Nathan left the MTC Monday April 25th at 8:30pm. Got on a flight to Atlanta at 1am Tuesday morning and called us from the Atlanta airport around 7am our time. He sounded really good. He's excited. He told me he has changed since being in the MTC and has become such a stronger person spiritually. He shared some great experiences he had while in the MTC and Lizzie had him say "Happy Birthday" in Spanish which thoroughly impressed her with his Spanish speaking abilities. While we were talking you could hear the loud speaker in the background making announcements and Nate said that they were having problems landing in Tegucigalpa because there were wildfires near there and it was causing visibility problems. They might have to reroute their plane to either Ecuador or to another Honduran city like San Pedro. Needless to say he had to get off the phone to work out how he and his other two companions would get there. No worries, Nate has a good head on his shoulders and has his father's talent for staying calm in potentially scary situations. Not to mention he's got Heavenly Father, Jesus and my mom on his side:)
I'll let you know when I hear from him but HOOORAH -- he's in Honduras or at least Central America now!
Honduras
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
6 days until Honduras!!!!
Hola everyone! How was spring break? I'm a bit jealous of all of you, but it's all good because I'm serving the Lord. I leave the MTC at 8:30 pm next Monday the
25th. My flight to Honduras is as follows.
Leave SLC at 1:05 AM 4-26
Arrive Atlanta 6:33 AM 4-26
Leave Atlanta 10:00 AM 4-26
Arive Tegucigalpa 11:46 Am 4-26
Kinda crazy flight, it's just me and two other elders from my district, I'm the travel leader or something. I don't know why though, I have never been on a plane before! Hopefully I don't loose myself or anyone else haha.
So this last week out of the blue me and my companion were made zone leaders. The last zone leaders were headed to mexico and they were called to go sign their visas 5 days early. So ya... I get to be a zone leader for a week!
Also this last week my district got to be host missionaries again. Kinda strange but we were chosen. It's pretty fun, you help two to three elders find their room, get their books and show them to their class room. I hosted an international (International meaning didn't drive to the MTC) from colorado, then I helped his companion right after. It was cool because there are around 500-600 new missionaries a week or something and there are about 150 host missionaries, so the chances of getting two elders in the same district, let alone the same companionship is really rare.
Today at the temple was amazing. I was thinking about it and that could have been the last time I go to the temple in two years. If it was the last I'm glad that todays trip was so memorable. Me and my companion elder Johnson did Sealings. We were really needed too. There were three couples and two solo sisters, we were needed to be sons. The church is way behind on their sealings for sons. Today there was a spanish couple doing sealings for family names. The first sealer did their names first but forgot one, then the relief sealer came. We were 3/4 of the way through the session when out of the blue the new sealer handed the other priesthood witness the hispanic couples name and asked him to make sure they were all checked off. The first sealer missed, and it was the Grandfather of the brother. So the Hispanic brother was sealed to another couple for his grandpa. The spirit truly spoke to that sealer. That grandfather needed to be sealed to his grandparents today. I looked on the card for the Grandfather and his endowment was done in 1985, so he had been waiting a while to be sealed. It was really cool, the church is so true!
Tonight Elder Richard G. Scott is coming to speak. My district is the only one that knows, because our teacher Hermano Zivic, the son of Elder Zivic in the Quorum of 70 told us his dad was suppose to speak, we were going to meet Elder Zivic and everything, but apparently on sunday elder zivic got a call from the MTC asking, actually haha telling him he couldn't speak because Elder Scott wanted to. Kinda bummed I dont get to meet Elder Zivic but Im excited to hear from Elder Scott, especially after his amazing confrence talk about his wife. Im excited. This will be the first time in 13 weeks a member of the 12 has spoken. It's also my last fireside at the MTC
I'm not sure how or if I can get written letters to the states, I know I will be able to email though. I'll keep you all posted. I love you all, you are in my thoughts in prayers.
Sincerely,
Elder Nathan Ahlborn
25th. My flight to Honduras is as follows.
