December 27, 2010

Elder Malan and Elder Rodriguez and their trees!

Mason and all of his loot!

Their bathroom!

Mason bowling on P-day!

Hey sounds like everything is going good since Saturday! haha That's sweet that grandma and grandpa are going to to serve! I'm glad that they are able to do that. Hopefully they go to Pocatello and work with Israel! But ya, the boxes were fine. Didn't seem like anybody tried to get in them. Just when you write the description on what's inside of it just don't put the valuable things on it-haha. Just say candy or something. But I can't really think of anything that's expensive down here. It's all about the same except for the little things. Just send pictures and things like that. I thought of something yesterday that you could send me, but I can't remember what it was so it must not be that important. We don't really cook anything. We eat cereal for breakfast with yogurt and nothing really for dinner, a sandwich or something like that. Then for our supermercado, we have 3 close by and they are like Walmart so it's basically the same thing. Yes, I got that picture! (of the Jacobs girls) It was good. I haven't written Ethan, I haven't gotten to it. I don't know how much it is. I am sending another letter this week or next with a little thing President and the hermana gave us so I think you might like it. No, I don't need cinnamon milk, momma. We don't really have not water, haha, only for the shower. I think the other packages have the apple cider. I bet the cold is nice now. Too bad you didn't have a little snow for Christmas, haha. I don't really know what else to tell you. Today we played soccer at the church. I kicked the ball over the fence and the guy wouldn't give it back so I am going to buy Elder Rodriguez another ball or give him some money. But soccer was fun, we can only play once a cambio (exchange) because people got competitive, haha, like always. But ya. That's about it. If I need anything at anytime I will let you know, mom, ok? No te precupes. haha Well that's about it. Thanks for everything and keep up the work love you all!

December 20, 2010

Hey mom!
How are things going there at work and home? Here, things are good. I got one package from you, one from Emily and one from grandma and grandpa! So that was really nice. I'm not sure if you sent more than one but if you did I should be getting those next week, I think. Me and Elder Rodriguez are buying each other something. He said he wanted chess so I think I'm going to buy him that. He said muchisimo gracias for the things you sent him; the pillow case and the photo album. He likes the jerky, too, haha. His parents are going to send him a package. His parents know someone here in Queretaro so they send it to them then the person gives it straight to us. So it's cool. Our Christmas activity was cool, but I had to eat cow intestine, so that was really not very fun. haha They had a soup of it and gave it to me! I wasn't too happy, but I took a bite out of it-haha- so hopefully I don't have too many more things like that or I don't know if I'll make it. For the activity, we had a slide show of photos from the missionaries, which I couldn't send any in. Then we listened to the assistants and the hermana and president talk. It was cool to see everybody again. We ate, then we got a tie and some other stuff, a card from hermana which I am going to send home to you. It's cool. That's about it. We spent the whole day there because it's 2 hours to where we were and 2 hours back. So it was a long day, but fun, especially when I got the packages. Church yesterday was not good. We didn't have anyone there. I was frustrated and so was my comp. The week always goes good, but Sundays usually are bad. Javier still thinks all the ways lead to Heaven so we are still working with him. The problem with the people is they don't pray or read to really know if it's the truth. So that sucks cause if they just did that they would know. Then Elder Hille is from Salt Lake. I have already talked about him. He is cool. That's cool to hear that Ash is doing well. He writes me sometimes, so it's cool when he does. That's crazy it's almost time for State! Then it's all over for that kid and swimming. What is he going to do when he stops swimming? Hopefully you have something for him to do haha. Today we went bowling so that was fun. I did pretty well, got over 100 both games. It's good to hear that the sports are doing well also. That's crazy you saw Billy Jackson. I hope he is doing better than before. I didn't send the memory card. It's not worth it to lose the pictures so I'm waiting for the memory card or cable. You know what I was in the nativity at grandma's! The Wise Men! haha Well this week will be interesting. It's crazy. If I don't call you by 5:30 or 4:30 your time, call the number that I gave you, ok? Otherwise plan on me calling. So I will talk to you then! Let me know when you get my letters. It takes about a month I think. But it takes like 2-3 weeks for the packages. Well that's about it. If you want to know anything more, ask me Saturday!
Love you all!

