Day 15 - A Day in the Busy Life of Elder DeBroux

Wednesday, April 25th, 2012

To get right into the heart of this post, here is Elder Eli's most recent email...

"Dear Family,


This is just my overview of the week, I got the pictures and letters earlier this week. Thanks a lot, my district will finally accept that you are real. ha ha

I really enjoyed the letters as well, they were very touching. I'm going to try to respond to them today, so we'll see how that goes.


Life here at the MTC was finally getting into a pattern last week and then BAM! they changed our schedule, so now we are lost all  over again, but it is all good because now our Pday schedule is ideal. I actually just got back from doing a set of iniatories at the temple. I was able to do some sealings last week, as a witness and as a child to parents. It's such a blessing to be able to go to it each week and we get to walk to it and around it every Sunday, and in addition to that our playing field is right in front of the temple so we see it all the time.

I would never have thought that Spanish would take hold so quickly, we started on a new "investigator" this week and we had a lesson all planned out and we ended up not using it and just talking in Spanish. It was great. 


...In addition to the new investigator we went to the TRC (Teaching Resource Center) and talked with 2 members for 20 min. each.  It's beginning to make me think I will eventually be able to speak this language. Also, I apparently talk in my sleep now. I didn't think I did, but I do now. Apparently though I only speak Spanish. Kinda odd, but hey, whatever works.

This week we had another General Authority come and talk to us. Last night we got to hear from Russell M. Nelson and his wife. It's amazing to feel that spirit that these General
Authorities bring.  This work is hard. I haven't felt rested since I got here, but every time I hear them speak I am reminded what I am here and re-energized for the work.


...Love you lots."

So...there you go...latest updates from my favorite missionary.

Day 8 - One week down, 103 to go

As promised...communication from Elder Eli....forgive me if it seems a bit choppy...I'm trying to make these posts make sense. Sometimes Elder Eli is just answering questions that his Mama has asked and without both sides of the conversation things like, "Yes, they came Wednesday night, much to my relief." would have very little meaning unless you knew that I had asked him the question, "Did you get your new set of scriptures?"
Out of context, Elder Eli's answer could mean...
"Did flying monkeys come visit you?"
"Yes, the came Wednesday night, much to my relief."

So without further commentary...Elder  Eli's update:

"...It's so busy here. We literally work or study from 6:30 til 10:30 when we go to bed. And there's no babying here, they put us right to work. I was late to the MTC (C.C.M en espanol) on Wednesday and I walked into a class and the teacher would only speak Spanish to me, kinda confusing especially because everything was new. But the language is going amazing. It's incredible how much we can already speak in a week. I can pray and bear my testimony and have enough Spanish that me and my companion have taught three 20 minute lessons in Spanish. It's just amazing how much the spirit can help. It is by no means easy but it is definitely working. The Lord has a lot for me to learn here.
...Anyway time is running short so here's the good stuff. 1. Use Dear Elder while I'm at the MTC. I get letters from Dear Elder that day. I get letters everyday but Sunday and it is greatly appreciated to receive them. I'd still like normal letters, but if you could post that on Facebook, that'd be great.
Highlights of the week, got a missionary name tag, got to hear from Elder M.Russell Ballard on Sunday, teaching Miguel (our investigator), and hearing Elder Archuleta sing a beautiful rendition of Called to Serve (made me cry). Oh, and the spirit here...it's like floating on clouds.

Love you a lot, give love to the family,
Elder DeBroux"

ps...ignore the post date...this email came to me on Wednesday, April 18th, 2012

The absolute easiest way

This is a copy from a facebook post on April 18th, but it is new info for the blog, so it's being added!

"Update from the mom (hereafter to be referred to as Mama...he says that's the Mexican Spanish way of saying "mom"...apparently me referring to myself as "madre" was totally wrong. :)

"Anyway, we just got our first email from Elder Eli...Wednesday is now my official favorite day of the week. For the next 8 weeks Wednesday will be his p-day, the day he is able to write letters.
 

"All is well with him, his Spanish is coming along...he's even taught three 20minute lessons in Spanish and reports that he can pray and bear his testimony in Spanish.
 

"He's had Elder Ballard come to the MTC to speak and has been able to listen to Elder Archuleta sing....yes, that's David Archuleta. :)
 

"He's asked that I let his Facebook friends know that the absolute easiest way to contact him is through www.dearelder.com. It's super easy to use and the email you send will get printed out and delivered to him the same day that you send the email. Once you go to the site choose Provo MTC - write letter - fill out his name and such - MTC Box #268, Mission Code MEX-TXG, Estimated departure date 0611. I've already looked into it and it really seems like it'll be a breeze. He says he still loves handwritten letters but this is a great way to contact him...and will save you the 45 cent postage stamp."

So now you have two different ways to contact Elder Eli - snail mail or printed out e-mails! Now go to it and write him some letters!

Day One...a continuation

We got our first letter from Elder Eli today...okay, so he refers to himself now as "Elder Elijah DeBroux" but I really like "Elder Eli"...it has a good ring to it and makes me smile every time I say it, and since I am the mommy...that is what I will refer to him as for the next 2 years. :)

So, without further ado...here is our first update:

"Dear Parents,
Hopefully this will get to you before next Wednesday when I can e-mail you, other wise you would already know I'm safe and well.
But if not, you would probably like to know that I am not dead, which because I am writing this I am not. Zombie is still a possibility though.
The MTC has been interesting...I got here late so I was kinda lost but, my companion, Elder Gwynn, has been a great help.
It's really cool to have a name tag that says Elder DeBroux, just very surreal, but it's all in Spanish, so everyone keeps talking to me in Spanish and it's really disorienting, but I'm sure it'll help.
The classes have been great too. Very enlightening and educational on how to listen and teach people.
The first night they had actors who were being investigators and the Elders and/or Sisters would come in and start talking to them and then we as a group had to teach them. It was very frustrating and helpful, oddly enough.
How is everyone holding up at home? I miss you guys, and would request that you send me pictures as soon as possible, because I don't have any and the other Elders are wondering if you exist. Haha.
Anyway, I love you,

Elder Elijah DeBroux"

Okay, so looking back on this first letter I'm thinking that maybe it wasn't his first night there but maybe his second day...can't quite tell.

He seems well...overwhelmed, but well. His p-day will be on Wednesdays while he is at the MTC. Happy day for the mommy! Wednesday has just now become my favorite day of the week! I wonder if I will get an email from him any faster if I just sit at the computer all day Wednesday with my Gmail account open waiting for his email? Something tells me that doing that will be like watching a pot of water, waiting for it to boil.

Day One

Day one started early with the bittersweet farewell to his family and the beginning of his new adventure.

It was an early start to the airport. A long flight to Utah. A short visit with his Aunt Elizabeth. And a quick jump into his new missionary life.