I Made It!

Well, we got a few emails from Parker between yesterday and today.  And a bonus phone call this morning.  Saying goodbye to his twin Sunday night was the hardest night in the MTC.  But as you can see in the above picture he made it to OKC today.

Along with this picture he sent this email: 
"Just sending you a quick email to let you know I made it and I'm all good! Sorry I didn't get to call in Denver. I tried and it said "insufficient funds." Piece of junk calling card. Tell the fam I love them and I'll email on pday! I dont know when that is yet. Haven't gotten my trainer yet. Also if/when you send packages, send it to the mission home using USPS, that way they'll be able to forward it to wherever I'm at. Gotta go, love you all!!!!!

He asked that I share the following poem.  Just click the link below.

He's Been There Before


 

Goodbye for Now

Elder T. says goodbye to the MTC and all the memories there which include running into his twin brother twice a day at meal time.

Goodbye to Provo, UT

Goodbye to great friends,

Goodbye to class and instruction time,

But Hello to the rest of his mission~  With backpack on and scriptures in hand he will take a big step forward this week - a step he's been preparing to take his whole life.   Elder T. mentioned earlier this week feeling the influence of his Heavenly Father bending and shaping him into the person He wants him to be - to be used as a tool for good.

We are happy for OKC-Oklahoma Mission to get one such as Elder P. Traasdahl in their midst to join the work.
Doctrine and Covenants 4 comes to mind right about now.

Study and Sleep in the MTC

First off, here's a Classic Companion Picture

Next here are Elder T's roommates all Studying the Good Word in Black and White

And here they are a while later:  It's a pretty rigorous schedule...

 

 

Elder Traasdahl was caught falling asleep too while trying to memories his scripture study cards. 
(He took a picture of someone else's picture.) 

A few Amazing Things

Elder T. with Elder Harrison who attended Gilbert High.  They met on the flight to the MTC and have been good friends ever since.  Parker said 'it's crazy what can happen in a week.'

Elder Traasdahl - deep in thought.

Who knew this existed?  Elder Parker's companion smelling the 'Cream Soda Tree'.
 Elder T. said it really smells like it!!!

Very amazing story!  Elder T. explained "Here is Elder Merkley.  He had cancer and was given the option of having a series of surgeries over 2 years, therefore pushing the mission back or getting his leg amputated so that he could go on his mission on time.  So he literally gave his leg for his mission.  What an inspiration."

The MTC is lucky to have one of the worlds greatest vacuumers on hand! Not that you can tell from this picture but I miss his perfect lines on my carpet.

Just had to share this.  It made me smile when I realized the twins sent me pretty much the exact same picture of themselves.

 

Pictures just in from the MTC

What a privilege to wear this tag.

Elder Traasdahl with Elder Hunt - former basketball team player and former ward member

Class.  Need I say More?

  Elder Matthews, Elder Cutler, Elder White and Elder T.  On a Sunday temple walk.


 


Just in case you haven't figured it out by now, here's Elder T. & his first ever companion, Elder White.

Letters to missionaries are like manna from Heaven... and what a great reminder:
'Never Give Up'

Only a missioary would be caught with scriptures in hand while on his way to do laundry. Here he poses with Samuel H. Smith.

"I LOVE YOU ALL!!!" 2nd p-day, 2nd email

My Dearest Family,

     I love you all! My friends also. I send much love your way as well. Haha ya we I did run into him! (meaning Jace) Best surprise ever. 

     Haha oh Tyler, love that kid. He's going to be an awesome missionary. I can't wait to hear all of his stories. He's got a fire burning in him for the Gospel that will never burn out. Mom, Dad, and everyone else, I wish you could see it. It's awesome. That kid is going to work wonders.