December 13, 2010

Hey Mom! How are things going? Here, it's going well. This last Sunday was probably the best Sunday I have had here with numbers. We had 3 for the first time and 4 total. So it was good. Me and my comp are still here. But I got letters this week. It seems like they take 3 to 5 weeks to get here. So it's kinda crappy! haha. But I haven't gotten your package. Hopefully it gets here before the 16th otherwise I might not get it for awhile. We found a family because of Javier. He is taking us to people's houses that he goes to. So it is pretty cool. He is a lot better at giving references than the members! haha My day goes consists of study from 8 to 11. First hour is personal, second is comp study then the last hour I read the Book of Mormon in Spanish and Preach My Gospel. This helps with the Spanish. Then after that we go work until 2 then we have the comida, which is lunch, then we work till 9. So that's the basic schedule of the day. When I talked with Pres. Nancollas we just talked about life and how bad the mission was when he got here, so ya. He said the mission was really bad. Missionaries were bad, everything. This last week we found a family of 3, like I said. They are doing alright. We visit them almost everyday. Then today another elder from my generation is coming to the zone, Elder Hille. So that will be cool. sounds like Shadow Valley is poppin'! It's cause everyone saw me working there and wanted to follow my footsteps because they saw how much fun I had! haha jk. Sounds like Ash is doing well in swimming. I'm glad to hear that. Hopefully he can do well in region then in state. When is that? His senior year is almost half way over already! haha Crazy, and Jeff and Spencer have almost been out a year too! So time is going fast. We has a stake choir thing last night, all the Mexicans sang in a choir and had a little Navidad thing with it. It was cool. then Saturday we are having a ward activity, I think. We will see how that goes. I haven't had to speak yet, but I did bear my testimony in November. The members here are ok. They don't give references ever though, so that sucks. The ward is about like 80 people, I think about that number. Then I see Elder Birtcher like 3 to 4 times a week. It's cool he is in my district. I heard Elder Nowack is here but I don't know where in the mission. We have a mission Christmas thing on the 16th so I will find out then. I got your letters. Like I said it takes a little bit to get here though and it takes longer for them to get delivered to me because we only eget them when we have zone conference interviews or a capacitation or when someone goes to the offices. So about once a month we get letters. But ya here everything is starting to get better with the investigators so hopefully it will just keep rolling and we can keep having success. It's crazy I have 5 months already and I still don't know much at all. haha But it'll come. We had a capacitation last week and it was really good. We needed to hear all what was said. Pres. Nancollas is way cool. For the capacitationes we just take notes on what we can do better. Then we do practices of teaching. So it went foo. All the letters were cool. I didn't know dad went on a huge motorcycle ride! When I get back we are doing it again! haha I have a telephone number I'm going to call from and it's free cause the member has an American line some how. I will be calling on Christmas day around 4:00 your time, 5:00 here in Mexico. I think I can just call the house or whatever and it should be good. In about 2 weeks we will be talking again! Here it's getting colder, so nights are pretty chilly. But it's good. I sent a letter off like a week or 2 ago so hopefully you get them before Christmas! That's about it from here. Thanks for all the love and support you give me, and the letters. Everyone is jealous because I got a lot of letters! So thanks for the letters and the most important part, the love you have for me and the love I have for each one of you! Well, if you want to call the number or I can call you. I think it's the same but let me know what you want to do then we will do it.
Love you all and thanks for everything!
Elder Malan

December 6, 2010

Hola Mama!
Como estas? Estoy mucho mejor ahora. Esta semama pasada ha sida mucho mejor para mosotros aqui en Mexico. Tuvimos 2 investigaodres a la capilla ayer entonces fue mucho mejor que las dos ultimas domingos. Transfers are next week so if I don't write until late I got transferred or my comp did. So just to let you know. Here it's not too bad. We are in the richer part of Mexico, so ya. But there are still some little houses. Our house is pretty small. When I can send you pictures of it you will see. But it's not too bad. It's a lot different from Cabo, that's for sure. Here, it's not pretty. All cement everywhere. I haven't gotten your letter yet, but I will get them this week because the ZL's have them. So I will let you know how they all are next week! So ya, here we found a guy named Javier. He is cool. He came to church yesterday and said he felt really peaceful so we were stoked on that. He likes that we have visiting teacher and home teachers because he likes to visit los infermos. haha He is cool so hopefully we can get him to be baptized. It sounds like you guys are all pretty busy! That's good, better to be working than not working at all. I'm glad that Ash is doing well on his swimming because it's his last year. He is finally driving a man's truck! That's what I'm talking about! He better not wreck that thing or I'll be enojo! That broadcast, we only get to watch conference, I think, I'm not sure yet. Is that Trevor in one of those pictures? It looks like him! haha I don't know the other lady that's in the picture. Does Ash go a lot to your school or what? Does he have many classes? I liked not having any responsibility my senior year. haha But ya, it's been almost 2 years since I graduated! Crazy, huh? I'm getting old haha. And you know what that means mom? Same for you. haha But ya, I have to write pres every week! He is really cool. I don't know if I told you this but a couple of weeks ago I got to talk to him for like 40 minutes because he came to my church and it was really cool. He is an awesome guy. He banned coke! We can't drink coke anymore so that's a bummer, but we gotta live it. So ya, it's all good. But that's about all for this week. Hopefully I answered your questions and all that. I'll let you know what up next week!
Les amo mucho
Elder Malan

