konichiwa kazoku!! gangideska? life at the mtc continues to get better and better everyday!! answer some questions real quick, dear elder is the best way to send letters! so keep using that... i l ove the packages keep sending them love getting stuff! just picked up sister gilletts treats you sent her!! everyone is excited. so last week as i said was utchdorf! He was amazing! everything we have done this week has just shown me how important this work is! i see elder barney all time! i got all the stuff mom sent me about the hansens talk! that is awesome i knew they would do good!! thanks mom for going there and taking all the notes! i can feel the spirit they brought just from reading thier letters.. cant wait till they get here they are going to love it!!! this is byt far the happiest i have ever been!! ni hongo is still impossible but im doing my best and i know the lord will help me.. well yesterday was probably my most spiritual experience i have ever had since i have been here!!!! every monday we go to the referal center, where we get on the phones and call people who have requested church media products or book of moromons, stuff like that.. the week before when we went i called 51 people in a row, and got 51 answering machines in a row! it was bad! was super bumed.. but this week i could tell was going to be different i had been praying that i might be able to talk to someone and share with them the message of our church.. sure enough the first person on my call list was a women named maria, on her bio it said got a church video liked it but STRONG, STRONG CATHOLIC.. so i was a little intimidated, so i called she picked up, there is a call script you are supposed to follow but since i had never called anyone who actually picked up i dindnt know how to use it, so i was on my own.. we started talking and she very very strongly expressed her views on her church that she like some things about ours but there was no way she could deny her church, she said missionaries had talked to her but she insisted that no one could change her.. she went on for a while, i just sat and listened. i was a little blown away but than i just listened to the spirit and started talking to her.. i said that she was right, no one can change her, i than asked her if she believed that she could talk to god through prayer, and started going over the things we both believed in.. she agreed, so i asked her if she believed if god answers her prayers, she said yes, i said do you believe you can ask god anything and he will answer, she agreed once again. I than challenged her to ask god if the message i was tell her, about the moromon church is true and bore my testimony, she was silent, but told me she would. i than asked her if she had heard of any of our books, she said the elders gave her a copy of our bible, but she did not want the book of moromon. i asked her what she thought of the bilbe, she said it was different than hers, she told me some of the differences, and i explained some things she was concerend with. i than testified what the book of moromon was, the message that it has, that it brings joy. i said you read our bible right, she said yes, i asked her if she would instead read from our book of moromon, and testified again of its message. she was silent for a while and than agreed.. i told her the missionaries would know next time they saw her to give her a book, she lives in puerto rico and sees them a lot i guess.. This phone call ended after 25 minutes and it is my testimony that i was able to talk to her because of my willingness to obey the commandments and be blessed with the spirit to know what to say to maria.. after i hung up i felt as though my entire body was burning, ever limb of my entire complex was warm, the spirit was with me, i know that this is the only way missionaries can teach the gospel. i am overwhelmed with joy that god blessed me with the ability to have this experiecnce. i cant wait till i get out in the field, and meet people face to face like maria. hope all is well with you i love you, you are in my hearts, i am still learning from your example, your letters motivate me and bless me.
aishtteimasu elder lawler!!!!!!!!
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Monday, September 15, 2008
Tuesday, Sept. 9th
konichiwa!! week two is under way! it seems like i have been here for a lot longer than that though! its weird to think if i was going english speaking i would be leaving next week in stead i am going to be here for another 10 weeks!! ha ha but i love it here so i will get over it. so as i said before there still isn't a minute to spare! always either working on ni hongo or am studying the scriptures.. its such a blessing to be hear, i try to read Elder Bruce McConkie (don't know if that spelling is right)quote on missionary work titled "How great is my calling" i have not read it once without feeling the spirit! it gets me excited. well japanese contiues to get more confusing, ha ha but i just roll with it. i use to get discouraged but i am no longer able to. I am too blessed to have anything to complain about right now! I have never been a part of something so significant in my life. well on tuesday Elder Cook came! he was great, i am hoping that tonight we will have another apostle come talk to us!! but some things elder cook said were:
Study preach my gospel, he played a major part in writing the 'preach my gospel' and said that he could not take credit for what was written, he said "it is almost as if this book was written by the other side of the veil."
he said to teach around commitments.
through missionaries examples we can strengthen the church and demonstrate how to serve the lord.
be aware
BE BOLD
we taught our first discussion this week in the rc and it didn't go like we planned but it showed us what are weaknesses were, and i'm ready for this week!!
