Mother's Day Phone Call

AJ during our Skype call...looking great!

The best mother's day present any missionary mom can get is a phone call...especially if they are allowed to Skype. We all gathered around the computer asking questions and enjoying talking to AJ - sometimes all at once! I also got this message after:

AJ Mlazgar: te amo mom con toda mi corazon

AJ Mlazgar: happy mothers day

(Seth translated as  "I love you mom with all my heart...happy mother's day.)

Some of the things we learned...

• His pension, or apartment, is the equivalent of a duplex.
• He lives with 3 other missionaries.
• They have church buildings similar to ours, but it is 2 stories.
• The weather is similar to October here.
• The is city is larger than he expected it to be.
• There are modern grocery stores owned by Walmart.
• They eat a large meal at about 2pm everyday.
• He eats cold cereal for breakfast.
• We asked if the toilet water swirled counter-clockwise, but he couldn't tell us...he'll have to pay attention next time he flushes. :)

He said we should get pictures tomorrow. Looking forward to them.What a great mother's day!!!!

AJ made it to CHILE

President King, Elder Mlazgar, Elder Keogh, Sister King

AJ's first email from Chile...

so this week was crazy. i dont even know where to begin. tuesday morning when we got here, we went to the mission home for a while to rest and have a couple short meetings with president. then around 4 we went to meet our companions. my companions name is elder keogh from scotland and he has been here for 18 months. he is so cool and funny and its been awesome so far. my area is melipilla about an hour drive from santiago. its so hard to understand all the people well cuz they talk extremely fast and slur everything and have a ton of slang words for almost everything. but im catching on little by little everyday. i couldnt understand anything that they were saying that first day but now i can catch a few words in each sentence and when they talk slower i can understand a lot. we had a baptism yesterday. it was so cool to see the whole ward come out to the baptism. or just about everyone. in sacrament they presented me in front of the ward and i had to introduce myself and bear my testimony so that was nice to be put on the spot first thing. everyone is extremely nice here. every house we go into offers us something to eat or drink and you basically have to take it cuz its inpolite not to. the food is alright. the chicken and stuff is really good but they eat a lot of salad here which isnt good cuz i have to eat it so that i dont offend anyone. i think i ate a salad almost everyday this week. and the first couple times i almost threw up trying to swallow but i am getting a little more used to just forcing it down. the meals here are different too. they eat like a normal breakfast, then a huge lunch and a tiny dinner. so basically we eat breakfast and lunch and thats it cuz we arent allowed to stop and eat dinner anywhere cuz thats to much time. so we just have to get a little snack when we get back to the pension(our apartment) around 1030. we live with 2 other elders, both named elder young and they are the zone leaders. we have the best 4 that i think i could be with. one of the youngs leaves after this change and the other one has a year. saturday we went out into the plaza as a zone to do contacts and try and get people cuz there was like a huge party going on in the morning and so there were a ton of people there. the plaza is just like the town square. melipilla is actually bigger than i thought that it would be and everything here is pretty modern. but its so dirty everywhere cuz of the dirt and trash that everyone just leaves behind. but other than that i love it so far. im having fun which i think is a key to enjoying it. one other thing about the people is that they like to make jokes all the time. and so i have been asked several times why am i so serious and so then i have to explain that i want to joke with them but i dont understand half of what they are saying. so i cant wait til i can just understand everyone and have fun and laugh with everyone when they do. but it will take time. i love all you guys

aj

Doesn't he sound great! Send him an email and let him  know.
anthony.mlazgar@myldsmail.net

Last email from the MTC...