November 29, 2010

Hey Mom!
How are things going for you? I didn't have to call the mission mom (when he was sick). I was alright, but it was bad. I stuck it out with some pepto and gatorade.
So this last week was pretty tough. Our whole mission is in a down slump. This month has been the worst since Pres. Nancollas has been here. Only 145 confirmations in the month, so really bad. Here it's not much better. Our investigators aren't going to church even though we call and go to their houses to pick them up. It's tough and Spanish is still tough for me.
That's sweet that the Jazz beat the Lakers. How are they doing? I heard they are like 9-2 or something like that. So that's cool.
This week nothing really good happened. It's tough right now because we are having a tough time finding people to teach and our family that we are teaching se cayeron. They didn't keep the commitments so we have to let them go.
I write Israel and Spencer. I haven't heard from Hunter. That's sweet that you got one of the packages on the way. I'm excited for that . We only have two more weeks in the cambio then I could be transferred. We will see what happens.
How was your Thanksgiving and black Friday? Here we didn't do anything because they don't celebrate it. So ya. For Christmas, I don't know what the plan is since we have cambios 2 weeks before it. If I am here still I can go to a members house and they have an American line so it can be free if we do that. Then I don't know what all there is to write because we haven't been doing too well here. I should be having a letter on the way within the next week or so. My DL has a spot in his place where he can send letters so I will send them as soon as possible. How is the family and everyone doing?
I hope you feel better from your sickness. Sounds like Ash is doing well with his last year of school. That's crazy all your kids are gunna be out of high school. You and dad are getting old!! Haha just kidding! You are all good. But ya, here I'm trying to send pictures but I can't because all the comps here are for the SD's not the XD's cards. I don't have a cord so I can't send pictures so sorry for that one.
Keep praying for my Spanish because I need help with it. haha But it'll come sooner or later I pray. That's about it for this letter. Keep praying for my success, too. Because like I said before we are struggling as a mission with our numbers. Keep doing the things that you should and God will bless you!
Love, Elder Malan
les amo mucho

November 22, 2010

Hey Mom,
Sounds like Ethan is doing good. The food here is good. I ate Burger King today and bought a cool Mexico jersey. I email some buddies and Spencer a little bit, that's it, and you guys. I only have 45 minutes to write so it's difficult sometimes. Everyone can email me, that's fine. We aren't going to celebrate Thanksgiving. You're lucky you get a lot of good food. For soccer, we went and found a field so it was cool. My district is all pretty close, within one bus ride. We have two hermanas in our district, and us, then our district leader. My district isn't too big. Some places are really big, but here it's not too much. Elder Rodriguez doesn't speak really any English. He can a little, but not much at all. It's good for me to understand and speak it all the time-haha. But I'm not going to lie, when I can speak English to someone I do! We only receive letters like one time a month, mom. So I don't get them very often. I got one letter from Ash two weeks ago and that's all! I don't know where the box is with the cord. So I don't know if you are gunna get many pictures either-haha sorry. But I think I know where a spot is to send letters, so I might get one off next week. I'm not promising anything.
The toilet is not so bad, but I got sick on Friday so I used that baby a lot! I'm good now, got sick from food, I think. But it was pretty bad.
Our family we are teaching is struggling. Here in Queretaro it's hard to find and teach and get them to baptism. I didn't know why but we can find people but they don't progress very well. So hopefully we can do better at that. We are in a ward. We have a Bishop Flores. He is cool. There are so many inactives here so we do a lot of reactivating, too. It's good because we usually find new people to teach through it.
You didn't tell me that Ash was in Mr. Ogden, that's cool! How did he do? Hopefully better than me. My friends won it both years they were in it, so hopefully he did well. How is everyone doing? I hope they are all doing well. Here still just working trying to get more people to the waters of baptism. And it's hijo mom, mi hijo, ok? haha
We went bowling today. That was fun. We have a lot of cool stuff here. I ate Burger King today, too. It was awesome! haha
But I don't have much time left so love you all! I'll try to get a letter sent off next week for you guys! I'll put my memory card in there or something. See how it goes.
Love you all. Tell Ash to email me!

November 15, 2010

Hey,
Sounds like things are going good in the O! It's good to hear that all my friends are doing well and Ash is doing well in swimming. I got my first real letter last week! It was from Ashton! haha I never would have thought, I was so excited! I'm still working on finding a spot to send letters. Probably next week I'll have one on its way. Before Christmas there will be one for you. Sounds like the party went well.
That's cool Karson got home. His Spanish might be the gay kind, where they pronounce their z and c different. haha So that's cool though. Sounds like you are having a party for your young single adults-haha.
Thanks for not putting those stickers on the box... I hate those things! They are everywhere here. A dang cross with Jesus on it or a dang ugly picture of Guadelupe (Mary). They worship her here. It's ugly.
Today, we played some soccer and ultimate frisbee as a zone and it was fun. We are teaching one family of three right now that are looking good. I hope they can continue to progress. We have to have them go to church three times before we can baptise them. So we are working on them. We are trying to find more people, as always. Elder Rodriguez is rich. His dad makes the clothes for malls and stuff down here and sells them to the malls. So he is pretty cool. As for a mission website, I have no idea. The companionship is good. Spanish is really hard. People say it's easy, but really it's not at all.
Yes, I have a carbon monoxide thing in my apartment haha!
I am still working on the letter thing. It's hard because not a lot of people send letters, including missionaries, so it's hard. Then when I don't know much Spanish so it's harder. We go on splits when the DL or the ZL want to go on splits. I can't really give you a time. I have been on two splits. I'm not sure if dear elders are quicker. I would like a real letter, but whatever you can do is fine.
That's crazy Jeff is a trainer! haha That makes me laugh. I wanna know how Ethan is doing.
I don't need a pillow, I bought one for like 3 bucks so we are good on that. Yes, I use the sheets we packed. I like them a lot. Yeah, I have a flash drive, but I don't know what to do with it.
Where I live it's city all around. There's like no grass, but cement everywhere. I heard that this is the most beautiful part of the mission. My apartment is alright. We have hot water for the shower. We don't have a lid for our toilet seat so that sucks, and our shower is right next to our toilet. But other than that it's chill. It's about the size of our upper garage, I would say. It's just me and my comp. We live above a member's house.
Yes, I got your pictures. I really enjoyed them. So you can send more if you want.
Well, I hope I answered all of your questions. I hope all is good at home. I pray for you every day!
Te amo mucho mama, un brazo
Elder Malan

