Arrival in Argentina

Hi mom.

Well I am in Neuquen. We got here last night at like midnight. We had a really long day yesterday. And so we slept and came over to the mission home this morning. Just filled out a little paperwork. And so Sister Lovell said to email our parents and tell them that we are safely in Neuquen. So yeah I am here. It's great so far. It's a different experience. A little different site than what i am used to. It is also a little chilly here but it feels pretty good. We meet our trainers tomorrow. And i'm getting off now. I just wanted you to know that I am here. I love you. 

Love, Elder Tyler Opfar

Last week in the MTC

 

A couple of pictures of Tyler's district and their teachers.

 

Aug 30, 2014

Today was good but long. IT was pday so it went by fast. We got up and did service this morning and did our laundry. THen we went to the temple. After that we went to main campus to eat lunch. THen we went out to wait for the bus. We waited for about an hour and decided to walk. after we got back we went and emailed. THen had Burger Supreme and Jamba Juice for dinner. THen we had spanish class that night.

Aug 31

Today was great. We started with studying and then sacrament meeting. THen had more study time. After lunch we had even more time to study. We had district meeting before dinner. The devotional was good! the speaker was Richard N. Holzapfel. He spoke on the importance of keeping a study journal. It was a great talk. THen we went and watched a video about Thomas S. Monson. 

Sept 1

Today was like any other day. Except it was our last day with our teachers. They switched them up because BYU started and so teachers got their class schedules. So we get new ones for the next couple days. Today was literally spanish lunch spanish dinner and study. Just like any other regular day. 

Sept 2

Today was great. We started with studying. Then we had spanish. We met one of the new teachers. She doesn't speak much english. After class we went up to main campus for dinner and for devotional. The speaker was Don R. Clarke of the Seventy. HE gave a great talk about missionary work. IT also was about helping reactivate inactive members because they are just as important. It got me more excited to get to Argentina.

Sept 3

Today was good. We started with class today. Then after lunch it was more class then studying. We met our other teacher today. He served his mission in Neuquen. So hes been telling us all about it. And im getting more excited. He has an Italian Spanish accent so thats cool.

Sept 4

Today was good. We started with class again. THen went to gym for our last time. AFter lunch we had more class. And learned more about my mission. AFter dinner we had more study time. 

Sept 5

Today was really long. We had In-Field Orientation like all day and then spanish class. Today felt like forever. But during class we talked about the Joseph Smith story. When we were reading it the spirit really testified to me of the truthfulness of it. IT strengthened my testimony of Joseph Smith. I can't wait to get to Argentina and share it with others.

Travel Plans...

 

TRAVEL PLANS!!! 

 

 

I've wanted him to take a picture in front of the world map for me...Argentina looks so far away.

 

 

He got to see Elder Logan Barber before he left!! 

 

 

Aug 23

Today we started with going to the temple. Then we went to Burger Supreme for lunch. THen we emailed and did laundry. Then we went and wrote letters and everything else. After dinner we had spanish class. IT was a pretty good day. It went by too fast though.

Aug 24

Today we started with sacrament. It was good. then studied until lunch and then more studying until dinner. Elder Gallegos and I taught our district meeting. That went great. After dinner we went to choir practice then then devotional. Elder Stephen B. Allen spoke. He gave a great talk on not letting the adversary push your buttons while out here serving. IT was a great Sunday as always.

Aug 25

today we started off with spanish class. We taught Ximena. then after lunch we had even more spanish class. We also got haircuts today so that was good. AFter dinner we had TRC and we taught Jeremy. THen we had study time.

Aug 26

Today was awesome. We started with spanish. then during our second block of spanish we had TRC skype. We skyped a lady in Uruguay. It was awesome. THen we went back to class and taught Alejandra. We went up to main campus for dinner and barely missed out on getting a spot for choir. so we just walked around until devotional. Elder James B. Martino from the seventy spoke. He gave a great talk about working hard on your mission.

Aug 27

Today once again started with spanish class. Then after lunch it was once again more spanish. We taught Alejandra again. Had a pretty good lesson. AFter dinner we had TRC and taught Jeremy. THen had study time for a few hours. Nothing super exciting happened today.

Aug 28

Today was pretty good! Like any other day here we started with spanish class and we taught Ximena. Then once again had more spanish after lunch. We had TRc but when we went to go teach him he had to leave so we didn't get to. We then had study time. I studied a lot about the atonement and the love that Christ has for each of us. Brother Glazier from our branch presidency came by to talk to us and he asked what we had learned today. WHen i told him he said "do you know why i give you elders a hug everytime i see you? because that is what Christ would do." that really struck me. And it was just a great day.

Aug 29

Today was fantastic! cause we got our flight plans! and I am going to Argentina!! I leave the MTC September 8th. Other than finding our that today was pretty much like any other day. But pretty solid

Week 4

It snowed in the mountains...which was the only picture Tyler took this week.  :)

Aug 16, 2014

Today was pday. We started off with going to the temple. And then we went and started laundry. Then we went to Burger Supreme for lunch. It was delicious. We then came and emailed and finished up laundry. Then we went back to our residence and wrote letters and I studied my scriptures for a little. Then later on we had spanish class. 