This is AJ's last email from the MTC. It is awesome and worth every word, so no 'excerpts' today. Straight from AJ...

so this week was so good. i just want to jump straight to tuesday when we had our devotional. we finally got the apostle that we had been waiting for since we got here. Elder Richard G Scott came and talked to us. it was by far the best talk i have heard, probably ever. its just so powerful when he is there and being so close to him. when he walked in we all stood up to show respect and the feeling that came in as he did was incredible. its was dead quiet and it was only the beginning. he began his talk by giving us a virtual hug cuz he apologized that he couldnt shake our hands like he normally would after he talks. i guess he has been sick lately. and he said multiple times how honored he was to be in our presence, and that it shouldnt be the other way around. then he stared talking about the spirit and prayer, and how we need to get our investigators to pray for themselves in order to recieve the personal relvelation that they need. cuz that is the only way they can get it. then about half way through his talk, he asked everyone who was learning a language to raise our hands. and it was almost the entire room. but then after we did that he raised his hand and said "by the holy apostleship and authority that i hold, i bless you all with the gift of tongues. i invoke that blessing upon you that you may able to learn your language better according to your work." and me and my friend here turned to each other after that and just said "wow". it was amazing. and then he said that we would be able to more easily learn our language as long as we continued to study. my favorite quote from his talk was "dont judge yourself based on your idea of your own potential." because its not how well we think that we can do it, its how well the Lord thinks that we can do it and he has a higher bar for us than we may have for ourselves. and then he talked some more and then when he bore his testimony, i loved how he said "i dont believe that Jesus Christ lives and is our savior, I KNOW it." and that was just so powerful and the spirit was so strong. and then after it was over, before he started to walk out, he just stood and looked at us all for about a minute or 2 and had tears in his eyes as he left. i wont forget it. so that was our tuesday night. so yesterday during gym, i tried to break the free throw record for the mtc. they have records for stuff like most push ups, sit up, bench press, long jump, fastest mile, soccer juggles, free throws and 3 pointers in a row. the free throw record is 34 in a row. and i thought ok thats nothing. so i started and i felt pretty good shooting and the guy was keeping track for me so that i didnt know how many that i had. then i left one just a little short and missed, and so i asked how many i had. he said i had 34 and that would have been the record right there but that i cant go up on the board cuz you have to beat the record in order to make it up there. so it made me kinda mad. so i have to try again tomorrow cuz that will be our last gym time before we leave. and i hope that i can do it cuz that would be awesome to have a record here, even though they reset the records every year. but anyway i love all you guys. im nervous to leave on monday but it'll be a fun experience. have a good week

aj

Poem by Elder Tonks and Elder Mlazgar

The Mission Life

By Elder Tonks and Elder Mlazgar

I'm a missionary, it's what I'm to be

The missionary life, is the life for me.

Teachin' people by day, and prayin' by night,

The missionary life is super tight.

We're at the MTC, we're here for 9 weeks,

We're preparing to teach, those people who seek.

Our plane is ready, we're off to the field,

So never forget, the Spirit's your shield.

Everyday is a challenge, but we have no fear,

As long as we trust, that the Lord is near.

Then the time will come, when two years have passed,

And you will be wishing, that it hadn't gone so fast.

So be faithful, work hard, and do your best,

But when you return, there's no time for rest.

Missionaries you are, and will always be,

Remember that forever, because Salvation's not free

More Pictures...gotta love em!!!



AJ with Hermano Toone and Hermano Teerlink



AJ and his companion E. Wheelwright

AJ's favorite picture in his classroom

AJ's story...kinda

AJ's Original Zone

March 25, 2011...it's snowing!!



The mountain outside the classroom window

Over the hump...at the MTC

AJ has passed his half-way point at the MTC and is doing great! Here are some excerpts from the letters his first month.

March 3, 2011
This might have been one of the toughest weeks of my life. It made me really think about why I am here. But I know that I am in the right place and I know we will all receive many blessings because of it...We got to go to the Provo temple this morning. It was weird cuz I am used to the Mesa temple and the Provo one is a giant oval. I am so proud of Aunt Kelly going. I told my district and they all said that was so cool. I've really learned how important the temple is!...My teachers are awesome. They are Hermano Toone and Hermano Teerlink. Hermano Teerlink is my favorite because he is so funny. My schedule throughout the week is pretty much the same. Wake up. Sing with our zone at 7. Breakfast at 7:30. Class from 8-12. Lunch. Gym time from 1-2. Class from 2:30-5. Then dinner. Class from 5:30-9. Prep time until 9:30. Then we have a little personal time until bed at 10:30. Sunday is a little different and Tuesday nights we have firesides.