November 1, 2010

Hey, how are you doing?
Here it's pretty good stuff. Sounds like Halloween was good. You need to send me some pictures on the email! haha I
I just got a new comp from I'm not sure where, but it's under Texas he told me. He is cool. He only has six months in the mission so we are a young companionship! Here things are good. We hopefully should have some baptisms this month so I'm excited for that . Elder Rodriguez is my new comp. He doesn't know the area so we both have to learn quickly! I know a little bit but not too much. The water I drank was not from the tap. We have zone conferences every three months. We have interviews in a week with the president. So that will be good. I didn't know it was his b-day so we didn't do anything.
Work is going good, better. I think it's going to get better now. We got a new district leader, also. I think it's going to get better. Spanish, it's better every week. Sometimes it's better than others, but I am understanding more and more. My apartment is alright. I am going to try to send a pic on here if I can get it to work.
Ash needs to eat more. He is a toothpick! Tell him to eat some food.
But that's good you like those conference talks. I didn't know there was such good info in all of them until I listened to them in the MTC! As for the mail, I still haven't got it yet. They said we don't get it much and I still don't know how to send letters so I'm sorry if you don't get a letter for awhile. Packages are fine to send without those stickers they said. So don't worry about that. I don't want to see any more of those Mary things! They worship her here more than God. It's kinda sad. Everyone has a cross with Christ on it. So it's depressing. But you can send the package. It should be fine. I don't have too much more time so hopefully next week I can have some good stories for you. Hopefully we can have a baptism in the next couple of weeks. A couple of people are close. I will let you know how it goes. I gotta go entonces, hasta proxima semana!
Les amo muchismo!
Elder Malan

October 25, 2010

Hey Mom,
Yes that was me! (who got sick) haha He (Elder Fackler) told me to pound this big glass of water and I did and then I felt sick because I was full. Then I drank that thing and I was feeling way full and I couldn't hold that baby in. I took a walk outside and it went loose! ha ha It was funny, but I felt a ton better after words. I know now why Ethan did it so much! Elder Fackler is pretty tight.
I don't know how to send mail down here and my comp doesn't either. So I am going to have to look into that for you. Sorry if nobody gets a letter for a little bit.
That's sweet the Jazz went undeafeated in the preseason! Hopefully they can continue that into the season. That's sweet that you and Ash got to hang out for a weekend. Hopefully you taught him well.
The work is good. My area is Cimitario, Queretaro. It's way cool here. It's the rich part of the mission and it's pretty hot all the time. The members are awesome. We eat the comida (lunch) at a members house every day. That is really cool and good. I love the food for the most part down here. They make water out of about every fruit or veggie they can so sometimes it's nasty. The coke is way good and cheap so I love that a lot. We don't really cook any food. Just cereal for breakfast then something for dinner. Tacos are cheap so we usually just buy a couple or swing by a members house and they give us something. Suggestions for Isaiah...I don't have any. I don't really read the Old Testament too much. I just started Genesis so maybe in a couple months I can help you. I'm almost done with the BOM for the first time of the mish. I have like 6 pages left so that's cool. I want to read it about 5 times in English then 2 in Spanish. We will see how it goes. Here we are trying to get a baptism for Sunday. This lady is ready. She just says she wants to know more. Everybody here is Catholic, Jehovah Witness or Santa Muerte (grim reaper). It's really different than home, that's for sure. Lots of things are different but I like it. There are some really rich parts here and some not so rich. It's cool. Keep praying for me. Sorry about the letters. Tell everyone I'm trying but I don't know what to do! haha!
Te amo mucho, mama y mi familia!

