On the 11th Day of Quarantine...

Wow that was a long week. I never thought I would be so blessed to have this time to study the inside of a hotel. Quarantine life is amazing....

Thankfully we were able to play lots of frisbee this week; even with being in quarantine we were able to go walk around outside each day.

So update: I tested positive for COVID... I GOT IT! When we got our results back, only I tested positive though. Then a few days later Elder Hamner lost his taste. So we got him a rapid test and he tested positive. 😷 Man that sucks. I am really glad I didn't lose my taste or smell. So now today is our last day of Quarantine so that is hypeeee I hate being inside. 

Since we spent so much time in our hotel this week, I had some extra time to look out yonder... the best part of the week was when I saw some skaters in the parking garage right by our hotel. Of course, as a sad quarantined skater boy would do, I yelled out to them "kickflip check." This lead to like five minutes of this kid trying to gather all his friends together and get them to do a kickflip. Most of them were on longboards, so I'll give them the benefit of the doubt. After many attempts, this teenager rolled up and hit a clean kickflip. It was pretty dope. I really really wanted to go out and skate with them. It took a lot of self control to not... especially since I was out of Quarantine but still "in" quarantine cuz of Elder Hamner and Elder Leon getting symptoms after me. 

VANS SKATE PARK! Are you kidding me?!

I miss skating 

Big news!! We are teaching someone new! We got a referral from this guy and now we are teaching this super nice girl and her mom. It's kinda a complicated story with how exactly we are teaching them (not really that weird if you are a Utah missionary, but weird if you aren't), but I can talk about that some other time. So ya we are excited to teach Felicia! 

Elder Leon gets cold easy. 

I convinced Elder Leon to go for a run.

Flipping into a new transfer

And....this week is transfers (every 6 weeks, missionaries get moved around and you get a new companion), and I don't know what exactly is gonna happen but we do know that Elder Leon is getting transferred. I'm staying here but we don't know what exactly will happen with Elder Hamner. He could stay here with me or he could go back upstairs in the hotel and get a new comp. So either I will be with Elder Hamner next transfer or will some rando. I'm nervous and excited. 

There have been some really nice sunsets lately.

I listened to an amazing BYU Devotional (thanks to Ami and Poppi for sending it to me) by Lawrence E. Corbridge. If you have like 20 minutes of free time, GIVE IT A LISTEN. SO SO GOOD. I really loved how simple and straightforward he spoke. I know it is okay to have questions, but also how important it is to have faith. 

Oh also this week we ate some crazy spicy ramen, and I made a little vlog of our experience. So if you want it, then let me know and I'll send it over. 

Scripture of the Week:

- Alma 27:16-19 (The Book of Mormon): 

16 And it came to pass that as Ammon was going forth into the land, that he and his brethren met Alma, over in the ^aplace of which has been spoken; and behold, this was a joyful meeting.

17 Now the ^ajoy of Ammon was so great even that he was full; yea, he was swallowed up in the joy of his God, even to the ^bexhausting of his strength; and he fell ^cagain to the earth.

18 Now was not this ^aexceeding joy? Behold, this is joy which none receiveth save it be the truly penitent and humble seeker of ^bhappiness.

19 Now the joy of Alma in meeting his ^abrethren was truly great, and also the joy of Aaron, of Omner, and Himni; but behold their joy was not that to exceed their strength.

Dang, Alma really knows how to celebrate. Imagine being so stoked that you couldn't even contain it, and you had to pass out and "fall to the earth." I want that. And that's how excited and happy Alma was to see his brothers and friends.

Song of the Week:

- Prayer of the Children by Inside Out A-cappella Group

I really know that through Christ, we can feel love again and feel his love for us. I am so grateful for prayer and for my Savior Jesus Christ.

Top golf view 

Love you all, 

Elder Ditto

Quarantine

Howdy everyone. Thus week was probably one of the weirdest and hardest weeks of my mission yet. 

I was really struggling with some things at the beginning of the week and was praying even more than I ever have. Being totally honest with you guys...there have been quite a few times when I really really just wanted to go home. And I assume there will be more of those days to come. But Heavenly Father answered my prayers in a weird way. One of the Elders who lives above us in the hotel had to go home this week for some medical reasons (I am really sad he had to go home), so we got the other Elder (Elder Hamner) at least until transfers on the 20th. 

