week 4

Hello family,

How is everything going?  I'll probably send a tape today.  I’ve been recording one over this past week.  I’ll also send some pictures that I finally got developed.  It takes a few days here to get them developed and the machines were broken so I apologize for not sending them earlier.  I answered your questions in the tape so that's why all the answers wont be in my email.  Nik just left the MTC yesterday so I went over to his room Sunday night to say goodbye.  He was pretty stoked to leave.  We all get jealous when we see missionaries leave because we want to leave too.  Yes, it's crazy -  one month already in the MTC, only 5 more weeks from yesterday to go.  It was really cool to see Zac Davis but really random. I saw him walking up the hill and I thought I recognized him.  Then I realized it was him so I ran over there to say hi.  It snowed 3 inches today.  There's just a little snow on the mountain here and then it was snowing a little when we came out out of the temple.  Elder Hafen was freezing.  He's not used to the cold.  Mom, tell uncle Brad thanks for the letter.  I just got it today so I’ll write them back.  Tell Julie thanks for all the cookies, everyone loves them and everyone loved the shirts too.  They are really cool.  Did you make one for everyone in the family too?  Thanks for all the packages.  You’re the best!  Everyone says that if you need anything just have me ask you to send it and you will have it here by yesterday.  There just sad they don’t have a mom like I do.  It was Elder Nelson that spoke at our fireside.  I bet you can guess what he spoke on (missionary work) but it was really good.  We have another devotional tonight but I doubt it’s another apostle.  We had a cool lesson last night about baptism and recognizing the spirit.  It was a talk by Elder Bednar and his mission in Germany and how he gave Elder Nelson 20 bucks to get food on a train for their travels and how that 20 bucks saved Elder Nelson because they crossed into East Germany and his wife’s passport had something wrong so he paid the guy to let them through.  He said it wasn't really bribery  - just a righteous payment or something like that.  Tell both grandmas and grandpas hi.  Has Jared received his call yet?  I hope all is well in good old Ogden.  Thanks for all the packages and letters.  I love you guys!!!

Lizzy- I’m sending a tape and pictures today or tomorrow.  Thanks for the packages.  Elder Hafen and I put those ties on as soon and we got them.  Thanks for all the packages and letters too.

Eric- I just sent you a letter and I hope you got my first one.  Hope everything is good.  Nice job at basketball  - that was exciting to hear.  I wish you could have dropped that class.

PD- I hope you had a good birthday.

a familiar face

Today my Mom got a call from my cousin Zac. He was just leaving the Provo Temple when he saw Nathan out playing volleyball at the MTC during his gym time. Although my Mom really wanted to talk to him she didn't want him to get in trouble so she asked Zac to take a picture of him. Zac said Nathan seemed really good and told him that he has really liked being at the MTC.  

week 3

Hello,

How is everything going back at home? Things are pretty good here. We have a devotional tonight and I heard an apostle was coming so that should be really cool. We’re going to have to go early.  I’ll try to remember what happened this week.  It's really hard because the days all mesh into one.  The elders that we roomed with left to Chile.  I was so ready to leave with them.  It was weird we only knew that distirct for 2 weeks but we became really close. I have some pictures of them that I’ll send.  The developer is down to I can’t develop any but as soon as I can I will.  We’re going to go check when we’re done e-mailing.  Thanks for all the packages.  You guys are going to make me fat.  We eat dinner at 4:30 so it’s nice to have food back at the room.  


Thank you so much for the razor Grandma and Grandpa.  I love it.  It saves a lot of time.  I saw Elder Hokinson the day he got here.  It was just a brief conversation but he seemed pretty excited. Tell Julie thanks for the cookies.  Everyone on the floor loves them.  That’s awesome Lenna can point me out in a picture. It made me really happy to hear that.  Make her do it everyday so she doesnt forget me.  What is this about Tyler already engaged?   He's crazy.  Prayers really are answered all in the Lords time.  Tell Hunter to get healthy fast.  He has a mission to serve. I’m pretty sure that I’m leaving November 29th but I don’t really get my travel plans until a week before.  The pictrues you sent of Lenna were really cute.  She looked like a little model and her drawings were awesome.  They’re hanging by my desk.  Thanks for all the packages. We play a game of pig everynight with that little hoop. So today has been crazy.  Elder Barrett was our companion today because Elder Walker and Cook left at 5:00 this morning.  We moved into his room and we were just going to be a 3-some.  But Elder Russell just told us he's going home.  It was super sad.  He's a marine and just this crazy hardworking guy but just didn't take care of everything so we don’t really know what’s going to happen because he leaves tonight.  I think Elder Berrett and Elder Haws will be companions and Elder Hafen and I will get our own room.  Our district only has 6 people now.  It's kind of weird and its just so sad to see people go home.

