Hello!
It's been another exciting week here in Utah. On Wednesday we had zone conference and Elder Gaverret of the 70 was there with us. It was great to listen to him and have the chance to meet more of the missionaries. We have been staying pretty busy. Hugo, the 16 year old we have been teaching was going to get baptized on Saturday but his family couldnt come so it got moved to this upcoming Saturday. The family of Alejandra, Mario (her husband), Jaun (Mario's brother), Marta (Alejandra's mom), and Kevin (their oldest son), are all doing well.
Yesterday being my first time attending our ward because of conference gave me a good taste of what Sundays will be like the next 2 years. Our area covers five stakes and two spanish wards. Since there are three of us, Elder Santos and I dropped off Elder Hudson at one of the wards then we went to the other one. Alejandra's family was supposed to be picked up by a member but about 15 minutes before church started the member showed up without the family. He said he didnt have room in his car so he couldnt take them. We tried to call them but they didnt answer their phone. We stepped out to call them again about 15 minutes into the meeting and Mario answered and said he and Jaun were walking the 2 miles with two of his daughters to church. Alejandra looks like she's 8 months pregnant so she couldnt come but those four made it about 45 minutes into the meeting. All the ward members were very nice in greeting them after sacrament. Also, right after sacrament the Primary President somewhat frantically walked up to E. Santos and I and asked if one of us could play the piano because they were preparing for the Primary program and the normal pianist wasnt there. At this point I had to smile because for the last 10 years you have been telling me this would happen, but yes, I played the piano for most of the next 2 hours periodically walking back and forth to see how Mario and Jaun were doing in Gospel Principles.
For dinner yesterday we had two dinner appointments so I was dropped off at one family's house and E. Hudson and E. Santos went to eat at another members house. The appointment I went to was with a young American family that had set up a dinner for some potential investigators but they cancelled so it was just me, the husband and the wife, and their two little kids. It was nice to have some American food. Every night we have a meal with a member and so far everything has been pretty good. On Saturday we went to an Investigators house for lunch and had some sushi stuff. Nothing like eyeball soup but hey, for me eating sushi was quite the accomplishment.
Not too much else to say... 2 or 3 times a week we have been going to the church at 6 to play indoor soccer with the bishop, his son, and 4 or 5 other kids from the high school team of the bishop's son. They are all pretty good and even the bishop has some skills. This morning while we were shopping someone gave us money again. We were just walking down an aisle and he put a 50 in our cart. We told him we had money already to pay for our stuff but he insisted. That is the fun thing about being in Utah. When we go into the grocery store a lot of the the workers stop and shake our hands and say hi.. everyone is really nice in general.
Hope everything is great on the oak shore drive,
Love, Elder Clark
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Mission Week 1
Hola!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It's been quite an exciting week so I guess I'll just start from the beginning.....
Wednesday morning the AP's picked us up at the MTC and we made the 5 minute journey over to the Mission office. We met some of the senior missionaries then went to meet President and Sister Pitts. We sang Called to Serve on their doorstop then they came out to greet us. Immediately Sister Pitts mentioned how she had met mom before. We had breakfast there and a little orientation from the Pres. and then went to a chapel directly across the street from the MTC to have interviews and meet our trainers. It was quite the intense hour as we had some more orientation and waited for our trainers. We sat in a room and all the new missionaries were on one side and all the trainers sat on one side and one by one Pres. called a trainer up and the trainer would say who they would be training and the area they would be serving in. I definitely think I have the best trainer! His name is Elder Santos and he is from Ecuador. He's the only member in his family was joined the church when he was 16. He was a foreign exchange student last year in Idaho so he's pretty much fluent in English. Also, Elder Hudson, who is waiting for a visa to go to Spain is with us so we are a Trio. I am serving in the Sharon Park area (bikes), which is great! Its in Orem and although Julie's house is out of our area, Its only a short bike ride away.