Saying Goodbye to Elder Wolf 

Oh and I got covid (I think... I still haven't gotten my results back from testing) so now we are in quarantine. Quarantine would have been WAY worse if it was just me and Elder Leon. So I am really grateful for Elder Hamner, and we get along well. 

On our way to get covid tested 

Oh also i forgot to tell you guys but last week we taught Kohtatsu a lesson last Sunday and it was FIRE. We taught him about The Plan of Salvation and Happiness. It was super cool. He said he wants to learn more.

I love these signs 

Here is a day in the life for me during a normal day, since lots of my non-missionary friends have asked:

6:30-8: wake up, workout, pray, read some scriptures

8-9: shower, eat breakfast 

9-10: personal study 

10-11:30: comp study 

11:30-12:30: lunch

12:30-1:30: language study 

1:30-5: missionary work (visit people, visit members, make videos, go to meetings)

5-6: dinner 

6-9: visit members, share messages, do missionary work 

9-10: get ready for bed and clean some stuff

10-10:30: get even more ready for bed

And yup... That's about how my life is every day. Missionary work is the fun part and talking to people is my favorite. Everything else is way less fun. I really hate studying for so long in a row but Elder Leon likes to stay home so he can be comfy in his comfy clothes and blanky. Oh well. It's okay. 

Oh also side note: some people thought that I actually have two phones now cuz of a pic I put in last week's email. I only have one phone. And yes it still sucks a lot. The other phone is Elder Leon's. 

Getting our oil changed

Another update: I love Elder Hamner. He is from Colorado and likes to climb. He is super cool and is going to UVU after his mission. Him joining us until the end of the transfer at least and is an answer to a prayer. Quarantining with 3 people is way better.

Random Story: President Prier (our mission president) knocked on our door at 10:15 pm on Friday night and apparently there was a fight and gun shots in and around our hotel and the elders downstairs called him so he came up and checked in on us. It was a super random surprise as we were all in bed trying to sleep. It was good to see President Prier tho. 

We found this shopping cart in the parking garage next door 

Well sorry this email is kinda all over the place. It was a weird week. I hope you all had a good week and are feeling healthy. Love you all and thank you for the prayers. I need them.

Scripture of the Week: 

- 1 Nephi 1:1 (The Book of Mormon): 

 

1 I, Nephi, having been ^aborn of ^bgoodly ^cparents, therefore I was ^dtaught somewhat in all the learning of my father; and having seen many ^eafflictions in the course of my days, nevertheless, having been highly favored of the Lord in all my days; yea, having had a great knowledge of the goodness and the mysteries of God, therefore I make a ^frecord of my proceedings in my days.

 

 

I really love this scripture cuz it reminds me of how lucky I am to have such great parents who raised me well. They really are the best. My challenge to you guys would to just think about your parents and all they have done for you and tell them thank you. They aren't perfect obviously but I am so grateful for my mom and dad. 

Song of the Week:

- On My Mind by Young Chap. 

https://soundcloud.com/nathan-ditto-663863845/on-my-mind-prod-logan-myers-1

Young Chap (Nathan, my little bro) has been dropping some fire songs recently. I hope when I come back home he is famous and has got a platinum record company or something. Love u dude. 

Security cam selfie 

Love, 

Elder Ditto

Winning the Most Important Game of Rock Paper Scissors

 YOOOO! What's good Fam?

Last week on pday, we went to get a Costco membership for Elder Leon (he got one for Christmas), and when you get a Costco membership, you get another "free" one. He said me and another Elder needed to Rock Paper Scissors for the free one. Well I ended up winning the first 2 games and it was best of 3, so I came out victorious. Now I'm a Costco Membership holder. 

Pic with a snowman ⛷

Oh my gosh! Last week I forgot to say thank you to everyone that sent me any letters or packages these past few weeks. They are so so fun to get and I always get so stoked to open them. It makes any day better! Much love goes out to you guys. 

Our hotel room (the one with the blue lights) 

The Salt Lake City Mission set a goal back in October to have 200 baptisms by Christmas. We found out this week that we met our goal (after they changed it to by Christmas weekend)! So that is super cool and exciting. 

Oh also this week I met a guy who used to a member of the Fundamentalist LDS church but a few years ago joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It was a super super interesting message and visit. I wish we could have stayed longer honestly haha. I could have talked to him all day. So many crazy stories and he lived a very different life as a kid. 

