Week 8- Bonus Letter!

Hey guys. 

So I had a wonderful Thanksgiving!! Although it wasn't as good as normal, I was pleased with how it turned out. 

We actually got to sleep in for a bit . I slept in for an extra half hour. Which really isn't that much, but it felt amazing. Me and my District sang christmas songs in the nap room while we talked before we got ready for the day. Since it was our P-day and thanksgiving, we didn't have as much free time, but nevertheless it was very relaxing. 

I am getting sick, I have a bad soar throat and my nose is plugged up, but every time I get out of the shower it feels alot better. Anyway Holman had to go do his Laundry at 5:00 in the morning , so I comp exchanged with Elders Barcus and Measer, which are my two favorite elders in my zone. We got alot of time to relax before the devotional. During the devotional thought, Elder Holland came to speak to us!!!! It was the best devotional I've ever been to. It started out with his grnadchildren who are very talented, singing and playing the piano to invite the spirit. His wife spoke to us and it was very very good, and then He got up there and spoke on take things for granted. I was blown away at how he could testify, he surely is an Apostle of the Lord, no one else could give a testimony like that except Thomas S. Monson. He talked for like 2 hours and I enjoyed every single second of it. my whole focus was on his words and the spirit was unreal. I left that devotional with a smile on my face the rest of the day. 

We then were lucky enough to do some service for the people in Africa. we made boxes of health and school supplies. Then I played some piano, Elder Barcus was teaching me how to play again. I'm surprised i remember as much as I do. We took a temple walk on a beautiful day. They have this nativity set up at the temple which is cool. Elder Barcus also accidently threw my card over the fence, the card that gets you into lunch, I had no choice but to hop the fence and get it, but it really wasn't that big of a deal. We then went to a thanksgiving program where we had people signing and playing the violin and the piano very very well. about as good if not better than Daniel Bodily. It was very entertaining. We then all gathered together and watched the movie 17 miracles. For those who haven't seen it, its a very sad and spiritully moving video, about the saints crossing over, and every single person at the MTC got their own bag of popcorn, that's like 2300 bags. 

I came home and enjoyed the scriptures and my experience. I wished I could be home eating dinner and playing on the turkey bowl, but am so glad to be a missionary of the Lord right now and I feel honored that I'm called to Mexico. I can't wait, and this week feels so long. For lunch we had the MTC's version of a thanksgiving dinner which wasn't too bad. It was better than normal. Overall it was a very relaxing p-day and thanksgiving. The only thing that would make it better would be if i was able to go into the temple. That always starts my day amazing. 

Im never going to forget the words that Elder Holland said and I feel really lucky that we been in the MTC the time that I am in it. Meaning that right when we got in, we heard from Elder Bednar and we had General Conference with that amazing announcement. We then enojyed snow and good weather and ended with a wonderful thanksgiving with Elder Holland and his family. We got to talk to the MTC president for a couple minutes when we saw him outside. and being here really makes me grateful for the wonderful life I had before and the amazing friends and family that I could see every holiday. Its hard not see see everybody, but i figure that everyone (men) have got to serve a mission sooner or later and that I'm not the only one missing my family. It's now the friday before I leave and we are in a all day "in-field" orintation about what its going to be like in the field. 

I miss you guys and can't wait to call you guys this monday mornigng!!! I hope you will be there!!   

Love Elder Ordway

Pictures from his last week at the MTC

Week 8- Last Week at the MTC

 Hey guys!!

I'm actually writing on wednesday night right now. I'm in the laundry room also doing my laundry on wednesday. This is only because tomorrow on our P day, we have thanksgiving!! For us though our thanksgiving is a normal day, not even a p day!! we don't get our p-day this week!! but thats alright, this is the Lords work afterall, not mine. We have a big old service project we are doing tomorrow for the people in New york. I don't know excatly we are doing, but I'm stoked to actually be able to help people indirectly.

This week was really good. I have one more day of class with my teachers. I think they are more sad than we are. Our new district is really cool. We got 9 guys who are all really cool. They have only been here a week and it's way fun to be able to help them with spanish and with their lesson plans. Actually helping and teaching people is all I want to do right now. Although I love studying!! after two months of just studying. It's hard to focus, but im way excited for Mexico. We all have our travel plans and are trying our hardest to stay on task. But it reallty is hard. speakling of which. I will be able to call you guys this monday at around 7 in the morning. Maybe earlier. I have 300 minutes which is more than we probably need, but if anyone wants to talk. I will call home from the Salt Lake City airport at I'm guessing around 7. We then fly to Phoenix, where we have a 30 minute layover till we catch a flght to mexico city!!! I can't wait. I dont think i can say that enough!!

