Birthday, Half Way Mark, Love Bots and more

Dear Family, 
OH My Goodness what a crazy week!!!!

I got your package the day before my Birthday and I loved it so much! Thank you so much! I ate a lot of the junk food in like 2 days haha ooops not very controlled on sweets haha. I loved my blue tooth GPS! it's so sick I have been using it tons and it kinda bugs Elder Sopal sometimes when I am going through the Directory to see where everyone lived hahaha, But it is so helpful. Thanks Mom and Dad!

So on my Birthday night we are in bed for 20 minutes or so, and then we hear a knock knock at the door and I look through the peep and see a chinese man asking for me. ( What in the world is this guy thinking he is doing here?) I slowly open the door and he then says "happy birthday"...and at that point I am even more awkwarded out....WHO IS THIS GUY!!?? He hands me a bag of food and hands his phone to me. As I am still really mentally confused, I wasn't able to click who was speaking on the phone....then I heard "Happy birthday dear Grandson" IT IS NANA!!! NO WAY!! Never going to forget how Nana terrified me on my Birthday, because you know No One knocks on the Elders Door hahaha. 

I went to have sushi at lunch time and it was fantastic! I have been pretty happy and trying to make it a huge focus on this part of my mission to JUST BE HAPPY! I am working hard and at the same time looking to enjoy each moment that I can to reflect on the present and not worry so much on the past and future. 

I wanted to do something for Papa's birthday as well, When he passed on I had the Idea of remembering him on his Birthday. We usually shared that week and I thought that it would be cool to light a birthday candle for him annually. Here is a picture! I thought it was a great moment for me I was pretty happy to do a little something something for him. 

Here is something that the kids will like to hear. Since I gained Elder Sopal as my comp he told me that there are stickers all over the south part of Toronto called "Love Bots". They are robots with hearts on them and they are all sorts of different designs and the artist sticks them in hiding spots. Kinda like a giant treasure hunt. This has now become my new addiction looking all over to find these stickers and collecting them. Turns out you can order them online but since I can't do that I shall do it the fun way, FIND AND CONCUR! Here are some that I have and I found some huge ones that wouldn't come off, But they are still pretty cool.

I have been amazed these last few weeks people have been popping up everywhere and we have been gaining referrals and news here and there and low and Behold we have an actual populated teaching pool! YAY!! Just last night I was on the subway and a girl sees me get on and as I sit down says "I want to hear". My response took a couple seconds to process since this is the first time I have had someone ask to learn without me even speaking hahaha "....uuuuummm Okay, what would you like to know?" "about Jesus, you teach about him right?" "yes yes I do!" Great moment!!

My dear friends and family I love you so much thank you for the Birthday wishes and for Mom thanks for my 1 year mark email, that camel pic made me laugh pretty good!

Love you,

Elder Muirhead

The ACTUAL First Letter from the MTC

UPDATE:
Elder Muirhead left the MTC yesterday - Jun 2, 2014 and flew with a few members of his MTC District to the Toronto Canada Mission. We heard from him very briefly at the Minneapolis airport just checking in to say he was travelling, safe and with the best guys in the world. He loves those Elders! He was excited to land in Toronto and finally meet his Mission President. (he had heard from his friends Natasha and Ashley, Thanks for writing to him he was really wanting to hear from his friends!).

Our family, knowing that he was travelling on what would likely be his P-day (preparation day when they can write home) anticipated we wouldn't get a letter from him for another week. However the tears flowed when the mail came because there was a handwritten letter there from Elder Muirhead in our mailbox.

When Missionaries first arrive at the MTC they write home, so THIS was that first quick letter. As a Mom, I can tell you that it came at the perfect time! I was definitely missing my kid and wondering if I could survive this whole week without his email. What a blessing to hear from our boy, here's his letter from Day 1 at the MTC - can't believe he's already out in Toronto area serving! - Elder M's Mom!


"May 21, 2014
Well day one complete success! As I was dropped off I was the only one at the curb, but I got a little more time to say goodbye to Aunt Marlene and Uncle Cornell.

First thing they took me to the front desk for my tag, then dropped my things in a room till after lunch and processing. The FOOD is really good here and you get as much as you want!

After getting my booklets and the rest of processing I was directed to my room/residence building. Class orientation was after, where we met our District and my Companion Elder Munyer. He is my comp and he is from Riverside, California going to serve in Salt Lake South. My comp. and I get along just fine and we were able to work pretty good in our investigator training.

When we did our investigator training their are about 50 missionaries. Everyone has a great excitement and spirit here, making it more like HOME.

Overall it was a great day with no anxiety, no worries, just laughs and testimonies. I AM EXCITED to see what the rest of the week will bring.

You are all in my thoughts and prayers. Remember that Elder Muirhead loves you my family!

Feel free to ask questions!

God Bless,
Elder Muirhead

P.S. Our prep day starts Thursday and we get 60 mins for Emails :) "

He Has Written! - MTC

Hey Mom (and everyone),  I'm doing awesome! Thursday is our P day here and man oh man have we been busy.

