Week 2

To MOM:

I visited your messege first this time so now I have a lot more time to answer you. Yes I do love the hersheys kisses, they are great, thankyou very much. I hope Kevin gets feeling better and I'm sure you had a great talk. One spiritual experience that happened just yesterday is very important to my heart that I shared with my class mates. Well, as you know me I compare myself to everyone I see, and there are a lot of peple here that I think are a lot better then me. So I was praying one night about if I could actually be able to do this or should I prepare more. I went to bed that night and in the morning my companion Elder Watkins had to go to the doctors because 2 days before he went into the MTC he popped his coller bone and its been bugging him. He got x-rays before he got here but the doctor here said to go get them again. So we had to walk down the street to the BYU medical clinic to get him x-rays and while I was waiting I picked up a Book of Mormon. But as I picked it up I decided to set it down and go over to another table across the room and pick up that Book of Mormon. As I was looking through that I came across Alma 26: 27 which you can read.  This really touched my heart and I knew prayers can be answered. We listened to a talk by David A.  Bednar about how he gave a 20 mark note to Elder Packer when he was in Germany and Bednar doesnt remember why he game him the money maybe because he thought they would be hungry and they didn't have any german money but that 20 mark note prevented Sister Packer from being escorted off the train in east germany because she had a 3 year extended passport. I dont know if you remember that talk or even have heard of that talk might be only a missionary talk but I believe that I was inspired to put the first book of mornon down and pick up the other one. I just think that I have been soo blessed to be with my room mates and I'll try to write another letter today explaining more things of the mtc. You can talk about my story at church or share it with people if you want. But I feel like the spirit and I have become soo close recently.

 

Love, your baby,

Elder Ranquist

P.s. I almost forgot to tell you I will be leaving wednesday and while at the airport I can call home. So be expecting it! I hope to talk to you then and please tell jessica CONGRATS that is really exciting. I feel like I'm missing out on alot. I'll look forward to her pictures. I have a few pictures myself but after the first week here I accidently pressed delete all on my camra so I'm working to take more. Having a great time and since the last time I weighed myself I only gained 2 pounds. I found that really surprising. All of my roommates, Elders Watkins, Oba, Suing, and I are on a fast today to help us be ready for the feild when we go. Having a great time and if you can try to use Dear Elder so that way I can get messeges that same day and not waste my email time reading. Well I'm over time right now so good bye love you

NOTICE: This email message is for the sole use of 

Jonathan's First Series of Letters!

It turns out that everyone (except me! oh no!) emailed Jonathan this week, so he had to rush to respond to each family member. Don't worry, I have a hand-written letter and cake for him. I'm not shirking in my duty too much! 

I don't have what they wrote him, but here is what he responded:

To my parents: 

Mom & Dad

I am having a fantastic time in the M.T.C.!  I have been feeling the spirit more then I ever expected and its only a few days in.  I look forward to continue in my learning and hope I can teach by the spirit.  I have a great companion named Elder Watkins who will help me come closer to the lord.  I have already taken a few pictures and am sorry there is no M.T.C. sign out front anymore.  The food here is really amazing so me and my roommates; Elders Watkins, OBA (from Japan), SUING (Korean I think) are trying to work out and stay fit.  Its amazing the atmosphere this place has since everyone is so in tune with the spirit.  Hope you are having a good time and Kevin is still working on his Mission papers.

Love,

Elder Ranquist

(on back side of letter) As soon as I finished my letter I was asked to be our elders quorum pianist since no one else knew how to play the piano.  By the way I am eating health.  I have been trying to eat a banana or something nutritious each meal.  I am going to stay in the M.T.C. for 3 weeks instead of 2 weeks.

To my mom:

I'm doing great sorry i have 5 minutes left cuz i was answering dads and drakes email so i dont have alot of time to aswer this message and i only saw the first sentance but my companion is elder Watkins and he is also goin to my same mission ill be here for 3 weeks and im having a BLAST! i have felt the spirit so much these last few days. a member of the 70 came on tuesday and gave a talk on missionary work and making sure the recent converts stay in the church. ctr ring fits great and have had some of the most powerful spiritual experiences here im just so happy. ok i read through it all and i will pray for you all back home hope you start feeling better and can relax ill try writing you a letter soon which will explan some spiritual experiences ive had and please wish grandma a happy birthday it wont let me onto her email for some reason. i have already sent 1 letter dont remember what i said but i hope you received it and hope kevin is working twords hims mission as well. well 10 seconds left so good by i love you love Elder Ranquist

To my brother:

Truthfully my first week was SO over whelming I was amazed. Recently I have gotten a hold of all of and and learning every day. today is my first pday at the mtc havent had one at all so that is why im typing to you now. I love the devotionals but go there 35 minutes early and there still isnt any seats so we have to go to the overflow. I actually dont play that much 4 square i went to 2m to do weights the first time i had gym time and 2 days ago i played basketball with some elders. My companion is Elder Watkins and i think hes awesome, hes deffinantly a better teacher then i am but im learning as best as i can. Its weird to have him around me all the time but Kevin was around me 24/7 while he was living at our house so i think that kindof prepared me for it. I have felt the spirit soo strong these last few days its been overwhelming. My testimony has strengthend soo much and Im so glad i dont have to learn a language. My week was the last week that the missionaries stay at the mtc for 3 weeks so the people this week (yesturday) only stay here 2 weeks so wee will be leaving at the same time. My companion will be going on the same mission as me the san francisco mission aswell. hope you guys are having a great time and wish you well i have to go soon i think you know how that is. the food here isnt the best but im not complaining that much. have tried the orange juice out of curiosity lol.

           Love, your brother

                    Elder Ranquist

 It sounds like he is having a wonderful life-changing experience already! 

Picture of the day Jonathan left: January 30th, 2013