March 10, 2011
Everything is going good. This week really was so much better than last. Our district is just like family. We eat together, sit together wherever we go, walk together, and just enjoy being around each other...Spanish is going good. We only have a couple rules left to learn and then it just comes down to practicing talking and learning words. But we have learned stuff already that the district a week ahead of us hasn't learned, and we are catching the group 4 weeks ahead of us...Sending some pictures with this letter.

March 17, 2011
This week went by so fast! Like honestly it feels like just yesterday that I was writing you. Sunday was a good day cuz we basically just relaxed all day and did nothing. Monday was alright except when i rolled my ankle. It was my bad one which is the left one. I was playing volleyball and I went up to block someone and when they guy hit it he came under the net a little and I landed on top of his foot. Its still pretty sore but I can walk OK. So I'll be fine. The last 2 Tuesday devotionals have been really good. No apostle yet, but they were both from the first quorum of the 70 and gave great talks. I also sang with the choir on Tuesday. It was awesome and I sang bass with one of the guys in my zone. I've figured out that I kinda like to sing when its like that. Then Wednesday we got a new district and we are still trying to get to know them. One of the guys threw up yesterday though when they first got here. It was kinda funny.

March 24, 2011
Hey everyone. everything is going good here this week. Monday and Tuesday were weird days though cuz it snowed in the mornings and then the sun came out and melted everything. Then about an hour later it was snowing again. I want to share what happened last Thursday. After class we went back to our rooms, but we had a little get together in one room. Elder Manning asked Elder Clare to give him a blessing cuz E. Manning had been sick. It was incredible having us 9 missionaries surrounding him and giving him a blessing. The Spirit was so strong. The other time I have felt it that much is when we gave mom her blessing in the hospital. That's how powerful it was. We ended up giving Elder Blanch and Elder Tonks a blessing also and it was the same feeling every time. It brought us closer together and I felt like we truly became a family that night. They are like brothers to me .So then Monday, Elder Hafen and Manning got their visas to go to Spain. It was tough on us all. It felt like saying bye to family yesterday. But thankfully Hermano Toone is such a good teacher that he could tell we were all sad yesterday morning and he gave a powerful lesson that cheered us all up. We all think he is going to be an apostle one day. He seriously is that good...I don't know what you want to know about my companion. I guess just think of the exact opposite of me. He is not athletic at all and plays piano. He has never had a girlfriend in his life and hasn't even held a girls hand or had his first kiss. He is patient and nice to everyone and won't correct anyone ever cuz he doesn't want to offend. He is slow going everywhere which is the only thing that drives me crazy sometimes. But I'm glad he's my companion...Its weird to think that I'm half way done in the MTC now. And as of today we switch to all Spanish and aren't allowed to talk in English anymore so its gonna be tough for a little while. But I think I can do it, hopefully. Wish me luck. I hope everyone is doing okay and I love you guys.

Pictures, Pictures, Pictures

AJ and friend Josh Roberts from Mesa

AJ and companion Elder Wheelwright

AJ and his comp on their temple walk

AJ and Elder Manning, his district leader

...and the funniest guy in the MTC.