But I'm really getting into the mission library books. Right now im in Jesus the Christ and True to the faith, but I wish I had read them before. They are so good and tell you exactly what we believe and what to stand for,  and Jesus the Christ goes into so much detail its crazy. Me and my whole district are feeling pretty cool knowing that we have been here the longest out of the whole MTC, except those who are here for 12 weeks. no bueno. I dont know how they can do it.

I got your package and I was so stoked to open it. I loved all the ties especially the blue one!! thats excatly what I wanted and needed. The meds and all the stuff in the bag was way needed or at least will be way needed when I get to mexico. I might be sending home some letters and dear elders. I don't know yet,  and I also received the package/letter from Viviana. Although I can't read all her spanish I love the tie and the card. I really dont have any fear for mexico. if there is anything I have learned here its to trust the lord in all that you do and say.

I was craving some sour cream chili bean bake the other day hard. I didn't know how i was going to make it another hour without some Lord of the rings too. I feel like im pregnant in a way. That i have these really deep cravings for everything. listening to music, watching shows like who's line is it anyway, or homeade pizza,.

The dear elders are very nice, I hope I can get a couple letters out  before I leave, but since I dont have p-day tomorrow I might not be able to. Jeff's are way nice and informative.

I hope you got my letter that I sent to my class mom. if you could give that to them, that would be awesome.

Also the card reader in your package was more than needed. Im really happy right now,. Me and Elder Holman are doing good. He still expects perfection out of himself which then puts alot of pressure on me becuase he expects the same for me, but I have learned patience like no other here. Companionship inventory is no longer awkward and we no longer blows up at random times. but he is very spiritual and will be an awesome missionary.

 I sung in choir the other day, they were singing "come thou fount of every blessing" which I already knew and I love that song to death. it went really good. I miss ward choir and I feel bad now that I didnt give it the time and effort that I should have before.

One guy in my district is being transferd to get this Kentucky?? for 6 weeks. He didn't get his visa and is now staying in the U.S. now but I love this and just wish that I could get out and help people. I feel encaged now that I have my travel plans. It's harder than I thought.

Anyway, Yo se que el senor bendece mi vida en muchas maneras y que jesucristo sufrio por mis pecados para que podria llagar a ser perfecto por medio de la expiacion. tengo un grande testimonio sobre revolacion personal y la poder del espiritu santo en tesificando la verdad a todos las personas. me gusta esta trabaja y estoy muy agredecido saber que puedo vivir con mi famila siempre y etoy animado por la dia que mi famila completa puedan estar en el temple juntos. amo mi familia. yo digo estas cosas in el nombre sagrado de jesucristo, amen.( I know that the Lord blessed my life in so many ways, and Christ suffer for my sins so I can get to be perfect thru the Atonement. I have a big testimony about personal revelation and the power of the Holy Ghost, testifying the truth of all things to people. I love this job, and I'm grateful to know I can be with my family forever, and I am looking forward to the day we can all be in the temple together once more.  I love my family and I say this things in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, Amen)

I love you guys and will talk to you monday morning. bye!!!!

Week 7 Back and Forth Emails with David

***Please read from bottom to top. It will make more sense! *** 

From: Michael Ordway [mailto:michael.ordway@myldsmail.net]
Sent: Thursday, November 15, 2012 2:42 PM
To: Dave Ordway
Subject: Re: Dad

 

I actually have to go, but i might be back

On Thu, Nov 15, 2012 at 3:40 PM, Michael Ordway <michael.ordway@myldsmail.net> wrote:

oh oh oh. how is work though?? are you still really busy working over time and whatnot?? has the gas thing came in yet?

On Thu, Nov 15, 2012 at 3:39 PM, Dave Ordway <Dave.Ordway@farweststeel.com> wrote:

No she is not going to the Civil War Game. That is the following week. The Ducks play Stanfor this Saturday. She is going to watch them play, I think, Cal.

