Three Letter Day!!!

June 22, 2013

Dear Family,

How are you guys doing? Are you getting these? I’ve sent one every night so I hope so. Man I miss you guys. Today we taught Sister Cherry Mae…it went alright I guess. We have gym time at the end of the day though, which makes up for it.

 Earlier, I was having issues just not clicking with Elder Carver. I started getting down and he instantly fixed everything. It is so hard. I’m not a huge fan of studying for tatlo hours (3 hours).

I am so excited for the conference tomorrow; the MTC is a mess because of it. Lunch and dinners are out of the sack now. Well I love you guys.

Keeping my shoes on!

Love,

Elder Minson

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June 23, 2013

Dear Family,

Today was a crazy and hard day. We “taught” our first investigator. It was so hard, the language is easy but I drew a huge blank. It’s not like the stage where I can hide behind a character. I am trying to make it that easy though and it’s slowly moving.

These first couple days have been long but are getting shorter. I met an Elder named Elder Lloyde, he reminds me so much of Joey. He is like my father figure during free time.

Worst thing I’ve had is I was chosen to say the first prayer in Illango. I totally froze, it was the most embarrassing thing ever. The sisters and Brother Spencer(?), our teacher were really kind about it though. It was a humbling experience for me.

Life is so simple yet complicated here. I wake up, get ready, at 8am eat, study, lessons, 1pm eat, lessons, teach, study, 6:30 pm eat, gym, study, then bed. The days are so long, 3 hours in a classroom is a lot.

I am striving to be the best leader I can be. I love you all. Please let my friends know about 

DearElder.com.

Keeping my shoes on!

Love,

Elder Minson

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June 24, 2013

Dear Family,

Well this is my last letter until Thursday. Today was just amazing. Every meeting was so uplifting and spiritual. I have never felt so uplifted in my life I learned today that I’m not the only one struggling. My district bonded today so well that the spirit is going to strive in us to help one another grow.

The Leadership Conference was fantastic. I did cry, I couldn’t help it. The choir was amazing. Me and elder Carver are joining this week. I was fascinated by the Apostles on our Heavenly Father. Their presence was just so amazing. I love this gospel.

I feel more confident in myself now. I am becoming strong in the gospel, and the language won’t stop me from that.

I love you all so much! Please keep in touch and get my friends to send (letters)as well.

I’m keeping my shoes on and so should you!

Love,

Elder Minson

Letter #2 - Called as District Leader in the MTC

June 20, 2013

Dear Family,

First full day in the MTC. It has been long, like I’ve been told the first 3 days are. I have found much success in many areas today. I was made and called as District Leader. It is a huge responsibility, especially with only my companion and 12 sisters to take care of.

I want to correct my last letter my P-Days are on Thursday, so letters will come on weekends

The language is difficult but Elder Carver and I are doing very well. Tomorrow we are teaching an investigator on the plan of salvation in Hillgaynon (Hil-ee-guy-noon). Which is gonna be crazy since we have had 2 days. We will do great through.

If you can, send me some stamps I would love to receive some. I can send a letter everyday until Sunday. The stamps here are .48 cents a stamp. So that would be really nice.

The stress is getting to me a bit, but I know I can finish this strong. The other Elders keep me going. Every night the guys are laughing and chilling. It is fantastic.

I love you guys. I am keeping my shoes on!

Love,

Elder Minson

This was a misfire when we dropped him off, but it is so fitting considering his
farewell talk and the continuing theme of this letter

First Letter - Received June 21, 2013

June 19^th, 2013

Dear Family,

I have survived my first day on campus! It has been crazy, but I am catching along. The other Elders are fantastic. My companion is amazing and it’s probably because….I KNOW HIM!! His name is Christopher Carver. He went to junior High with me and debate. It is amazing.

I have learned that Oo means yes, and the vowels are the same as Spanish so I can read it decently. I also have learned that Elder Carver and I are the only Elders in our district. Yup,12 sister missionaries.

The language is tough and fast, but I feel I am going to adapt easily.

