MTC BUZZZ>>> WELCOME ELDER ARCHULETA

"It's the Day After Tomorrow" as sung by David himself. 3/28/12 is a great day to all of us who have enjoyed listening to a voice from someone whom we could relate to, a Brother of our own and now and Elder amongst us, so with that said we welcome Elder David Archuleta to the MTC this day. What a great time to be here at MTC

Things continue to grow clearer each day to me,  as does my purpose and this calling. I am blessed, as well all the other's here are, for the choice I have made to serve this Mission. I see those blessings in the eyes I look into and the voices of testimonies, my favorite sharing time.

I want my family and friends to know that I have a ever increasing Testimony of Jesus Christ. My experiences here have been great and far to numerous to mention and I know that I have chosen the right path.

Love,
Elder Draper

PS(Mom can you post Elder Archuleta's uTube Mission announcement on the blog! I, as did the world, rejoice in that moment). Love Ya

ONE BY ONE THEY DEPART....

Hi Mom, Dad, and all,

So ya it has been a pretty good week! The practices for the choir are killing me!!!! 2 of my favorite Elders left this morning for there mission! They were in the District above us and they all got reassigned because there visas had not come in! I wouldn't be surprised if I had to stay here a couple more weeks or got reassigned cause rumor is the Argentina visas are just getting slower and slower. So we will see, Ummm we are supposed to leave April 24.

Names in my district are:

Elder Travis Witherell

Elder Brennan Neilson

Elder Tanner Boyer

Me

Hermana Elise Leavitt

Hermana Leigh Andreason

Herman Amanda Fernley

Hermana Laurel Cahoon

But I still have not heard from Brelynn or Kenn, but Bromleys did write me a couple of days ago!   I am constantly writing you guys and the Robinsons! Lynette sends me cupcakes all the time which is very nice of her!

Can you do me a favor and get me LPHS address to write Sue and some teachers and could you ask Sister Hodges that like a couple days before I leave if she can like meet me by my residence and I can give her some stuff to bring back to you guys cause I have allot of stuff! 

I will probably send you a short email this afternoon.

Love ya!

Love,

Elder Draper

"I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving." PSALMS 69:30

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"Music has boundless powers for moving families toward greater spirituality and devotion to the gospel. Latter-day Saints should fill their homes with the sound of worthy music."

-- "First Presidency Preface," Hymns, 1985, x What a special meaning this Quote has brought to the Draper family as we have just found out that Elder Draper will be singing with the MTC Choir in the Saturday afternoon session of the 182nd General Conference broadcast.  We are so thankful that he may share his testimonty to family, friends and Elder's across the world   May "The Spirit" fill your homes and your hearts be touched as we gather together as Brothers's and Sister's.   Thank you Heavenly Father for this blessing among blessing! Sister, Draper

The Few The Proud The "District Leader"

Hey Mom!


So did you get the pictures I sent you???

On Sunday I was called to be District Leader.  The picture in front of the Temple, dated 3/18/12 is my District.  The names are as follows: Top Row Right to Left:  Hermana Ferrley, Hermana Andreason, Hermana Cahoon and Hermana Leavitt.  Bottom Row same sequence:  Elder Boyer, Me, Elder Neilson, and Elder Witheren.  I am sending a few more this week one with the entire Zone and another with a Hermana I had as a counselor at EFY awhile back, cool huh?  There is also a silly one of me and my  roomates or as they preferred to be called my "Sandlot Brothers".  We have a great time and draw from each others strenghts.  

This week has been pretty good! We are no longer the new district here we actually are going to be the oldest in a few days! I also got picked to sing in General Conference but.... Elder ? didn't get chosen and he really wanted to, soo I don't think I am going to do it, cause I would feel really bad!

It's crazy that I've been here for 4 weeks tommorow! They always say that the days feel like weeks and the weeks feel like days! It is sooo true! The days are long in reality but it makes falling alseep pretty easy and I bet you don't miss turning off that TV either right?  Ha

I hope Wyatt and Lyndsey are doing ok! I got a letter from Grandma yesterday! It was nice to hear from her! Tell Lyn's, Misty, Grams, etc I will write as I have time.  Also thanks to all who have been sending packages or treats, it means alot to find a little something at the end of the day.  Mom, thanks for looking out for my roomies as well, they look forward to my packages about as much as I do!

I also took a pic with those ugly wigs haha but ya when it is printed out I will send it to ya, what a hoot! Only you mom, can come up with something that crazy but it was alot of laughs!

Sorry my emails are not very long there is always like a line and people get impatient but ya! I miss you lots and hope all is well, love you all lots.