Well, I have to go.  I love you all!!!  Thanks for everything.

week 2

Hello family and friends,

Thank you so much for all the letters and packages this week.  It means a lot.  I sent you a letter a few days ago so hopefully you received that today.  I only have 30 minutes, well actually only 25 now.  I see Nik Allred almost every day here.  It's really nice to see people you know.  I also saw Bryson for the first time the other day.  It was really cool to see him too.  Dad, - mom said you did a good job at stake conference, so congrats.  If you want to, you can start writing talks in Spanish.  I have to write one every week.  They pick 2 people to talk every Sunday so hopefully I won’t get picked.  Mom, don't worry about sending me things for Spanish and stuff like that.  They have a bookstore where I can get all that for like 30% off.  I still haven’t gotten any pictures developed so I’ll try to get those done today.  They keep us super busy so I don’t really have much time for all that.  I really liked the packages and I really liked Lenna’s letter that she wrote.  It's hanging by my desk. And about the recorder -  you can’t do attachments here so it won’t work until I get to Honduras but I did get a tape player.  Mom, all the food is a big hit.  Everyone loves it.  The apples and carrots were a little weird but we still ate some.  Elder Hafen loves it when I get packages.  Mom, I don't know the exact name of all the missions but yes, the ones going to Honduras are all San Pedro Sula.  The one missionary I mentioned in my letter went home in our district.  It was sad but he just wasn’t ready yet.  Dad, try to watch the talk that Elder Holland gave.  It was so powerful.  He gave it in the MTC about 10 years ago so I don’t know if it will be on-line or not but it was so good.  Tell little Charlie happy birthday.  All the elders get mad because I get letters and packages everyday but it’s ok because I love it.   The Spanish is still hard and it makes it worse when you hear a bunch of people speaking and you have no idea what they’re saying.  But I know it will come.  Well family - thanks for all the letters and everything.  I love you.  Mason Malan left yesterday so I hung out with him a lot on Sunday night.  He was pretty stoked.  I can’t wait for that day too.  I love you all!

Eric-I printed your email out today so don’t worry, ill write you back.  I hope the tryouts went well.  When will Jerry have his call?

PD- thanks for letter and I forgot to say happy birthday in it so- happy birthday!  I wrote you a letter today so you'll get it soon.

Lizzy-  thanks so much for the packages and letters I love getting.  I also wrote you today but right when I was about to send it, I got another letter from you so I have to write some more but I will still try to send it today.  I might do a tape because I’m sick of writing!  Ha-ha.  And everyone loved the pie too, it was so good.  You’re a pretty good cook!

first letter

We received our first email / letter from Nathan, it was short and sweet. Nathan is not a man of many words so we are grateful we at least got a letter. He is doing well. He said the first few days were really slow but after Saturday thing really picked up. He enjoyed conference and was able to stay awake during most of it. His companion is Elder Hafen, he is from California and has done a year of school at BYU. His district includes 8 elders. 4 of the elders including Nate are going to Honduras, 2 will be going to Guatemala, and 2 to Nicaragua. He has seen Mason Malan a lot, and has also seen Hawkins, Andre, and Bryce Dalberg. He said the food is ok, but he has ate a lot of chicken in the last week. He said to keep the letters and packages coming.

sept 29 - mtc

When Nathan received his mission call and read that he would be entering the MTC on September 29th, we all thought that September seemed so far away. Well, it came so fast. Nathan was scheduled to arrive at the MTC at 1:15. We went to lunch at Magelby's and enjoyed our last meal with Nathan for two years. Nathan was a little nervous, and we were all a little emotional. We walked around and took pictures before we had to drop him off.  

 We are so excited for you Nate! We love you and are so proud of you. We can't wait to hear about all of the amazing experiences you will have in Honduras!

elder

 Its official- he is now a missionary. Nathan was set apart by President Meyers as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on September 28th, 2010. In attendance was the Stake Presidency, Bishopric, Mom and Dad, Grandpa and Grandma Kapple, Grandpa and Grandma Erickson, and Andrew and Erika, while Kayli and Todd listened on the phone.

 Three generations

After the setting apart Nathan enjoyed one last night with friends...

temple trips

On June 19th, Nathan was able to receive his endowments.  He enjoyed going to the temple. In just three months he went to the Ogden Temple, Bountiful Temple, Salt Lake Temple, Logan Temple, and visited the St. George Temple.

 A temple is currently under construction in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. The temple was announced on June 9, 2006 and the ground breaking was on September 12, 2009. The temple will be finished while Nathan is serving. Hopefully he will have the opportunity to see it while he is there.

  Tegucigalpa Honduras Temple

Construction pictures from lds.org

farewell

On Sunday, September 19, Nathan gave a great farewell talk on obedience, he will be such an amazing missionary in Honduras. After church we had friends and family over for lots of food and to say farewell to Nathan. Mom made lots of baked potatoes for the potato bar, and friends and family brought lots of salads and yummy desserts.

mission call

Nathan recieved his mission call on June 2, 2010. With lots of family and friends gathered around he announced he will be serving in the San Pedro Sula, Honduras Mission. He leaves September 29th 2010.