Almost One Month

I'm almost one month in. I can't believe it! This Wednesday will be the four week mark and Saturday will be the one month mark. I feel so young but at the same time I feel so old. Things at the MTC are going really well.

I have seen SO many people I know that I can't even keep track of them anymore. Today I was in the Provo temple and I saw two temple workers who worked Wednesday mornings in the Mt. Timp. temple (I used to do baptisms every Wednesday morning for a year and a half.) And while I was walking to do laundry, I saw someone who was one of my best friends at Willow Valley. I can't believe how many people I see. And yesterday I met someone named Elder McClinchy (I think) whose older sister married my cousin Layne Squires. It was crazy.

Tahitian and French are coming along. It's weird to do "SYL" (speak your language) when you have very limited vocabulary in both languages and you don't know which one to speak. But I do like both of them a lot. I can bear my testimony, and pray fairly well in both languages.

We taught our first lesson in Tahitian last week. It was hard, but our "investigator" (our teacher - who acts like an investigator he once had) acted like he was drunk and so not only was the language barrier a problem but the fact that he kept asking us our names and where we were from threw us off very much. And I learned that it's offensive to turn down food that is offered to you. I guess it makes sense, but when you don't realize that a box of chalk is supposed to be fake food you aren't excited to eat it. Ha.

Things are really good. We are going to continue teaching a French "investigator" and get things started with our Tahitian one. One of our other French "investigators" agreed to be baptized. Even though it was not real and we aren't actually going to baptize him, the Spirit was so strong when he said yes and I was smiling so big when he told us that after praying he felt that baptism was the right thing for him. It makes me so happy to hear about the work really continuing outside of the MTC. This week has been great.

Also, my testimony of the Savior and His love increased so much this week. I am not the kind of person who cries when I feel the Spirit, but for the last few days I have cried whenever I think about being a child of God or whenever the Spirit hits me very strongly. Even if tears aren't my thing, the feeling inside of me is incredible.

I really do love this work. I am committed to being the best I can be for the Lord. I know that love and patience changes people, even ourselves. So, family and friends, go out in the world and love others and yourself as the Savior does. Because I know that He loves each of us so much. We have been given so many great things. How hard would it be to share it? I love you all!

Love, Elder Squires

p.s. I leave four weeks from today!

Provo temple on a beautiful day

I practiced bearing my testimony in Tahitian to a water outlet in a building. (I felt like I was talking to a brick wall.)

This screen is on every computer in the MTC. Do you recognize the last name?

Teaching In Two Languages

What happened?? This last week flew by! I am amazed at how quickly the clock ticks when you are busy. 

I moved into my Tahitian district on Tuesday night so I have officially had my first transfer in the mission. My new companions are great. Elder Brunson is from Cedar City, Utah and Elder Tago is from Australia, but he is an Islander at heart. They are both really great.

I taught my first lesson in French on Wednesday. That was a huge shock to me. I never realized how little gospel French I knew. I have been studying it a lot more now. 

We started Tahitian on Thursday and it is the craziest language ever. The hardest part is that one teacher will tell you one thing and the other will tell you something different and they are both right because Tahitian is a "newly written" language. It was only written 200 years ago and so there aren't really any rules which is a bit strange. But I can now say I love you in three languages. I can bear testimony, and I can pray in all three of them. I feel pretty cool sometimes when I hear a prayer that goes from Tahitian, to French, to English and I understand all of it.

The best thing that happened this week was probably one of the lessons we taught. We were teaching about baptism and how important it was and we started to talk about the priesthood and how it was restored. My companion didn't understand that our investigator was saying that he wanted to think about it before he committed to being baptized. So my companion tried to set a baptismal date and the investigator and I starting laughing really hard. It was the greatest thing ever. I can't wait to do that when I'm teaching a lesson in Tahitian.

I can't even express how great it is to be here at the MTC. It is hard to not be out doing the work but I am so not ready to go to Tahiti so I'm grateful to be here. I couldn't be more happy.

We watched the Joseph Smith movie last night and I felt the Spirit so strongly. I know this is the true church. I know that Christ lives. As we draw closer to Christ we realize how true this Church is.

Ua ite au e o Iesu Mesia to matou faaora. Je sais que Jesus-Christ est notre Redempteur. I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior. I love you all so much! 

Keep praying and reading your scriptures. Helaman 3:35 (I think) talks about how we need to continue to do the small things that will bring us daily closer to Christ.