     Soooo much has happened since I've last written, I dont know what to share! I've had the opportunity to give a few blessings, which was really neat. Haha and at first scary. 3/4 of our district has gotten sick with a cold, pneumonia, bronchitis and what not. So I've given two blessings so far. What an awesome experience to use the priesthood. Don't worry mother, I'm okay. I just have a runny nose and a cough. If it gets really serious I'll go to the doctors. :) Btw I swear I've gained like 10 lbs. I haven't had the chance to weigh myself yet, but boy to I feel FAT! This MTC food does that to you. 

But time for the updates. First Daniel, our TRC progessing investigator that thinks I'm racist. Our second visit to him, went no where. He talked the entire time about how everyone hates him b/c he's Hispanic and how its gotten so bad that he doesn't even feel bad for 9/11 anymore because this country has been so bad to him la di da di da. Heck when we shook his hand, well after I did, he wiped his hand off on his shirt because I "contaminated him" and he had to "wipe the racist off." Can you believe that!? Gosh this guy was pushin all my buttons!! But like I said I was determined to get this guy, and looked at it just as a learing experience. So for our third visit was yesterday. We go up to the door, which was already open. We say hello, ask if we can come inside. Of course he says my comp can, but I can't. Haha my comp look at me like "What do I do?" I whispered "Go in!!" because we hadn't yet gotten in the door. So he goes in and they talk for about 10 min until Daniel finally lets me in. Then same old story, keeps on talking about how the world hates him. Daniel then asked me, interestingly, if I thought he was a bad man, for his lack of concern for others, like 9/11. I said "Daniel, I don't blame you for feeling that way. It's natural to feel that way." He of course said "I don't believe you." That was the last straw. I then pulled out the big guns. MLK. I said "Daniel, do you know who MLK was? In his I Have A Dream Speech he said, 'Judge a man by the content of his character and not the color of his skin.' I live my life by that rule. I could care less what color a man is. I judge them on what they do, how they react in a situation. Don't you agree that's how we should judge people?" Haha annnnnd thats how I got him! Sooo he doesnt hate me anymore. And we actually talked about the Gospel for 5 min. We talked about the character of Christ. Which is the last thing I'd like to share, because it is so profound.

     This last Sunday we listened to a talk by Elder Bednar, called the Character of Christ. He quoted Neal A. Maxwell, who said "The Atonement could not have been made, had it not been for the character of Christ." Think about that. What does it mean? Heck it blew my mind when I first heard it. Bednar went on to explain. He said that Christ, in every instance, every action, turned outwards to help others, instead of turning inward to help himself. He literally put off the natural man, who as we know is an enemy of God (Mosiah 3:19) every single time the choice had to be made. He never thought of himself first, he always thought of others. From that talk I took to two lines, which were my favorite. They were, "Get over yourself!" and "It's not about you!" when it comes to missionary work. But that also can apply to every aspect of our lives. When we have to make the choice, do we decide to be selfish, and think of ourselves? Or do we think about others, and how to help them? One example Bednar gave that illustrated the character of Christ was right after he completed his 40 day and 40 night fast. The devil tempted him 3 different times. After being tempted thus, and sending the devil away, and also being probably so physically and mentally exhausted, what did he do? John the baptist was in prison and needed help, so he sent angels to minister to him. What a perfect example.

      Also if you could send a pic of the fam that'd be great. The District would like to see you guys. Anyways that's about it, and i've got to wrap it up. I LOVE YOU ALL!! And I look forward to calling you next Tuesday! haha what the heck, i'm going to be in OKC next Tuesday. That's nuts!!!!!!!! Anyways adios. I love the letters, they help break up the day and it's always great to hear from everyone! Till next time!

 

Elder Traasdahl

You Did Good

I received another picture text Sunday from one of Elder Traasdahl's greatest friends.  He attends BYU & you see he 'accidentally' ran into some missionaries at the temple grounds.  Thanks for sending the picture Jace.  You did good.