 

From: Michael Ordway [mailto:michael.ordway@myldsmail.net]
Sent: Thursday, November 15, 2012 2:37 PM

To: Dave Ordway
Subject: Re: Dad

 

Oh what!! she gets to go to the civil war game?!!!! Have Oregon already played that many games, what about stanford??

On Thu, Nov 15, 2012 at 3:35 PM, Dave Ordway <Dave.Ordway@farweststeel.com> wrote:

She is going to be here Saturday night after the Beaver football game. She is going with Leaf then she will be coming home. He is picking her up from the Airport and taking her to the game.

 

From: Michael Ordway [mailto:michael.ordway@myldsmail.net]
Sent: Thursday, November 15, 2012 2:33 PM

To: Dave Ordway
Subject: Re: Dad

 

Haha yeah i am!! ive gained 10 pounds. but my cloths still fit, its the pants that are getting tight. but i still think im going to lose it all when i gt to MExico. When does Crystal come home?>?

On Thu, Nov 15, 2012 at 3:32 PM, Dave Ordway <Dave.Ordway@farweststeel.com> wrote:

Yes, I got it this morning. How are your clothes fitting? Are you gaining weight there at the MTC?

 

From: Michael Ordway [mailto:michael.ordway@myldsmail.net]
Sent: Thursday, November 15, 2012 2:31 PM

To: Dave Ordway
Subject: Re: Dad

 

OH im doing really good. just doing laundry agaain. did you get this weeks email??

On Thu, Nov 15, 2012 at 3:29 PM, Dave Ordway <Dave.Ordway@farweststeel.com> wrote:

How are you doing!?

 

From: Michael Ordway [mailto:michael.ordway@myldsmail.net]
Sent: Thursday, November 15, 2012 2:29 PM

To: Dave Ordway
Subject: Re: Dad

 

Yeah im here now!!

On Thu, Nov 15, 2012 at 12:53 PM, Dave Ordway <Dave.Ordway@farweststeel.com> wrote:

Sorry, I was away from my desk, are you still there?

 

 

From: Michael Ordway [mailto:michael.ordway@myldsmail.net]
Sent: Thursday, November 15, 2012 11:25 AM
To: Dave Ordway
Subject: Re: Dad

 

im here now!!

On Thu, Nov 15, 2012 at 10:42 AM, Dave Ordway <Dave.Ordway@farweststeel.com> wrote:

Hi Michael! Are you still there?

Week 7

   Hey Guys.!!! I'm back!! This week has been another awesome week. Me and my comrads in my district have been doing awesome. We are all pretty wild bunch of guys, but i have seen the atonement work on every single one of them. We have all grown up so much just in these two months in the Mtc. Our teachers no longer have anyting to get mad at us about. But I think they liked it. Our teachers taught  a district before us and they said that they were all a bunch of quit, peter priesthoods, Which makes me think that they actually really like us, because ther is so much personality in our group of guys.

         Being the oldest district now means that we get to host, so I hosted for my second time. Basically you pick the missionary up at the curb, they have about 30 seconds to say goodbye to their whole family. I love they way I said goodbye. Very meaningful and I could take my time saying goodbye. I still remember going up the escalater and rasing my hand up. We also got a new district in our zone. 9 guys all going to Spain. I have only seen them a bit since they got here yesterday. But we get our travel plans tomorrow!!!! I'm so stoked. I can't wait for Mexico. Our district leader made me "police officer" kind of as a joke, but my job is to go around and tell people what they are doing wrong. Out of fun though, I'll go around and say stuff like "as police officer I demand you to put a shirt on over those garments or brush your teeth from the bottom up." its all good fun though.

       Me and Holman were chosen by our teachers to represent a first lesson to all of the new missionaries. That means that about 100 Elder and sisters sat and watched me and Elder Holman teach a first lesson. We were hooked up with our mics and it was an awesome experience. We got to do it 2 times, with 2 different investigators. The only thing is, is that I literally can't give the lessons in english nor do I have the Joseph Smith story memorized in english. but being able to bear your testimony in english and put some heart behind it was awesome.

