to get him ice, and he couldn't walk very well for a few days, he was basically bedridden.  Now he's fully recovered and left for Carlsbad on Monday morning, and Elder Nelson left for Guatemala too. (Elder Nelson was in a 3-way companionship with me and Elder Matthews for the first 2 weeks).  In our district we do this really cool thing where we sing "Hasta Ver" (God be with you till we meet again) to the missionaries the night before they depart to the mission field.  There's a lot of crying involved, its really sweet; we did that for Elder Peterson and Elder Nelson on Sunday night.

 

This week Elder Jensen of the Seventy and Brother Doty were our devotional speakers.  Brother and Sister Doty discussed the life, love, and example of Christ and how we need to strive to be more like him.  He told the stories of many of Christ's miracles and how they werte able to be because of the faith of the one's receiving them.  He made it very clear how vital faith is in our work as missionaries, it was a great devotional.  Elder Jensen (who is soon being released) simply shared with us advice about maximizing our missions through stories and examples from his life.  He was a great speaker with an awesome sense of humor.  He made a very interesting point that one day everyone that we affiliate with in this life will know what we know (the Gospel), and they will know that we knew about it too.  That hit me really hard that there a lot of opprotunities that i've already passed up, and also that our standards and beliefs are shown through our actions too, so even if we aren't literally teaching people about this Gospel, we still are just through our behavior.  Devotionals are one of my favorite parts of life here in the MTC.

 

Regarding the pictures:  We have THE BEST service job at the MTC, we get to clean showers.  I know that doesn't sound very appealing, but it is.  The best way to explain it is basically that I'm a ghost buster for 75 minutes every Thursday.  We get these huge hoses with gun-nozzles attached to the end and we shoot pink foam at all of the showers out of them and then rinse them down with water and scrubbers.  Its a good time.  I'll have to send you guys a picture of me using the spray gun sometime. 

 

 

 

In the pictures with us with headphones on is in the TALL lab (Technology Assisted Language Learning).  It's a kind of really outdated program but it's helping me a lot with my pronunciation.

 

 

 

The spanish is coming along muy bien.  Both Hermano Brown and Hermana McGuire have told me during coaching sessions that they're really impressed with how fast I'm picking up the language concepts, so that's a good thing.  The conversation is flowing a lot more naturally in our lessions with progressive investigators; no more awkward silences or major mispronunciations.  I don't use spanish notes anymore, but I bring my pocket dictionary just in case. Oh!  But here is my dumb moment of the week:  I was asked to give the closing prayer in class yesterday which was fine because I've said like 1,000,000,000 spanish prayers since ive been here, but instead of saying "we thank the for this beautiful day" (Estamos agradecidos por este dia bonito), I said "Estamos agradecidos por este dia novia" which translastes to "Thank you for this day, girlfriend!"  everone laughed, and it was kinda really embarassing, but whatever!  At least I did it here and not in Chile!

 

 

 

I saw Kelly again this week, we talked for a good half hour, she told me a little about her mission in Germany and gave me the updates of the NBA playoffs.  It's great seeing framilliar faces.  I haven't seen anyone new lately, but apparently Grant Jones is coming in this Wednesday, so I'll be sure to snag a picture with him.  I've will have officially been here for a month tomorrow, boy has the time flew.  Only one more month until your son is in CHILE!  I'm so excited.  By next weekend my district will be the oldest one in the zone, we'll be the top dogs here. Weeeeeird, i feel like i just got here.

 

My reading of the Book of Mormon is going by swimmingly.  I just finished Alma 20, so I just finished the story of Ammon and King Lamoni, wayyyyyy good story.  I want to be as good of a missionary as Ammon was, maybe without cutting off people's arms.  Anyways, I'm getting more revelation and insight from reading from the Book of Mormon this time than I ever have in my life.  I am actually learning from the stories and applying them to my investigators and my calling.  I really am doing what I hoped, by developing a stronger knowledge and relationship with the Book of Mormon. 

  

 Thank you all so much for your prayers, you're love and your support.  I love you all so much.  I know that I am doing the Lord's work.  I'm growing a lot and I can't wait to share my message with the people of Chile!  Talk to y'all next week!

