December 16th, 2005

Today was much easier than yesterday. Running in the morning truly helped. It gave me so much energy!

I love my mission. I love my companions. I hope that we can be able to start to act like friends, rather than awkward strangers. But I will pray for that and I have faith that the Lord will provide.

I wrote a talk today in Portuguese for this Sunday. It's about the restoration. I start with a scripture and then I give a quick testimony. I'm sure it's not the greatest, but still.

We had gym for the first time today and let me tell you, it is awesome! I love it! I ran 2 miles, plus lifted some weights. It was great.

I feel a little ostracized from the other elders. Like right now, I can hear elders outside my room having a jolly holiday and I'm wondering, "Why aren't they studying?" Why aren't they doing something productive?"



I feel out of place when I do not join them. I feel as if we should be studying and not playing. I don't mean to sound rude, but maybe it's because I am on "the high". I don't know. Whatever. I'll just be myself and do what I want with the little free time I have.

I pray that I will be able to learn this lingua (language). Eu cancao por espirito santo e bencao from Jesus Cristo.
--Elder Foree

December 16th, 2005

December 15th, 2005

Sorry about not finishing last night. We really didn't have time to do much of anything. It was extremely hectic! But I slept well and had a very productive day here. Right now, I can say my prayer in Portuguese, but it's in the 2nd person. Well, to practice, I will write it down right now.

Nosso Pai Celestial, nos agradacemos te por Jesus Cristo e o Espirito Santo. Nos agradacemos te por noossa missao e as bencaos. Nos premidos te por o Espirito Santo este noite. Em nome de Jesus Cristo, Amem.

(Our Father in Heaven, we thank Thee for Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost. We thank Thee for our mission and the blessings. We ask Thee for the Holy Ghost this night. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen).

So, that's basically it. It's not fancy and by the time I know Portuguese really well, I bet I will laugh hysterically when I read my first prayers. So go ahead, laugh!

Well, my comps and I are getting along much better and are now starting to have fun!

The thought of 2 years is starting to settle in and I don't feel homesick yet, but I have to realize that I won't be going to Bryce's house in a week. I may not even see him for 2 years if he decides to go on his mission. I really hope he does.

I really love my companions. They're great! I really like this elder from the next room, Elder Carroll. He is so awesome. I love being around him and feeling his spirit. Hopefully we will be companheiros (companions) in Portugal.

I do love my comps, I do. But there is something about Elder Carroll.

Well, we just had companion prayer and we all spoke it in Portuguese. I had written mine earlier and forgot half of what it meant. I guess I should know what I am saying before I say it.

It's time to say adeus or tchau for now, I start running in the morning.

Boa noite!
--Elder Foree

December 15th, 2005

December 14th, 2005

FIRST DAY AT THE MTC!
It was great. There was a lot of walking around trying to un-pack luggage. My room is on the very top floor. FOUR FLIGHTS of stairs. I tell you, I will have STRONG calves by the end of the two months.

My companions (I have 2) are Elder Petty who is from Whitchita Kansas and Elder Burrup from good ol' Las Vegas. I would say who my favorite comp is, but I'm not going to. I like them both.

Leaving my family was sort of hard, but I got over it pretty quick. The goodbye part was extremely fast. There was time to hug and then they ship you off.

I saw Jason Gardner here, one of my high school buddies. It was pretty cool.

We're all just waiting for the orientation meeting at 3:45 so I'll write more later.

December 14th, 2005

August 27th, 2005

Well, I know I am supposed to be using this as a missionary journal, but here I am, writing while I am still in Joseph City, Arizona eagerly awaiting my call from the Lord. I put my papers in on the 22nd, so on Monday, they will have been out one week. I am so excited to get my call and prepare myself to spread the true Gospel of Jesus Christ. I love studying it and reading about it and every day, my testimony grows. I love Jesus Christ and I know that this Gospel is true. Joseph Smith restored the Gospel of Jesus Christ onto this earth. And because of him and Jesus Christ, I am extremely grateful.

August 27th, 2005