Good quote from a good song 

Helping Relief Society President load her moving van.

This drink tastes like liquid hi-chews.

Such a dope hole 

Oh and I guess this last week was New Year's. We didn't do that much. We watched "It's a Wonderful Life" and played a few games and ate some food. It was pretty fun. Nothing too crazy. Another year with no New Year's kiss sadly. Oh well, i did get to read this super cool book called The Book of Mormon. I highly suggest it. 

Song of the Week:

- I Won't Give Up by Jason Mraz. 

I've always liked this song. And my mom loves Jason Mraz a lot so I remember listening to it since I was young. Try thinking of it as you and God and it's kinda cool to think about. This song bops tho.

Scripture of the Week: 

- We have shared this scripture (Moroni 7:45-48) with people and members we have visited, and I have loved learning from it. 

45 And ^acharity suffereth long, and is ^bkind, and ^cenvieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily ^dprovoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

46 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail—

47 But ^acharity is the pure ^blove of Christ, and it endureth ^cforever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.

48 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, ^apray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true ^bfollowers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall ^cbe like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be ^dpurifiedeven as he is pure. Amen.

That scripture is all about charity and love and I continue to learn more each time, but one thing that was shared in specific this week really hit me. Our ward mission leader asked what "endureth" or to endure means to us and why charity endureth forever. My first thought was about how being charitable (or at least trying to be) helps me enjoy the moment more and allows me to endure better. 

I cleaned off our counter so I could make a tech deck park. Sooo rad, right! 

our car

A WHOLE box of Book of Mormons

Posing with something who will listen to me

"I got 2 phones... one for the plug and one for the...." 

Hurrah for Israel 

Love, Elder Ditto 

🌲MERRY CHRISTMAS🌲

Feliz Navidad everyone!

Christmas is the best, isn't it?! My Christmas this year went a little like this:

We woke up, I opened a few gifts, and made pancakes, waffles, bacon. Then I got to call my family and open the gifts from them. 

Video call with the fam and I got a ping pong set from some of my Aunts and Uncles!

So fun talking to everyone

Then we got to visit a member's home, made some crock pot pork and rolls for dinner, caroled to our Mission President's house and a few other people. Then we went to bed. 

Christmas at a member's home 

Sharing a member message in action haha 

Overall Christmas was pretty good. I thought it would suck but it was actually pretty fun. It was also awesome talking to my family and getting to see them on Christmas. Christmas Eve we had dinner with our district and I got to play some basketball. It was pretty sick. 

Christmas Eve Dinner Set up 

Also this week was Zone Conference (a big meeting that is like all day and you go to workshops and hear lots of awesome messages with other missionaries). We talked a lot about how to become a better missionary (surprising right), and about being a "light" to others. I really learned a lot. 

We talked about being a "lower light" and some missionaries sang "Brightly Beams Our Father's Mercy."  This is "The Lower Lights" singing this song.

Also I've got another story this week from the branch. We were about to start church and started the announcements, when the Branch President got a phone call and had to take it. Then they just paused the whole meeting and he talked to whoever he was talking to. Then he hung up and got the zoom call working and resumed as usual. Then during the meeting he got another call and turned on his phone flashlight while on the phone and flashed everyone in the meeting. 

Me with the Bountiful Temple 

Anyways, that is basicslly this week. I hope you all get to party it up on New Year's Eve and are stoked for 2021. Live it up. 

Elder Leon doesn't like the cold 

Scripture of the week:

- Alma 17 (The Book Of Mormon). I love the story of Alma and the sheep. And getting to teach the King. I have learned so much from these scriptures. Alma is such a good example of a missionary and a good person. 

Song(s) of the week:

- I Hope They Call Me On A Mission by Vocal Point. 

Sadly, this isn't Vocal Point singing the song as I couldn't find a version to share.

My mom sent me this song last week and man it's so good. Also it brings back memories for some reason. Throwback to when I was like eight year's old and singing this song and boom now I'm here. Kinda crazy. 

- Barbara Ann by The Beach Boys. I love the Beach Boys. So good. 

Love, 

ヂットー長老

Meeting the King of Snow Shoveling

Ho Ho Ho and Merry Christmas Everyone!

