November 29, 2013

Hey family! Thanksgiving here was sooooooo awesome! We got the privilege to hear from Russel M. Nelson which was incredible the spirit was so strong. Then we had our Thanksgiving dinner at lunch. Then did a service project after noon then had this really really really stupid Thanksgiving skit thing which must have been directed by people from Utah. I was ashamed just to be in the audience ;) but then we watched Ephraim's Rescue which was so spiritual and inspiring. Lately I've still been a little worried what's going to happen with my future and after I watched that movie I felt a calming peace and I realized and decided that I'm going to forget about my future for now and when I get back I'm going to rely 100% on the lord and let him direct my life because he can shape my life a 1000x better then I would be able to shape mine and hopefully now I can have 100% focus.

The language is going awesome! I can already teach the first three lessons and have a 30 minute talk/lesson with investigators. It is so incredible. Once we get into the lessons my mind is cleared and its like I've been speaking Portuguese for years and everything just comes to me. Sometimes I kinda fumble to make a sentence but it always comes out fine. My two teachers irmao pinho and irmao belchoir are seriously the best teachers ever. I love them to death! Everything is still incredible. I've said it before and I'll say it again 100x over! I love this work and there is no where else I could see myself besides right here. I love you all! Now some business stuff, kels, I NEED you to send me some red bulls and REGULAR coke!!!!!!!! Please do it ASAP this no caffeine Utah thing is ridiculous! Help a brother out! Also I loved all the stuff you sent mom,I traded all the ties last night for some ridiculously better ties because my companion is a freakin wizard. Like its scary! So I have all these sick ties now. But anyway I'll talk to you next week. and Kelsey I'm trusting you no matter what mom says send at least a 4 pack of Redbulls. 

November 14- Second Week

I will be able to email you this Friday, but we haven't had our P-day yet, just because the of the way a few things have played out scheduling wise. I will be able to email every Friday.

If you could post my email address and mail address on Facebook, that would be much appreciated. I'm giving you the keys to my Facebook, so don't crash it! Keep everything classy and bring it back with a full tank of gas. So now, I'll get into some of the basic stuff and the questions mom had.

Language:
Yes, we started that very day. The second I walked in the classroom, a half hour after I got to the MTC.

Schedule:
It changes every day, but we have personal study after breakfast for an hour. Then typically have our investigator lessons (all in Portuguese), then lunch, then a computer thingy to help us with the language called TELL, then language study. Then after that, it is usually gym, then dinner, then after dinner is another class period for another three hours, then we come back to the residence and get ready for bed then write letters or read.

Food:
Eh, it's alright. I'm mainly eating salad and wraps to watch the lbs since I'm not getting my usual amount of exercise. For mass-like people food, I'd say it's pretty good, but in general, I'd rate it a 5/10.

Companion/District:
My companion is Elder Woodward. He is from Oregon and is 18. He has been kind of reserved and now that it's been a week, he is really starting to open up. Then Elder Evans used to be my companion as well, but Elder Guarity got his visa and left yesterday. Elder Evans went to BYU-I and is picking up the language fast. His new companion Elder Folland is from Maryland and is the other 18 year-old. He is pretty funny and a great guy, both spiritually and in general. Elder Rowell reminds me of Danny in the way he acts and does certain things. He also went to BYU-I and is an amazing elder. Finally, Elder McChesney, where do I start? ha. He is hilarious! He is the life of our group at lunch and when we're not doing spiritual stuff. I love this guy! Although he has had kinda a trouble maker past, he is growing every day and it is becoming more spiritual and it's awesome to see that growth.

Language (2):
We are teaching all our lessons in Portuguese and so far, we have taught four lessons. I can pray in Portuguese, bear my testimony and then just basic conversation.

The final question was, am I happy. Ha. I am having the time of my life! The unity between companionships and district is unreal. It seems like we have known each other for years already. I mainly like having the spirit with me consistently and all of my efforts are going toward helping people with their salvation. I love the MTC. I love my teacher. Yesterday we had the honor to hear from Elder L. Tom Perry and he talked about companionship (with elders) and it was incredible! Sunday night we watched a talk by Elder Bednar and it was the best talk I have ever heard and I don't think I have ever felt the spirit stronger than when I was listening to his talk. It has all just been incredible. I know this is where the Lord wants me to be and I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. The spiritual growth I have experienced through just a week is almost unbelievable. Being a district leader has been one of my biggest challenges with leadership and the expectation is higher and the other elders have been looking to me for guidance and it is very humbling. I want you all to know how much I love this work  and this gospel. I've never been happier in my life. This has been exactly what I've wanted. I love all of you and I will talk to you and let you know how I am doing Friday via email. Send me stuff! It's cool to get mail and packages! :)

Love,
Elder Davis
P.S. Tell bishop I am dominating at basketball!

November 9, 2013- First Week at the MTC

I'm writing this letter on my third night at the MTC. I have been so busy I haven't been able to write, but I love it! I am in a tri-companionship right now with Elder Evans and Elder Woodward and they are both amazing. Elder Evans is outspoken and confident, but humble at the same time. He has been an amazing example to me. Elder Woodward is very soft-spoken and shy, but once he warms up to you, he has amazing insight. Last night we met our branch president and had a pseudo-zone meeting. We met with our first counselor in our presidency, Elder Goodman and had one-on-one interviews. After, he selected the district leaders and he called me to be the district leader of our zone. I was honored and humbled to serve and get the chance to serve the elders in my district. I was frankly shocked to be called to this because all of the elders in my zone are incredible and an inspiration and older, some by two years. I am thankful nonetheless and will do my very best to serve and guide them the best I can.

The language so far has been very difficult. They throw you right into it. Tonight, our third night, we were all getting frustrated and we were tired. Our teacher, Brother Belchoir asked us to close our eyes and asked us to raise our hands if we were having a difficult time with the language and I raised my hand. Then he asked us if we were speaking Portuguese. I again raised my hand along with the others. Brother Belchoir then looked at all of us with disappointment and said, "I encourage all of you when you pray tonight to repent for not having faith that God will help you learn this language." And it home to me, and I was ashamed. But nonetheless, I will got at it tomorrow again with more faith.

How to contact Elder Davis!

There are a few ways to get a hold of Mason while he is on his mission! Here's how:

1. You can email him at davis.mason@myldsmail.net. 
2. While he is in the MTC, you can send him a Dear Elder letter. Dear Elder is a website that allows you to type a letter for free and then they will print it out and put it in his mailbox. This is the best way for you to get in contact with him because he only has about 30 minutes of email time a week. 
3. You can also just sent him a regular letter. Missionaries love getting mail. You can send your letters/packages to this address:

Elder Mason Davis

Dec 16 BRA-FOR

2007 N. 900 E. Unit 61

Provo, UT 84602

So get writing! :)

Here's a few pictures right before I dropped him off! (He has more pictures on his camera from saying goodbye to the rest of the family, so hopefully he'll email those to us soon!)