Wednesday after meeting my companions we went to where we live. Its the basement of a members house and they are very nice people. I got a little time to unpack then we were off to my first dinner appointment. It was at a family's house from Santiago Chile so there was a connection there. We had some rice and chicken and thankfully nothing too spicy or scary. After that we went to the church building for a ward activity they have every Wednesday night from 6-7. Its basically a large family home evening and my first missionary action was giving the spiritual thought at that. Next we went to visit some investigators. It was pretty difficult picking up what they were saying but I recognized words here and there. Every Wednesday from 8-9 the ward plays soccer and with a member we went and picked up Hugo who is 16 and has a baptismal date for the 9th. It was pretty fun but Im still a little cautious with my knee.
Thursday I got to do some shopping during lunch time since I didnt have any food and the rumor was fulfilled about people giving us money. We were at the store for about 2 minutes when an older lady walked up to us and handed us a $20. She said she had served two missions and loves missionaries. Later that night I met the most amazing family ever. Elder Santos had talked to one of the people in the family before but we returned and there was four other people there at the house along with some other kids. They were more focused and listened more intently than Ive ever seen anyone before. We taught them for awhile then made the long ride home. Elder Santos did triathlons in Ecuador and is insane on a bike. My legs have never been so sore but its great! One of the bike tires went flat so we had to go get a new one and we went to Park's. If you can remember, that's where Jake Mayfield worked and where we rented ski's a couple times. Its pretty unique being a missionary in the same place where Ive been so many times but its fun. Someone honks and waves at us about every ten seconds.
We watched conference at the members house above us and they were very nice. It was definitely easier to focus as a missionary. Last night we went back to the family I met on thursday and all five of the adults agreed to be baptized. A member had invited them over for breakfast and conference and they said they had enjoyed it. The members are awesome here. Today while we were shopping a lady walked up and said if we ever need anything hemmed she would do it for free. A couple times people have just stopped us and told us about people who they think would be interested in getting taught.
Thus, its been a great first week! Thanks for everything!
Love, Elder Clark
If you write to the mission office address there is a office sister who will just forward it to our house so thats the easiest thing for mail:
UTAH PROVO MISSION
2520 University Ave # 100
Provo, UT 84604
It's been quite an exciting week so I guess I'll just start from the beginning.....
Wednesday morning the AP's picked us up at the MTC and we made the 5 minute journey over to the Mission office. We met some of the senior missionaries then went to meet President and Sister Pitts. We sang Called to Serve on their doorstop then they came out to greet us. Immediately Sister Pitts mentioned how she had met mom before. We had breakfast there and a little orientation from the Pres. and then went to a chapel directly across the street from the MTC to have interviews and meet our trainers. It was quite the intense hour as we had some more orientation and waited for our trainers. We sat in a room and all the new missionaries were on one side and all the trainers sat on one side and one by one Pres. called a trainer up and the trainer would say who they would be training and the area they would be serving in. I definitely think I have the best trainer! His name is Elder Santos and he is from Ecuador. He's the only member in his family was joined the church when he was 16. He was a foreign exchange student last year in Idaho so he's pretty much fluent in English. Also, Elder Hudson, who is waiting for a visa to go to Spain is with us so we are a Trio. I am serving in the Sharon Park area (bikes), which is great! Its in Orem and although Julie's house is out of our area, Its only a short bike ride away.
Wednesday after meeting my companions we went to where we live. Its the basement of a members house and they are very nice people. I got a little time to unpack then we were off to my first dinner appointment. It was at a family's house from Santiago Chile so there was a connection there. We had some rice and chicken and thankfully nothing too spicy or scary. After that we went to the church building for a ward activity they have every Wednesday night from 6-7. Its basically a large family home evening and my first missionary action was giving the spiritual thought at that. Next we went to visit some investigators. It was pretty difficult picking up what they were saying but I recognized words here and there. Every Wednesday from 8-9 the ward plays soccer and with a member we went and picked up Hugo who is 16 and has a baptismal date for the 9th. It was pretty fun but Im still a little cautious with my knee.