Aug 17, 2014

Today was amazing. We started with sacrament. During sacrament our district sang Joseph Smith's First Prayer in spanish. With verse three being Josephs own words of what he saw. It was so powerful. The spirit was so strong. I memorized the first vision this week and it is powerful. After that we had more study time until lunch. and then it was more study time until dinner. We then went to choir practice then the devotional. Jenny Oaks Baker was the speaker. She is the daughter of Elder Dallin H. Oaks. She gave a great talk about prayer and trusting in The Lord. and she played the violin with her family. She played a couple songs. It was great. 

Aug 18, 2014

today started off with spanish class and teaching Ximena. It went pretty good. For gym we played some basketball which was pretty fun. Then we had more spanish class after that. It's slowly coming along. After dinner we had some study times. This was when i finished memorizing the first vision in spanish. 

Aug 19, 2014

Today we started with study time. THen for gym time we played volleyball because it was raining. After that we had some spanish class. We taught 2 lessons to some members. It was some good practice. Then we had choir practice and devotional. We sand Precious Savior, Dear Redeemer. It was amazing. The speaker was Bonnie L. Oscarson, the general Young Women's President. She spoke about missions and going about to have no regrets afterwards. Working hard enough that you don't regret anything or wish you could go back and change something, being the best missionary you can be. It was great. 

Aug 20, 2015 

Today started was spanish. Then for gym we played volleyball again because of rain. Then we got to be hosts for the new missionaries who came in. We just stay at west campus and host the missionaries who come over there. It was fun. We then had a little spanish class before dinner. Then we had TRC. We were going to teach Jeremy but he wasn't there. So we just watched some other groups teach. then we had study time.

Aug 21, 2014

Today started with spanish class and teaching Ximena again. we had an amazing lesson about faith. THe spirit was so strong during it. Then for gym we went and played soccer. Then had more spanish class. Our spanish class isn't always learning spanish. for some of it we sometimes work on ways to start lessons, or how to find someones needs, or stuff like that. But our teacher still always speaks spanish. after dinner we went to do TRC but Jeremy once again wasnt there. So we just watched other companionships again. Then we went and studied for a few hours. 

Aug 22, 2014

Today we had spanish class and then we went and played soccer. After that was more spanish. We got to teach Alejandra. We had a good lesson about prayer. Then after dinner we had TRC again. We finally got to teach Jeremy. We had like 30 minutes with him before he had to leave. It went good though. Then we had study time. This week went by so fast. So close until i leave here. about 2 weeks.

Elder Tyler Opfar

Week 3...

With Elder Loertscher

Elder Opfar and Elder Gallegos at the Provo Temple

I asked for a fun picture of his badge...he's so good to oblige.  :)

The District outside the Provo temple.

Elder Wallace, from England.  He is going to California, Spanish Speaking.  He is in Tyler's zone.

Aug 9, 2014

Today was pday. Today we went to the temple and then came back and started laundry and emailing and then went to finish laundry. for the rest of the day we just relaxed and read scriptures and wrote. We had spanish class tonight. so much class and studying everyday. If i studied half this much in high school i would have done so much better. They pput you to work out here at the MTC. 16 hour days.

Aug 10, 2014

Today started off with breakfast and studying. Then we had sacrament meeting and then more studying. After lunch it was once again more studying. We then went to choir practice and then the devotional. The speaker was Richard I. Heaton. He gave an absolutely amazing talk. We then stayed and watched the video The Testaments. Sunday is basically filled with studying all day long. It's kind of nice though. I actually enjoy having some personal time to just study my scriptures and learn more and come closer to my Savior. Sundays are just great days.

Aug 11, 2014

Today we had spanish class. And for gym we played some kickball with our zone. It was a lot of fun. We had more spanish class where me and Elder Gallegos taught Alejandra. Then we had actually class. I'm starting to see more progress with my español. We had Papa johns for dinner and that we delicious. Then had more study time for a couple hours. When teaching a lesson there is so much i want to say but i can´t because i don´t know how to say it in spanish. 

Aug 12, 2014

Today started off with morning study and then had gym. We played some soccer. It was pretty fun. I love playing soccer. We had spanish classs where we taught 2 lessons to some members. It was a good experience though. Thenwe went back to class and studied more spanish. After dinner we went to choir practice and then had devotional. We sang Nearer my God to Thee. Such a powerful song. Elder David F Evans spoke at the devotional. It was great. He gave an amazing talk about repentance. 

Aug 13, 2014

Today once again started off with spanish class. And then for gym we played soccer again. After lunch we had more spanish. We taught Alejandra again. It was a pretty great lesson. Starting to finally be able to put sentences together helps. We then had our evening study time. A little into it we met with our 2 new districts in our zone who just got here today. we got to know them. I´m excited to just get to Argentina already. but at the same time i dont know nearly enough spanish. But it will come.