      I had the chance to email dad back and forth last week and that was a great experience. There was snow all this week on the ground, but your not allowed to throw snow balls. maybe one or two. but we have stopped. I dont know if i told you guys, but all this week iI had a big old scar on my head. from a  rug burn I got in the residency. An elder tripped me up from behind and my head got way rugged burned. Literally everyone that saw me looked at my head. half of them thought I looked like Harry Potter. I thought the scar looked awesome! but after a while it was embarrassing. I ripped the scab off and it pretty much went away. I wasn't going to teach 100 or more elders with a big old scar on my head. But it did make for some good jokes and pictures. It's really cold here and especially the last few days, with all the snow on the ground, good weather was hard to come by. I love the Oregon amount of snow and variety. Here it's just snow on the ground all winter long and cold all the time.

    I miss ultimate frisbee a lot. I never realized how fun it was until I couldn't play it anymore,  and I also miss my soccer. With all the snow on the ground and the cold, I am not allowed either to play soccer.

    My spanish is continually increasing, really what I struggle with now is the irregular verbs. There are my bane and I wish they didn't exist. its so hard to remember a defferent word  in every tense. but I love the spanish language and I'm glad I dont have to be here at the MTC for any more than 9 weeks. I've been told that finnish is the hardest language, than chinese, than korean here. Im not sure how valit that is, but i feel bad for those missionaries that have to be here for 12 weeks.

   English speakers are here now only for two weeks, that sucks too, u dont have anytime to get to know or love anybody. Being here for so long, I have learned the importance of study guides. making sure that your always were you should be by the end of each week. I cant wait thought to be merissed in the langauge and culture. We actually dont learn anything at all, ANYTHING about our country or its culture. I literally have no idea about how mexico is going to be like except for day of the dead on the 1 and 2 of november. Me and Holman are doing well too. We are teaching the commandments to both of our investigators now. One of them is not married but has a kid and so she is a bit harder to get baptized.

    I just put my suit in the dry cleaners so that it can be clean for when I go to Mexico. since we have to wear it every day here, it shouldnt get to dirty if im not wearing it much. This was also my last day at the temple for a while. since this thursday is thanksgiving. the temple is closed and I wont be able to go. So I enjoyed my last omelet there and am stoked for when I can enter into the Mexico City temple (if my mission president is cool with it)

   I also realized that when you are giving the Lord your all, he will fill the rest, but you really can't expect any blessing or miracles if your don't give your best and you don't have faith. Although Christ went around healing people, it really was according to their faith that the miracles were done. Faith is so huge in this work. Although I haven't had really any big hurdles to jump over, I'm excited for the opportunities to test my faith and in the end growing from it.

 Yo se que este iglesia es la iglesia verdadera de jesucristo, la mismo iglesia jesucristo establico en la tierra en su minesteria. estoy muy agredecido servir y mostrar my amor por las cosas que jesucristo hizo por me. tengo un grande testimonio del poder de la expiacion. yo se que todos los personas puedan cambiar sus vidas por el mejor, y que estoy un representante del jesucristo en todo que hago. yo se que estamos hijos de Dios y que Dios nos ama. Este es el plan de dios, volver y vivir con dios otravez mediante nuestro obras in esta vida. quero my districto, mis maestras, la ccm (MTC in spanish),y mi famila. me gusta me idioma y el poder del espiritu santo en my porgrecion en mi idioma.yo digo estas cosas en el nombre de Jesucristo, mi salvador amado,amen. ( I know that the church is the true church of Christ establish on Earth. I am grateful to serve and show my love for all the things Jesus Christ has done for me. I have a big testimony about the Power of the exaltation. I know that people's lives can change for the better, and I am a representative of Christ in all that I do. I know that We are sons and daugthers of our Heavinly Father, and he loves us. This is his plan, to go back to him, and live with him again. I love my district, my teachers and the MTC and my family. I like the language and the power of the Holy Ghost in my progress with the language. I say this things in the name of Jesus Christ, my Savior, Amen).

    I love you guys and hope that you can understand my testimony. I do know this church is true and that this work is real. And i will write you this next week.   

