Mom you're right I don't have much time.  I don't have time to put photos on but once I get into the field I should have more time and I will be able to email anybody.  The tracting went well I gave out some pass along cards.  We went and attempted to teach a lesson, but the guy we went to teach was hungover from the night before, and he still had some of the alcohol in his system.  It was really interesting.  I think it was good for me to see that early on.  I leave here on Wednesday morning.  We have to get up at 4:30.  Today I am going to the mall.  I doubt I will buy anything because I would have to exchange money.

I gave a blessing to Elder Wae (way).  He is one of my roommates.  He had a high fever and the chicken pox.  I gave him the blessing on Wednesday and he is almost completely healed.  He only has a few spots left.  That is the first time I've seen the power of the priesthood work like that.  It is amazing.  I found a scripture in 1 Nephi 17:50-51.  I wrote in my scriptures next to it, "If God commands it, I can do it.  If if can happen to them, it can happen to me."

Love and miss you guys,
Elder Cecil

How are you all doing?  I'm doing great, I love being here.  Today I get to go out and tract with some of the missionaries from the Joburg mission.  I'm excited but I'm a little nervous because I will be teaching in a real situation for the first time.  But I know if I just teach with the Spirit then I won't have any problems.  We do a lot of practice lessons with the elders and with our teachers.  Yesterday we did some practice lessons with some members from the area.  It is so much more difficult than I expected.  Trying to find what the investigators need is the hardest part, once you do that then it is easier to teach the lessons.

We spend a lot of time in classes, but our teachers keep us busy so its not like it is real difficult to stay focused.  It is amazing to learn about how many different things are involved with teaching lessons.  You aren't supposed to jump around but then you are also supposed to teach what the people need.  It is hard to balance but the mediator is always the spirit.  We also have to be in unity with our companion so that we never have one sided lessons.  Meaning that we have to teach back and forth and not take too much time speaking at once.  There is a lot to take in but I love the constant companionship of the Spirit here.

Dad it will all work out in Milford, my prayers are with you.  Did you feed Copper today?  Oh and Dasher says hi.

Love you guys.

Love,
Elder Cecil

District @ the MTC

(Brett's companion is right in front of him.)

I'm doing great.  I love it here.  I'm only allowed to email the parents.  We had about about 10 on the first flight then we got a couple more for the big one.  My companion, Elder Dube (no relation to President Dube), is great.  He basically has the scriptures memorized.  We were called as the AP's of the MTC.  I'm in the Helaman Distict.  We are pretty busy.  Up at 6:30, breakfast at 7, personal study at 7:30, comp study at 8:30, lessons at 9, lunch at 12:30, lessons at 1:30, dinner at 5, lessons at 6 until 9.  The spirit is so strong here all the time.  It is absolutely amazing.  I'm starting to learn some Shona from Elder Dube.  All the other elders are so awesome.  They all just love to have fun and laugh.  I don't have much time so I better wrap up.  If you write me any more letters address them to the mission home.  I love you guys.

Love,
Elder Cecil

I made it safely to the MTC.  It was the longest fifteen hours of my life.  I had a really nice man sitting next to me on the flight to Atlanta.  He gave me an envelope with $100 and a note asking me to use it to help someone during the Christmas holidays, and asked me to write him to tell him how I helped the people.  I think that he gave one to another one of the Elders.  The MTC President is from St. George, Elder Christiansen.  I just wanted to tell you I got here safe and I will email you again on Saturday.

Love,
Elder Cecil

He's outta here...

 All ready to head to the airport.

 Last "tasty" American meal.

 Lots of hugs and goodbye tears.

And then he was gone.

(Yes, we did have to watch Mama Les to make sure she didn't go through security too.)

Take good care of him Zimbabwe.