30Jun2009 - Letter from Kyle

Sorry...it's been a really busy day with lots of exchanges and stuff, so i'm just getting on really quick right before dinner, because we are not able to e-mail after 6pm, and dinner starts in just a couple of minutes.

The weeks been good! One of the highlights was that Elder Diaz came back. I don't know if you remember, or if i told you, but he went home the day after we came in, because his step-dad only had like 2 weeks to live. He was dying from cancer. He went home, his step dad died, and he came back last friday night.

On Thursday, i saw President Ukdorf, but it was from quite a ways away. Wed. i think it was, we got notes telling us that we'd be singing in the sunday night devotional/fireside in front of the whole MTC!

On sunday, we were having a great day, that turned into an even better day when we were in district meeting, and we heard a bunch of girls shrieking....we ended REALLY quick, cuz we knew what was going on...the prophet was outside. His car had been parked right in front of our building, and so before he left, he wanted to meet some missionaries. He was a ways away from me, and a few seconds later, i realized that President Eyering was like 10 feet away from me. Somebody asked him a question, and he came closer and started talking to us all...Then pres monson's security told him it was time to leave, but as he was going to his car (moving towards us) he started talking to the group of people i was in. He was asking people where they were going on their missions, and started on my left, moving right. He asked people on either sides of me, but not me. He got to the other end, and there was a little lul in the conversation between everybody, and he looked at me, then pointed at me and said "where are you going on your mission elder?". THE PROPHET TALKED TO ME!!!! Holy cow, it wasn't much, but it was amazing!

As his security told him again that he needed to leave (because his wife was waiting for him in the car), we all started singing "We thank thee O God for a Prophet". He again turned around, smiled, and then started conducting us! He is hilarious, and his sense of humor is just something that you wouldn't expect! After we finished singing, he got in his car, and left.

If that hadn't been enough, we had to sing at the fireside a few hours later. We practiced, did our sound check, went and ate dinner, and then went to sing. I think it went well, and many people told us the same thing. Depending on the quality of the recording, the MTC may send you a full recording of the singing, but it is also on the SD card that I sent home along with some other stuff today.

Other than that, the best part has been having great spiritual discussions, and learning stuff just from personal study! Did you know that: since baptism, we have had the ability to converse in the language of Angels? I learned about that when i was reading in 2 Nephi. Around chapter 30ish i think! ALSO....that there is scripture out there that we will eventually have, we just don't yet. that was in 2 Nephi 29:13 or 14. (right around there anyways!).

I did get all of the pictures! They look great! I really like the one of Uncle Allen! That is definitely a keeper! :D I don't really know what else to say...i'm gonna check the other e-mails i got, see if i didn't answer any questions you asked. If i missed something, i'll send a quick e-mail! :D

I Love all of you!

Oh.....PS. You have my address ALL wrong! :D333 has NOTHING to do with my address anymore. I keep getting letters late because all mine keep going to the wrong place.

Mailbox # 98
Mission Code: Arg-Ban
Departure Date: 0811...i don't think you even need this one, but my district is 48H.

Anyways...love ya, see ya....
Elder Denton

From 6/23/09...

Hey there!

Elder Ludwig, the guy McKenzie knew was in the first district that i was in. I haven't seen him too much tho, because he actually got the swine flu, and was in quarantine for like 5 days. Also, one of the elders in MY district, Elder Stuart had the swine flu, and just got out of quarantine today. We have been on tamiflu for the past like 5 days, and have to stay on it for 10 total, just to make sure we don't get any bug.

I haven't met andrew jones, but i'm keeping my eyes open. I think Elder Hales, one of the guys in our district who is also going to Buenos Aires North, thinks he met him a couple of days ago though.

I also thought i met let you know that i'm not eating any sugar while i'm here. I really appreciate the package that i got, and my district REALLY enjoyed the bag of Mike-and-ikes. I don't know if you've already sent out the package for this week, if you have, sorry, but today was the first day that i could write. If you want to keep sending goodies, i'm sure they'd enjoy! :D haha. I know that you have the one free thing from dearelder.com, that has the cookies and stuff...be sure to send that, cuz it's free, and my district will definitely not let it go to waste!