Leave SLC at 1:05 AM 4-26
Arrive Atlanta 6:33 AM 4-26
Leave Atlanta 10:00 AM 4-26
Arive Tegucigalpa 11:46 Am 4-26
Kinda crazy flight, it's just me and two other elders from my district, I'm the travel leader or something. I don't know why though, I have never been on a plane before! Hopefully I don't loose myself or anyone else haha.
So this last week out of the blue me and my companion were made zone leaders. The last zone leaders were headed to mexico and they were called to go sign their visas 5 days early. So ya... I get to be a zone leader for a week!
Also this last week my district got to be host missionaries again. Kinda strange but we were chosen. It's pretty fun, you help two to three elders find their room, get their books and show them to their class room. I hosted an international (International meaning didn't drive to the MTC) from colorado, then I helped his companion right after. It was cool because there are around 500-600 new missionaries a week or something and there are about 150 host missionaries, so the chances of getting two elders in the same district, let alone the same companionship is really rare.
Today at the temple was amazing. I was thinking about it and that could have been the last time I go to the temple in two years. If it was the last I'm glad that todays trip was so memorable. Me and my companion elder Johnson did Sealings. We were really needed too. There were three couples and two solo sisters, we were needed to be sons. The church is way behind on their sealings for sons. Today there was a spanish couple doing sealings for family names. The first sealer did their names first but forgot one, then the relief sealer came. We were 3/4 of the way through the session when out of the blue the new sealer handed the other priesthood witness the hispanic couples name and asked him to make sure they were all checked off. The first sealer missed, and it was the Grandfather of the brother. So the Hispanic brother was sealed to another couple for his grandpa. The spirit truly spoke to that sealer. That grandfather needed to be sealed to his grandparents today. I looked on the card for the Grandfather and his endowment was done in 1985, so he had been waiting a while to be sealed. It was really cool, the church is so true!
Tonight Elder Richard G. Scott is coming to speak. My district is the only one that knows, because our teacher Hermano Zivic, the son of Elder Zivic in the Quorum of 70 told us his dad was suppose to speak, we were going to meet Elder Zivic and everything, but apparently on sunday elder zivic got a call from the MTC asking, actually haha telling him he couldn't speak because Elder Scott wanted to. Kinda bummed I dont get to meet Elder Zivic but Im excited to hear from Elder Scott, especially after his amazing confrence talk about his wife. Im excited. This will be the first time in 13 weeks a member of the 12 has spoken. It's also my last fireside at the MTC
I'm not sure how or if I can get written letters to the states, I know I will be able to email though. I'll keep you all posted. I love you all, you are in my thoughts in prayers.
Sincerely,
Elder Nathan Ahlborn
Saturday, April 16, 2011
New and probably last MTC pictures
Nathan sent these to post on the blog -- as soon as possible he says! But all he does is send his SD card without any explanation of who the people are he is with or anything -- I guess it is just nice to see that he is alive and happy! He sent 96 pictures and since it can be a little tedious putting all 96 pictures on I had to choose the one's I liked best -- if anyone wants to see them all let me know:)
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Week 7, just two more to go!
Wow this week has flown by. Last Wednesday I got the oppertunity to be a host missionary for the new missionaries coming it. It was pretty fun. It's strange to think that I was like that six weeks ago. They were all confused, moms and sisters were crying. It made me miss my family a bit. All and all it was a good expierence. I also got to miss like a half day of class :)
This last week I have started to worry a bit about spanish. We have been teaching all of our lessons in Spanish, and I can totally understand spanish but its kinda difficult to speak it. I will get it eventually though I'm not to worried about it.
We got a new district in our zone this last wednesday. One of the boys in it was in my mission prep class back at Snow. They seem alright, hopefully none of them go home.