Love,
Elder Draper

Short But Sweet....

I don't have allot of time to email but I will write a long letter tonight and send it tomorrow.Are you surviving without me!? haha Hope all is well still getting by here at the MTC!  I basically had chicken pox that are not contagious for a couple days but they are going away and  the rash is basically gone now.! Perhaps it was the dounle immunization that was given incorrectly they looked horrible for a few days and were very uncomfotable although the diagnosis was pityrasis roseas and duration was 4-12 weeks I am almosr healed.  Another miracle. 

 Did you know they serve a pretty decent steak here at the MTC! no lie!  The food is good and plentiful for sure.

I mailed some pics today I don't have time to do a long email right now but later today I will!  I will write ya later this evening. Oh and I have a ton of different stamps so I'm not like writing allot of people I just use whatever stamp I have around me kk

Hope all is well love and miss ya!


Love,
Elder Draper

Another Great Week!!

So I really don't have like time to email during laundry it really just depends on whether a computer is open or not in the laundry room. But ya I heard about LPHS winning! Good for them that is very exciting! Well I don't know how to send pics over the email but I ordered some prints today that I can mail you! A week ago from today we got to hear from Elder Holland which was amazing and 2 days ago we had a fire side with Alex Boye who is an LDS singer which was wayy cool!

Things are going good here! I think I am getting used to the schedule a little bit. We basically wake up at 6:30 and go till 10:30 at night no time for naps. Spanish is coming along decently! I can bear a simple testimony in Spanish! The MTC really isn't as bad as everyone made it out to be! I have an amazing Zone and district! There is an Hermana in my District that went to LPHS Hermana Elise Leavitt! I kinda new her when I was a sophomore and she was a senior but I love her she is great! Also Sarah Brunsdales older sister Hermana Kaitlyn Brunsdale is in the class next to me! So we talk allot!

Elder Boyer and I are getting along great! He is a way funny kid! ummmmm Gym time isn't as long as I'd like it to be but it is always something I look forward to everyday! That and TALL which is kind of like a Rosetta Stone program and we do language practice with that!

Tell the family I miss em! and give my baby Binxy a big hug!  Love and Miss you!

Love, Elder Draper

p.s. no Mr. Mac deliveries yet

p.s.s Send me cupcakes from Cocoa Bean my roommates and I love them! =) Love you!

Alas News...

Hey Mom and Dad.Glad you got my letter! Well so far I really like it here at the MTC! My companion is great! His name is Elder Boyer from Sandy! My zone has made me feel really welcomed! They are indeed a funny bunch of kids, kinda remind me of like The Sandlot gang or the Stand By Me Boys or The Goonies ha just cause we are all so different but we all get along!

My Prep Day is Tuesday... so today! Hope all is well back home! I miss you guys and I miss my baby Binxy! haha Tell Wyatt Happy Birthday for me! I hope he is having a good day! So I will probably email you around this time because it is my laundry time and there are computers in the laundry room! It is snowing right now and I absolutely hate it haha but oh well! I saw Sister Hodges the other day! It was good to see a familiar face from the neighborhood! I have seen allot of my friends here and we are getting a big LPHS picture by the map so I am excited about that! Well my laundry is almost done. Hope all is well miss you and love you! I love you!

Love, Elder Draper

Little Boys and Snow....

Just what is the magic that little boys see in snow?  The morning of his 11th birthday Wyatt awakes to see his favorite blanket lying outside his window across the lawn.  He springs to his feet and quickly dresses heading for the garage to find his coveted snow shovel.  Before I could wish him Happy Birthday he is out the door to be the first to clear the sidewalks. Little does he know he is a blessing in disguise, but again I ask what is the magic that little boys see in snow.  

I on the other hand  patiently wait for my coveted letter from Elder Draper.  Snow has never been one of his favorite things in life though he was a hot shot on his snowboard.  Nope he, as everyone knows, was the Sun Seeker. Argentina should serve him well as he will rarely if ever see snow in his mission.  Lots of rain and I mean drenching rains! 

I still miss tripping over his shoes at the front door and fighting over the radio station when we were in the same car but most of all I miss him at the end of the day when all is said and done.  I am comforted however by his first prayers of "Now I lay me down to sleep" and know that he truely rest in the Lord's service, how greatful I am. 

Time to resucue "Snow Plow Man" and get him off to schoool with donughts and invitations to Paint Ball party Saturday in hand.  Alas Dan is home for the weekend to take cover with with the renigade. 

Wishing everyone reading, peace and happiness throughout your day.


Love,
Sister Draper  

Thank Heaven For ....