Our district is so much fun and super hilarious, we love each other like brothers. On Tuesday we had practiced to be in choir for the devotional (which Elder Russell M. Nelson came for!) The message he gave us was so simple yet powerful "Your missionary purpose can be answered in 4 words 'We Serve Jesus Christ'."

We watched a message from Elder Bednar as well on Sunday, that changed almost our whole view on what we know so far on our work. 

 Just a little taste of our day to day schedule, 6:30 we wake up, either get gym time or get ready for our first class studies. Then we have personal and companion study, class instruction is a little later but lasts hours. During class we are able to learn from PMG and role play investigators to prepare for our actual investigators. The first week has been hard, but we all have grown so much on our understanding of gospel principles, also most important how to reach the investigators soul with the spirit. Yesterday me and Elder Munyer my companion Finally found out how to reach deep and teach an amazing lesson, We almost cried after we were so ecstatic! 

To answer some questions from everyone:

- I am definitely used to wearing a suit all day, but nothing beats a pair of sweat pants later in the day!

- I read scriptures all day and all over the place depending on the topics that will help my understanding and answer our investigators

-the food here is actually really good my favorite so far in that we had sloppy joes one day mmmmmm

- One of our inside jokes we have as a district happened when we got our tour of the grounds, in one of the buildings we found that one of the bathrooms have the number 007 therefore when ever we need to go we call it "the James" or "the bond". I'm sooooo using that in the field its hilarious

- My companion and I get along greatly and we can teach, talk, and share on the same page and with unison its pretty sweet

- OH yesterday I found Sister Karli Bosler (my second cousin) and got to take a pic with her and talk, she is so cool and we decided that after our missions we would hang out and try to get a Reunion engaged!

- Wednesdays are when all the New missionaries come and after my class in the evening who should I see but Elder Shaefer!! We gave the biggest Hugs and.... I didn't have my camera on my person but don't worry moms I'll get the pic!

Thank you all also for the sweet letters and the deliciousness in those packaged the elders all say thank you for being so awesome!

Can't believe only 4 more days till Toronto, My district has 2 others coming with me and that will be nice to know people to start the journey together.

Time flies when working for the Lord, remember to continue learning and to share characters of Christ while at home. 2nd great commandment LOVE thy neighbor!!! 

So happy to hear about the "heart attack" on the house mom haha so cute you are so loved and looked after. I miss you all so much but at the same time they keep us so busy we don't even have time to think about home.

My Brothers Josh, Brigs, Noah, I love you all and miss you remember to help Mom and to clean the toilets....just kidding, but please take the time to read your scriptures and tell mom and dad what you learned about Jesus. That book will help you sooooo much even more if you start now!

Lola bug, Dylan loves you soooo much and can't believe i've been gone away for a week without your snuggles, kisses and yes even a kick to the groin but oh well.

Mom Dad thank you for being so loving and patient with me while I was learning to not be such a dummy and just listen to the teachings of Christ. 

I love you all and unfortunately the MTC computers would not let me access my camera so you may have to wait a bit to see pictures but I am excited to share the moments! 

Love, 

Elder Muirhead

umm Im pretty sure I have hayfever? but I found some drugs to help out so still recuperating. 

PS: 

My district you can look up on their lds pages 

Elder Logan Munyer

Elder Ty Beyeler

Elder Aaron Fjeldsted

Elder Austin Scarlett

Elder Kalin Despain

These are my home boys!! 

My Comp (Elder Munyer) is from River Side, California and he is going to Salt lake south. He loves music and is an adrenaline junky. He as well as everyone else thinks of me as having an accent from being in Canada....eh..

Such punks so instead I did an American accent and got them back hahahaha i love these guys! 

PPS:

********

If you could do me a favor and ask people again to send letters/ emails that would be amazing!!!!! 

I haven't heard from ANY of my friends and just remind them that I love them and WISH TO HEAR FROM THEM!!! Tell them if they love me... WRITE ME!! haha

BUT I am so happy that my family writes me ^_^ 

PPPS:

oh our travel plans are that we leave monday and fly to Minneapolis, to Toronto nice and early with yes another layover! 

Well my hour is up and I have some laundry to do! talk to you Monday! love love love ya. Going to the temple today, I'm super stoked

And He's Off!

Last family pic for two years. We all piled into the van to take our Missionary to the airport. 

Off to the Provo, MTC (Missionary Training Centre) where he'll stay for two weeks.

Aunt Marlene and Uncle Cornell picked him up at the airport in SLC and had a fun evening with him before he reported to the MTC the next morning. 

Lovingly dropped off at the MTC by Aunt Marlene and Uncle Cornell. He ADORES them, and can't wait to visit them again when he's finished his mission. He already told me about how cool they are and how much he loves them.

 AND HE'S OFF!! Two weeks in the MTC and then he'll wing his way to the Toronto Canada Mission to serve others for two years.

I'll be updating this blog with his letters as they arrive to share with our friends and family. - Elder Muirhead's Momma. D.