Love, Elder Squires

Elder Dayton and I Are Going to Opposite Ends of The World!

My First District

Does he look familiar? (Elder Josh Savage)

I try not to wrestle too much, but sometimes I can't resist doing one quick move!

The beginning of Tahitian study...it's crazy!

My new companions. Guess who is who?

Your-a-na!

May 31, 2013

The subject line means "hello" in Tahitian (that's not how you spell, I don't know how to.) I love being here. Things are so great. Yesterday I went to the French consulate. It was the most crazy experience of my life. I woke up at 2:15ish and got ready, met my group at 3, drove to Salt Lake, they referred to me as the smart elder because I skipped my French training. We arrived at the airport at 4, and relaxed for a while. We didn't board until 5:50. Our plane was tiny. Okay, it was still a bigger plane but it was only four seats wide and maybe 20 seats deep. It was pretty small. The flight took two hours. I was so sick when I was done! The turbulence was pretty bad while we were flying through the clouds but it was so pretty to see the sunrise over this sea of clouds.

There were six people total in my group. We got so lost in the San Francisco airport. We spent probably an hour trying to find our way around. We found our driver and then went to the consulate. We turned in our visa applications and that was it. It was really quick. We met someone who is Hindu and we met a bunch of other people. We went to Pier 39 and ate lunch at 11. We placed a lot of pass-along cards and one Book of Mormon.

We almost missed our 12:30 boarding time, but we didn't! We got to the gate at 12:45 and they were only beginning to board. That plane was much bigger and faster. Our flight was much quicker and I slept most of the way. We arrived in Salt Lake at 3:30, people thought we were coming home from our missions, it was the funniest thing. Some families who were waiting for their missionaries saw us and starting freaking out. I felt really bad that we caused them to freak out.

We took Trax and then Frontrunner all the way to Provo. We had a driver come pick us up and we were back at the MTC by 6 pm. That was crazy. Flying on planes is a lot of fun. I love seeing the clouds and the feeling of take-off. But landing and turbulence make me sick.

I love speaking French and I am excited to start learning the gospel in French and Tahitian. This is a great work and I've only just begun. I hope you're all enjoying life as much as I am. Have hope! Faith is dead without hope. I love you!

Elder Squires

I think I sent pictures of my district's nametags, my books, and my French name tag with a "dork dot". I have so many books! Probably about two or three times more than everyone else. It's funny. I can't read my Tahitian scriptures but I can read my French ones. Also, I don't have the Doctrine and Covenants or Pearl of Great Price in Tahitian, it's strange, I know.

Name tags of Missionaries in Brandon's District

Brandon's stack of books - 2 to 3 times more than anyone else?

Brandon's name tag in French (with a "dork" dot)

Bonjour!

May 24, 2013

 

 Hello Everyone!

 

I arrived safely to the MTC. Things are going really well. My companion is Elder Dayton from Kaysville, UT. I really like him. He is going to the West Indies, French speaking, which is really good because we get to talk to each other in French and practice. Our zone is so awesome. We have people from all over the world 

because we are in the advanced English zone. My companion and I are the only Caucasian Americans in our group. There are elders and sisters from Tonga, China, Croatia, South America, the Philippines, Japan, and more. So far I've heard prayers in French, Spanish, Croation, Tongan, German, Cantonese. I am loving it here!!!!

 

Good news, I am a district leader. I was asked that last night. I am supposed to interview the senior companions and see how things are going with their companionship. The only awkward thing is the senior companion in my companionship is Elder Dayton. Ha, so having and interview with him and asking about Elder Squires is kind of funny.

 

Well family, things are going really well. The food is great, I am sitting next to someone who is typing in Korean ( I did not know that was possible.) Yes, they still do the dork dot which is an orange dot they put on your name tag to let everyone know that you are new. I can't tell you how many times I heard "Bienvenidos Elders!" Being at the MTC is a lot like being at high school for me. I see people that I know all over the place. I have probably seen a good twenty or more people from high school, or Macey's, or USU. It is so cool! Every time I see one of my friends I look up and smile because I know that Heavenly Father knows how much I need my friends and how happy they make me.

 

I love you family. I love this work. I am grateful that I am here and I love all of you. I know that this is the true Church. Everyday I feel the Spirit so strongly and it makes me so happy. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is wonderful. I have found what I love, and that is serving those around me. I know that Christ lives and loves us. He is just looking for opportunities to bless us. Stay strong family! I'll talk to you next week!