Visting Teachers, Branch President's wives, Missionary moms, Missionary friends, Grandma Daughter (Misty), and last but not least Scriptures and Prayers, it just dosen't get better then that.  Each have a special way to enlighten this fresh journey making each step a little easier.  I'm not saying that I don't still feel like a fish out of water yet, but at least I can breathe. Genisis 2:7. 

I have just learned we have won an all exspense paid  trip today to "The Little Shop of Horrors" (Mt Pleasant) for a full day of luxurious labor on Dan's home there.  This was one of  Elder Draper's favorite places to hang out (NOT).  Though there is much work to be done on this old homestead when it is finished it will be a nice retreat for the us, kids, and grandkids,  after fishing, four wheeling etc not to mention a great spot to freshen up after camping atop Skyline Drive (Gooseberry).  

A special thanks to Misty, who has patiently supported me with the design and constant updates to this blog.  She has always been a wealth of knowledge with technical support and I'm sure she can't wait to teach me Iphone 101, or maybe not she did mention free Verizon classes at store locations. (LOL) 

The sun has rose now so that means Elder is up and crack'n the whip so I better be doing the same.  Have a gret day all and  "God Be With You Til We Meet Again"

Love,
Sister Draper 

Messages of Love

Elder Draper sends his love to all and waits to hear from each of you.  Kindly leave reply comments and I will forward them in my weekly emails to him.  In order to expedite  Elder Draper's 30 minute email window on Tuesday,  please send letters via Dear Elder by Friday so that he can  view and be prepaired to respond.  Please note the MTC address, letter /package delivery  services to the left.  Thank you for helping him and our family rejoice in his service.  


Diana Draper

Rise and Shine

I woke to a beautiful sunrise and in the still of the moment I could feel the Spirit whisper, "It Is Well" and I knew I would face the day with more strength then I had the previous day. I am not going to say I did not miss turning the TV off for him last night and pulling the covers over him this morning for a few more hours of shut eye. His presence is all around me with dirty socks on the floor from yesterday to his Missionary pics and farewell messages remaing on the dinning room table, things that I will put away but his smile I will forever hold near in my heart.
I can see his laughter on the way to breakfast hall this morning seeking out that new friend in which to begin building memories with, he is so like that. No one is ever a stranger to him and everyone will be drawn to him, a gift since birth.

Well its time to start that first MTC letter, after all he will never find his laundry bag in the jungles of his suitcase. Laundry this week should get intresting for him not his favorite thing to do and in a style of his own. I'm sure he will have it mastered in the next two weeks, his wardrobe will most definitely be one of the things he will miss.

With a deep breath and sigh I think I'm up for this day!

Mom

Three Hours Later

Were home kids settled in, Dan on phone Grams holding my hand as it is just so much to take in.
Going to put off packing the remainder of the his room for a few days may need to call in the "Brom Squad" for help, she always brightens my day and means so much to Wade. I will miss thier laughter in the basement, thanks Brey for just being you. Your memories will give him things to laugh about when there is nothing else to laugh about and that will make everyday a bright one for him. I miss him already just tripped over his shoes imagine that.

Mom

This Is The Day 2/22/2012

Up at 6am to finalize packing and listen to those last words of advice. Recieving a blessing and giving a blessing to Mom, memories I will treasure. She's trying to hold up, but in her presence, I feel her rapid heartbeat, see her trembling hands and watch her try to supress the tears that have welded up for days. What an incredible flower Heavenly Father has blessed me with for 19 years. Her perfume will linger for days on my collar as she hugs me with an intent to never let go. I will forever be greatful for her unconditional love and leaving her is a partof me I will keep to myself.

Lyn's and Wyatt are doing much better today then last night when I was a "Set Apart", I think that's the first time they realized this is real and tears flowed unexpectedly. To my suprise those "little pains" in that instant, grew to be something I will miss on a daily basis.

Grams pulled it off with a sensational prayer as only she can do. Though not LDS her testimony has increased mine and I will forever be in her debt (literally) LOL.

Dad was strong, and after looking beyond a Sea of Kleenex, it was a relief to not see anymore runny red noses. He has always been the ROCK.

I said my goodbyes to Binkz, who was clueless to the event but still gave me his soft snuggle against my face, thankfully he had not just eaten that stinky cat food.

Bags being hauled to the car with my goal of hitting Tweeter 1000 on the way down to the MTC, mom wil have to let all know if I hit it.

Goodbye all, like so many others, I'm counting on those letters to keep things light! I want all to know I have a strong testimony of Jesus Christ and I am so thankful to be able to serve him in the Bueno Aires West Mission.

D&C 42:6,
Elder Wade Draper