October 18, 2010

Hey mom,
Here in Mexico it's pretty dang crazy! A lot more cool than the MTC that's for sure. My comp is Elder Spitale. He is from Argentina so he doesn't speak much English. He is pretty cool. We are serving in Queretaro, our area is Cimatario. It's really cool. It's supposedly the most rich part of our mission and beautiful and it's still not beautiful at all. Our apartment is pretty small, we don't have that much room. We have a hot shower though so that is really good! The food is really good. I like it a lot. I haven't gotten sick yet so that is a good sign-haha. We eat all the Mexican stuff. I don't really know what it's called but it's good. Pres. Nancollas didn't say much about her. I can't really remember what he said. I don't think I can print my emails. No, I haven't got your letter. They go to the mission office then they give them to us about 2 weeks to a month later. They said the mail usually is around 1 to 2 weeks to get here. We don't have a church in our area which sucks really bad. We have to take the bus (camion) or a taxi to it. The camions here are dang crazy! They go as fast as they can and they pack it like a tuna can. It's really cool. The work is kinda difficult in our area. Everyone is Catholic here so it's hard to find new people. We keep trying our best. My Spanish is really hard, too. They speak so fast and I can't speak very well but, it's coming along that's for sure. Something kinda crazy, kinda cool today; we were waiting to get our camion and this truck pulls in front of this other bread truck and starts backing into it and hitting it! He did it three times then drove off. It was really weird! Ha ha But here is all good. It's really different to have someone that can't speak English. Oh ya, last Wednesday we got to go to the temple in Mexico City! It was really cool there. I couldn't understand a lot but I knew enough to get by. It was a way cool experience. Also, Elder Birtcher is in my district so that is cool I get to see him a couple times a week. He is the only other American in our district. A couple days ago I went on a split with one of the ZL's. He is Elder Fackler. He is awesome. Really big guy and a good person. So that was cool, too. I hope I answered all of your questions and what not. Keep praying and doing what you should!
Love you all,
Elder Malan

MEXICO!!! October 11, 2010

Hey family, I'm here at the mission home with the APs and President and Sister Nancollas and it's pretty dang crazy down here. Lotta people and the mexicans speak really fast! But it's all good. I attached a picture of us, so ya its all good. But just letting you know that I made it here safe. I'm not sure where I'm going to yet, but I will find out in a couple mins. So sorry, I'll let you know where I'm at on Monday. It's gunna be tough, even Pres. Nancollas told us that, but we can do it! Tes amo mucho!
Elder Malan

October 8, 2010

Sidenote:
Mason leaves for Mexico on Monday, October 11!!! He received his Visa last week! For now, send letters to the Mission Home address listed on this blog. The postage is 79 cents. I am not sure how long it takes to get there. We are so excited for him to begin this part of his journey! Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers on his behalf!
-Wendi

October 7, 2010

MALAN FAMILY-
I am leaving at 9:55 from the SLC Airport non-stop to Mexico (on Monday the 11th). It's pretty crazy to think about being in the real world in a couple of days! I'm really excited and kind of nervous, so it's all good. I just need to open my mouth and put forth the effort and God has promised he will help me. Many emotions are going through my body right now! It's crazy cause I'm not that talkative with people I don't know. Now I am commanded to talk to everyone! So I just have to do it! That's the big news so far here at the MTC. But I know I will have a companion that can speak good Spanish so that is a comfort! I don't really know what else to say because that's what is clouding my mind! Ha ha
Who was your favorite talk for conference? I had a lot! Pres. Monson is always good. Then Pres. Uchtdorf's about pride because if you read in the scriptures, pride is how people fall away from the church. I want to finish the LDM before I leave and I'm in third Nephi. So I'm going to have to do it well and fast. I also like the talk by Brother Lawrence. I thought of you guys while listening to it. Elder Oaks is always good, too. Those are a couple I liked.
I hope that my bags will be under 50 lbs. each. I hope I can call you before the airport so we can talk about what the plan is going to be. But if not mom I will call your cell phone from the airport so be ready for it! I'm sending home letters, other things I don't really need so that will be there sometime.
I can't think of anything else.
Tes amo muchisimo. Gracias por todas cosas hacen por mi para que yo este en un mision para El Senor! Soy siempre tus hijo y hermano!
Elder Malan :)

September 30, 2010

Elder Malan

The MCN District!

Elder Malan & Comp-Elder Birtcher

Hey Malan Family-

I'm sorry to hear that people are getting sick in the household! I'm praying for health. But it's good to hear it's not too bad there. Everyone is staying busy at least! What else is going on there? Is the house and all of that still good? It's crazy it's almost Christmas! And that Ben and Israel have been out for one year next month! It's pretty crazy to think about so you will have some of your boys back sooner than you know it. Nope, I haven't heard from Ethan so that sucks. I don't have his address or anything so it's no my fault. It's cool to hear that he is doing better down there than here. I think he is going to pick up Spanish fast because he has a big head with a lotta brain. As for my Spanish it's going alright. Still just trying to learn more words and the grammarization of how to form the sentences. But my week has gone pretty fast it seems like so that's cool and good. Things here with Elder Birtcher are good. He is a pretty cool guy. As for rainy season, I have no idea of anything. I don't even know what the weather is going to be tomorrow here. We are in a bubble here. It's weird to hear car's music. That's how sheltered we are. But I just received some news that possibly we might receive word on our Visas on Monday. No se if it's true or not but I hope it is! Don't get your hopes up too high if I don't know anything next week also, we will just have to see! I don't know anything about the weather (in Mexico). Why has work been stressful for Pops? I hope things improve for him. That sucks about the water pressure. I'm sure in Mexico it will be a lot worse for the showers there though. Ashton didn't write me this week so I am bummed about that! So hopefully he can write me soon. It sounds like Ogden (football) is going downhill. That's a bummer. At least Weber is doing good from what I know. Well that's about it for this letter. Keep praying, reading, going to the temple and the Lord will bless you with comfort and peace!