Our first big meeting or orientation we sang the Hymn “We Have Been Called” and instead of the line “We will be the Lords Missionaries” we sang “We are NOW the Lords missionaries”. It was so cool to say that, it sent shivers down my spine.

It is amazing to be around everyone here they are amazing Men and Women. I’m scheduled on Monday for P-Days so expect letters Tuesday or Wednesday.

I love you, stay strong, and keep me in your prayers.

Love,

Elder Minson

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You can reach Brock at the following address

Elder Brock Thomas Minson
JUL31 PHI-BAC
2007 N 900 E Unit 20
Provo UT 84602

Email:
MinsonMail@gmail.com

MTC or bust!!!

It has been such a roller coaster of a ride. Two and half months ago we were saying that we have plenty of time and then....

Today was not with out its drama. We woke up early, finished packing his bags and hit the road. We stopped by Grandma and Grandpa Minson's to say good bye. Though it was mostly tearless the feelings were so strong as Grandma and Grandpa reminded him the most important thing was to follow the rules and everything would be alright. I know that to be true.  They are so strong and they are such great examples I know there were so many things Brock wanted to say but couldn't I think they were really trying to be strong for each other.

Brock's Grandma has Leukemia and only time will tell if the treatments will work. We pray daily for her and Brock is aware of the possibilities and fortunately he and his Grandmother have had the tender conversation about the "What ifs". He loves his grandmother a great deal and in our family prayers he prays for her with great power. He understands the plan of salvation and knows no matter what happens she will always be with him.

After leaving grandmas, we went and picked up some last minute things at Walmart and then headed to Provo, perfectly on schedule. We rolled into Orem around 11:15am and stopped at Golden Corral for lunch. The cashier told us that Missionaries eat for free. Which was a pleasant surprise. We enjoyed all the food we could stuff down, including cotton candy which Brody and Brigham each eat two cones worth.

Walking out to the car I felt around in my pockets for the keys and they were not there. I asked Tonya if she had them and of course..... I locked em in the car. Needless to say I got very quite and Brock had a little outburst of excitement :) but not to worry the Calvary came charging in. Actually, it was the Orem City Police after I called them and told them we had a missionary in distress. They sent over a police officer who arrived with in 15 minutes and had us in the car with in two minutes. Which a good thing or we might have gotten to the MTC too early. (Good thing Brock's genius dad factored in extra time for possible delays. When I woke up thinking schedule, I kind of knew something would happen.)

We parked across the street from the MTC and took a few pictures and walked over to the temple where we ran into Brock's Friend Micheal Miller. They hugged each other like brothers, I am not sure how close of friends they were in school but on this campus they seemed like they were in it together. Amazing how the feelings of Brotherhood are immediate when you are in the service of your Father.

We only had a few minutes to visit and then it was our turn to experience "the curb". It was every bit as painful as we feared but it was so quick we didn't have to suffer long. Like ripping off a band aide he was off. I gotta hand it to the Host who met us at the curb. He was so polite and kind to Tonya and the boys. He greeted Brock with a hand shake and asked where he was going. He then shook Brody's hand and asked where he was going. True to form Brody said, "Home". It was funny and really helped lighten the mood which was pretty heavy at the time.

We could tell the elder was dragging his feet so we could hug and kiss good bye. Even now the tears flood my eye thinking of that embrace. I will miss Brock for the child he has been and I look forward to seeing the man he will become. We love that boy and we will miss him sorely, but I can tell you he is doing the right thing serving our Father in Heaven and will be successful in bringing the gospel into the lives of many of His children. As we pulled away from the curb my heart was breaking but by the time we hit the street my tears had dried up and the empty feeling I had in my heart was soon filled and I was completely calm and confident that everything was the way it was supposed to be.

Any parent getting ready to send a missionary out can be assured this may feel like the toughest thing you will every have to go through but the spirit follows these young men and women and I know, all things will be made up and returned to their perfect order if we just have the faith to see us through the trial.

I am so grateful for all the tender mercies. I am grateful for my sons faith, the cashier at Golden Corral, The police officer, the high school friend and a caring MTC host; but most of all, I am grateful to my Father in Heaven for blessing my life with such a faithful son who is serving a mission... Officially today.

