Elder Osborne in Hong Kong: April 2013

Monday, April 29, 2013

Oreos for Lunch

Dear Family,

Things here are still really good. This weeks gone by so fast, it's insane. I finally chose my plaque scripture: it's Alma 37: 6-7, I think. It's about weak things being made strong with the Lord and I love it.

Laundry is going pretty well, The worst thing that's happened is that I accidentally left one pair of black socks in my whites, but all it did was make one of my cheap white t shirts a tiny bit off white in a spot so I guess I'm just blessed:) They've got that cleaner stuff for my collars so I'm good for that. Actually, they've got just about everything a missionary needs at the book store, I was really impressed. As far as I know the Loderups are all from Oslo, but I'll ask him again. Btw, Chris Gustafson is in the MTC now, and we live in the same building, which is pretty cool. He's going to Norway in case you didn't already know. Cantonese is still coming. It's weird, one day, you feel like you couldn't learn a thing, then the next day comes and you got it! It's a bit like a roller coaster in that way. The key is to just have faith and a positive attitude:)

I got the super huge oreo package, everyone was super happy to get that much food:) Elder Dorman (He's the one on top of Elder Beal and my comp in the bunk bed planking picture) keeps eating all my food! He ate half the Nilla wafers! It was funny and sad at the same time. He keeps trying to diet like a girl and then binges at some time later in the day. It's happened so often, but it just keeps getting funnier! Everyone seems to be gaining weight but me. They feed us really well here:)

That's about it for this email, just one more thing. If you would still like to send me cookies, I think pumpkin chocolate chip is sounding good right now;)

Love you all so much, oh oih leihdeui (i love y'all)

Elder Osborne

These pics are of every elder going to Hong Kong, and one of our old Zone leaders, Elder Call. He left for the Philippines about a week ago. The guy next to me is my bestie, Elder Peterson.

This is me and Elder Beal on our last temple walk.

More of me and Beal + My lunch for today. I'm trying to drink as much milk as I can before HK:) love me some milk:) and oreos:) and cookies in general:)

Monday, April 22, 2013

The Empty Sea

Dear family,

The time seems to by flying by right now in the empty sea! The language is coming along slowly but surely (which means really fast for normal people, but normal speed for super awesome missionaries like us).

One cool thing that happened this last Tuesday was one of our devotionals. Elder Richard G. Scott came! He was amazing! I'll write you the details in a bit:)

Some more new stuff is that a bunch of missionaries in our zone left for the Philippines today. They were amazing and I'm going to miss them all a lot. With that came new zone leaders. They are Elders Loderup and Hartwig from my district. Our new district leader is Elder Beal (he's the super ginger in most of the photos I sent). That's about all the news I'll email for now.

So how's the home front? Everybody good? Let me know soon!

Also, Thanks so much for the package! The CD player is awesome and will be a huge help with Cantonese. Thanks for the letters and cookies especially. I missed your delicious cookies of goodness so much, Mom! Thank you so much!

Again, Thank you all so much for everything!

Love,

Elder Osborne

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

First pictures!!!

Hi everybody! Things here are going great! Sounds like things at home are pretty normal, except for dad with the water works. I'm having a great wet p-day. We went to the temple this morning and it was snowing the best huge fluffy snow! We also saw 3 or 4 deer run about 30 yards in front of us on the way! The MTC is really a great place once you get used to the workload and rules and stuff. I'm surprised how easy the spirit makes learning stuff.

Oh by the way I know Elder Black! he's in my zone! every thing is going great and I wrote you some more that will get to you in a bit.

Thank you so much for all you do!

Love ya,

Elder osborne

P.S. Hope fully you got the pics, I'll point out the people next week, Im short on time

First day in the MTC

Dear family,
My first day in the MTC was really great! My companion, Elder Young seems like a great guy so far. The rest of my dorm mates (6 of us) seem amazing as well.

The food here is excellent, we had chicken cordon bleu. The chocolate milk and ice cream are also amazing.

Honestly, the Spirit here is so strong and I'm so glad that I'm here!

This is my first day so there's not much to say so far. I'll try to do better next time.

Love,
Elder Osborne

P.S. I love you guys!
P.P.S. I'm so sorry that this is taking longer than expected, I haven't had hardly any free time to actually send letters. :( I'll do better on writing you guys I promise!

First email!!!!!!!!!

Hi everybody! How are you? The mtc is amazing! The people are so great here:) The food is much better than I thought it would be. The orange juice rumors are true for the most part. some crazy elders tried it and some have yet to feel the full effect. Most totally get the runs though.

The language is tough but I'm sure I'll get it quick:) My companion is really great, his name is Elder Young. He's a great help with the gospel and the lingo and all that. In fact, my whole district is brilliant! I'll tell you guys more about them later. Conference in the MTC was great! There's no distractions so I learned a lot:) The spirit is so strong here I can hardly take it all in.

Anyway how is the family? Thanks so much for the shower sandals and care package. I got a cheap pair from the bookstore but I accidentally got size 13! It was hilarious! In fact when we're not totally into the spirit or studying cantonese, we're laughing our heads off:)

Well that's it for now, I love you and miss you all.

Love Elder Osborne