(Elder Parker Traasdahl, Corbin, Elder Jeff Kerr, Jace, Elder Tyler Traasdahl)

A Package for the Little Brother

One day last week I was struck with great emotion as I opened our mailbox.  A big lump gathered in my throat and tears wanted to make themselves known when I saw a package for Braden.   A loved one in Ohio realized it might have been really hard for this boy to see two Big brothers leave all at once.  When Braden got home from school that day he had such a big smile on his face as he opened the package.   When he saw the contents he said in his most chipper voice,
 "It's a miracle.  I've been wanting some treats all day."
 But the biggest treat of all was the note that was enclosed from his 12 year old cousin:

"Hi Braden, I know that must be hard for you to have your brothers off on their mission.  But remember that God is with them and you.  I don't think he would let anything bad happen to them."

Quote(s) of the Week. Week 1:

It's seriously a happy day when missionary letters come in the mail.  To get two of them is like a double Christmas or getting double birthday presents without having to age twice as fast.  The Elders Traasdahl have done well their first week at the MTC and learned so much.  Among other comments here's a few that did indeed catch my attention:

9-7-2012
Elder P. Traasdahl said, "Sooo, two days down and 700 something to go!  Ya know, I've heard the saying on your mission a day feels like a month and a month a day, and so far, these first few days have been so stinking long.  Waking up at 6:30 is bearable, but then staying awake for the next 15 hours is the challenge..."  

"I get to see Tyler a few times a day, mostly at breakfast and dinner.  He's lovin it.  Haha he's not just survivin' he's thrivin'."  

9-11-12
In a letter to Austin he wrote, "Isn't it crazy how real the role playing feels when it's your teacher?!  It caught me by surprise the first time.  But that, I think, is my favorite part of this MTC stay.  So far, in role playing I get nervous before and at the beginning, but I finally let go in the middle, let the spirit take over, and it's amazing!"  

He closed out his last letter with this gem:  "The Gospel is amazing.  No other church would trust a bunch of crazy 19 year olds with it's message of redemption and salvation than Christs' own!"

Why do I LOVE it?

This picture was sent to me via FB today. 
Why do I love it?  
These missionaries played on the same MVT JV Basketball Team 
(minus Elder Hatfield.)  
Sophomore year they were 18-0.  It was the Best... Ever!
Now they are on a different team but I have no doubt they will be equally as successful. 
Good memories. 
Good times.
Now, Good Missionaries.

Elder Parker Traasdahl checks in on P-day

For the record.  If you don't know what P-day is -- it's the one day per week an elder gets to attend to odds and ends such as laundry, letter writing, etc.  So it was great to hear from the boys today.  Here goes Elder P. Traasdahl's email:

So, what's up familia! I made it to P-day! And I'm sitting here in the laundry room waiting for my clothes to dry. Well, I can't keep straight what I've already told you in letters and haven't told you! Funny story though, just happened yesterday. It was our first TRC investigator, which is like either a recent convert role playing or an actual non member that the church pays to come in and role play. The man Elder White and I had was Daniel Limon. He's Hispanic, just came here a few years ago from Mexico, and is studying marketing in college. His buddy Jeremy, a member, referred him to us. We also know that his mother and brother died a few years ago and he just had a baby boy. This Daniel character is famous though for not letting the missionaries in. Of all the companionships that have attempted, he's only let one in. The rest he's either slammed the door on or just talks to in the door about anything and everything but the gospel. So Elder White and I were determine to get in his "home" (just a small room) our first visit. And that's where my story begins.
      We go to the door, he answers, and we mention that his friend Jeremy told us about him. Of course he has no idea who this Jeremy guy is and he's lookin at us like we're aliens. Hahaa soooo we just started talking to him! And then he was wondering why we kept asking all these questions about him. We told him we were missionaries and wanted to share a message with him. He responds that he's catholic and doesn't want to get baptized. Somehow, I forget, we got him to not shut the door on us at that point, and continued talking. So he asked where we were from. My companion says southern California, and I say Mesa Arizona. As soon as I mentioned that he gave me the dirtiest look and said, "Oh so you're racist!" hahaha and I was so taken aback! I was like "Of course not! Why do you think that?" He explained then, for the next 30 min, how everyone from Arizona is racist because of SB1070. Oh my favorite line, he said "You look racist, you act racist, you talk racist!" Haha sooo moral of the story I can't say a word to this man now because anything I say is racist according to him. IT'S SO FRUSTRATING!!!! Its cool though, I'm gonna act like Tyler and win him over, just you wait. That is my only goal now no joke. Haha but then again this could be a blessing in disguise because now my companion has to do all the talking! And I just get to stand there :) Sike.