Aug 14, 2014

Today was like any other day. Started with spanish class. and we taught Ximena. WE had a pretty solid lesson. ANd then during gym we played some zone kickball again. HAd more spanish class after lunch. We learned how to ask questions to be able to find peoples needs. Then had more study time. At the MTC they said the days feel like weeks and the weeks feel like days. It´s definitely true. Days go by so slow but at the same time they go by fast. WE basically do the same things everyday here at the MTC.

Aug 15, 2014

Today started off with spanish class where we learned the differences between por and para. Which they mean the same thing but are just used in different contexts. For gym we played soccer. and then after lunch it was back to spanish class. We learned the progressive tense. IT was easy. I kind of remembered it from spanish back in high school. After dinner we had study times. Elder Gallegos and I are the online coordinators so we went and taught the new missionaries how to use the computers and everything that they need on them. Spanish is starting to take over my thoughts. When i´m speaking or writing in english the spanish word sometimes comes to mind and i have to stop myself from saying it. One thing they suggest to do is speak your language outsides of class. i´m still working on doing that. It´s slowly coming along

MTC

 

Tyler's MTC District.  Six are going to Neuquén with him, two are going to Ecuador.  One of the ones going to Ecuador is going to Elder Robert Mott's mission.  :)

Aug 2, 2014

Today was our first pday. It was great. We went to the temple to begin with then we went back and got started on laundry and emailed. WE then went to get our laundry and went to some burger place for lunch. It was delicious. We went back to our residence and just relaxed and read scriptures and wrote letters. We then had dinner and spanish class. Today was great. Nice to have a day or kind of relaxing and not just exhausting stuff.

Aug 3, 2014

Today was fast sunday. WE had sacrament meeting and then mission conference. After that we just studied until dinner. And then had a devotional. It was Kevin J. Worthen and his wife. We stayed and watched a talk given by Elder Bednar called Character of Christ. That was amazing. IT was an overall great day. Lots of time studying.

Aug 4, 2014

Today was filled with class. and thats how the next couple weeks are. We taught our second lesson to Ximena. It went better than the first one but still pretty bad. Today was pretty good though. It went by pretty fast. And that's how ive heard all the days are here. I love it so far. It's been great

Aug 5, 2014

Today was great! WE started with studying for a couple hours. Then we had spanish class. Then we had a devotional. We did choir for devotional because our service time is right when choir is so our branch president says either you do choir or clean toilets. Pretty easy decision. WE sang Sweet Hour of Pray. It was so amazing! Our speakers at the devotional were Elder Bruce C. Hafen and his wife. It was a great way to end the day.

Aug 6, 2014

Today was my Birthday, officially 19! Today was just like any other day though. WE started off with teaching Ximena. Which went great. Then we had spanish and more study time. During spanish my district sung Feliz Cumpleanos. That was exciting. I am slowly picking up on spanish. Still don't know a lot but slowly getting better. IT was a great day! It's kind of hard to wake up at 6:30 every day but we have done it obediently. 

Aug 7, 2014

Today we were supposed to teach XImena but other companionship's took too long so we only talked with her for like 5 minutes. We then had spanish class later that day. I just want to know it already. IT's frustrating teaching a lesson in a language you don't know yet. But it was come and i'll be able to teach smoothly in not too long. WE had study time for a couple of hours. Our days consist of eat, class, gym, eat, class, eat, class, go to bed. It's gone by pretty fast so far. 

AUg 8, 2014 

Today we went to main campus in the morning and had class there and then some spanish speaking doctors came and talked to us. they toured the MTC and our district was one of three chosen for them to talk to. They are impressed with how fast gringos learn spanish. THey are witha charity called charity anywhere and they are going to ecuador to give healthcare to kids who don't have that. After that we stayed for lunch at main campus where I was able to see Dimitri! good to see him! WE then had class and study time.

and thats been my week! it's great so far!

 

Week 1-July 30 to August 1

July 30

Well today I arrived at the MTC. it started with going to a classroom and learning spanish right from the beginning. Our instructor talks to us only in spanish. We then went to meet the MTC Presidency and then had dinner. That evening we did an activity where we talked with 3 different people. We talked to them as if we were teaching them but it was with a group not just by ourselves. It was great! We then went to meet our zone leaders. They are awesome. I love our zone. In our zone there are a lot of people going to Neuquen. I was surprised at how many people there were. My companion is Elder Gallegos. He's from Syracuse Utah. 

July 31

Today was filled with discussing how to teach and listening to the spirit help you as you teach. We had spanish class again today where we talked about how to prepare a lesson. Once again it was only in spanish. After dinner we met with the branch presidency. WE learned from them for a little bit and had personal interviews with them so they can get to know us. It was a long day. But it was great. I love it here!

August 1

Today we taught our first lesson in espanol. It went as well as you would think since we dont know spanish yet. But it can only get better from here. I've only been here for 3 days but it feels like a week. Ive heard the first couple days are the slowest and then they speed up. Each day we just have lots of sitting and studying. Whether it's studying the gospel or Spanish. I think I've learned more spanish here than in the 3 years I took in high school.

I love you all. Thanks for your support.

Elder Tyler Opfar