Tes amo mucho,

Elder Malan

=)

September 23, 2010

Hola Malan Family!
Sounds like from the letters I am getting that all is well at the Malan hogar?! I hope so. It was way cool to talk to everyone on Saturday! Probably the highlight of the week. It was just awesome. Mom, next time when I have 5 minutes on the phone por favor no llora. Gracias. But ya, it was good. Then other things that happened this week, Elder Nowack esta no mas aqui, y Elder Stephenson, y Elder Parkinson. Elder Nowack left Tuesday and the other two left this morning for Salt Lake. So we are down to six in our district now. Where is Nick Allred going and when? How did Nate's talk go?
I'm going to send home my letters, too. This last week, not too much happened. Just doing the daily struggle of trying to learn Spanish and the Doctrine better. Now my comp is Elder Birtcher. He is a pretty cool kid. His Spanish is good, too. I have a box so don't worry about that (sending one to send stuff home in). Elder Nowack had to get up at 4 in the morning to get his stuff finished up and had to be at the shuttle at 5 am. So I woke up and have not been the same since. I can't take naps because there isn't really time to do so. But oh well. Eventually I will be back to 100% I hope!
I got the pie today. I am going to enjoy that puppy for sure! Thanks for it.
I got an email from Ben today so that was cool! I don't hear from him very often so it was good to get an email from him. Israel says his investigators are doing a lot better, too! So I'm stoked for him as well. I haven't heard from Ethan so don't know anything about him.
How is work and school going for the men of the house? And how is Weber State doing? I don't hear anything here! We are in such a hubble, it's crazy. It's a good thing though, focus more on what I need to do here and prepare myself for all the distractions of the world. I haven't heard from Hunter, which is a bummer.
And for not much going on this week, this might be one of my longest letters-haha! But everything here is good. I'm glad I have more time here to prepare. Thanks for the love and support. I'm so thankful families can be para siempre!
Les amo mucho,
Elder Malan

September 18, 2010

**We received a surprise phone call today from Elder Malan!!! He called to tell us that he has received "permiso" to Mexico but not his Visa. Because he has permiso it means that the Visa is not far off. Therefore he is to remain at the MTC until the Visa arrives, which should be in about 1-5 weeks. His companion did not receive permiso and is being temporarily reassigned to Boise. He leaves Tuesday, Sept. 21. Mason will receive a new companion from his district. It was great to hear his voice! He sounds great and is doing wonderfully!!!

September 18, 2010

Elder Malan, not sure of the middle guy, and Elder Nowack

Elders Malan, Christensen, and Annis

Malan Fam!

How is everything going back home? I hope it's all good. I really liked your package. It is sweet stuff. That little pin is awesome! Here there's not much new. Mostly the same old stuff as always, going through the daily struggle of trying to improve my Spanish and teaching abilities. It's coming, that's for sure. It sounds like you all had a good week last week from the letters and emails. Dad, doing work at golf, bringing home the bacon. Ashton rockin' out and mom teaching all the little kids! (While hooking me up with goodies) I'm glad to hear that everything is going really well for you all at home. Here Elder Nowack's Spanish is getting better each day so that is cool to see. Our TRL last night went well. I thought Elder Nowack did so much better! So I'm happy to see he is doing well. I think he might be a temporary assignment. He told me that he sent his Visa stuff in like a month or two before he came!

I got a picture with Ethan. Elder Nowack took it so it's kind of close and you can't see the whole map.

Other things, not much is coming to mind right now. Must be nice eating at Javier's! I wish I could have good food...not only does it taste bad, it gives me nasty pedos! Also others in my district, so it's tough.

Oh, I remember something new! Sunday was really cool. We gave a priesthood blessing to our companion. It was way cool. Priesthood is awesome stuff. The Power of God to be exact.

Les amo mucho,

Elder Malan

September 9, 2010

Family!

Hey how is everyone doing? I am doing good here in the MTC. Hoepfully only about 11 days left here until I go to one of the biggest cities in the world! So I'm pretty excited. We are almost the oldest district in our zone now. There is one district ahead of us, but they leave Monday. So Monday we are the oldest! The TRC went well last night. I taught lesson 2 in Spanish. It went pretty good. My Spanish is coming along. I still have a lot of work to do though. Sounds like the cabin was a success. I bet it was pretty fun stuff. Here, just doing the same thing, trying to learn as much as I can en Espanol and doctrine. So it's good stuff.

That's sweet action Ash is swim captain now! Something I never was. (I wasn't a lot of things that he is though) So that is really cool. Wow hopefully he can step up and "Be the Man". I know he can do it. I hope that school and work is going well also? How are those lawns looking? I miss the smell of fresh cut grass and the look of it when you were done.

