Do Not Bunny Hop My Medical Scooter

Wednesday Feb 13

Crazy day today.  We went to the doctor this morning.  I went to the same clinic I went to for my wrist! The cruel irony.  Anyway it's a simple fracture so I should be good to go in about 5 weeks.  Perfect timing.  I slept during language study.  I was so tired.  I woke up and couldn't move my hand.  Mildly concerning until I realized that I was just temporarily sleep drunk and my hand fell asleep so all was right.  So my new favorite thing to do is to write English words in Korean characters.  it helps me spell. (He tries this, but I can't read it.) Super funny.  We spent a little time testing this out in class.  The results: [he writes "What's up dawg" in Korean characters.] So fun.  It's late.  I love you all but especially Momma. I drove past the BYU dorms and waved.  I hope Jake and Sara and Colter and Brandon and Chance and Flint and everyone else cool saw me! I have tons of food.  Like I could pass a food storage 6 month test. Loves!

Thursday Feb 14

I got my scooter today! Super fun but I'm not allowed to let anyone ride it.  Unfortunately I cannot chase anyone down who steals it coz that's kind of the point of the scooter.  Needless to say, dorm record lap times are bing set as I pen these words.  I also said the words, "Please do not bunny hop my medical scooter."  Didn't see that comin'.  It will possibly inflict more injuries than it prevents.  Elder Bingham almost killed three people in four laps, including a member of a branch presidency.  Anyway.  I love you all and if I don't respond to your letters its just because stuff is crazy. I don't have tons of time. But I still love you! Read Pray Obey. Boom.

2/15 Friday

The MTC is a crazy place. First you think you'll never get out to serve people and you blink and you're almost half way.  I got so many wonderful letters today. i feel so loved and supported.  no wonder the church focuses on families.  i dunno if I'll be able to write all of you back, but I'll give it a shot!  I can't say how wonderful it is to receive them.  Thank you sooooo much.  I feel super encouraged.  So today was more fun on the scooter.  i rode about 100 feet on two wheels and chased Elder Westbrook and Elder Bingham around trying to get it back.  I learned so diligence and persuasion techniques.  We are planning for TRC--it's when you teach volunteer members.  it's humbling and inspiring.  In case you need something way awesome to study, D&C 20 is really interesting! The patterns of the Lord's church are easily visible.  I love it.  If only I could stop passing out between verses... Love you tons!

For Dixons: anyanghaseyo is hello.

2/16 Saturday

I cannot express how wonderful all of your letters are.  I feel so loved.  Writing back is tough cause our schedule is pretty packed.  I had another fun filled day.  We taught at TRC today.  Lots of Koreans came and we actually had a good 20 minute lesson in Korean.  Super sweet.  Admittedly our understanding wasn't exactly 100%.  More like 5%.  But progress is being made.  We also said going to church was "rad," which resulted in tumultuous laughter.  It was great.  I really felt the reality of Christ's resurrection today.  I read in John for 20 minutes.  The blessings and reality of Christ is incredible.  I know He lives and he loves us.  I feel it and I know that the people I get to teach feel it.  It is truly incredible.  I love you all.

Quote of the day: "There is only a dream between now and our next meeting."

2/17 Sunday

So I got called as district leader today! I'm really excited to serve the people of my district! It's very humbling.  I get mail and do meetings and have tons of fun approving splits.  We sang in choir and had tons of fun.  The devotional was on modern day miracles and was incredible.  Also Jeffrey R. holland's teaching seminar was awesome.  i'm super mobile on my knee scooter.  I scooted to the temple and got many funny looks.  Alma 32 is always awesome.  i love you tons.  I know the Church is Jesus Christ's restored church.

Monday Feb 18th

Update! We just cleaned showers and sorted sheets for an hour and half for our service.  i really like service time.  It's an easy way to show love for people.  Also during district meeting I can't look at Elder Bingham or else I crack up super hard.  Or just start smiling.  We need to figure that out.  So my big question of the week is to better understand how I personally can live the gospel righteously and still make money and own nice stuff.  I think that after studying the scriptures the answer is pretty clear. Riches and affluence are blessings from God that He expects you to use appropriately.  the appropriate use is up to you and your own personal revelation so I can't tell whether somebody isn't using their wealth appropriately.  That isn't my place.  As a representative of Jesus Christ I do have the responsibility to caution people without condemning them.  Mark Chapter 10 is a good example, especially verses 17 - 31ish.  It si clear that we must be ready and willing to give up everything.  But it is between us and God and no one else to decide what needs to be actually given.  The pride cycle of the Nephites pretty clearly illustrates this too.  Humility -->Faith in Christ-->Conversion-->Blessings-->Pride-->[something that looks like but probably isn't "wichadss"]-->Humility.  So anyway think about that and let me know what you think.  But I learned in district meeting that love comes before anything else.  D&C 121 rocks.  OK thanks for hearing me out.  It's been on my mind lately.

And now for a funny story:

I've heard Elders Bingham and Hale first teaching appointment story a bunch and it's pretty hilarious.  Oh, and I'm related to both of them.  So here goes.

Elders Bingham and Hale gingerly enter the room.  Bowing and anyanghaseyoing, they sit down.  They attempt to read several prepared sentences about modern prophets and the restoration.  Sister Goo's eyebrows are touching her hair line.  They continue to struggle for another half and hour as Sister Goo leans in closer and closer as their sentences trail off.  Elder Bingham then profusely thanks her over and over agai.  he meant to apologize but frantic desperation has scrambled his neural connections.  They both try and read "see you next time." 3 or 4 times before Elder Bingham leans over, points to it on his paper, stands up, and runs out.

They teach solid lessons now, but that sitll makes us laugh.  I love you all, keep laughing. Stay happy.

P-day! Tuesday Feb 19th

The four week mark is tomorrow. It's pretty weird.  it feels like I've come a long way and learned tons. But at the same time I have such a long way to go.  not in a really discouraging way but in a motivating way.  I'm wondering if I get a wheel chair for the temple.  I don't know if my scooter is appropriate.  Not gonna lie, I'm tired of a lot of the mega-conservative mindset that I hear a lot out here.  it seems like people have locked in their views and aren't open to change.  There's tons of open, wonderful missionaries here too though.  I dunno why i said that.  i guess it's just something I have to get over.  But it's interesting to get called as District leader. There's that moment of excitement that you've shown yourself to be responsible and then a little pride creeps in that you're better than the other missionaries in the district.  Then it's like, "Shut up, Zach. Anyone can be a district leader." But then i realize that I have shown myself to be a good leard and I can be a good district leader, but only through the guidance of the Holy Ghost.  Without that I can't do anything.  So I get humbled and learn to serve my district well.  That's the plan anyway.  Oh, and the temple was awesome.

[Note from Julia: here are a few of the pics he's shared. Pretty much captures the MTC.]

Getting into the culture

Leading district meeting

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