Usually the best part of the day is when we have gym time!!! I love playing hoops here, its really the only thing we get to do for exercise. well the competition here is good. the one tall red head kid who played for pg, that graduated the same year as i did is here, we usually play together and do work! there are a couple others who played at uvu and snow college so its a lot of fun! i pull my weight though.
so our japanese district is on the same floor as the korean district, and we are both on the same schedules for everything, dinner, gym, and any meetings. So there is an un-spoken rivalry between the Korean zones and the Japanese zones. its pretty funny. well this went on for a while, until one Saturday night, about 2 months ago, the koreans challenged the japanese to a sing off! called to serve. where both zones go head to head and sing the first verse in their native languages, and the second verse in English, what ever zone is the loudest wins! it is one of the most intense things i have ever been a part of!! the hole 5 floors of our building comes to watch us, they all have cameras and what not to record this! its is crazy! usually the japanese win, but its hard to tell cause each side is so loud... if you guys ever send me the camera i can show you.. which brings me to my list of things i need:
the camera, with two memory cards. the older missionaries told me to do this cause that way i can send you one card and you can upload pictures and all that, and while im waiting to get the other card back i can still be taking pictures... make sense? i thought it was a really good idea.
I need shirts and a hoodie!! i didnt think i would be having gym 5 times a week so i go through a lot of them, just buy me those costco white shirts i use to get, size large, mom knows the ones.
For a sweatshirt send me the brown/golden colored jordan one, its in my stuff in bags i hid in the storage room in the basement. KEeep sending me letters! i love getting them, dear elder is the fastest way, it came before the other letters you sent. cookies are awesome everyone loved them, send more!!! love you all tons, ran out of time got to go i will check this in a couple of hours so write back soon if you have any questions!!
Love elder lawler
Study preach my gospel, he played a major part in writing the 'preach my gospel' and said that he could not take credit for what was written, he said "it is almost as if this book was written by the other side of the veil."
he said to teach around commitments.
through missionaries examples we can strengthen the church and demonstrate how to serve the lord.
be aware
BE BOLD
we taught our first discussion this week in the rc and it didn't go like we planned but it showed us what are weaknesses were, and i'm ready for this week!!
Usually the best part of the day is when we have gym time!!! I love playing hoops here, its really the only thing we get to do for exercise. well the competition here is good. the one tall red head kid who played for pg, that graduated the same year as i did is here, we usually play together and do work! there are a couple others who played at uvu and snow college so its a lot of fun! i pull my weight though.
so our japanese district is on the same floor as the korean district, and we are both on the same schedules for everything, dinner, gym, and any meetings. So there is an un-spoken rivalry between the Korean zones and the Japanese zones. its pretty funny. well this went on for a while, until one Saturday night, about 2 months ago, the koreans challenged the japanese to a sing off! called to serve. where both zones go head to head and sing the first verse in their native languages, and the second verse in English, what ever zone is the loudest wins! it is one of the most intense things i have ever been a part of!! the hole 5 floors of our building comes to watch us, they all have cameras and what not to record this! its is crazy! usually the japanese win, but its hard to tell cause each side is so loud... if you guys ever send me the camera i can show you.. which brings me to my list of things i need:
the camera, with two memory cards. the older missionaries told me to do this cause that way i can send you one card and you can upload pictures and all that, and while im waiting to get the other card back i can still be taking pictures... make sense? i thought it was a really good idea.
I need shirts and a hoodie!! i didnt think i would be having gym 5 times a week so i go through a lot of them, just buy me those costco white shirts i use to get, size large, mom knows the ones.
For a sweatshirt send me the brown/golden colored jordan one, its in my stuff in bags i hid in the storage room in the basement. KEeep sending me letters! i love getting them, dear elder is the fastest way, it came before the other letters you sent. cookies are awesome everyone loved them, send more!!! love you all tons, ran out of time got to go i will check this in a couple of hours so write back soon if you have any questions!!
Love elder lawler
Dano's email address
This is Daniels email address...he can read your letters but won't always have time to reply.
elderlawler@myldsmail.net
Please write he loves to hear from everyone.....
elderlawler@myldsmail.net
Please write he loves to hear from everyone.....