Dad said in his email that work is going well so I'm glad to hear that. I don't hear anything that is going on in the outside world. Only thing I heard is BYU won the other day. How is Weber doing?

For our fireside this week we had Elder Snow of the 70's. His talk was on choices. It was a good talk. I really liked it. Nothing else really happened in here, unfortunately. Well, love you all and dad, have a happy birthday!

Love you all :) les amo mucho,

Elder Malan

Feliz cumpleanos, dad!!!!

September 2, 2010

Mom, Dad, Misti-
Thanks for the letters and prayers this week! I love it so much and the others like it, too. This last week nothing really exciting happened, which I am sorry to say. It just went by way too fast! It's a good thing, but a hard thing as well. I need more time in here to learn all that I can! I don't have enough time in the day to get everything done so it's tough to study and learn Spanish and all that. But I am really starting to enjoy it and love it.
Tuesday night was pretty cool stuff. We had Elder Hinckley come talk about how we can be better missionaries and after we had a distict testimony meeting. It was just really awesome to hear and feel the spirit during the meeting.
Also, thanks for the pictures. I really like them. I'm not homesick so it's a perfect combo. Dad sure did make my bike a black beauty. It looks good. So does my truck. How are the lawns going for Ash? How are school/work for you two? I pray for you every prayer. How is Misti? Still kickin' I presume. That's good. I got a letter from Elder Malan and that was really cool. Only about two weeks so it's pretty crazy to think about. It's going to be intense, but I still have a lot to learn before then.
I'm glad your knee is feeling better, mom. That's good news about dad's back. Then the picture of the Island Park sunset is awesome! It's so beautiful.
But that's all for this carta. Thanks for all that you do for me and continue to do for me. Dios les bendecira mucho si seguen sus mandimientos! Get Ash to read the LDM (libro de Mormon). I bet if he reads the wars, it will interest him. I love the scriptures.
Les amo mucho!
Tu hijo,
Elder Malan

August 27, 2010

Hey Family!
These are my notes from Elder Holland's talk. I'm just going to write here what I want to say for my letter as well. (Elder Holland came and spoke to the missionaries at the MTC this week! Mason sent us all of the notes that he took. They are really cool! However, I did not include them in this posting.) This talk was really cool! Ever since I heard that one talk from him I have always wanted to hear him again. So I got the chance and I wrote down as much as I could. One of my favorite parts is when he said, "It wasn't easy for Jesus when he was in the Garden to pay for our sins, but God provided a way for him. So it's not going to be easy, but the Lord will help us through it. He will ease our burdens as it says in Mosiah 24:14." So that was cool. Then one more part that I didn't write down is he said, "This (meaning the Gospel) isn't Burger King. We don't hold the pickles. The is the Lord's Gospel and church. We need to do everything the Lord asks us to receive the blessings." Plus on Tuesday I got a package from mom so it was awesome. Tuesday was really good. Then last night we taught our first lesson in the TRC in Spanish with a lady from Honduras. It was cool, but really tough. But I could say everything I wanted to, so it was cool. I could understand about 3/5 of what she said-haha. That's not too bad if you ask me! So how are things going back at home? My bike is gone, so that's cool. Dads getting better it sounds like so that's good, too. Here, some missionaries are still struggling speaking Spanish. We have pretty much switched almost everything to Spanish now. So it's tough but we are making it through. To answer some of your questions, Rod has 3 kids. Elder Hille is from Salt Lake and went to Olympus (he is one of Mason's buddies there in the MTC). All of the missionaries in our district are going MCN. Elder Marsh is from Payson and went to Salem Hills (another buddy). And the temple is the house of the Lord fo sho! Our visas, no word on them. Our district leader is Elder Hopper from Phoenix, AZ. So it's all good. Thanks for all the support and prayers. It's awesome.
Les amo mucho!
Elder Malan

(pride is the universal sin, so stay humble) =)

August 19, 2010

Hey mom! Here is all good so far. That's cool those homies got home. Give them the what up for me when you see them. And ya this week did go by really quick huh? Already a month now! So that's pretty cool. But Elder Talbot is in the couple pictures where its just me and him. He went to Peru MTC a week ago. In my district everyone is going Mexico City North. In my zone there are about 20 missionaries going to Mexico. 5 got their visas a couple days ago and they still have a week or 2 left here. So there is hope for me! But the district before them got temporary assignments in Ogden, Oakland, Salt Lake, places like that so I know I should be outta here on time but to where not sure. And no I don't have a flash drive here. So thanks for the packages and stuff too. But i need my memory card back to take more pictures so that would be nice. We will take a picture by the map. I want to take one with Taylor Tabile but I don't have my memory card!haha all good. How are things at home? Thanks for all the prayers. My spanish is coming along, I'm just trying to remember more words. I can conjugate most of the irregular verbs correctly so now I just need to start learning more verbs and palabras. Are you guys partying it up or what in the O? I hope all is well. But time is of the essence so I need to hurry. My dang thing froze up on me so I had to exit out! But i just want to say thanks for being such good examples for me. I really appreciate it and thanks for the prayers. I'm trying to live the best I can so we can live forever with the Lord and Jesucristo! I know you are doing the same as well. Son siempre en mi oracions!
Elder Malan