I have a pair of pants from mens warehouse (or whatever the place is called that you picked the stuff up for me) that is broken. The zipper never got connected, and just fell off because it wasn't attatched to thte other side.

I can't think of anything else that i was going to tell you at the moment, but i've got like 15 min of time left today. My laundry is going right now, so i'll probably be back on in an hour or so to check and see if i got anything back!

Love ya. Talk to ya later. See ya!

Hey! How'd the wedding go? Did you go to the actually sealing, or did you just take pics? What temple was it at? Draper? I think that's what i remember. [SLC, actually]

I don't know about the chips, i didn't eat any of the Dorito's from last week, but my district enjoyed them as well! I'm just trying to loose weight...

I'd love to see some of the pics from the wedding. Whit did send me a pic, it was...um....interesting?

I've got like 8 min left. If you're on the comp, and have anything else to say, i'll prob check one more time for the day around 5:20ish.

Well...i'm bored, have some extra time, and thought i'd write a little about the last week.

So...Elder Hales, Gaspar, and I were companions when i last wrote you...then Elder Stuart got Swine flu, so Elder Mccutchan and Elder Hales Became companions. Now, Elder stuart is back, and to help him catch up from the last couple of days, Elder Hales is staying with elders Mccutchan and Stuart.

Today, the 2 other elders that were staying in our dorm moved out..one to his mission, the other to be a temp missionary in the RC while waiting on his visa to activate.

ALSO today, Elders Probert, Hales, Mccutchan, Hatton and I (1 district), elder young (another district, but in our zone), and 2 samoan elders that live on our floor, but are in a different district AND zone all have been practicing, and had an audition for a 'special musical number'

The lady said that she would have us sing somewhere, but she doesn't know for what yet. It would be AMAZING if it was at the devo on fri night, because we're all pretty sure Pres. Monson is going to be speaking.

This week is training for all of the new Mission Presidants and their wives, and it's done here...but ALSO, the entire quorum of the 12 and first presidence will be here. They get here thur, and leave sat..(pretty sure)..i know they are here for like 2ish days. Anyways, it's going to be AMAZING because the Presidency and quorum of the 12 is just going to be like..hanging out around the MTC! :D IF you can't tell, i'm pretty excited about that!!!

Pictures!

His mission blanket. Uncle Bill pointed out that Argentina resembles a face and Buenos Aires it the eye.


Embroidered in the corner of another blanket.


You can see it at the bottom there.


Yes he is!


A family picture--minus dad behind the camera and Whitney on the road. We went to Mimi's Cafe for breakfast before he took off.


Hugging Uncle Stephen goodbye


Hugging Aunt Tiffiney goodbye


Hugging TJ goodbye


Awww...Forrest doesn't really want to touch him...


But he does anyway! Last time for 2 years!



Hugging Grammy goodbye.


Calming Grammy down a little. This is her first grandchild to go!


Hugging his favorite sister goodbye :D


See! We do love each other!


Everyone shows their love in different ways...Aunt Ginger uses the lint roller.


Father and Son--Dad got his wish of having his children be taller than him!


Don't really know what's going on here...


Much better!


Family photo!


Mother and Son


My dad likes to watch the progression of the lady in the fluorescent vest--the one who literally kicked Kyle to the curb.


Just taking down information to start...


Waiting for them to hurry up with the unloading.


Putting stuff on luggage


Look at that smile! I believe my dad quoted her as saying "Yes! Another successful separation!"


Last bit of lovin.
Hugging mom goodbye for 2 years.

The Test E-mail

While it was a short e-mail, it has an important change and a couple of requests!

