Missionary Droid...or not.

Hey ALL!! Hola!! What a crazy week!

AHH!! There's a THIEF in the MTC! So uncool! We don't know who, but one of the Missionaries here (or several) have been breaking into rooms and stealing things from other Missionaries! 2 people in MY ZONE have had their wallets stolen! We
think it's a missionary because you have to have an access card to get into the residence- but it could just as easily be a worker or cleaning crew. I had a meeting with my zone and emphasized locking your doors. On one hand, it's the MTC- you'd think that everyone here would have the decency to respect other people's space and property. But on the other hand, even the Temple Locker rooms have locks- just lock your doors and eliminate the temptation completely. It's really hard- and for me as their zone leader- to replace everything that was lost in the wallets that were stolen. I have to apply for a new meal card for them, call the Branch President to set up an appointment to get a Temple Recommend Interview, and set up an appt with the Mission Presidency to sign it!! Haha not too bad... but it's a lot of pressure to protect my zone! haha.

SPEAKING of President Studdert- HE is an incredible man. PLUS he knows everyone. He always has these amazing stories... "the other day I went to lunch with President Packer and I said... 'How are ya, Boyd?..." or "I was in a meeting last week with President Monson..."... Ha he's so awesome. He has been an assistant to the 12! AND he was an advisor to President Reagan! (USA Pres... not-church-related) haha. When he walks in the room you can feel his wisdom!

So, here's proof that I'm still me and not a MissionaryDroid.... --- Last Friday we were doing our weekly service project- clean residence hall 6M. It was 6:45 in the morning, and I was vacuuming the halls. It's a super loud vacuum, and it makes a really strong deep base hummmmm.... WELL, the MTC allows you to be apart from your companion when doing your service project, as long as you stay in the building... SO I THOUGHT I was alone. I started to sing "Anything But Ordinary" by Avril Lavigne... and eventually I was belting it at the top of my lungs, have vacumming, half dancing down the halls like a maniac. So I turn around and there are about... 14 Missionaries... who were all laughing their heads off. I kinda did an awkward half-smile and quickly unplugged the vacuum and walked away embarrassed out of my mind. Yup, still Brandon.

SO, there are 5 Districts in my Zone (one just left and one just came in), and they are all full of wonderful, dedicated young Missionaries... But ONE of them, District B, is proving to be a challenge. They are SO loud and NEVER in bed on time, ALWAYS late to class and meetings, and there have been several other incidents- which is LAME cuz I’m in charge so I have to be the BAD GUY and tell them to knock it off and behave ( with love of course) :) AHHHH example: this morning, 3 of them locked their 4th roommate out of their room for fun, and they were all cracking up on the inside at the missionary stranded on the outside. Meanwhile, I'm writing a letter (to Carlie Marie Bean to be exact) when I hear this RIDICULOUS banging on the other side of the floor. I run out, about 15 doors down the hall, this Elder has a FIRE EXTINGUISHER and is POUNDING HOLES into his DOOR. WOW. I tried to be as calm as I possibly could - the Elder was totally red-faced and enraged- and I luckily was able to coerce (threaten) the other Elders to open the door and (somehow) calmed down the rabid Elder so he wouldn't try to kill his roomates. AHHHH. Hahaha it definitely makes for a good story though...

We got a new district last wednesday, and we're getting ANOTHER one this coming Wednesday! so excited! I love seeing all their excited (emotional) faces and their eagerness to serve! Haha!

I actually have a Cold right now... Being sick here is way no bueno. I went to the Health Clinic, and they gave me the UNIVERSAL MTC ANTIDOTE!! = Salt!!! Haha "gargle twice a day for 15 days bla bla bla..." So I went to the bookstore and bought a pharmacy worth of pills and I've been feeling better :)

My roommates told me that last night I was sleep talking in SPANISH!! SO AWESOME! Haha I'm really getting this language- i love it! Elder Linford and I are teaching about every other day- 2 lessons to progressing investigators in total Spanish! It's so extreme!!

I love it here! I'm praying for all of you back home! Please be safe and smart and happy and healthy!! And thank you for all your letters and packages and love and support- I feel so blessed!!

All my Love,
Elder Brandon Hellberg