Email June, 24, 2011 One week down!!

Hey Mom!!!

Ok. As for me. I am doing GREAT!!! My story for the week. I was having a rough day yesterday (thursday). I was getting annoyed and Spanish was taking a toll, and eventually it led me to thinking about how long 2 years is going to be, and then I wanted to be anywhere but the MTC... Then I realized, well there is only one place I wouldn't want to be more. That is home. I couldn't live with myself if I quit now. So I thought of all my friends serving, and I got some strength in the realization that they have all made it through this point. Then we had some personal study time after dinner. I took this time to read the Book of Mormon in English. I read for an hour straight. I had started the B of M again when I arrived, so I was reading in 1 and 2nd Nephi. EVERY single one of my prayers was answered, every single one of my concerns was addressed. I felt the Spirit so strong, and I realized that I was just fine. Not just fine, but GREAT! I have so many blessings. I get to teach the Gospel for 2 years!!! What an amazing thing. So that is my story for the week.

Other than that, I honestly don't know what else to tell you. Time is all the same in here. It is hard to tell one day apart from another. But it is all good. I guess I am in the pilot program, which means they threw us into the fire as far as Spanish goes. We taught our first lesson that first Friday in all Spanish. ALL SPANISH. It was so difficult. But we managed. I learned the first day why the Lord has put me with Elder Treviño. But I didn't even think about why the Lord put him with me. I finally realized that when we were teaching in English for the first time a few days ago. We had to teach each other the Doctrine of Christ, and then commit the person to be baptized. The person being taught was supposed to resist. So I went first. I taught with the Spirit. I bore my testimony (is that how you spell bore?). The Spirit was so strong. I realized we are here to teach each other. In our lessons with Daniel (our investigator), I have done most of the talking, even though our Spanish is about the same. We both have things to learn and work on. Once I realized that, I started to love my companion.

I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This is his true church on the earth today. These two years are my tithe for my first 20. That is the least I can do.

I love you so much mom and family. Thanks for everything.

Love, Elder Naegle

First Email!! June 16, 2011

Hello Mother!!!!

Well I have a half P-day today so I am doing a quick load of whites and I figured I would write you. Life is much better now in the MTC. Thursday was probably the toughest day of my life. But everything is good now. Elder Trevino is starting to open up a little bit more, as well as our district. Which makes things 100 times better. I have slept very well every night, and I haven't had any trouble falling asleep. Elder Trevino is from Provo, and I am pretty sure he said that he can see his house from the temple... Haha so that will be funny tomorrow on our temple walk. I am so glad that isn't me. My district has 10 elders in it. 6 are going to my mission, and the other 4 are going to the Dominican Republic. None of the elders' names that are going to my mission in my district sounded familiar though. My district has some good guys in it. We had to teach our "investigator" for the first time yesterday. He didn't come out of character ever.... So it had to be all in Spanish... Let's just say it was rough. But I felt the Spirit, and it helped me remember a lot more than I thought I would.

KO and I have completely different schedules. So I only saw him the first day... But he came over last night before bed and we talked for a minute. I am glad he is in here with me. I see lots of other elders from Bountiful in here, and it is always nice to say hello to them.

I now understand why it was so difficult for Nate to answer questions. I have done so many things in the last 3 days that I can't even remember what I have done. It all blends together. So I am very sorry if my email is all over the place.

I love being here. Well now I do... Haha on Thursday I was trying to figure out a way to break my hip so I could get out of here... Hahahaha but I am taking it for what it is now. I really did try to make the most of it on Thursday, but it was literally impossible. I couldn't do it. Everything is all bueno now. Tell any missionaries that are coming in to get to know their companion and district as soon as possible. Tell them to joke around when it is appropriate. This has helped me so much.

Elder Treviño is a good kid. His dad is from Mexico, so I figured he would be way far ahead of me when it came to Spanish, and he is in some ways, but not really. He understands more than I do, but he speaks it about the same as me. Elder Sherman knows quite a bit of Spanish. He shares a room with us and his companion is Elder Bryce. Both way nice kids. I like them a lot. Elder Jensen, who is also going to Paraguay, is awesome. He is the man. He played football at BYU this past year. Well he red shirted, but when he comes back he will be an outside linebacker. He is a big guy. Probably 6' 6", 215 or so.

Og has sent me a few dearelders, and him and Maddie also sent me cookies which was very helpful. Tell them thanks for me. I wrote them a letter and sent it this morning.

I am trying to figure out how to attach a picture, but they have this computer pretty locked down and I can't figure it out. So I will try but no promises. It looks like it won't let me attach anything. So I apolgize. I am still trying to figure out how everything works in the MTC. It is a little frustrating. They expect me to know how to do everything. So I ask lots of questions. Anyway.. My time is nearly up. I love you so much mom and family. Thanks for everything you do for me.

Love, Elder Naegle