Hey! This is my e-mail.  I'm in a new district from when i entered, because
i got bumped up to the intermediate class, so i also have a new mailbox that
probably needs to be updated for when you are sending me physical letters.
My new mailbox number is 98.  I think that's the only thing that has
changed.  Send me something short back to make sure that this all works, but
for longer letters and stuff, dearelder.com is the best way to do it so that
i'm not sitting here on the computer spending my 30min of mail time just
reading stuff!  (i don't know if anybody has tried, but i have not recieved
anything through the mail yet, including from dearelder.com...just fyi!!)
Love ya tons! have a great day!  I'll probably write later again, but this
is just for testing!! :D  Have a GREAT day!

Interesting and Confusing First Week at the MTC...

Kyle sent a quick note to test his email address before he sent this email. For some reason he doesn't have an introduction nor does he sign off...we'll see if that changes in the future.

Ok,
So i just went to breakfast, then we went and got the mail and i did have some stuff come through dearelder.com something from whit, and something from dad.

ANYWAYS...this week has been crazy, i've had like 3 different companionships. Elders Dommer and Beatty were my companions for like, less than 24hrs. On thursday morning, we did a language evaluation, and i got placed in intermediate, along with one other Elder from our district, Elder Gaspar. We didn't know until we got called to the front of an LGM (large group meeting), and were told that my 2 companions were now with his 1 companion (elder ward), and that we were companions now.

We went with a guy to an office, and had to switch a bunch of stuff, which was a HUGE bummer. I had already unpacked all of my stuff, and had it organized how i wanted it, and then we were told that we had to move all of our stuff to a whole new building.

We met our new district, moved our stuff, traded our keys, and then went back to class. Our teachers are great. We have 3 main study periods through the day, each of which is a couple of hours long. Usually Hermana Johnson teaches in the mornings, and Hermano Vance teaches in the afternoon, and then we have MDT (Missionary Directed Time) in the evening. MDT has 3 parts, each an hour long. Personal, Language, and Companionship Study.

ANYWAYS....Our new district had Elders: Probert, Hatton, Diaz, Hales, Mccutchan, Stuart, and now Elder Gaspar and I. On that first day that we got there, however, Elder Diaz went home, becuase his father is dying of cancer, and has only about 2 weeks left to live, and he was having too hard of a time concentrating on anything but that. Elder Diaz WAS Elder Hales companion, but Elder Hales got put with Elders Probert and Hatton.

Those 2 elders were in the room with Elders Mccutchan and Stuart, and since there are only 4 beds in a room, Elder Hales was in a room with 2 Elders from another district. On Sunday our branch president heard this, and his records showed that Elder Gaspar and I were alone, because the 2 Elders in our room are also in a different district, so he made the assignment for us to be companions with Elder Hales (btw, he's the district leader). When the branch president found out that Elder gaspar and I DID have roomates, he said that he would think about it, but that our threesome was permanent, and that we'd fix things when the elders that are in my room leave for their missions, which should be in about a week and a half. wow. Confused!?!?

Anyways..Elder Gaspar is from Virginia, and grew up with his parents speaking spanish all the time. He can understand a lot, but has trouble speaking. Elder Hales is from North Carolina, and took a lot of spanish in High School. He's really good at it!

Funny info: The Swine Flu Quarentine residence is in my building! :D We have to walk past that floor to get to our rooms ever day! Yesterday, Elder Mccutchan started aching all over, and we found out that he has a unidentifiable viral flu, so he has to wear a mask most of the time, but isn't contagious.

Also...on the first day, i coughed at the wrong time. A nurse heard me, and immediately made me go get tested for swine flu. it is HORRIBLE. They take a stick sort of thing and shove it up your nose further than anything should be admitted. But don't worry. I'm negative!

Dad, i don't know if you remember Elder Cobb...when i went through the salt lake temple, he was the other elder coming into the MTC that was in our session, he's staying in the room right next to me. He's committed me to doing 10 pullups on the pullup par in our residence hall before HE leaves to his mission field. He leaves in like 5 weeks :/. I don't know how that's going to work.