 

Love Elder Squires.

And So It Begins . . .

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Hi! This is Brandon's Mom. He asked me to keep up his blog while he serves his mission to the Tahitian people.

Last night at 9 pm Brandon was set apart as a Missionary in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  The setting apart took place at the home of his "adopted" family. 

Before he was set apart, the Stake President asked each of us in the room to take one minute to share why we thought Brandon would be a great missionary.  Some of the reasons included:

• He is a hard worker
• He has a gregarious personality
• He is friendly and isn't afraid to visit with strangers
• He has always been "just happy to be here".  It never took much to make him happy.
• He has studied hard and prepared well.

During the setting apart, the Stake President  gave him a wonderful blessing that was full of important things for Brandon to know and do while he is serving for the next two years. The spirit was very strong and there were many tears shed.

The following pictures were taken after.

Brandon and his Mom

Brandon with Grandma and Grandpa

Brandon with Steve and Aunt Mischelle

Brandon, Jarod & Jen - former neighbors

Brandon and the Stake President

Brandon his adopted "Grandpa"

Brandon's adopted family for the past 4 months

Today at 2 pm Brandon reported to the Missionary Training Center (MTC) in Provo, Utah.  He and a "Host" Missionary unloaded his luggage and boxed-up bicycle. We hugged and said goodbye and in less than 2 minutes he was off with a smile!  

Finally, he is doing what he has waited for years to do.  He has "grown a foot or two" and is now "ready to teach, and preach, and work as missionaries do."


We love you Elder!

Saying Goodbye (for now) It's Time To Go

Well, we have come to this time. The time to say that word that has seven letters. Four of them are not so bad, but the last three are the hardest to swallow. I am not leaving permanently, but I am leaving. I believe that it's best to say goodbye, and leave it until it gets picked up again. I believe in meaning what I say, so when I say "see you in two years," I would love to mean just that. But the truth is goodbye's don't last. I have told many people goodbye not  knowing when I would see them again. Then not even a year later I would be in contact with that friend almost like nothing happened.

About a week ago I met up with a friend that I hadn't seen in almost three years, I still feel way too young to have an experience like this. We talked and talked for a couple hours and it was like we had never said goodbye. That is what I have learned to expect. Not too long ago my best friend and I spent hours chatting about life and about every thing in between. Two years ago (an ironic number) he and I were inseparable. When people asked about what one of us would be doing for the weekend we had to check with each other. We knew where the food was in each other's house. We knew who the other one liked and We hadn't talked for a long time and it was like things were the same. I loved it.

So, in two years when I get back I would love to talk to each of you for hours and catch up on the past 24 months. It's only two years, I know. I'll miss you guys. I'm sure it won't be easy for me or for many of the people around me. But missionaries sacrifice a lot so that they can bring happiness to the world. I'm so excited and I can't wait to help the people of Tahiti. I can't wait to serve the Lord. I've waited many years for this. And here we go.

P.s. Say your prayers, read your scriptures, and walk safely.

Consistent Inconsistency

Once upon a time there was a young man who had no home. No, he did not live on the streets or in a cardboard box; he did not live in his little black truck or his big blue truck. He lived everywhere and no where all at once. When people asked where he was from, he had to tell them his life story so they could understand his usual answer of "no where."

Now, this young man was not unhappy about this, in fact he rather enjoyed his life. He lived upon the mercies of his friends and family. He found no consistency in where he would lay his head. He had no bedroom and relied upon others to help him on a daily basis. He traveled the state of Utah several times; in one month he put one thousand miles on his truck (that's almost 33 miles a day). He never stayed in a ward for more than a few months. He lived out of his suitcase and could pack his bags perfectly. This inconsistency taught him the basics of life: clothes, food, a bed, memories, and the gospel.

No matter where you go in life you always have yourself. Your experiences in the past cannot be taken away from you. That time you were so happy months or even years ago can still make you happy. The sunset you will never forget can still take your breathe away today. Truth is that true happiness is lasting happiness. The gospel is always true. There is consistency in life.

Through the last year I have been in 5 wards (not counting the wards I attended once or twice) and I have found these things to be consistent. Happiness is consistent. No matter where you are in the world you can still find something to make you smile. Find that thing that always makes you happy. Not something that can be ruined by time or others. But something that will never change, like a pen properly placed behind your ear.

Enjoy life. Adam fell that man might be, men are that they might have joy (2 Nephi 2:25).