Thursday I got to do some shopping during lunch time since I didnt have any food and the rumor was fulfilled about people giving us money. We were at the store for about 2 minutes when an older lady walked up to us and handed us a $20. She said she had served two missions and loves missionaries. Later that night I met the most amazing family ever. Elder Santos had talked to one of the people in the family before but we returned and there was four other people there at the house along with some other kids. They were more focused and listened more intently than Ive ever seen anyone before. We taught them for awhile then made the long ride home. Elder Santos did triathlons in Ecuador and is insane on a bike. My legs have never been so sore but its great! One of the bike tires went flat so we had to go get a new one and we went to Park's. If you can remember, that's where Jake Mayfield worked and where we rented ski's a couple times. Its pretty unique being a missionary in the same place where Ive been so many times but its fun. Someone honks and waves at us about every ten seconds.
We watched conference at the members house above us and they were very nice. It was definitely easier to focus as a missionary. Last night we went back to the family I met on thursday and all five of the adults agreed to be baptized. A member had invited them over for breakfast and conference and they said they had enjoyed it. The members are awesome here. Today while we were shopping a lady walked up and said if we ever need anything hemmed she would do it for free. A couple times people have just stopped us and told us about people who they think would be interested in getting taught.
Thus, its been a great first week! Thanks for everything!
Love, Elder Clark
If you write to the mission office address there is a office sister who will just forward it to our house so thats the easiest thing for mail:
UTAH PROVO MISSION
2520 University Ave # 100
Provo, UT 84604
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
MTC Week 7
Hola!
I cant believe this is the last email I'll be sending from the MTC! The time has flown by and I'm excited to enter the field. This last week has probably been my favorite during my time here. Saturday night was our TRC and we had an amazing volunteer investigator. He was about 25 and we taught him the Plan of Salvation. It went really well and after as we were leaving he gave us big hugs and talked to us about how he had a sister pass away 8 months ago and how he needed to hear our lesson because it reaffirmed his testimony of the Plan of Salvation. It was awesome to teach someone and have it influence them. Every week we've had to prepare talks in case we get called to give one and this week I got called up! After the sacrament whoever is conducting the meeting stands up and announces what 2 missionaries will be talking that day. Sunday it was an hermana in my district and I and the topic was the Plan of Salvation. It was only 5 or 6 minutes but it felt alright speaking in Spanish. Usually I wouldn't worry about giving it in Spanish but a member of the MTC presidency was visiting our meeting and he knew Spanish...thus, a little more pressure but it went well.
My official travel plans include: walking to the front desk at 6:30 on Wednesday morning and getting picked up in a van. Quite extravagant if I say so myself. 7 Members of my district leave Monday, and my comp. leaves Tuesday so I'll have a day to join in with some other Elders in my zone. I cant wait! One week from today! Thanks for the letters!
Love, Elder Clark
I cant believe this is the last email I'll be sending from the MTC! The time has flown by and I'm excited to enter the field. This last week has probably been my favorite during my time here. Saturday night was our TRC and we had an amazing volunteer investigator. He was about 25 and we taught him the Plan of Salvation. It went really well and after as we were leaving he gave us big hugs and talked to us about how he had a sister pass away 8 months ago and how he needed to hear our lesson because it reaffirmed his testimony of the Plan of Salvation. It was awesome to teach someone and have it influence them. Every week we've had to prepare talks in case we get called to give one and this week I got called up! After the sacrament whoever is conducting the meeting stands up and announces what 2 missionaries will be talking that day. Sunday it was an hermana in my district and I and the topic was the Plan of Salvation. It was only 5 or 6 minutes but it felt alright speaking in Spanish. Usually I wouldn't worry about giving it in Spanish but a member of the MTC presidency was visiting our meeting and he knew Spanish...thus, a little more pressure but it went well.