 

Ready... Get set (apart) and tomorrow he goes.

Woke up early this morning and prepared to go to the temple. Surprisingly, I didn't have to wake Brock up. He was ready before Tonya and I were. We made it to the temple by 9am and enjoyed the time we had to share there. (BTW Brock looks good in white.)

We spent the better part of the day shopping for last minute mission items. Finally we found our selves in the Stake Presidents office at 6:45pm. As we prepared to set Brock apart, we heard from President Crosby and President McDermott. They then called on Tonya and I to bear our testimony. We were asked to bear our testimony for Brock to hear and to be able to hold onto while he served. Tonya is amazing and has such a deep love of the gospel and for her Savior. Brock is so lucky to have such an incredible mother.

Finally Brock stood, He bore witness of the truth of the Book of Mormon. He expressed his love of the gospel and his Savior and for his leaders. He stood there with a look in his eyes that he knew what he was saying was true. It was an amazing day.

Coming to the Lord's House.

Brock Minson at the Bountiful Temple - 6-11-2012
Tom Nielsen (Grandpa) Tonya Minson, Brock Minson, Randy Minson

Today, Brock finally made it to the temple. He had to graduate High School before they would issue him a temple recommend. Friday night he graduated and Sunday he spoke in sacrament meeting for his farewell talk. Later was interviewed by the Stake president and today... He finally made his way to the temple. What a fantastic day.

When we arrived at the temple, he was taken to the offices and had his personal information reviewed for accuracy. While there, Bountiful Temple Recorder Quinton Johnson said he would try and make the day a little more memorable for Brock. As we were sitting in the office, 6 men entered the room each a newly called member of the quorum of the seventy. Two from the first quorum and 4 from the second quorum. Terence M. Vinson, Arnulfo Valenzuela, Adrian Ochoa, Randy D. Funk, Timothy J Dyches and Edward Dube.

The spirit was strong as they shock our hands and congratulated Brock on making it to the temple and preparing to serve a mission. One of the general authorities asked when he will be entering the MTC. When Brock told him June 19th he said good we will see you there. They told us they would be there at the same time to get their training. That should give Brock something to look forward to (as if he is in need of something to look forward to)

The Temple President, Robert Garff later instructed Brock and a couple other missionaries about the sacred nature of the temple and three of these Brethren sat in that meeting as well.

It was a fantastic day to be in the temple. It was amazing to see Brock there learning and trying to absorb all that was happening. As a dad, I can tell you this young missionary is ready to take on the world and I am convinced he will overcome the challenges before him and he will be an outstanding missionary.

It's a good day.

Time to Talk

Brock gave his farewell talk today in the West Point 12th Ward. He had so many friends and family come to hear him speak. Tonya and I are so appreciative of each and everyone who came to wish him well. He has fantastic friends who are a tight-knit group, who support and lift each other, who have been such a good influence in Brock's life, Thanks guys.

Brock did a great Job talking on how he personal prepared to serve a mission narrowing it down to three things: Scripture Study, Prayer and attending church. Simple concepts that will strengthen even the weakest of testimonies.

Following Sacrament meeting we gathered with our friends to say good bye. We are so thankful to all those who wrote notes of encouragement and advice to Brock. He will get alot of mileage of some like "Don't a Cat" or "Eat a cat, I hate Cats". I particularly liked "Just because it is cooked doesn't mean you should eat it"

Great day for the Minson family!

Graduation Day! Finally we can start finishing our preparations!

 Finally, Graduation Day is here. Even though Brock was able to submit his papers and begin getting ready to go on his mission, he couldn't have his interview for his temple recommend until he meet all the qualifications which included... wait for it..... GRADUATION!

On Sunday Brock will give his farewell talk in sacrament meeting. Then he will finally meet with the Stake President for his temple recommend interview. We will be in the Temple on Tuesday June 11, 2013, Exactly one week before he is set apart as a missionary.

Brock's Open House Information

Learn about the Philippines

Click here to learn more about Brock's Mission