Your current event Napoleon.

Ni hao, shenma mingzi?

In case you're wondering, that means "hello, what name?" not "How are you," as one well-meaning english Elder thought. Now that we've got the formalities aside, I'm not sure where to begin.

I am typing this with my snazzy new keyboard. Thank you for that. It has already come in handy, and not just for writing emails.

It's odd to think that I've been here for nearly a month. It feels like a blink of an eye. Two years seems like a long time just thinking about it, but here I am now, already having been here for a 24th of my time. Crazy.

Our devotional yesterday was a "not concert" by the BYU men's chorus. I may have been able to enjoy it, if not for two reasons:

1: It had the name BYU attached to it

2: A "treasured" individual that I knew from my dark past at Riverton High was singing in it.

But, whatever. The choir director was British, so I guess that makes it somewhat better.

We have a new district coming into our zone this week. We just sent the oldest district off for the field this morning, so we're just going to have 2 districts for a few days. It will be nice not to be the "new kids" anymore. (Even though half the missionaries who came into the MTC the same day as us have already left for the field). We'll be able to pass on our wisdom to a new batch of clueless rookies.

I was glad that the most shocking news I received this week was Kareem Hunt getting cut from the Chiefs. Why the team made that move, I can't imagine. Unless some very drastic changes happened since I left, there was a real case to be made for him being the best running back in the NFL. And the Jazz traded for Kyle Korver? Isn't he like nintey-six? Eh, whatever. I'm sure management knows what they're doing. 

We were hosts this last week. If you don't know, hosts are the people who guide the incoming missionaries to where they need to go (the ones who take your picture and help you with your luggage). It was very slow, as there were only 70 missionaries total coming into the MTC that day. (To put that in perspective, there were well over 600 the day that I came in). It was fun, though. I got to take a trip off campus, because one of the international missionaries I was hosting (He was from Mexico, and barely spoke any English) had to get an x-ray and the student health center.

As far as other happenings go, we went to the temple again this morning. We did baptisms this time. It was a little tricky, because us Elders can't baptize sisters, but we got it done, thanks to a man from South Korea who did the baptisms, in Korean, faster than I've ever heard baptisms done before. The temple workers said that he comes to the temple every day, because he has over three-thousand family names. The one bad thing about the experience, is that we, for some reason, ate at the MTC instead of the temple.

Want to know something I discovered today? Bible videos. I knew they existed, but I did not realize how many there were. It's my new activity while waiting for laundry to get done, when I'm not writing emails. I recommend that you watch the "Martyrdom of Stephen" one. I know that my brothers, at least, will find it (especially the end) entertaining and uplifting.

We had the best Sunday dinner yet yesterday. (Actually it was lunch). It was real, true roast beef. I guess the cafeteria worker was feeling charitable, because he gave me a massive serving. It was fantastic. The main downside was that I also had to choke down some mashed potatoes. I did finish (almost) all of them, despite the pain that that action brought me. I also had more roast for dinner, because there was some at the leftover line. (MTC tip #1: Check the leftover line at every meal. You may be glad you did).

In closing, I would simply like to state that I am glad for this experience. It's hard, at times (especially learning the language), but my district and zone are great, my branch presidency is very supportive, and I know I have an amazing family praying for me back home. I wish I could be with you at Christmas, but I'm still very exited to get to spend it here.

(Sorry, I slipped in to "Righteous Ben" mode there at the end.

Benny the Bet Bith.