Love, Elder Ordway

Week 6

OH man, another great week here. I just feel so good now. Like about almost everything!! Me and Elder Holman are doing great!! He has changed a lot and so have I. We give in my opinion the best lesson in class, people are getting dropped, but we are getting baptisms. We got our second baptiosm this last week, with an "investigator" named Yvonne. She is married, but really catholic. Every time we walk into her "house" the spirit is there and I truly have learned the meaning of the scripture that says"lean not unto thy own understanding" and the one that says "the spirit will tell you what to say in the very moment it needs saying" I dont have the best memory (no thanks to dad) about the scriptures, but I am working on it. I regret so much not paying attention in seminary. It would be so worth it on a mission now. Same with all the quotes and papers that I was given all throughout church and seminary. They are so useful now. I have a new appriciation for everything, literally everything. I am so much more grateful now that i can see all that I had and I cant believe I had the capacity to complain before My mission.

Im sorry about my spelling. It's so true that the more I learn spanish the more I dont like the english language. English just has no rules and it's all about memorization. Spanish is coming nicely. We gave a 5 minute first vision lesson to our branch President on sunday and it went well. Holman messed up his part, but it was ok because the spirit was there anyways.

I was blessed enough to give the first vision scene "vi una columna de luz, mas brillante que el sol, directamente arriba de mi cabeza. Y esta luz gradualmente descendio hasta descansar sobre mi. al reposar sobre mi la luz, vi en al arie arriba de mi a dos personajes cuyo fulgor y gloria no admitan discriptcion. uno de ellos me hablo llamando me por mi nombre senalado al otro, este es my hijo amado, escuchalo!!"( I saw a column of light, brighter than the sun, directly above y head. And that light gradually descended till is rested above me. In the light, I saw in the air two personages whose glory had no description. One of them called me by my name, pointing to the other saying: "This is my beloved son, Hear Him!!")  It was awesome, the Joseph Smith story really brings the spirit into the room,  and I don't think I'll ever forget that in Spanish.

Well the day that it was elections our district spent the whole time talking politics. Although I'm not too schooled in politics, I do love listening to people argue and cut each other off just like on t.v. I did get the voting ballat and so I sent that in, but being in Oregon, not sure it did to much. People were very very sad here after the announcement,  but being in the MTC everyone was huddling around this teacher with an I-phone wanting  minute updates on the states. It was crazy to here and see that. Definitely being in the MTC when stuff like this happens is something I won't forget. I feel like I already have cool stories to tell people when I get back, and I haven't even left the MTC.

It's just so weird to me that everyone here wears suits and it doesn't look abnormal. We will all be in class and eating dinner and you see 2000 people wearing suits and all looking good, but you just don't see it anymore. Like being at a bording school or something. I also feel like  I need some new ties, mine are all bland now. Although I like them, I definitely can't wear the ties that I wore before my mission, I feel like I'm sinning. There just to bland.

Soccer is really fun, it's told that its supposed to snow this friday, and We play soccer on Saturday so I hope that we can still play. Everyone in my district wants to play soccer, so we are counting down the days and feel truly blessed when God blesses us with good weather to play. I'm realy good at juking people now. Soccer came so hard to me because  I am good with my hands and fingers. Frisbee is still my sport, but soccer is my joy now.

There was this noise in our room, but it wasn't just a noise, it shook our entire room, it felt and sounded like a jack hammer on the side of our building. Really weird. it went on for like 20 seconds. So if you remember, when we went to Utah for that super adventure. We stayed at Jeff's uncles house Brother Zwick. Well he spoke to us at the MTC 2 days ago. Him and his wife both gave wonderful talks and I had no idea that he was leader of the construction company that built the Portland Temple. He talked about being disciples of Christ and he talked about his son. Everyone thought it was cool that I had been inside his house and talked with his son. I got bucketed with cold water twice the other day. If your not paying attention, elders will dump freezing cold water on you over the top wall.

During soccer, holam is always yelling for the opposite team to pass to him and he gives commans to the opposite team telling them what to do. I absolutely hate that, but I deal with it. It's worst than i make it sound. There is this girl at the entrance to the cafeteria that is pretty good looking, but she flirts with every Elder that walks through there. She works at the MTC, I just think its funny.