AJ and E.Wheelwright going over lesson plans

Feeling a little more relaxed

District 35A - left to right

E. Blanch, E. Hafen, E. McCabe, E. Tonks, E. Manning, E. Rodriguez,

E. Mlazgar, E. Wheelwright, E. Clare, E. Lawrence

First Email from the MTC

Here is AJ's first email from the MTC. I must have asked him a hundred questions in the preceding week. He tried to answer many of them. :)

Hey everyone i finally get to email. I just want to say thanks to aunt courtney. i love the pictures that i got. they are on my cover of my folder. and thanks to aunt jenny i got you email. It snowed my first 3 days here and it was awesome to see. I saw josh my first day. he was my escort. and i have seen him almost everyday. there are 10 in my district. 5 districts in my zone except one just left so now its 4. 4 are going to spain, 3 to chile vina del mar and 3 to chile santiago west. 4 missionaries in my room. my luggage basrely fits under my bed and i have the bottom bunk. the food is just like high school cafeteria food and it upsets everyones stomach. but we eat as much as we want. we get gym time everyday except pday and sunday. my companion is from utah and he plays the piano really well. mom to park the car you pick the stick into gear to get it to stop moving. they gave me an english and spanish preach my gospel, spanish scriptures, spanish language learnign books, a water purifier, dictionary and a spanish hymn book. we dont speak all spanish yet but we do as much as we can for the first month and then we will switch to all. but our teachers teach in almost all spanish. im glad i finally got to tell you how it is here.

thanks for writing
aj

Chile, Santiago West

The big send-off...AJ and family at the airport.

AJ was called to the CHILE, SANTIAGO WEST mission. He entered the Provo MTC Wednesday, February 23 around noon. He sent us a letter that first night. Here are some excerpts from that letter...

The atmosphere here is amazing. Everyone is so positive and helpful. Today in class we learned a little about each other. There are 10 elders in my district. I think it’s a smaller group. There are

about 4 classes in each zone. 3 of us are going to my mission, 3 are going to Vina del Mar,Chile and the other 4 are going somewhere in Spain. The Spain elders leave in 3 weeks, the rest of us stay for nine. All of the elders seem pretty cool. I saw Josh Roberts today too. He got me all set up and we are eating dinner together tomorrow. My companion’s name is Elder Wheelwright. He is from Utah.


My P-Day is Thursday’s but we don’t get it tomorrow so that’s why I had to write a letter. Not only do we only email on P-day, but we also only write letters then too. But, I’ll still do the best I can to always write you. Its getting close to bed time now so I’ll talk to you again next week. Pray for me.

With all my love, AJ

AJ's call is here!!!!

Wow...has time flown!!!

Sooo much has happened in the past 7...count them...seven months! Here is the Reader's Digest version.

AJ began preparing his papers at the end of May. He had both the appointment with his doctor and dentist the week before his birthday. But, we got a little curve ball the day of his birthday, June 20, 2010. I was hospitalized, almost died actually. AJ was able to participate in a priesthood blessing that literally saved my life. I remained in ICU for a week and spent many weeks after following up with doctors and concentrating on recovery. AJ worked at Wal-mart and helped chauffeur kids to activities.

It took some time to adjust to my new schedule and limitations. The fear of my potential sudden exit from this life still lingers in the hearts of my family. I'm sure that impacted the speed, or lack of, that AJ submitted his papers to the bishop. Eventually though papers were submitted to the bishop, interviews were completed, and the Stake President pushed the "magic" send button.

Naturally there were still some speed bumps. The papers were submitted just before Thanksgiving slowing down the call about a week. The mailbox was checked twice a day for a week, then once a day. (I think the Lord is trying to teach me patience, which still may take awhile.) AJ had oral surgery yesterday to remove his wisdom teeth. Between taking care of AJ, Saturday chores, and odd weekend mail delivery, of course this would be the one day I didn't think about checking the mail until after 10p. And, OF COURSE, the call was there!

By the time we got it home, AJ was not feeling well enough to deal with the emotion or attention surrounding opening the call. Nor was it a great time to be calling grandparents to come over...to say nothing of the phone calls to friends and family following the big revelation.

Sooo...I get to practice that patience the Lord is teaching me. We will be opening the call in the morning. :)