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Ohiogozaimas!
Sept. 3, 2008
Dear Mom & Dad,
Ohiogazaimas! Well I have almost been here a whole week! Seems like I have been here for months though, you truly do get lost in the work you do here. The feeling here is amazing! It's kind of like the spirit that's at a fast and testimony meeting times 10 and that's about how it feels in class. Well let's start with my companion, he showed up late from flight delays so at first I wasn't sure if he would be coming at all, luckly he showed up! His name is Elder Lemme from Oak Harbor, Washington he is pretty cool, wears clip on ties and zip on ties...he is really a great guy. We are awesome teaching companions and work great together.
The first day of Ni hongo (jappanese) was extremely humbling! I think my problem was I expected to learn everything the first day, and I think instead I learned nothing! but since I have learned to slow it down, study as much as I can and be faithful I will learn. Everyday is a busy day we either learn Ni hongo or we study the gospel. Simple but I have not had a moment yet where I'm not doing one or the other, but I love it! My desire to learn is so strong! I want to learn everything about the language and it's almost unbearable for me to sit while someone is speaking Ni hongo. I have strong righteous desires in my heart and I know that will pay off as long as I am faithful and call down for the powers of heaven! Other than class there is not much that goes on, I get along with the Elders in my room and in my zone everyone is awesome and extremely intelligent, kind of a nerdy bunch but I love them. What's new with the Lawler Haller? Fill me in!!
Just got back from a devotional by Elder Quintan Cook of the Quorum of the 12! Amazing I will tell you about it more later. It's about 9:15 pm on Tuesday to give you an idea of what's going on.
Akashi Shitai to omoimas wa senten ga shinjtsu datto shitte masu. Mormon sho wa kotoba ga kamisana datto shitte imasu. Kazoku wa kamisama shitte maso. iesu kiristo wa onko ga kamisama. Ieso kiristo no mina ni yotte skashi shimas. amen *
Ai Shitte iru yo,
Elder Lawler
* note from Mother...we did not get a tranlation & I hope I copied it down correctly...kiddo's don't forget to write your brother!
Dear Mom & Dad,
Ohiogazaimas! Well I have almost been here a whole week! Seems like I have been here for months though, you truly do get lost in the work you do here. The feeling here is amazing! It's kind of like the spirit that's at a fast and testimony meeting times 10 and that's about how it feels in class. Well let's start with my companion, he showed up late from flight delays so at first I wasn't sure if he would be coming at all, luckly he showed up! His name is Elder Lemme from Oak Harbor, Washington he is pretty cool, wears clip on ties and zip on ties...he is really a great guy. We are awesome teaching companions and work great together.
The first day of Ni hongo (jappanese) was extremely humbling! I think my problem was I expected to learn everything the first day, and I think instead I learned nothing! but since I have learned to slow it down, study as much as I can and be faithful I will learn. Everyday is a busy day we either learn Ni hongo or we study the gospel. Simple but I have not had a moment yet where I'm not doing one or the other, but I love it! My desire to learn is so strong! I want to learn everything about the language and it's almost unbearable for me to sit while someone is speaking Ni hongo. I have strong righteous desires in my heart and I know that will pay off as long as I am faithful and call down for the powers of heaven! Other than class there is not much that goes on, I get along with the Elders in my room and in my zone everyone is awesome and extremely intelligent, kind of a nerdy bunch but I love them. What's new with the Lawler Haller? Fill me in!!
Just got back from a devotional by Elder Quintan Cook of the Quorum of the 12! Amazing I will tell you about it more later. It's about 9:15 pm on Tuesday to give you an idea of what's going on.
Akashi Shitai to omoimas wa senten ga shinjtsu datto shitte masu. Mormon sho wa kotoba ga kamisana datto shitte imasu. Kazoku wa kamisama shitte maso. iesu kiristo wa onko ga kamisama. Ieso kiristo no mina ni yotte skashi shimas. amen *
Ai Shitte iru yo,
Elder Lawler
* note from Mother...we did not get a tranlation & I hope I copied it down correctly...kiddo's don't forget to write your brother!
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
1st Letter !