 

xoxo, Elder Schwartz

 

A few more photos......

 



Happy to get lots of mail....



Our zone in front of Provo Temple

Me and Matt Bell.  He teaches here at MTC

Me and Elder Cody Brinkerhoff



"Chance Encounter" with big brother Phil

 

Happy to see a nice picture of my little brother....

Click here to see more photos from the MTC.....



 

MTC week four

We got an email from Elder Schwartz today and shortly after this photo showed up on my phone.  Big brother Phil ran into our Elder Schwartz near the Provo Temple.  We are super happy to see these two fun brothers get a chance to see each other before our elder leaves for Chile.

 

 

Here is some of his latest message:

 

Thank you all so much for your love and support!  This week was equally as amazing as the past three.  I can't believe that I have been here for almost 4 weeks!  The time is flying,  it really does feel like Phil just dropped me off a few days ago.  In a little more than a month I'll be in CHILE!  The spanish is coming along really well!  I still have tons to learn but I am picking up the grammatical concepts really quickly and am not at all overwhelmed or stressed about the language. 

 

 A lot has happenned this week.  On Tuesday we had a devotional from Elder Zwick of the Seventy.  It was inspired.  He talked to us about the importance of the Book of Mormon in not only our purpose of missionaries, but in our own personal lives as well.  It really hit me.  After every devotional we have a district meeting with a member of our Branch presidency to discuss what we learned, this meeting usually always turns into a testimony meeting and one of the most powerful hours of the week.  This past week in our district meeting, Elder Peterson spoke first.  Elder Peterson has been in the MTC for 13 weeks, he was supposed to leave for Carlsbad three an a half weeks ago but because he got surgery, he had to stay in the MTC for some extra time.  He's really wise and is an awesome example and addition to our district (he was our Zone Leader when I first arrived).  The guy is a total stud.  Anyways, he stood up and told our district that he had grown up around the Book of Mormon his whole life but he had never read it all the way through by himself before entering the MTC.   He just finished the Book of Mormon a few nights ago and bore a testimony of its truthfulness like I have never heard before.  One by one each member of our district stood up and said that they haven't read through the book completely and that they need to do so to fulfill our missionary purpose.  We set a district goal that night to have everyone finish the Book of Mormon before leaving the MTC, I set a personal goal so finish it in 2 weeks, Right now im on 2nd Nephi 22, trying to read 50 pages a day.  At the close of that district meeting Brother Barker of our branch presidency stood up with tears in his eyes proclaiming the strength of our district and how unique we are compared to any district he has instructed before.  He told us that the spirit that we brought the the zone was so strong and that he know that we are going to do great things in Chile.  It was an amazing experience.

 

Last Sunday Elder Matthews and I had the opprotunity to bless the Sacrament, in spanish!  It was way cool.  Sundays here at the MTC are the best!  After Sacrament meeting we get to walk around the temple grounds and enjoy the surroundings and talk and sit in the grass and take pictures.  Its really pleasant, and then Sunday nights we have awesome devotionals too.  This past Sunday we had a devotional from Brother Allen, head of the missionaries, or some crazy title like that.  He gave a way cool talk, very different than normal.  It was very interactive, lots of questions and answers, asking people to stand up if they have been in certain situations.  It was really cool. 

 

This week I got a letter from Dan Lynch, and Phil also wrote me this week, a very nice long letter to lift my already good mood.  I love hearing from you guys throughout the week!  The support really does mean a lot to me so please keep the letters comin'!  I saw Kelly driving around in a security kart yesterday morning and I got to talk to her for a while which was great!  She told me all about the going to California for Ben and Caitlyn's wedding.  Sounds like a blast!  When you all see her, please thank her for me, He really has enhanced my experience here at the MTC a ton.  It's really reinforcing to see someone you know so well every week, and not too many missionaries get that luxury.  I also saw Matty Bell yesterday, and yes I took a picture with him so be sure to send me a memory card for my camera so I can send the one that I have now home to you!

