First letter From Tempe

Hey family

You all ask too many questions and I don't have any time to answer every single one so I'm just gonna write a mass email to all you - sorry but I only have a few minutes to write.

ARIZONA IS FREAKING HOT

I bike around all day in the 105-120 degree and show up to people's doors looking like I was just in the swimming pool it is literally not "cool" 

Speaking of swimming pools dad the one in the back yard is super ghetto we live in Draper not West Jordan cmon man😂😂 

My comp now is a Theater kid and has similar characteristics as the Shumanator but not as bad so I can deal with him. The last guy he trained was a Visa waiter who also went to India. He only had to wait one transfer which is a little good news and what I am hoping for.     I bike all day! so I treat
it like a bmx bike.  I off rode thru parks and down hills and do wheelies thru intersections and try to do as many fun things as I can to keep my spirits up!
My Mission President is huuuuuuuuge he is 7 foot 2 I'm a little baby next to him!
 I really like my district leader, I got to do an exchange with him and he is is chill. Today we went to Guadalupe which is literally Mexico here in Arizona, the people don't speak English and ask for pesos. I miss you all and my comp isn't giving me any time to write, send food please, send love and pray for my Visa. I can't tell you how much I miss and appreciate home cooked food.  Mom you really are the bomb love ya.

Love you all,

Elder Erasmus

Welcome to Tempe - UMMM this is not India

President and Sister Toone - Pretty sure he is the tallest mission president ever! - 7'2"

New Tempe Missionaries and 3 India Missionaries waiting Visa's

MTC week 2

Group Message:

Hey everybody I told myself I would wait till I'm in India to actually write all you because being in the MTC in Provo Utah is probably not the most exciting thing to read about so ill keep it short.

This week has been great, I probably have learned more in the MTC these few weeks then my whole high school seminary! Cool things that have happened is David. A. Bednar. came and gave a devotional to the whole MTC and I was able to sweet talk the ushers into letting me sit front row. I got to sit 15 feet from an Apostle of God! My companion is Elder Shuman and I have never met someone so opposite then me... we have our ups and downs and he is really strict on rules (he doesn't agree with my fancy dress socks) which is good because he keeps me in line. Missing Chick-Fil-A and Summer vacation right now but I am so happy where I'm at.  A fun thing I like to do around here is see which missionaries know how to do the Dab dance move.. .most do but the foreigners give me such strange looks.  Everyday I get to go exercise with my district and we usually play basketball, volleyball, and kickball. It's hard to try to be like Jesus when your as competitive as I am haha! There is 6 missionaries that are going to India and none of us have gotten our Visa's which is a little discomforting. We all won't know if we are going or where we are going til Thursday so everyone is in a state of limbo right now. I'm having a feeling they are going to send me to Arizona or someplace hot to prepare me for the weather out there!  I really am growing so much and and learning so much, Thanks for all the support. I love you all and would love to hear from you!

 Elder Erasmus

Family letter:

Dear Family
 This week has gone by quick I guess that is a blessing for me. The food here is less than Par and I'm starting to really miss moms home cooked steaks.

 Mom - The race sounds crazy, I exercise everyday here and there is no way I could do even one of those legs, props to you for almost being the worlds most fit grandma... just kidding your still in your 30's! I Really miss you and your food so the packages have been life saviors...see what I did there! Anyways Not much I need right now.  I'm pretty bummed about my Visa, I might go to Tempe Arizona..  I love you and miss you!

Nathan. good to hear from you dizzle dawg I'm missing playing video games right about now.... I'm not sure how I Know this but isn't the new Zelda called like breathe of the wild.  Send me cool info you know about it and go date some girls already man! its killing me here seeing all the beauties but I have gotten a few emails which is good

Daws - you should play football its something to keep you busy and plus you'll regret not playing. You can talk with anybody about football and really it's a lot cooler than lacrosse dude.  I'm serious I tell people I played lacrosse and they don't care but then I say football and actually get some attention.  Anyways that's just my advice because I know you just like to lay around and its not good so play football and do something with your summer.

 Nick - I love you little buddy! I miss playing slither with you and wrestling you.  Elder Hanni, who is in my district, is about 6,6 and 250 pounds and I like to wrestle him, he is huge and just picks me up and throws me like I used to do to you hahah but were pretty good friends, he is from alaska and is one of the cooler members in my district.  Anyways love ya little buddy.  My advice for you is stop sitting in front of the tv all day Nick. I know you love cartoons but its a really bad habit to have, you'll think back one day and wish you had more adventures as a kid, so try to go outside with friends more, go to the school and play wall ball, go on hikes, you can even try to learn how to longboard... I will let you use mine.

Leon - that's nuts about the shooting. just shows how couped up I am here because even big events like that nobody hears of.  Favorite part of day is hanging with all my new friends in the resident halls.  Also i like to play basketball but dang I haven't shot in awhile.  I just do lay ups but my shot is getting crispier every day.  Maybe its the Lord helping my shot! And dang I want Lebron to take it to them!  Love ya man go outside and have some fun this summer. Are you trying anything new? hobbies? biking I think would be fun for you! love you so much man and hope to hear from you soon!