My official travel plans include: walking to the front desk at 6:30 on Wednesday morning and getting picked up in a van. Quite extravagant if I say so myself. 7 Members of my district leave Monday, and my comp. leaves Tuesday so I'll have a day to join in with some other Elders in my zone. I cant wait! One week from today! Thanks for the letters!
Love, Elder Clark
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
MTC Week 6
Hola!
Another week has flown by! Saturday night is our TRC time and we finally got to have a volunteer instead of just teaching a teacher or other missionaries. We taught an older lady from Honduras and it definitely got me excited to be teaching real people in a couple weeks. This Saturday we are teaching the Plan of Salvation and that is a little more difficult especially in Spanish but its great. It is weird being the older people here at the MTC. I had become pretty good friends with some of the other Elders before they left but the new districts are pretty sweet. The other Tanner Clark, or "Elder Clark # 2" as he is called lives in the room next to me. Its crazy that out of over 2000 people he just happened to be put in the room right next to me. This monday the district got to be hosts for the Senior missionaries and we helped them move in. We met some awesome people from a small town in England who were going to Taiwan....quite the culture difference! The district one week older than us in the zone were all supposed to be going to Mexico but none of them received their visas so they will have to get transferred somewhere else in the states until they can get them. It makes me glad I'm in the States! Friday we are supposed to get our travel plans and that says what time we will be leaving and whatnot. Very Exciting!! Not much other news here from the MTC..all is going well!
Love, Elder Clark
Another week has flown by! Saturday night is our TRC time and we finally got to have a volunteer instead of just teaching a teacher or other missionaries. We taught an older lady from Honduras and it definitely got me excited to be teaching real people in a couple weeks. This Saturday we are teaching the Plan of Salvation and that is a little more difficult especially in Spanish but its great. It is weird being the older people here at the MTC. I had become pretty good friends with some of the other Elders before they left but the new districts are pretty sweet. The other Tanner Clark, or "Elder Clark # 2" as he is called lives in the room next to me. Its crazy that out of over 2000 people he just happened to be put in the room right next to me. This monday the district got to be hosts for the Senior missionaries and we helped them move in. We met some awesome people from a small town in England who were going to Taiwan....quite the culture difference! The district one week older than us in the zone were all supposed to be going to Mexico but none of them received their visas so they will have to get transferred somewhere else in the states until they can get them. It makes me glad I'm in the States! Friday we are supposed to get our travel plans and that says what time we will be leaving and whatnot. Very Exciting!! Not much other news here from the MTC..all is going well!
Love, Elder Clark
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Tanner has been in the MTC for 7 weeks, my the time has flown by... we have gotten a few letters with pictures, but we just got his first SD card full of pictures. So fun to see!!! 
Good Friend from California Brad Stapley, our family moved to Florida when Tanner was 6 and he and his friend have kept in touch throughout the years and they went into the MTC a week apart. How fun....
Good Friend from California Brad Stapley, our family moved to Florida when Tanner was 6 and he and his friend have kept in touch throughout the years and they went into the MTC a week apart. How fun....
Birthday Packages
Elder Clark and Elder Holmes... One of our Aunts friends sons...
Getting to leave the MTC to go to the BYU Laundry to get some pants tailored... Elder Clark said it was really wierd... 
Friday, September 10, 2010
MTC Week 5
Hola!
This past week has flown by, it always seems like I was just here typing when I go to write these emails, but its been a great week. We made the transition to only teaching in spanish last week and that has definitely been a big change. Its an interesting feeling wanting to say something but not being able to translate your thoughts into the right language. I'm definitely glad I am learning Spanish though because it will be awesome when I can finally say what I want! Glenn arrived here last wednesday and I immediately saw him during his first dinner here and have seen him throughout the week. Also Noa Cassidy got here last week too and Ive seen him almost everyday. I told Brother Cosgrave last night about Glenn being here and he said he'd try to find him. This morning after we finished doing laundry Elder Meyer and I had the pleasure of leaving the MTC campus and voyaging to the BYU laundry place two blocks away because he had to get one of his shirts altered. It was wierd thinking of in 3 weeks how I'll be going out to Provo then just starting right away. Everyone else has the whole day of traveling and going through air ports so it should be pretty sweet. Saturday afternoon/night was very wierd being able to hear the the BYU game from outside our class room. I really hadnt thought of college football until someone noted the fact that we probably wouldnt have any TRC volunteers since our scheduled time was during the time of the first home game. Thus we ended up teaching a missionary instead of a volunteer but it was alright. Everything is going well here, I cant believe I only have 3 weeks left!!!!!