 

I have been extremely blessed with my teachers here at the MTC.  I have team teachers (similar to Mom and Sister Bell in seminary), Hermano Brown and Hermana McGuire, they are both amazing.  I feel like they are not only my teachers, but my friends too.  I personally feel like I have a close personal connection with both of them, like I have had with some teachers in high school but CLOSER, and that has made all the difference.  Every week we have individual coaching sessions with one of the teachers and mine are always the longest because we just talk and talk and talk, I love it.  Brother Brown served his mission with the Justin Moses from PH2 ward, so if by chance you run into him, tell him "Joel Brown says whats up". 

 

I know that Heavenly Father has put me in this district, in this class, in this zone, and in the Chile Santiago East mission for a reason, just like President Score said in my setting apart.  I am growing so much in this gospel in such a short amount of time; my testimony is getting stronger and stronger with every passing day.  Yo se que este evangelio es verdidera y Jose Smith es un profeta de Dios.  Yo se que El Libro de Mormon es verdidero tombien.  El Libro de Mormon puede bendecir nos vidas.  El Libro de Mormon es el clave de nos religion, y estoy muy agradecido por el role in mi vida.  Les amo!  I can't wait to hear from you all soon!  Thank you so much for all of your letters and support!

 

Love, Elder Schwartz.

Week 3, MTC

Some excerpts from Elder Schwartz's latest email: 

This was yet another successful week here at the good ol' MTC.  The spanish is coming well.  I'm taking it a step at a time but I can definitely comprehend the language a lot more than I was able to before.  I can almost carry on simple conversations! Hola, me nombre es Elder Schwartz.  Soy de Martinez California.  Me gusta comer los burritos...  Me gusta gatitos y jugar futbol americano.  And that's about all I know so far.  I know with time and dedication and much prayer, I'll be able to get it down fine.  I really can't believe that it has been almost 3 weeks!  It really seems like I just got here yesterday.  The time is flying. 

This week we had two devotionals, and they were both equally amazing.  The first was on Sunday from the President of the Provo Temple and he bore such a strong testimony that the temple is the house of the Lord, and that miracles happen in temples on a daily basis.  The second speaker was Elder Rasband, from the presidency of the Seventy. He's the one that gave the talk on how missionaries are called. He's a fantastic speaker.  He spoke to us about teaching with the presence of the Spirit and how to qualify to have it.  He gave us a 3-step formula, the first being to bridle our passions; that when we left for the mission field, we put our personal passions on a shelf for two years while we are here to do the Lord's work.  The second was to let virtue garnish our thoughts; that if we are always thinking of clean things, we will never fall into transgression and will be more sensitive to the Spirit.  The third step was to pray to Heavenly Father for assistance, and that if we sincerely pray for the help of the Spirit, Heavenly Father will bless us.

The MTC is an amazing place and I am blessed to have the opprotunity to come here to grow in the Gospel.  I love my zone, I love my district, and I love my companion; I really am blessed.  I see people from BYU and from home on a daily basis.  I saw Elder (Cody) Brinkerhoff a couple days ago.  Sadly, I didn't have my camera, but next time I'll snag a photo with him.  I see Kelly all the time; it's awesome (and yes, I got a photo with her).  It is so nice to see so many framilliar faces as I walk through the halls.

I know that I am in the right place and that Heavenly Father has a specific reason for me to be here at this time. Yo se que El Libro de Mormon es el palabra de Dios y su Hijo Jesucristo es el Salvador.  Yo se que Jose Smith es un profeta de Dios y Thomas S. Monson es un profeta de Dios hoy.  Yo se que la Evangelio es veridad.  La Evangelio benedice mi vida en muchos caminos diferentes.  Amo la Evangelio y mi familia.  Gracias.

Since I don't have any photos of Elder Schwartz in the MTC yet, I'll post some very old photos of other elders, including some Elder Schwartzes from 30 years ago....

...at least until I get some current pics of the current Elder Schwartz.....

Elder Steve Schwartz circa 1979.  Notice the vest and simple name tag.  I ran into him at a BYU fireside on a Sunday evening and got a pic with him...

This was shortly before I entered the MTC in April 1980.  Elder Steve was getting ready to leave for La Paz Bolivia.

This is my MTC district (minus me) in front of the fountain by the Provo temple.  Half of our district went to Rome and the other half to Milano.