August 29, 2008
Mom & Dad,
I am alive and well!! they are letting us write tonight to tell you we are okay and what not. My companion is Elder Lemme he is from Washington he seems like a really cool guy! It's really amazing the kind of bond you feel here with everyone. It's extremely easy to talk to people. I wish I could say by body felt as good as my spirit but I can't. I had to get my tetnis shot because it had been longer than ten years and it KILLED! Felt like a big punch to the arm, and I also had to get hepetitous A shot that wasn't so bad.
Overall the day was pretty overwhelming but hearing everyone speak Japanese made me want to learn so so bad! I can't stand no knowing what they are saying, needless to say I'm not worried about my study habits, no more procrastination. Our P-day is on Tuesday. We can email our families so send me an email and I will write you back, but letters are preferred from all!!
Love to tons! Tell Grandma & Papa and everyone that came to the MTC how much it meant to me and I love you all !! Elder Lawler
Mom & Dad,
I am alive and well!! they are letting us write tonight to tell you we are okay and what not. My companion is Elder Lemme he is from Washington he seems like a really cool guy! It's really amazing the kind of bond you feel here with everyone. It's extremely easy to talk to people. I wish I could say by body felt as good as my spirit but I can't. I had to get my tetnis shot because it had been longer than ten years and it KILLED! Felt like a big punch to the arm, and I also had to get hepetitous A shot that wasn't so bad.
Overall the day was pretty overwhelming but hearing everyone speak Japanese made me want to learn so so bad! I can't stand no knowing what they are saying, needless to say I'm not worried about my study habits, no more procrastination. Our P-day is on Tuesday. We can email our families so send me an email and I will write you back, but letters are preferred from all!!
Love to tons! Tell Grandma & Papa and everyone that came to the MTC how much it meant to me and I love you all !! Elder Lawler
Monday, September 1, 2008
Sunday the 24th through MTC Wed the 27th
A couple of notes on the final days of Daniel Lawler, before he turned into Elder Lawler for two years...
Sunday: Great day...Daniel did not share his talk with me (unusual, because Dad usually always got to help with a scripture here, a thought there or a little grammar or re-writing...). We found out why in his remarks on having a righteous Dad...I was very humbled and touched deeply by his kind and heart felt remarks.
After the talk, many of Daniel's friends remarked (almost in surprise) at what a good job he had done...finally Daniel said "So, did you think I was going to be horrible or what?" To which one friend responded,"No, but you were like, really 'comfortable' up there speaking...we hadn't seen that coming."
Meal #1: Immediately after sacrament, a good lunch for family and close friends.
Meal #2: Mostly desserts, a lot of the ward members came. Many were generous with
monies for the mission fund (whch became part of the bicycle fund...we are
told that he will spend most of his mission on a bike).
Meal #3: 10pm to 1 am...parents invited but did not participate...Daniel and his
homies only...
Monday and Tuesday...final sporting activities, final meals, final gatherings of friends...Grandma & Papa have been here sharing in all the activities, blessed to have them here.
Tuesday night at 9 pm...Stake President of the LDS Church (he's the one who sets missionaries apart for two years) came to our house. He was a busy man as he was setting apart 4 other young men that same night from our Alpine North Stake.
Blessing included some of the following:
-gift of tongues, ability to learn Japanese well
-love for the people that he will serve
-affinity for the local diet (Dad guffawed a bit on this one, as we have teased Daniel about his 'non-seafood' diet for a long time)
-desire to help others and improve their lives.
Then...Daniel was turned into Elder Lawler...and even went to bed at 10:30 pm for the first time in ______________ (none of us could remember).
A few of us shared our thanks for one another and Daniel's friends (all of them either already have calls to serve missions, or will go when of age).
Daniel said some touching comments of appreciation and love to his friens and his family.
Wednesday:
Meal #4: Breakfast with all kinds of goodies, including pumpkin waffles with buttery, nummie syrup. Last visit with Daniel's buds...
MTC: Not as bad as it was cracked up to be. There were MANY helpers/ushers getting families to where they needed to be and missionaries to where they needed to be.
Got the Elder Lawler name tag (with some gibberish underneath the name)
Short 'fireside' with 3 speakers and a couple of songs...and a video clip...then
Sayonara! Missionaries to the right, families to the left...and they were off.
Daniel was VERY ready to go...minimal emotions, he was off and running...and doing the MTC shuffle...
ONWA-DO (onward) Elder Lawler!
Written by Dad Lawler (Elder Lawler the first)
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