Love, Elder Clark
This past week has flown by, it always seems like I was just here typing when I go to write these emails, but its been a great week. We made the transition to only teaching in spanish last week and that has definitely been a big change. Its an interesting feeling wanting to say something but not being able to translate your thoughts into the right language. I'm definitely glad I am learning Spanish though because it will be awesome when I can finally say what I want! Glenn arrived here last wednesday and I immediately saw him during his first dinner here and have seen him throughout the week. Also Noa Cassidy got here last week too and Ive seen him almost everyday. I told Brother Cosgrave last night about Glenn being here and he said he'd try to find him. This morning after we finished doing laundry Elder Meyer and I had the pleasure of leaving the MTC campus and voyaging to the BYU laundry place two blocks away because he had to get one of his shirts altered. It was wierd thinking of in 3 weeks how I'll be going out to Provo then just starting right away. Everyone else has the whole day of traveling and going through air ports so it should be pretty sweet. Saturday afternoon/night was very wierd being able to hear the the BYU game from outside our class room. I really hadnt thought of college football until someone noted the fact that we probably wouldnt have any TRC volunteers since our scheduled time was during the time of the first home game. Thus we ended up teaching a missionary instead of a volunteer but it was alright. Everything is going well here, I cant believe I only have 3 weeks left!!!!!
Love, Elder Clark
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
MTC Week 4
Five weeks today! Still hard to believe... Not too much happened this week. Another district in our zone left yesterday so we get a new district today. The zone leaders had a list of the names of the Elders who are coming in and one of their names is "Tanner Clark." I dont think ive ever met anyone with my same name so that should be fun. Last night our devotional speaker was Richard G. Hinckley, President Hinckley's son. He gave a great talk then opened it up to questions for the last 15 minutes. After as we were exciting the building and he was walking to his car he stopped for a couple minutes and talked to a group of us. He is definitely a lot like his dad. Spanish is coming along alright. Tonight we are teaching the first lesson for the first time in completely Spanish. We've taught some parts before but never the whole thing for 30 minutes so we'll see how that goes. Thanks for the letters!
Since we're here 9 weeks the Branch Presidency switches the district leaders half way through and on Sunday I became the new district leader. The most exciting thing is now Im the one with access to the district mail box. Not so exciting is that I get to plan two hour long district meeting a week. However, it is definitely a good learning experience and I also enjoy going to the extra leadership meetings with the Branch Presidency. I really do have amazing leaders. Our branch president is a orthapedic surgeon, then there is doctor Cosgrave, and Brother Sanchez is an architect. I really admire how Chirst-like they all are and also they're individual success outside the church.
-Thats awesome Nolan is going to California!!!!!!!!! He is going to be an amazing missionary.
Thanks for everything,
-ELDER CLARK
Since we're here 9 weeks the Branch Presidency switches the district leaders half way through and on Sunday I became the new district leader. The most exciting thing is now Im the one with access to the district mail box. Not so exciting is that I get to plan two hour long district meeting a week. However, it is definitely a good learning experience and I also enjoy going to the extra leadership meetings with the Branch Presidency. I really do have amazing leaders. Our branch president is a orthapedic surgeon, then there is doctor Cosgrave, and Brother Sanchez is an architect. I really admire how Chirst-like they all are and also they're individual success outside the church.
-Thats awesome Nolan is going to California!!!!!!!!! He is going to be an amazing missionary.
Thanks for everything,
-ELDER CLARK
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