These are two elders from my district studying in the MTC.  Elder Thomas (left) was my MTC companion, a rancher from southern Colorado.  Elder Wilson was the funny one (right).

Seeing missionaries in the MTC was a bit easier 30 years ago.  Shortly after I returned home from my mission in April 1982, my brother Elder James Schwartz was in the MTC and cousin Carrie Lynn and I found him one day and snapped a quick photo with him.  He was getting ready to depart for Munich Germany.

Week Two...Settling In

This week's email from Elder Schwartz: Wow this week has been busy!  But I guess I better be getting used to it because thats going to be my life for the next 2 years!     My companion is great, his name is Elder Matthews and he is from Wisconsin. He's great, very strong spirit and easy to get along with, and we complement each other well while teaching discussions too!  We share a room with 2 other elders in our district, Elder Nelson and Elder Peterson.  Elder Nelson is going to the Guatemala, Guatemala City Central Mission, and he leaves for the MTC down there in a week. Elder Nelson, Matthews and I were in a 3 way companionship for a little while before Elder Peterson came into the picture.  Elder Peterson was my Zone Leader when I first arrived at the MTC, and I looked up to him instantly. He has a way cool spirit about him and is just an awesome person in general.  He was supposed to be leaving for the field with the rest of his district on Monday of this week, BUT he has to get surgery so he was delayed for 3 more weeks. Yes that news got him down because he was so excited to leave but it really was a blessing for our district and me, because now he is in all of our classes and he is my new roommate!  So it has been amazing having him around, we have learned so much from him and it has only been a few days.  Our district is growing so close together, and it has only been 1 week. We really are just like a good group of friends, when it's time to play, we play, and when it's time to get down to business, we work.  I am really blessed with the district I was placed in, and the zone too.  Our zone does this thing where every night before we go to bed we go room to room and give each other hugs, and it has been really nice feeling so welcome, so fast.  Even our branch presidency does it too!  After every meeting our branch presidency goes around the room and gives all of the Elders hugs.  I remember after my first interview with President Steward, our brach president, we stood up and I put my arm out to shake his hand and he said, "Elder Schwartz, we don't shake hands in this branch... In this branch we hug." and gave me a big ol' bear hug.   I have seen so many people that i know here and it's been awesome!  On Tuesday I got to see Kelley working security for the devotional and that was so nice!  I got to give her a big old hug, all of the other missionaries were way jealous, and on Wednesday I ran into Matt Bell in the Cafeteria!  Sadly I didn't have my camera with me, but next time I'll be sure to get pictures with both of them!  Almost every day I run into someone who instantly knows that I'm Phil's little brother and they throw their arms around me and ask me how it's going. That's been really nice.  A lot of Phil's friends work at the MTC apparently, and I love it.  And i've been running into friends from BYU around almost every corner, I got to see Elder Rice (Chase) on Wednesday and talk to him for a little bit, and Elder Smith (Declan) lives in the room directly below me!  Todd lives in my building too so I see him multiple times a day!  It's hard for us to call each other Elder Schwartz and Elder Baer, but we're getting used to it. The spanish is going well, I'm starting to be able to piece together a few sentences, but I've got a long ways to go!  I don't know if i told you about my investigator, Fernando, in my last letter, but Elder Matthews and I have been teaching him for the past week and have really been struggling to communicate (8 days of spanish), but he is way awesome and warm and funny and just a cool guy.  Hermano Brown and Hermana McGuire are awesome teachers and l have just kinda clicked with them instantly, which is really nice seeings how we are in and out of our classroom 16 hours a day!   On Tuesday we had our first devotional, and Elder Hunt (My district leader) and I waited outside in line for like 30 minutes to get a good seat, and the wait was well worth it for multiple reasons!  The first being, Kelly was there to greet me at the door and the second being, THE SPEAKER WAS L. TOM PERRY.  It was so cool being able to learn from him.,  he spoke on the priesthood being restored (Because May 15th is the anniversary of the priesthood being restored) and bore an amazing testimony at the end of his talk. The spirit couldn't have been any stronger.  After the devotional, we had a district meeting with a member of our branch presidency immediatly after the meeting that turned into a testimony meeting and that was an awesome way to end the night.   I want to thank you all for the letters and packages that you send me and the prayers that you have, it really does make all of the difference knowing that I have so many people supporting me back at home,  I love you all, I'm praying for you every night, and I wish you all the best!  I know that I am in the right place and that Heavenly Father has a specific purpose for putting me in this district, in this zone, and in this mission.  Thank you and I can't wait to hear from you all next week!   Love, xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox,   -Elder Schwartz  

