Lots of mail and I love the food!

So, I hope you get this, I'm sending it in a weird way since I cannot for the life of me figure out how to start a new message...I guess not being on the computer all day has killed my brain. But anyways, today was my P-day, I'm so glad that we didn't have to do much today. We did go to the temple which was GREAT!! The dear elder letters have been a LIFESAVER!! I have gotten the most mail out of anyone in my district, please keep them coming!

So my companion is somewhat German, he only lived there for a year and then came here, he is funny! My room got some candy today since one of our district groups left today. It was hard saying goodbye because we were so close. We only knew them for a week but it felt like forever. The classes here aren't bad, you just sit there for like 7 hours a day. The food here is GREAT!! The Elders love to do chocolate milk challenges which the sisters HATE! One of the Elders drank 8 glasses in 40 secs.

I'm trying to think of things to write that I haven't told you about yet, but it's hard. Especially since it's REALLY loud in here and I can't think. So, I'm not homesick anymore like I was.  We either wake up at 6:05am or 6:30am. Today we woke up at 6:05am and had to go do service which was clean some of the chapels in the main building. I've been trying to take pictures of everything while I'm here, and it gives me something to do.

There were a lot of new missionaries to come in today. My room is on the fourth floor, which kinda sucks, but it's nice being away from everyone since the other floors are mostly full. On our side of the top floor we only had 3 rooms full of people, 4 in each one. Today we got two whole rooms full of new missionaries. It's strange thinking that just a week ago we were all dropped off. Time here is really strange, the days go by so slow and then so fast at the same time.  All the days blend into one.

I will fly out for Nebraska on Nov. 27, we need to be up and at the main building at 2:30AM. Our flight leaves at 6am and we fly to Minneapolis Minnesota. We then fly out to Omaha at 11:30am. I will call you either before 6am or when we are in Minnesota.

The food here is so good and the place is huge!! Gym has been pretty cool, it is a 3 story building and has a track and equipment. I usually run about a half mile since I'm out of shape and call it good!

My companion is the district leader so we both get to go pick up the mail, most of the mail is for me which I LOVE!!! It really makes my day!! My companion got a box today that he thought was going to be something really exciting, it was a box of popcorn, just popcorn. He was kinda bummed but we laughed about it!

I love you all, I know the Lord will watch over all of you. I hope everything is going well. I know that serving a mission will not only bless my life, but all of yours as well!

Love you all!!

Love, Elder Searle :D

1st letters!

Dear Family,

These first 2 days have been rough. I'm going to start with the first day, the first day was weird but they are really good to help all the new missionaries get everything done. My companion is Elder Harda (pronounced hair-da) and is German. There are 4 of us to the room that can hold 6. One elder in my room, who I have no clue how to spell his name, is a convert. He has tattoos all over his arms, he played college football and was a wrestler, he did some MMA fighting. He is super buff and is so funny!

I did cry myself to sleep the first night, it was so hard! I miss all of you so much. I even cried at our branch meeting. I have to keep myself busy and then I am fine. Nights are the hardest, but I am now having fun.

The food here is great! It feels like I've been here for weeks, everyone says after sunday it will go by fast. It is so neat how the Spirit has worked on me already, I have already noticed a difference!

We just got our district leader and it's my companion! I really have no time to write, it is classes after classes but I want everyone to know how much I love you all. Take care and write me, I won't be able to read emails until Weds, but I love the dear elder letters each night!!

Love Elder Searle



Dear Family,

I know the last letter I sent wasn't all that happy, to be honest the first 2 days sucked. I was SO homesick, I especially miss Travis! Today was a special day though, my companion and I got all of our tears out over what we are struggling with the most...being homesick. We are now stronger than ever!! I was also asked to write "why am I here on my mission," I can answer that question tonight.....I remember how our family has been such a good influence on Kimber's family and how because of our examples, they have come back to church. That is why I am here! To bring families to the gospel, just like "little monkey." Tonight was a blast and I am so glad I am here!

I love the dear elder letters, PLEASE keep sending them to me!! My P-days are wed. I still love the food! I had 3 huge pieces of pizza tonight and cheesecake! I love my companion and my district is SO funny!
There is a HUGE Polynesian dude here, he took one whole box of pizza tonight and had 8 glasses of chocolate milk, then went back for seconds!! They all do the Haka dance that is really cool to watch.

Love you all, send letters!!

Elder Searle

setting apart

We took pictures before the setting apart. :) Such a neat experience to share with our parents and especially Brendan's siblings. We are going to miss him dearly, but we are all so excited for him.



 

Brendan's awesome grandparents! I think my dad took a picture of all of us that I'll have to post later.

 

 

Mission Farewell

We had a wonderful day hearing Brendan speak and a yummy dinner afterwards. Thanks to all of his family and friends who helped out.

Brendan and "little monkey"

Brendan and Dalton

 

Brendan and Dallin

Cousins