Fri 2/22/2013 7:21 AM

That is very true. Singing is a great way to invite the spirit that is why every devotional we sing like 5 songs lol. Hahaha. 

Oh good ol grandpa and gma I love them an miss them as well as all of you!

Yes it was a bit interesting being both District and Zone Leader, but just Z.L. now.  It sure takes it to a whole other level, but it is nice because I have an opportunity to serve more and share the love I have for more of my zone.

I am better now.  I still have a little cough but am so much better.  They have a lot of stuff you can buy, so I loved Emergen C. Also if you could maybe sometime send me some charcoal because the food here at the mtc it really isnt bad, but it does have its effects on you lol.

Ya it is hard at times but I love it. I have felt Christ's presence here so many times already and he has been by my side the whole time. I have had the wonderful opportunity to give blessings and just meet with people and as I did that and cont. to do those things with real intent and the pure love for them, Christ has been at my side literally whispering in my ear what that individual stood in need of.

I love it here so badly and when others have left it was hard.  It will be hard to leave the MTC but I can't wait to get out in the miss. field.  I already am dreading the day i will have to leave my mission and come home. NO offense lol.  I will be excited to see everyone then but I would honestly love to be able to do this every day of my life full time like this. Any way I love you very much and all the family. ttly

Elder Salerno

Fri 2/15/2013 5:50 AM

By the way.... I sang in front of people in sacrament meeting last sunday with 4 others.

We sang, "How Great Thou Art," and had solo verses.

It was different.

Any way, Love Ya.

ttyl

Fri 2/15/2013 5:39 AM

Thanks mom! Ya well there is something going around here I have been sick this whole week but it's ok nothing I can't handle. I have just been moving forward and not letting it get in the way of what I need to get done.

Sorry you are sick and everyone else.

So I have more news for you. They made me and my companion the zone leaders here now. So as of this moment I am a D.L. and a Z.L lol but I love it. I am able to serve and focus on others even more now and even though that means I get pretty much no study time I love it because the Lord has been helping me learn the lang. even more! I love you very much.

Sorry this letter is not in Spanish I am not feeling too great at this time. Any way know I love you, the temple days we have here are amazing and I will keep in touch.

Elder Salerno

Fri 2/8/2013 6:37 AM

Thank you for letting eveyone know. I can only email family members and as far as my pday it changes every week here so there isn't a certain date. I want to write in Spanish but don't have time today. I just want you to know that it will be awesome to be able to send pics and have people be able to keep up with how things are going.

I ran into Julia Harris here! It was pretty cool.

There are soo many missionaries here now last wed there was 800 new ones and this next week there is suppose to be clsoe to 1000. I love being D.L. it is such a wonderful opportunity to serve and I know that I have been called at this time to be able to help my district with what they are struggling with.

I love this work, I love serving, I love learning Spanish even though it seems I have to relearn everything I spent so hard trying to learn in the first place lol. But we have been teaching an investigator and it at first was very humbling but now things are progressing and I love it. It just seems like there is never enough time to get done all that we need to because we are always learning espnaol, gospel things in english and espanol and so I have had to squeeze every  sec. of free time of my day.

I am lucky to have the companion I have that is for sure. Any way when I get more pics I will send them to you. I love you and tell Rosette it is amazing here. Or better yet just forward this to her. Also tell her she better write me before I leave the MTC lol.

Anyway hopefully i will have more time next pday. I love you and will ttyl

Elder Salerno

Sat 2/2/2013 9:57 AM

Querido Familia, (Dear Family)

(I will be writing in Espanol/Spanglish just fyi so some of this letter you will have to have someone translate)


Hola mi familia! Yo amo el MTC. Es moy deficil but moy worth it, so it's bien. Mi companero es el Elder Blackburn from tahachepee CA y el moy amor. He is an awesome companion, he has two years of spanish on his belt already btw. Estamos esnenar noestro uno leccion en Espanol y it was moy humbling. We really only had the day to prepare and so mi Companero y mi decided to fast and had a wonderful day, we studied, prepared with all our strength. As we went to meet with our investigator Isaac (a guy who actually baptized the real Isaac) we prayed before we went in in spanglish and desired so badly to be filled with love and to teach by the spirit and that we could portray ourselves in Espanol. As we walked in I felt all the Espanol I studied and had down pretty good go away. My mind was blank! LOL so I prayed continuesly for mi companero and he was able to remember things he learned two years ago. We weren't really able to give the leccion or get our point across in the lesson the spirit was guiding us to and so after we had him read Alma 32:27 I just bore mi testimonio en espanol. It was very simple and completely correct but the spirit was there. Estudiomos Espanol es moy deficio but it is possible and worth it. We have to teach him again a leccion today at 4:30 so it will be interesting. I was made the District Leader of my district we have another elder companionship and two sister companionships and I mucho amor. I love being here and it really isn't as hard as I thought it would be, it is still hard but mostly because it seems like there is no time to learn the language, take care of everything else like my district, but somehow there is time. I love it very much and I love you all very much. I originally wrote out a letter in espanol but I felt for the first one as I strated typing I should write you in mostly english. The next one will be in espanol/spanglish. Btw the food here is actually pretty good! same with the orange juice. Please forward this letter to Rosette, Pres Rich and everyone know that isn't family I can't email them only write letters. I love you.

I would like to bear my testimony that I do know this Church is true, I know Jesus Christ is our savior and loves us more than we could ever imagine. It is by his grace we CAN do anything as long as we are faithful. As my teacher said "Frustration diminishes faith." that is also true. So for all of you keep moving forward feasting after the words of life (Christ).

P.S. Next time I write my testimonio will be in Espanol. Love you all Lots. Pray for me plz!

Adios!

Elder Salerno