August 12,2010

Hola familia! Como estan?
Estoy bien aqui. How is the family? This week went by quick. How are things at home? I heard that Makelle got sick. At least it's under control. What else is going on in the O? I don't hear about anything really, except from what you guys say. But here esta bien. I'm learning more about how to teach effectively and use the scriptures to show them then ask questions that makes them bear their testimony and see where the investigator is at . It's crazy how much you can learn when you're doing the Lord's work. Three weeks and I can almost do the first lesson in Spanish so it's pretty cool stuff! Still a lot to learn though about Spanish and everything. My teachers are really good. One - Hermano Zirkle - was BYU's Defensive End but quit to teach missionaries. I think that's crazy. He is huge and he is such a good guy. He has such a good spirit. I want to teach and preach like he does. He is so powerful. And my other teacher - Hermano Patterson - he's in one of the pictures. He is awesome, too. Funny and a really good guy. He has a bullet bike so that puts him up there also. I'm sending my memory card with this letter so hopefully it will be ok. Hopefully it gets there ok. Other than that this week has been decent. Hopefully it continues to get better and also my Spanish!
Love you all so much.
Mucho amor por mi familia,
Elder Malan

August 5, 2010

Wow! These last couple of days have been probably some of the best days of my life so far. Last Thursday, I was able to give my first priesthood blessing to my maestro. His back was hurting and he asked for a blessing. I hadn't given one before so he asked me to and it was so cool! Tuesday we had a fireside meeting. It was a really good message to soak up all the time you have on your mission. He said don't serve time, serve the Lord. I know that that is so true. After, we had a district meeting about the fireside and it was awesome. We each bore our testimonies of how we can each improve so we can work harder and be ready for the time we all go to Mexico City and bless the lives of the people there. I can't wait to do that. I just need to work more on my spanish, haha. We did contacting in spahish which went about a bazillion times better than last week. Then we taught in English and that went a bazillion times better also! We taught him the first lesson then we challenged him to pray and read a chapter in the BOM (2 NE 31) and ask if the Book of Mormon was true then we challenged him when he got his answer and he knew it was true to be baptised! He said if he felt like it was true he would do it! I'm not sureif he was a real investigator or practice but either way, it was awesome! Today we got back from the temple and it was the best session of my life for sure. I felt how the Lord has blessed me and my companion just this last week. We could of never have done as well as we did without the Lord helping us as much as he did. I thanked him so much for the blessing in my life. It took me 19 years to realize how great of a family I have.. which is really sad that it took that long to realize that my family is the best thing in the whole world. You guys send me a letter everyday and a package every week about! I'm so grateful for you mom and dad for the tremendous blessing you are in my life. I just want to tell you that now that you two are the reason of what I am today and why I'm on a mission serving the Lord. I love you so much! And another thing that was really cool is that the temple food is soooooooo much better than the dang mtc food. I wish I could eat the temple food for every meal! haha! But oh well, at least I get it once a week! Mom regarding that snake, I'm sorry that I am not there to take care of that problem for you. So get one of your other two men to go out there and take care of it ok? Bueno. I love you all so much thanks for being there for me everyday! I can feel your prayers :)
Elder Malan

First Email!!!

We received our first email today!!! It was so good to hear from him! He said that the first couple of days were long but he has an awesome maestro (teacher) who gave him some good advice that he and his family will be blessed and he will be a phenomenal missionary. He really appreciates the letters that have been sent. It sounds like the Spanish is coming along pretty well for him! Elder Malan says he doesn't like the food very much! His companion is from a really small town in Nevada. The other two elders in his room are Elder Stephonson and Elder Birtcher. They are pretty cool. He says he can't wait till Hunter and Ethan get there. "I never realized how great of friends I have. They are so good to me with everything." He gives some advice to them to study how to pray in Spanish-it will make the first couple of days easier! Elder Cook of the 70's came and spoke to them last Tuesday about how to be a better missionary. They also watched a talk from Elder Holland that was pretty powerful. He spoke about how this work is so important because missionaries are bringing others unto Christ and the waters of baptism. He is excited to get to Mexico!
He would love to hear from you! He appreciates all prayers on his and his companions behalf! He probably would not turn down a goodie package that was sent to him either!!!
Thanks for your love and support for Elder Malan!

First Letter!!

What's up family? The first day was pretty intense! It's different being with kids I don't know but I'm gunna have to adjust and live with it. It's pretty cool the system they have here. How they do everything. So its cool. I'm not supposed to write anything too long so I'll wrap it up. My comp's name is Elder Nowack. He's pretty chill. He is from a small town in Nevada called Round Mountain. He's cool. Tell Ethan not to bring gum. They don't want it in here. Well I love you all.

Love, Elder Malan

P.S. My P-days are Thursdays. But tomorrow isn't one for us. So send me letters still.

P.S.S. Tell babes to send me pictures and letters.


Drop off at the MTC


With Michael, Makelle and Ashton.