But um spiritual thought of the day. Well first funny analogy. I heard an Elder say that trying to deal with the first few days of the MTC is like trying to drink from a fire hydrant. Its so true! But things are getting a whole lot better now. My favorite part about the MTC is probably how my understanding of the Gospel is increasing. I mean I've always known things, but now I'm really starting to understand it at a deeper level, and its beautiful. We watched this short video clip of Elder Holland speaking to the missionaries, and his message essentially was if you expect to go out and have people gain a testimony of Christ, the Book of Mormon, the Atonement, you must have one first. Simply put, before we expect other to become converted to the Gospel of Christ, we have to be converted ourselves. So for the next 2 weeks, thats my goal! I'm going to convert myself again. And then again and again and again. Because each time we do our relationship with Christ strengthens. And who doesn't want that?! Man I love this Gospel. It's amazing.
         Also I'm running out of time, so I'm sorry i couldn't reply to those who sent me emails! Thank you so much for the thought. If you write a letter I'll have more time to write you back. And sorry mom, I'm not taking too many pics, but i'll try to take more! Ty's taking alot though. And i see him around here and there. Anyways got to go. LOVE YOU ALL!!!!

Yes, it does look like one of them is taller than the other...

It's kind of cool how these guys get to see eachother while in the MTC.  
 That's going to change in a few short weeks and they will be separate for the first times in their lives -- well for at least more than 1 week. I'm  Wishing you the best Elders!

And by the way, I think Elder Parker is a tad bit taller.  You? 

Sunday Afternoon Surprise

Here's a picture of Elder Traasdahl  at the Provo Temple grounds with our cute friend Rylee.  She saw Tyler first... about a 1/2 hour later she sent this picture & a text: "Just saw Parker too!  He loves you!"

So I got two pictures yesterday out of the clear blue sky with the missionaries sending their love.   Modern technology used at it's best.

It was definately bonus Sunday. 

Thanks Rylee!

Something to Smile about

There's just something about getting the first letter from your missionary that really gives you something to smile about.  And I'm doubly blessed to be the receipeint of two at a time.  (That's the bonus of twins.  Yes, I missed them like crazy the first few days but the letters -- well they go a long way.)

  Here are a few excerpts from his letter:

"Hola Familia!

Well, it's early morning of day 2 right now.  And before I forget, Mom, I want my scripture on my missionary plaque to be Helamen 5:12.  Anyways, they let us shoot off one letter to let you guys know we made it and are okay!   I've accomplished both.  All day yesterday my stomach was in a knot and I could hardly eat lunch.  Ha, I felt bad for John.  He bought me a meal and I didn't even touch it barely.  After lunch we got to the MTC, got all our gear, and then dropped off the luggage and went straight to class...

At the class we were given our companions, mine is Elder White.  He's about 6'4" or 6"5" 200-215 lbs and of course, is a red head.  Haha, he's from Augusta, California and has already done a year of school at  Boise State!  And that's all I can think of off the top of my head.  The other two missionaries in my room is Elder Cutler and Elder something, I forgot his name.  But I have to run!  Love you all, I'm doin great!  Elder T."

Written Sept. 6, 2012

So there you have it.  He's alive.  He's well.  He survived the nerves and now He's running!