Last sunday I was asked to give a talk in the sacrament meeting they host for the cafeteria workers. Thank goodness it was going to be in english. I had prepared an amazing five minute talk on prayer the night before and it took me like an hour. Then when the time came to give it, the girl that spoke before me took like eight minutes so I had only like two or three minutes to speak. I pretty much just told my story of getting in the car accident with the Maserati. It turned out well.
Yesterday(monday) during dinner, my name and another elder going to Honduras names were called over the intercom. We thought for sure that we were going to be called out to Honduras like the next day or something. It turns out that the elder that was called down with me had just left his binder and scriptures in the cafeteria, so they called him down to give it back to him. They called me because I had let this Elder borrow a talk of mine that had my name on it, they thought some of the stuff left was mine when it really wasn't. Talk about dissappointing. O well, I'll be out of this place soon enough!
I cant really think of anything else that happended this last week. I got a package from Aunt Raine that was one of the highlights of my week!
Another thing that I have been doing everyday is studying about the Atonement. Our teacher, Hermana Merill challenged us to study the Atonement everyday for like twenty minutes. I absoulutly love it! I have learned so many new things! Part of this study has been reading "Jesus the Christ". I can't put it down. I have been reading none stop for the last week, and I'm only three hundred pages in. I have been skipping around in it though. I plan on finishing it before I leave. I also have been reading a bit in the four gospels. It makes me want to read the new testament before I leave as well. I'm not sure if I could pull that off, but I will have a lot of study time out in the field!
It has taken me a while but I have discovered the best food in the cafeteria. Soup and Salad. The soups here are amazing. I have no idea were they get it, but it never dissapoints me. The salad, depending on the day is pretty good too. I just wish I had learned this sooner. I also stopped drinking so much soda. Hopefully that will help me get in shape for Honduras.
Life here is still good, but I am ready to get out to Honduras. It will be here before I know it! I love you all and hope you are all doing well.
Sincerely,
Elder Nathan Ahlborn
This last week I have started to worry a bit about spanish. We have been teaching all of our lessons in Spanish, and I can totally understand spanish but its kinda difficult to speak it. I will get it eventually though I'm not to worried about it.
We got a new district in our zone this last wednesday. One of the boys in it was in my mission prep class back at Snow. They seem alright, hopefully none of them go home.
Last sunday I was asked to give a talk in the sacrament meeting they host for the cafeteria workers. Thank goodness it was going to be in english. I had prepared an amazing five minute talk on prayer the night before and it took me like an hour. Then when the time came to give it, the girl that spoke before me took like eight minutes so I had only like two or three minutes to speak. I pretty much just told my story of getting in the car accident with the Maserati. It turned out well.
Yesterday(monday) during dinner, my name and another elder going to Honduras names were called over the intercom. We thought for sure that we were going to be called out to Honduras like the next day or something. It turns out that the elder that was called down with me had just left his binder and scriptures in the cafeteria, so they called him down to give it back to him. They called me because I had let this Elder borrow a talk of mine that had my name on it, they thought some of the stuff left was mine when it really wasn't. Talk about dissappointing. O well, I'll be out of this place soon enough!
I cant really think of anything else that happended this last week. I got a package from Aunt Raine that was one of the highlights of my week!
Another thing that I have been doing everyday is studying about the Atonement. Our teacher, Hermana Merill challenged us to study the Atonement everyday for like twenty minutes. I absoulutly love it! I have learned so many new things! Part of this study has been reading "Jesus the Christ". I can't put it down. I have been reading none stop for the last week, and I'm only three hundred pages in. I have been skipping around in it though. I plan on finishing it before I leave. I also have been reading a bit in the four gospels. It makes me want to read the new testament before I leave as well. I'm not sure if I could pull that off, but I will have a lot of study time out in the field!
It has taken me a while but I have discovered the best food in the cafeteria. Soup and Salad. The soups here are amazing. I have no idea were they get it, but it never dissapoints me. The salad, depending on the day is pretty good too. I just wish I had learned this sooner. I also stopped drinking so much soda. Hopefully that will help me get in shape for Honduras.