And to everyone. At the mtc I get to check my email everyday but can't write back til Wednesday so feel free to write me anytime not just routinely on Sundays. love you all and I'm keeping you in my prayers

Love,
Elder Erasmus

Here are some Pictures from the MTC:

My district - all 6 Elders are going to India - . . . . someday, no Visa's for any of us yet

My Companion, Elder Shuman

me and Elder Franckowiak

Temple Day!

Stonger???

My District - They are the greatest!

Most of my district!

Exercise and Donuts - what can be better!

Get ready India - we're coming! . . . Someday

 Elder Shuman, Elder Jensen, and Elder Erasmus

MTC Life

Not sure everyone appreciates Ryan's love for the Dab

It's Hot (but not as hot as India!)

Mission T-shirts

Said Goodbye to Sister Erasmus Monday night - Good Luck in DC!

First P-Day

Dear Family,

Today is my P-day here at the MTC and so much has happened in the last few days. Mckenna was sick so she asked me to give her a blessing of comfort last night, although it was the first one I conducted I really felt good about it. Maybe its because for our Tuesday night devotional with Elder David A Bednar who came and spoke to us. The front row was reserved for mission presidents so me and Elder Jensen found spots where we could sit in the back. As the meeting was about to begin I guess some people did not show up and I was able to sweet talk one of the ushers into allowing us to sit on the front row. I was about 10-15 feet from an apostle of God!!! His talk went well and although it wasn't as good as his other devotional I watched on Sunday (MTC exclusive character of Christ) he really is a great speaker. I have found Zack quite a few times and taken some really good pictures but my problem is I don't know how to send them quite yet so once I figure that out You will have plenty. Your package really made my day and I loved the candies, keyword is "loved" haha. Keep sending your love and prayers as well as candy while I'm still in Utah jk. Elder Jensen has a girlfriend and he is from Lindon Utah so everyday he gets these massive packages of food, he has too much though so i eat quite a bit of it when he shares.

Me and Elder Shuman are trying to get along but it is very rough because Ryan doesn't like him but Elder Erasmus has to.  We Teach role play investigators and its trying for me because I feel as if I'm pulling the whole weight of the lesson. I have learned so much here though (probably more this week than in all my seminary in high school). I play basketball and volleyball everyday during exercise time and my competitiveness is still there haha. I like to think I'm good but there is Elder Childs in my district from Pleasant Grove Utah and he is committed to playing basketball at Weber state and he is 6,6 so he kinda shows us all up. I would like more skinny ties like the yellow one Aunt Jueneta gave me. I went to the temple today and did an endowment it was very spiritual for me. There are so many Beautiful sisters here it is very hard not to flirt so I just be really really nice haha. Today I spoke to a French girl at lunch, although the conversation is tough I guess I still got it with foreigners too.. just kidding. My district is great my zone is great everything is great. Can't wait to get to India but I have a feeling my visa will be delayed and I will end up state side but lets pray that doesn't happen. Also, a good thing to send would be one of my softer pillowcases aka my grey one I don't know why we decided to send Ryan with the worlds most uncomfortable sheets that keep me up all night but hey gives me time to think about you guys right? Also the axe pomade and a new messy look gel would be nice to have as I'm running low. I wish this was easier with a companion that I got along with but I'm trying to be good still. Honestly it's hard because I like to think I'm not an emotional guy and Elder Shuman cries at least 8 times a day about silly things like just singing hymns he will start or even while blessing the sacrament. I'm humbled a lot of the time but sometimes it just gets old. Keeping my head up though because P day has been fun and I'm excited to exercise more and do laundry tonight. Elder Jensen and Elder Tague are my favorite people in my district. Elder Tague graduated high school at 16 and has done 3 years of college and has an associates degree so you think he would be this really nerdy guy but honestly I have never met someone so funny and relateable. Missing you guys a lot I hope you all are well.
Love ya Elder Erasmus

1st Letter! - Been at the MTC 2 days

Sorry I haven't written you lately I have been so busy with all the activities going on. My companion is Elder Shuman (the one that flirted with me on instagram!) anyways he is quite the character... We are complete opposites. He was a Ballroom coach and never stops talking.  He follows rules to a T, to the point where he wouldn't leave the bathroom without me.  We get along though, which is good, but I know the Lord is really training my patience right now.  Elder Shuman never stops talking and bragging. Which is funny because we were assigned to teach an investigator (actor) named Catie.  As we went in there for our introduction I began asking her questions and getting to know her, Elder Shuman I think had just seen a ghost because the first ten minutes of the interview not a word came from his mouth.  There was points where I would ask Elder Shuman if he would you like to ask Catie anything and he just looked at me said yes, paused, and said nevermind.  I thought alrighty then I have to take the drivers seat so I invited the investigator to pray and finally got Shuman to talk by asking if he could demonstrate that for her.  I am lacking food though. the cafeteria is good but I'm all out of snacks and drinks. Also you never packed my hairspray so I had to purchase some from the store along with hangers and gold bond because the white collar is rubbing on my neck creating a rash. 

Love you all

Love, 
Elder Erasmus

MTC Drop off Day

It started with a Call 5 weeks ago

Then his farewell

and just like that it was time for the MTC

Getting ready to head out

We are all a little nervous

Drop off at the MTC via Motor Home! - this made us laugh 

Oh We love our Ryan!

See ya in 2!

It's a tough day - I really don't like it, not any easier then the first time around with Nathan - we just knew now how hard it would be

But we did get to see our cute Niece there!  

We love you McKenna!