Twice a weeks they have ice cream here and I tried my new favorite ice cream..."Graham Caynon" its tastes like the crust of cheese cake ice cream. It's was amazing. I also got to host yesterday which was awersome!! When families drop there elders off at the curb, I take all there luggage and show the MTC, the dorms and class and stuff, it was way fun and you look like a boss when you get to show elders around. WE are learning to teach people the law of chastity, it's harder than I thought. Many people, this is the hardest commandment to follow and it is kind of hard to teach with the spirit, when you have to tell them that she or he needs to move out or get married, or both. Every night our zone leaders go around giving hugs, one of them crack everyones back, he went to one elder in the new district and after like 3 seconds he passed out and went limp, I was like 4 feet away and didn't even notice!!! but he said that he woke up on the floor and was freaking out, Elder Payne (ironically) felt bad about squizing so hard. I also learned the the english word "get" it way overused and there is no "get" in spanish, every time we use it in english, it takes a different verb in spanish. for example" I got it i got it" "get in the shower" " get out" "get sum!!" "got milk" these all take different spanish verbs and its very annoying, you have to think fast when speaking spanish. especially with direct and indirect object pronouns. I love being an elder, getting to talk about deep doctrine is so fascinacting. Ill let you go, I might send another email while I'm doing laundry, but I love you all and I miss you.

Love Elder Ordway

Week 5- Pictures

Week 5

Hey Guys!!! 

      I'm back. Another wonderful week at the mtc. So many things happen and they all blur together that it is hard to rack my brain over what happened. Especially with my district. I swear, never has there been a group of guys with more character than these wonderful elders. Every single one of them has such a strong spirit, and so much personality that sometimes things can get out of hand. Especially with the no pranks rule, which people don't always follow. 
     
     Before my mission I had never actually used up a whole pen, but now I'm using like a pen a week.The MTC store has almost everything I need though. I got Christopher and Ellie's package which was awesome. Just in time for halloween. There was a lot of good stuff and i love the bookmarks, I actually really needed them, I just didnt think to ask for any because they are so insignificant.  I like the hidden hairclip inside. The energy drinks help a ton because whenever I start reading the libro de Mormon( Book of Mormon), I fall asleep because I can't understand everything I'm reading. But like always the language is coming nicely. Although I'm sure when I get to mexico, it will be my bane. 

    This last sunday I had to give a talk in sacrament meeting on repentance...IN SPANISH. I had never done this before and I was way nervous, but it went really well.  Its hard to believe that I can feel the spirit when listening to someone in another language, You know its kind of weird being able to understand people in spanish. Everything that is said sounds like its being said in english. It all makes sense in my brain. I don't know how to explain it, but i love it. Halloween here was pretty cool, everyone has their halloween ties or dresses on, and all the food was named differently (which isn't that cool) but it felt like every other day. I was sad that I couldn't be there with Jeff and the boys doing the old haunted house, but I heard it happened this year nontheless. I hope it went great. 

   It is pretty cold here, but I've gotten used to it now. It hasn't snowed since and soccer was actually a bit too warm. Although I still hate Utah and would never move here. I have a new found understanding of the scriptures. Never in all my life have I understood the scripture and the gospel as I do now,  like spanish, everything is connecting like a math problem. My testimony is exponentially increasing here. It's like I am a whole new person. Every time I teach investigators. The spirit is prompting me and I come up with theses ideas of what to say or words in spanish that I didn't remember untill now. Having the spirit as a guide is awesome, it feels great. There is no better feeling than walking out of an investigators house having taught an amazing lesson and having the spirit there. I freakin' love the Book of Mormon now, and I have never been so interested in the Old Testament until now. That goes double for the life of Joseph Smith. Preach my gospel; is the best tool an elder could have. 

    Every lesson and everything you need to know is in there. When I taught my sunday school class, I would just not even look at the manual,I had the Book of Mormon as mine, but now with the scriptures and preach my gospel, I have a huge Armada (army) of information and useful tools to use. Like I was saying about character, there is an elder in our district names Elder Lauese, he is way good at beat boxing and making beats with his hands. So our whole district will start beat boxing to praise to the man or count your many blessings. It sounds so cool and is awesome. 

  We had a substitute from spain who had no mercy when it came to the language, and in fact we had to teach her the first lesson. She pronounced everything with a lisp,  and super fast. That was a taste I guess of how mexico is going to be. US, the missionaries are now the investigators too. We have to choose a friend from home that isn't mormon and you have the elders teach you in spanish the lessons. I'm not saying who I chose. I love the two devotionals a week we get here were we all meet together and here from one of the 70 usually. Once we had Bednar who was amazing, but it kind of sucks, because every song we sing in there has the words "marching" "army" or " soldiers" in it which was awesome for the first 3 weeks, but there is only like 5 songs we cycle through..... There was a guy behind me that said vanquish, as van - kish and sword as s-word. 