 Christmas mask and blue skies 

This week I made some fire Zesty Italian Crockpot Chicken and some killer salsa chicken burritos (Thank you to our "secret" elves that have been bringing us little gifts each day! I wonder who you could be???). We ate good this week.

Sourdough bread our "secret" elves left us!

I hope everyone is doing well and that you all have an awesome week getting to party it up for Christmas! And for all you missionaries - I hope you don't miss your fam too much, and get to meet up with some members or people you are teaching so this Christmas is a little less weird. Honestly, I don't know how excited I am for actual Christmas day this year, but I do love the Christmas Season and getting to talk about Christ even more. 

 Walking with Elder Leon

We had the BEST visit a few days ago with the Birrell family. It definelty is in my top 10 favorite conversations I have had on my mission so far. It started off as a normal conversation but then quickly turned a corner I never thought I would encounter. Brother Birrell LOVES snow. I know what you might be thinking right now..."but Elder Ditto, that's pretty normal, isn't it? Don't you love snow too? It's the best! You get to ski and sled and play in the snow.". Well that's where you are wrong. This guy doesn't love snow cuz it's snow. He loves snow because he gets to move it! He is in love with moving snow.  As he continued to express his love for moving snow, I learned more about all the different kinds of tools that are used to move snow (and yes it's called moving snow, not shoveling snow, because that would be inaccurate, as there are many different ways to move snow) than I ever have. He asked what kind of shovel I have back home and what my favorite shovel to move snow is. I had no idea how to answer that question. Then he showed us how favorite shovel and told us all of the specs. For all of you who are dying to know which shovel to get for the next big snow storm, you must get the Orbit Orange shovel that is construction grade plastic with NO metal edge. This is key.

THE SHOVEL

Good luck fellow shovel-ers.🤠

Church yesterday was awesome. The branch was pretty chill and it's always funny because they are quite unorganized and it feels super personal. Then the Dai ichi ward was awesome because there were probably over 50 people actually attending church in person. It helps that it was Christmas Sunday, so a lot more people wanted to attend it in person instead of online. I hope the numbers continue to go up. It was funny cuz when I first walked into the chapel, I thought I was in the wrong church because there were so many people. 

So once a week, missionaries have a day where they get all their laundry, shopping, and playing in for the week. Pdays are the best cuz I get to play basketball. The only bummer is that now, Elder Seachriest is gone and I just play basketball by myself. 1v1-ing yourself is kinda hard. A lot less fun too. Don't worry tho - I won. 

A very brown meal I made 

Also yesterday we brought this sister in one of our English wards the sacrament because she hadn't received it in a few months. I also gave her a blessing or comfort in peace since she is going through a lot right now. It's always cool getting to use the priesthood (The power of God) in a more direct way and really feeling like I am able to help bless someone's life. Also she has an adopted son who is struggling right now and her and her son aren't really getting along. We have been trying to meet up with him for a while and play basketball or skate with him since he loves sports and skateboarding. But no luck so far. It would be awesome if you could keep them in your prayers!

I don't have a real skateboard right now, so I had to buy a mini one😔

Scripture of the week:

- Luke 2:11

11 For unto you is ^aborn this day in the city of David a ^bSaviour, which is Christ the ^cLord.

Christ is born! I love Christ and am so grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ and this time of year. Keep on praying and reading your scriptures. You guys are awesome. 

Song(s) of the week:

- The Pentatonix Christmas Album. Sooo good

   

- Run Run Rudolph by Chuck Berry

- Jingle Bell Rock by Bobby Helms

- I Will Wait by Mumford & Sons. 

Apparently some people think this song is about the 2nd coming of Christ. I mostly just think it's a really good song. Let me know what you think.

P.S. - I saw the BYU "Y" yesterday when we went down to visit some members in Eagle Mountain, and that was really cool but also weird. Hope all my BYU peeps are doing well. Congrats on finishing another semester!

P.P.S. - We were talking to our friend, Kazuki Taylor, and he was telling us this gnarly story about when after a surgery on his appendix, his wound started to open back up and his organs and whatnot were falling out of his body. It was a pretty dope story but then Elder Leon started to go all white (even more white than he normally is) and then he said everything went black and he almost threw up (dont worry - he caught it before it came out). It was pretty funny to see, and an interesting way to end the day. 

- Elder Ditto