Week 3 - I'm halfway there!

Malo e lelei,

Hello everyone! Week three was basically the same as the weeks before here at the missionary training center. The foods the same and we do the same thing everyday. We do about 6 hours a day of language study and the rest of the time is for eating, studying, and sleeping. 

To be honest learning a foreign language is hard to do in six weeks. I've just come to the conclusion that I'm going to be dumb for a few months and then hopefully I'll get it. At least by the end of the mission I'll know some Tongan. 

To brighten things up, I play volleyball and foursquare during exercise time. And I dominate! I knew that from all those days playing foursquare and volleyball at QSI would pay of (thanks Mrs. Besa).

I just wanted to let you all know that I'm so grateful for all of your support while I'm serving the Lord. I'ts comforting to know that I have many, many people who love and support me. Just know that I love you all so very much and please know that God loves you so much and he wants the best for you, and if you keep his commandments you will blessed.

Ofa atu,

Elder Delgado 

Week 2 - Pray for some "fakalakalaka"

Hey everyone!

I've been here at the Missionary Training Center for just over two weeks. It doesn't feel like I have been here that long, and it’s weird to think that I'm almost halfway done with the MTC and then I'm off to Tonga.

The language is slowly coming along, and I'm just a little stressed right now because my companion and I have to teach a random person from BYU (they're a member of the church) a lesson in Tongan for 20 minutes. Take into notice that I've only been here for 2 weeks and I'm expected to teach a lesson about Jesus. Wish me luck!

I think one my most favorite things here at the MTC is finding people that I know or finding people that know people I know. For instance, the other night I ran into an Elder whose last name was McGuire. In Kosovo one of our sister missionaries was Sister McGuire. So I asked him if he had a relative who served in the Adriatic South Mission and he said that he did! It turns out Sister McGuire is elder McGuire's cousin!!

So yeah, that's basically my week. Just know that I love all of you and that God loves you even more. And if you're struggling with faith go into the New Testament in The Bible and read Hebrews Chapter 11. It's super good. I hope you all have a nice week and remember to have some "ofa fakakalaisi" (charity) and pray for some "fakalakalaka" (guidance) in your life.

Ofa Atu 

-Elder Delgado

Week 1 Down!

Now I can say I have been here at the MTC for over a week! It makes me feel like a seasoned veteran when I see the fresh missionaries come in with their orange stickers on their badges AKA (Dork Dots). The funny thing is that I have still got 5 more weeks here. It's interesting living here because the days feel like weeks and the weeks feel like days.  I am pretty sure the weeks will start flying by because everything you do here is very repetitive. You wake up, go to breakfast, go to class, go to lunch, study doctrine and language, go to dinner, go to class, then go to bed.

I am pretty sure the thing that makes me feel pretty happy here is when I receive packages and letters, because it reminds me that everyone is supporting me on my adventure, and I get a lot of Hostess products such as: Hostess cupcakes, Zingers, and Suzy Q's (thanks Grandpa). 

This place is truly "spirit prison" meaning you're always feeling the spirit and that you can never leave this place. When we go to the temple across the street I feel like i've escaped Alcatraz and I'm in the real world. I feel like a real missionary when I walk to the temple and there are church protesters outside trying to make us missionaries talk and all is say is "Oku o ikai  lea FakaPalangi", that means "I dont speak english". I treat the protesters like paparazzi I just want to say "Please no photos!" or something like that.

I think one of my most favorite times of the day is gym time. I go to the gym and play volleyball for an hour, and I've got to say my volleyball skills from QSI never left. There has been a few times where I would make an amazing spike or block and like 50 people cheer. So that's pretty cool. 

One great thing that happened this week was General Conference, and there is nothing quite the same as sitting for 6 hours on a plastic chair, my butt still hurts. But I have to say my favorite talk was Elder Uchtdorf's talk that had references to "The Hobbit". If you have not listened or seen his talk go watch it, it was super good. Here's a link to watch it: http://bit.ly/2nHG5fe

Other than that this week has been pretty good and I'm making "fakalakalaka" (progress). I just want to let you all know how much God loves you and that through Christ's atonement we can live with our Heavenly Father again. 

Ofa atu (I Love you)

-Elder Delgado

Day 3 & Arrival At The MTC

Malo e Lele, (Hello in Tongan)

Hello everyone! This is my weekly email. Although it may not be weekly because some islands in Tonga do not have internet, I'll try to make it as weekly as possible. 

I arrived to the MTC (Missionary Traingin Center) on Wednesday. Since then I have been assigned a companion, started learning Tongan, and studying the scriptures. It's super spiritual here and everyone is happy. It has only been three days but it feels like three weeks. I'll be at the MTC for 6 weeks learning Tongan and learning how to be a missionary and then I will fly to Tonga.

I don't have much to talk about since I've only been here for three days but it is super cool and a little tiring since we wake up at 6:30 in the morning. 

I love you all, and I want you all to know that Jesus loves you.

-Elder Delgado