   So there has been a lot happening in our dorms at night. There is another district about to leave and so the pranks have gone up, such as squirt gunning people while they are in the bathroom,  and even so much as dumping water at people in the middle of the night. There is also the classes, hide an alarm clock somewhere in their room that goes off at 2 in the morning. Holman is doing better altghough he sings way to much. He has no tone of voice but thinks that he is good. I don't say anything, but no me gusta(I don't like it) if you ask me. In lunch the other day we witnessed 5 elders down an in humnanly possible amounnt of cereal, they emptied the whole conatiner which holds like 10 bags of cereal or more probably more. I of course though it was captain crunch. The best. Also people think its pretty funny to steal your towels while in the shower....The maintance people also left a fire hose type thing in the bathroom, hooked up to the water outside that is like 20 degrees. So if your not careful you will get blasted while in the shower by ice water.

     At the book store I bought this map of the Book of Mormon. It contains all the battles, cities, travel spots, hills (including the hill cumorha) and everything else. Now when I read the scriptures it's like im watching Lord of the Rings in my head, which makes me want to tell Chris Strub if he's reading to get a copy of the Book of Mormon and read it for me. You would love it. Its litereally my favortie book now. The temple this morning was way good. We beat the rush of people top the cafeteria, which was luckily, because those omelets take a while to cook. Elder Barcus is always getting in trouble, he's the most rebellious missionary in our group, but he has the most baptisms. I don't get it. Im in 3 nephi in the Book of Mormon, right before Christ is about to come I can't wait. I have a salted apple every day here along with grapefruit, people think that is really weird, but they have gotten used to it. I did run out of socks, just by one pair. I don't know but maybe if your going to send me some more stuff, get my like 4-6 more pairs of socks. It will probably be different in Mexico, I won't go through so many.

     If i was to give anyone any advice, I would say to read the Book of Mormon like you've never read it before. you know your doing it right when you can't  reading with your nose an inch away from it. I'll leave with my testimony guess.

 Yo se que esta iglesia is la unica iglesia de jesucristo en la tiera, Se que temenos una profeta hoy y el guia esta iglesia en nuestro dia. Yo se que thomas S. Monson recibi revolacion mediante jesucristo. tengo un gran tesimonio del libro de mormon y como puede ayuda todos los person en sus vidas. testefico que mediante este libro, peudo saber la verdad de todas cosas. Este mision ha cambiado me vida por el mejor. he apprendidio la importancia de oracion y como necesitamos mostrar nuetro amor por dios y su hijo por medio de oracion. Yo se que el espritu santo puede guiar cada palabra decimos con nuestros investigadores. amo my salvador y ahora entiendo la proposito de me vida. amo mi familia y el evangelio habia caundo era nino. y entiendo la importancia de la expaicion y como puedo vivir con my padre otra vez. digo estas cosas en el nombre de jesucristo amen. 
( I know that the church is the only church of Christ on earth. I know that we have a Prophet that guide us at this time. I know that Thomas S. Monson receives  inspiration thru Jesus Christ I have a huge testimony of the Book of Mormon, and how it can help every person in your life. I testify that thru this book, I can know the truth of all things. This mission has change my life for the better. I had learn the importance of prayer and how we need to show our love for God and his son thru prayer. I know that the Holy Spirit can guide each word we said to our investigators. I  love my Savior, and now I understand the purpose of my life. I love my family and the gospel. I understand the importance of how I can live to be with my father again. I say this things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.) 

I love you guys. and hope to hear from you again. Ill get these pictures to you soon I promise. Love Elder Ordway!!!!!

Week 4

Hey guys!! 
  Another P-day this thursday. Time hasn't moved as usual but it is weird that its thursday again. Every day feels like sunday which is good and bad. It means i can't look forwards to sunday as much, but that's alright. 

   I am a bit sick. I have been for about a week now, but i dont let it get to me. Both my teachers are sick after all. One of them told me they have been sick ever since they got off their mission. WOW. Spanish is slowly down believe it or not. I learned so much so fast that its like my brain is now halting on learning. OF course though im still learning wicked fast.

Oh and I plan on putting "Elder Ordway" inscribed on my scriptures and libro de Himnos.