This is NOT the language they taught me in the MTC!!

Here are a few parts of Elder Meine's first e-mail from being in Panama for a week!

"HOLY CRAP. This has been the craziest week I've had in my entire life!!  We got to Panama tuesday night, and we got our trainers the next day and then started working. Here, the call the trainers 'parents', the greenies their 'kids', and when you start you are 'born' and when you go home you 'die'. My 'father' is Elder Polio. He is from El Salvador and speaks very Little English. He helps me a lot with the language, or at least as best as he can. 

I have a fun Little thing for you to try. There a few slang words in spanish that we use all the time, and im going to share them with you if you want to use them or whatever hahaha! They might not be spelled right, but I'll try my best.

Buko: a whole more than a lot. Like, a LOT. Example: There is buko rice on my plate!

Chuso: dang it!

Panga: crazy, weird, or stupid

Speaking of which, we eat rice and chicken ALL THE TIME. So far everything has been delicious expect for this one thing we had that Elder Arismendi called rice with milk. It was nasty, and he had to finish it for me. It was a drink with chunks of rice in it, and it was panga."

If you get the chance, please write him.  He is very homesick for Idaho!

Here are a few MTC pictures that I forgot to post last week....

The missionary has landed!

Hunter left Salt Lake City on August 19th at 10:15 AM.  With one stop in Atlanta, Georgia we were blessed to have TWO phone call visits with him!  His Aunt also saw him at the SLC airport and snapped a memorable photo of him in security.

The next morning we got an e-mail from the mission president's wife.  Well, it's official!!  Elder Meine is in PANAMA!!

LAST P-DAY IN THE MTC!!

Well this is it!  Our last photos from the MTC!!  Hunter leaves for Panama on August 19th at 4:30 AM!!  I have updated his addresses on the left.  He loves letters and continues to tell us how much they strengthen him and help him not feel homesick!

An amazing picture of me that Elder Gibby took.

Celebratory Cartwheels with Elder Barker

Our District Rocks!

Some of my favorite Elders!

I have made great
friendships here at the
MTC!

One of our substitute teachers, Hermana Young.  She's super cool and helped me a lot with lessons and the language.

"Selfie Inception" I took this during a group photo.  Can't wait to get the copy of the group photo

Ready for some soccer!  This is the "Hegalo" shirts that Sister Kofoed made my entire district.  It is spanish for "Just Do IT!" Instead of a Nike swoosh we have Moroni's trumpet!  Our names are on the back!  I am a rockin' defender!!

My updated photo wall in my room

Zone picture.  I am in the very back jumping on Elder Dastrup!

One month has gone by! My oh my!

One month ago we said goodbye to our oldest son at the airport, knowing we would not see him again for 2 years.  It was the hardest thing I have ever had to do in my life, but at the same time it was the greatest thing I have ever done.  He is LOVING his time at the MTC and has developed a great bond with his fellow elders.  Enjoy the pictures from week 4.

Having some fun in the MTC!!!

Can you jump over your companion?

One of Elder Barkers MANY faces!

Elder Avery in the small closet

Elder Meine got to see two friends from his hometown this week in the MTC.  Always a treat to see someone from home!!

With Elder Dildine

With Elder Erickson

These next six pictures were titled by Elder Meine in his e-mail as "SELFIE SUNDAY"

This one is my favorite

One last photo of Elder Meine with Elder Roan

Week 3...We're Halfway there!

Enjoy some pictures of Hunter's 3rd week in the Provo MTC

A better photo of Elder Meine's Missionary Tag.
(Still blurry though)

Elder Meine and Elder Keller's classroom white board drawings:

 Colonel Keller's Corner of Quality Quotes

Elder Meine's Whale

Elder Keller invented a game with the ironing board.  As Hunter explained it: "You use the steam blast from the iron to try to use your cup and knock the opponent's cup off the ironing board."  Looks pretty intense!

Elder Avery

Elder Keller

Hunter and Elder Keller had a tie exchange! Hunter was pretty excited about the tie he got!

There's a bench in the park that a bunch of Elders have signed.  It is super cool, so Hunter's district signed it too!  The park is amazing to study in.  It has lots of trees and benches and a little river powered by waterfalls.  It is so peaceful out there!

On Hunter's night stand sits a photo of his family and on his wall a collage of his friends.  All the support he is receiving is wonderful!!