OH by the way... He made it to the MTC

Why Elder Traasdahl Left our Home

I enjoyed watching this video today. It reminded me why my missionaries have left my home.  To bring the message of Christ to the homes of others. 

Called To Serve -

On Tuesday, Sept. 4th, we had the privelege of having Parker and Tyler get set apart as missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  They walked in the Stake Center as regular Parker and Tyler and came out as authorized representatives of their Savior Jesus Christ.  They were given beautiful and powerful blessings by their Stake President through the power of the priesthood.  The Spirit was strong and peace was present in the room.  It was a profound experience.  The Lord knows these two young men.  You could just feel it.  God has a plan and know's each of His children.  That's the motivating power of missionary work.  It's inspiring, uplifting, and when we remember why the twins decided to go on missions it makes it easier to share them as we say goodbye.

Yes, the hearts strings are being pulled and strained but they are playing beautiful heavenly music.  Well, after the airport this morning believe me, their was dissonance.  The hearts of Mom, Dad and brothers are in a full crescendo of Emotion, Joy, Love, Tenderness, Gratitude...
Oh and So much more.

Elder Parker Traasdahl as he heads out with luggage to the Sky Harbor Airport. 6:00 a.m. 9-5-12
 Looks like he's got a good handle on things.

The Drive into Phoenix.   

Here's 'The Last Goodbye' on 'this side' of the security Gate.  We gave quick hugs, expressed our love and the four of us started the long walk back to the car while the new missionaries zipped through security.   As we looked for our vehicle in level 5 parking we spotted the airplane they would fly on from the parking lot.  We wondered how they were feeling.  How awesome to leave on a mission with your twin.  How many people get to do that?

  Their plane was scheduled to depart at 7:40 a.m.  We did pretty good until we got home to a house without the twins.  Honestly, when I say 'we' I really meant, "I".  Yes, the tears randomly burst with no compassion for what it was making my face look like.  Get a grip Mom.
Actually... I think it's going to be hard for a while.

Tissue please?  Oh & a heart monitor.  I didn't know a heart could feel this way.  Double goodbyes!

WE LOVE YOU ELDER PARKER TRAASDAHL &
 WE LOVE YOU ALSO ELDER TYLER TRAASDAHL!!!

It's Packing Time -- Sept. 4, 2012

Our Parker, and his twin Tyler, are expected in the MTC, in Provo, UT,  Sept. 5, 2012.  Yes, that's today!  But before we get to that part of the story, have you ever seen twins Pack for a Mission?  Well, I --Mom--  author and keeper of this blog did --  all day long.  This is a peek at what it looked like before everything was deprived of air and squeezed into it's smallest molecular form.  Gotta love 'space bags'.  Yesterday was a day of wonder.  How did they pack all their belongings of 2 years into to 3 bags each? 

Too bad there wasn't any room left for me.  I would have gladly taken an uncomfortable pocket -- but sigh.  Letters will have to do.

Of course Parker -- Soon to be Elder Traasdahl, packed some shirts and they turned out to be in the order Red, White and Blue.  That's my Patriot.  Although he's no longer in AP Gov I think he should get extra credit points for that.

We snuck little 3X5 notes in their luggage when they weren't looking so they would feel some love from home in the MTC.  (My plan worked great until they had to shift the contents of their luggage around in an attempt to stay under 50 lbs.  So much for a surprise...   It doesn't change however, the amount of love that we sent with them.  

As the Sun continued aross the sky and the hours went on, Parker and Tyler worked until every bag was packed and weighed. They spent the day saying goodbye to friends, and the front door was a revolving one for sure.  No bag over 50 lbs right? But I realized in addition to packing material goods, they packed in their souls years of love for their Heaveny Father, His Son Jesus Christ, family, friends, leaders, neighbors, and we can't leave out the little Dog Bazil.  It's surprising with such full lives the scales didn't burst.  These two young men are truly blessed and they've etched a place in our hearts. 

A double place.