On a more spiritual note, the spirit here is amazing. I don't think i've ever felt it so strong, or in so many instances throughout the day. One of the best things that i've learned to do so far is pray for the spirit to accompany me before i do anything. Even with memorization and stuff like that, the spirit helps retain information SO well.

So far, i've memorized the purpose (on page 1 of PMG) in spanish, as the section of the first vision that tells about the light coming down (vi una columna de luz, mas brillante que el sol, directamente arriba de mi cabeza, y esta luz graduament descendió hasta descansar sobre mi...al reposar sobre mi la luz...... you get the point!

Anyways, it´s time to go to the temple. I´ll try to get on later and write a little more if i can, my timer shows that i´ve got like 9 minutes of email time left before the day is over. I´ll check this around 1 or 2, while my laundry is going.

Hasta luego. love ya´ll

Elder Denton's first letter from the MTC

Dear Mom & Dad,
Thanks for dropping me off this morning! I know it was a bit hard for me. I couldn't say anything because I would have just started to cry. It's been a full day, but good at the same time. I've seen tons of people from school. My companions (yea, 2!) are Elder Dommer & Elder Beatty. They are both great & I'm having a ball! Thank you for all the letters, it made unpacking more fun! Food - No complaints so far!!
I don't know, there isn't too much going on here on the first day...
Love ya!
Elder Denton
*P.S. My scheduled departure date is Aug 11

Elder Denton Enters the MTC

On Tuesday, 6/9/09 at 9pm Kyle was set apart by President Tate. The following morning we had a family breakfast and Connie and I drove him to the MTC. We arrived 45 minutes early and I asked him if he wanted to go drive around. He indicated that he had an old EFY leader who was going to meet him at the door and that 5 of his friends were going into the MTC on the same day...no, he wanted to get dropped off, but thanks! We received our courtesy 2 minute parking time limit at the curb. Luggage was placed to the side and a kind sister who meant well said, "give him a hug...we'll take good care of him." Well, as you can imagine, the sprinklers magically came on and sprayed Connie right in the face! After a long hug it was my turn and I managed to choke out some very deep wisdom. "You'll do great!" I said. Wait...I want a re-do! Nope, too late. Next thing we know is we're looking back over our shoulder just in time to see him turn through the doors and disappear, with a big smile on his face! GD

Where has the time gone?

"There will be occasions in each of our lives when we will be called upon to explain or to defend our beliefs. When the time for performance arrives, the time for preparation is past." — Thomas S. Monson

The time has come and Kyle will officially be set apart as a full-time missionary later this evening.

He has had the chance to go to the new Oquirrh temple 3 times already, plus he has been keeping busy by going to several other temples and participating in different ordinances.

Holy Places Help Us Maintain Our Relationship with God
Posted: 12 Mar 2009 12:00 AM PDT
"We unavoidably stand in so many unholy places and are subjected to so much that is vulgar, profane, and destructive of the Spirit of the Lord that I encourage our Saints all over the world, wherever possible, to strive to stand more often in holy places. Our most holy places are our sacred temples. . . . We must strive for holiness by being 'an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity' (1 Timothy 4:12). In this way we can maintain and strengthen our own individual relationship with our God."
James E. Faust, "Standing in Holy Places," Ensign, May 2005, 62

This past week of preparation has been aided by Aunts, Uncles, Grandparents - of which we are grateful to all. Connie and Cody have been busy creating stickers in the form of the sun on the Argentina flag and sticking them all over everything that Kyle possesses. If you can imagine it, it probably has a sun on it...or an embroidered "Elder Denton" or a very large heat pressed "Elder Denton - Buenos Aires, Argentina North Mission" along with a large outline of Argentina. This turned out very cool...good job Cody!

We're having a family dinner tonight, a family breakfast in the morning and then Connie and I will drop him off in front of the MTC. (tear!).

If you know Kyle, you know he will be an excellent missionary. Safe Travels...Love, Dad.