Lots of Familiar Faces

Some glimpses of the MTC by Elder Schwartz reveal that around every corner there, a familiar face is found. According to the snail mail received today, Elder Baer, Elder Palmieri, Elder Neumann, and several elders from the BYU ward have been encountered. This morning via text we have our first look inside the MTC, as Elder Schwartz ran into one of Phil's friends who is teaching there. A photo op was presented...and taken...and through the miracle of electronic communication, we have our first look at Elder Schwartz with a name tag...

MTC...at last!

On Wednesday, Elder Schwartz said good bye to brother Phil in Provo and entered the Missionary Training Center.  We finally heard from him today.  Some excerpts of his e-mail follow:

Hola mi familia!

     That's about all that I've learned in spanish so far... but thats fine because I have 9 weeks left to learn!  It's day four here at the the MTC and it already feels like home, it was amazing how quickly my zone took us new guys in under their wings and showed us their love and appreciation and care for us right off the bat!  As of right now I am in a 3-way companionship with Elder Matters from Wisconson (accent and everything..... he calls soda "pop")  but I love him nonetheless, and he will be my companion for the entire stay here at the MTC, and then there is also Elder Nelson, who is only going to be my companion for 3 weeks before he leaves for the MTC in Guatemala.  Last night we taught our first lesson in spanish and it was spectacular, I mean, my spanish was awful, but the experience was absolutly amazing, and the teachers here are spectacular.  Yes I am the only kid in my class with no spanish experience, but I'll catch on in no time.  

     Thank you all for your "Dearelder.com" messages.  It reallly is a nice treat to come home to letters from your family and friends at the end of a long day. 

     I know that I am in the right place and Heavenly Father has shown me that through numerous examples already.  Don't worry about me being happy or feeling comfortable here, because I truly am.  I love you all and thank you so much for your support, and love and affection.  It's been only 3 days and I've already grown so much; the MTC really is a place like no other.

     Sorry this letter was so short.  I promise a longer one next week!  There's just so much that my companieros and I have to get done!  I love you all and miss you all.  Send everyone my love!!!!

Elder Schwartz

Elder Schwartz will be sending us messages on Friday, so we'll try to get them posted here soon after.  He will be sending some pics by snail mail that we'll scan and post for you all.

Here is some contact info for him:

Elder Nathaniel Lee Schwartz
MTC Mailbox # 181
CHI-SATE 0710
2005 N 900 E
Provo, UT 84604-1793

or

http://www.dearelder.com/

register for a free account

You will need to enter some info:

Elder Nate Schwartz is going to Chile Santiago East mission and he will be in the MTC-Provo for the next 9 weeks.

Ready, Set Apart, Go!

 Last night, Nate met with our stake president, President Tim Score and with hands laid upon his head, was "set apart" as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  Now known as Elder Schwartz, he is a representative of Jesus Christ and will serve the people of Chile over the next two years.

The family in town (sorry Phil) was able to be there with him and we then shared a meal together with John and Virginia at a family favorite spot in Martinez, Sunflower Garden.  

Elder Schwartz is unsure of if and when the next Chinese meal will be while he is so far away in Chile.

 On the way home, he was pleased to spot some warm wishes from our good neighbors Hannah and Ian.

 Then some hug-less farewells with good friends.

 And finally, this morning, warm good-byes with mom....

 and brother, Andrew...

and poppa...

before heading to the airplane to Salt Lake City with fellow elder and childhood friend, Todd (Elder Baer). He gets to see brother Phil in Provo, before entering the missionary training center (MTC).  May God be with you until we embrace again in two years time.  We know you will be a great missionary.