Life here is still good, but I am ready to get out to Honduras. It will be here before I know it! I love you all and hope you are all doing well.
Sincerely,
Elder Nathan Ahlborn
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Only Three More Weeks!
Confrence was amazing! I was worried it was going to be hot long and uncomfortable. It turned out to be very good. I had two favorite talks, the first by President Eyring. He talked about the 75th anniversary of the Churches welfare program. I loved it because I have a desire to serve people. I just want to do what he was talking about. Honduras is the 3rd poorest country in the world, and I am hoping I will have many oppertunites to help and serve people. I almost wish I was going on a service mission, but I am perfectly happy with what I am doing now :)
My other favorite talk was by Richard G. Scott. I know he talked about marriage, and that isn't something I should be focusing on for the next two years, but I just loved it. I know without a doubt that man loves his wife and his family. Even though he lost his wife and son he still knows that this gospel is true. I admire that. I felt the Spirit and love from his talk. It did make me miss my family a little as well. Actually all the talks about family, temple and marriage kinda made me miss my family, but it isn't a distraction, and I felt the spirit through all of confrence.
Nothing crazy happend this week. The non-spirtual highlight of it happened today. I went on splits with another elder in my district, elder Mackay so his companion could go to the temple. Elder Mackay hurt his neck wrestling or doing something dumb, and had to go to the Chiropractor. So me and him got the oppotunity to leave the MTC for four hours. It was just crazy, because I have pretty much lived in this area my whole life. It just felt so different because I'm a missionary. I wanted to talk to people in spanish and just spread the gospel, but being on BYU campus in the middle of provo, everyone knew who we are. I have never gotten so much advice from so many diffrent people in my life. Everyone was telling us stories. The doctor had a son that went to Honduras so he was telling us about tha (elder mackay is one of the other two elders going to my mission with me). It was just cool to get out of this little place. It felt a lot different out there though.
I am doing well. Im grateful for all of the support you all have given me. I will be gone soon, just three more weeks. It will be harder to get mail to me once I leave the states, so If you have anything that you want to write me, do it fast!
I love you all and hope things are well, summer is coming and school is almost out! you are all lucky! I'm sorry about the shortness of the email, I didn't have much time today on the computer, it liked malfuntioned or something, I lost ten minutes of computer time.
Elder Ahlborn
My other favorite talk was by Richard G. Scott. I know he talked about marriage, and that isn't something I should be focusing on for the next two years, but I just loved it. I know without a doubt that man loves his wife and his family. Even though he lost his wife and son he still knows that this gospel is true. I admire that. I felt the Spirit and love from his talk. It did make me miss my family a little as well. Actually all the talks about family, temple and marriage kinda made me miss my family, but it isn't a distraction, and I felt the spirit through all of confrence.
Nothing crazy happend this week. The non-spirtual highlight of it happened today. I went on splits with another elder in my district, elder Mackay so his companion could go to the temple. Elder Mackay hurt his neck wrestling or doing something dumb, and had to go to the Chiropractor. So me and him got the oppotunity to leave the MTC for four hours. It was just crazy, because I have pretty much lived in this area my whole life. It just felt so different because I'm a missionary. I wanted to talk to people in spanish and just spread the gospel, but being on BYU campus in the middle of provo, everyone knew who we are. I have never gotten so much advice from so many diffrent people in my life. Everyone was telling us stories. The doctor had a son that went to Honduras so he was telling us about tha (elder mackay is one of the other two elders going to my mission with me). It was just cool to get out of this little place. It felt a lot different out there though.
I am doing well. Im grateful for all of the support you all have given me. I will be gone soon, just three more weeks. It will be harder to get mail to me once I leave the states, so If you have anything that you want to write me, do it fast!
I love you all and hope things are well, summer is coming and school is almost out! you are all lucky! I'm sorry about the shortness of the email, I didn't have much time today on the computer, it liked malfuntioned or something, I lost ten minutes of computer time.
Elder Ahlborn
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