Week 2 at MTC

Ciao!

I just finished up week 2 here at the MTC and I’m now going into week 3. Other than me having lost my sanity on week 1 everything here is well. The Italiano is getting much better! It is amazing to see how the spirit helps you when you are trying to learn the language. When I work as hard as I can the Lord will make up for my lack of genius when it comes to memorizing words. Our lessons with investigators are going much, Much Better! The other day I was just pulling together sentences like nothing and it was the first week we didn’t use our "purple dragon" (a book with every phrase pre-written out for you that you would use in church or in lessons with investigators) We now have 2 investigators and we teach them every day, and every day we get better at teaching. For those who wanted to know everyone at the MTC who is rooming together either speaks the same language, or is going to the same mission. For me all 3 of my roommates are going to Italy Milan. The other room has missionaries going to Milan and Rome and they are in my District and Zone. The zone has all Italian missionaries in it and they leave next week so these next 4 weeks will be really boring without the older Italia Missionari. We have come to love them and be great friends with them.

I really am bummed that Chelsea won the Champions league they are lame (Sorry Joseph). Good to hear about Genoa and Juventus though! I did see Coach Johnston the other day. He dropped his son off, but no I didn’t unload him from the car. Only those who have been here 6+ weeks are allowed to help the new Elders. So I won’t be able to see Drake or Austin.

Keep sending the letters.  It is so nice to hear from all of my friends and family.  It makes me feel like you haven’t forgotten about me just yet.

Love,  Anziano Benson

First P-Day

May 17, 2012

Hello Family! I’m so glad its finally P-day!

The MTC is really amazing but it’s also very hard. Its designed to make boys want to go back to their mommy. But so far I haven’t missed home too much ha-ha. Italian is coming along well. I can pray and give my testimony in Italian and also introduce myself and my companion to people. One of the Hillcrest boys (Austin Christensen) rooms with me and his companions name is Anziano Sexton from Colorado Springs. Anziano Malloy, my companion is from Reno Nevada.

As you know the missionaries for Italy only ship out every 6 weeks. So half of the missionaries only have 2 weeks left here and the rest of us are new. It’s about half and half new/old. Apparently I am in David Archulettas room. He was here the week before I got here ha-ha so its kinda weird. I talked to a few of the Elders about what it was like seeing him and they said he’s really short, and always in the way in the lunch room just standing there confused ha-ha. I don’t really care about David Archuletta I just thought it was funny. Another funny thing about the MTC is that there is a pine tree that smells exactly like cream soda. Yes I’m not kidding cream soda, I’m not sure how someone found that out but it’s funny to see all the Anziani standing around smelling a tree. Most of the Italiano missionaries are on my floor so we all are in the same hall and hang out a lot. Its good fun!

Last week was really hard and it was discouraging hearing all the 6 week italiano missionaries speaking because they are almost fluent in the language so I got a little down. But this week is much better and I am doing very well. Every day we do about 4 hours of language and 4 hours of English scripture/ preach my gospel study so we are always busy.

Mom this scripture is for you:) Alma 56: 47-48, 55-56 Sorry I missed mother’s day I didn’t have a P-day last week. But from now on you will get an email every Thursday until I get to Italy.

Love all of you so much

Love Suo Filgio, Anziano Benson

-Love Your son, Elder Benson

 Mi testimonianza de Italiano.

Io so che la chiesa de Gesu Cristo e vero

anche io so che il libero de mormon e la palabra de dio

Joseph Smith e una profeta vera

io so che gesu cristo vive e mi Dio, Padre Celeste amore mi

nel nome de Jesu Cristo Amen

Happy to Be Here

Tuesday May 15, 2012

Hello family!

 Im so happy to be here. MTC is fun! But its also very hard. They have 10 different kinds of all you can drink JUICE! So I think I will survive. Italian is very difficult and it is making me go crazy. I've taught 4 discussions in Italiano and we did well, except I cant understand our investigator! Oh well haha, live and learn. My companions name is Anziano Malloy. He's a nice guy and we get along great. He skis, golfs, plays piano and rides dirt bikes. Sounds like a good compainion to me! We have about 40 of us missionaries going to Italy and they are all in my zone.  I think 34 of us are going to Milano and 6 are going to Roma out of the 40. Out of time and were off to devo! Talk to you thursday.

Love Anziano Benson

 

Finally a Letter

We finally got a letter from Drew and it only took 6 days to get here from Provo.  We are thankful for email.

May 9, 2012

Dear Family,

The MTC let all the missionaries write a letter home this week because our P-Day isn’t until next Thursday. Today was such a great/tiring day and I’m so happy to be here an I know I’m supposed to be here.  The gift of tongues is amazing a I understand 75% of what I learned in class today and can speak pretty good basic Italian.  IN 1 DAY! By Friday we will give our first discussion in Italian to a fake investigator.  It’s crazy! They also said that if we are obedient we will be fluent in Italian whe we leave in 9 weeks.  Not a lot of time but Love all of you and thanks for the notes.  Neck is feeing better and even though it’s stiff, it isn’t noticeable in the Lords service. 

Love Anziano Benson

Lets Do This!

May 9, 2012

We entered the gates of the MTC at 12:40 and by the time we drove away it was 12:43.  Exciting Day!

Here I Come

Excited and Ready To Go

You can write to Drew @ the following address until July 11, 2012

Elder Andrew Benson

MTC Mailbox #216

ITA-MIL 0711

2005 N. 900 E.

Provo, UT 84604-1793