Arrival in Argentina

Elder Rasband has officially left the Missionary Training Center and arrived safely in Argentina. His address in Argentina is:

Elder Paul Rasband
Argentina Resistencia Mission
PO Box 30150
Salt Lake City, UT 84130-0150
USA

This address is for pouch mail only. The following are instructions for pouch mail as stated in the LDS Church News in December 2007:

"To avoid possible discontinuation of the pouch mail service, the Church has revised its policy on missionary correspondence.

Instructions issued in September call on families and friends of missionaries to simplify their correspondence by mailing a single 8 1/2-inch x 11-inch sheet of 20-pound paper, or equivalent to paper used in copiers. Envelopes may not be used.

The sheet is to be folded into three parts, as is commonly done to insert into a business envelope. The top edge of the sheet should be fastened with tape on the top edge only, no closer than one inch to either side.

The name of the missionary is addressed on the outside of the sheet, with the name of the mission and the pouch address of the Church: P.O. Box 30150, Salt Lake City, Ut., 84130-0150.

Apply a stamp to the sheet and mail to Church headquarters."

Paul would love to receive letters from anyone willing to take the time to write them.

Paul had a wonderful experience in the MTC. On May 14th Elder Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles came to speak to the missionaries about the purpose of missionary work and the blessings they will receive for serving faithfully. In a recent letter he said, "I really love my mission. I haven't even had the chance to teach anyone for real yet, and I already love my mission...if I never learned another thing, or felt the Spirit again on my entire mission, the changes that I've gone through in the last month are worth two years of my life."

He is growing tremendously and working very hard. We are proud of him. Please remember him in your prayers.

A Few Excerpts...

Elder Rasband has been keeping busy. Here are a few random thoughts assembled from the emails that he's sent so far:

Thanks for your emails. It was good to hear from you. I hope you miss me tons! Anyway, I just got back from the temple. It was amazing even though I was really tired and had some trouble staying awake. I guess that's what my companion's elbows are for.

Things are good here. I've been working a lot. The food is not very good for me.

When you get the chance, could you please send me some healthy snacks? I've been working out a little, but I can't lose weight because we eat nothing but cookies. Oh, and every once in a while, I fireman's carry Elder Hogge and do a couple sets of squats. He's lighter than me, but the awkwardness inherent in the load makes it an okay workout!

I'm doing well in Spanish, and I'm starting to know the scriptures better and to have more material for the lessons.

My other skills are all way ahead of the district. Honestly, and don't put this on the internet. I'm one of the best firebenders in the MTC, and in gymn I almost always win the lightsaber duels. My teachers were so impressed that they took me aside separately to learn force lightning. We're not supposed to get sith powers 'till the last week!!

Mucho amor,

Elder Rasband

*disclaimer: one or more of these comments may or may not have been taken out of context...

First news from Paul in the MTC:

My first week at the MTC has been wonderful. The spirit here is so strong that it can be physically wearying. Or maybe that's just the 18 hr days. As Melissa said, even if there are a lot of rules, at least they aren't enforced with tear gas.

My first mission companion is Elder Hogge (said Hoag). He is from California and we are getting along well. I promise to send pictures of us next week.

This week we were able to attend the Draper temple Dedication via satellite. It was an incredible experience for me that helped me see the part in the work that the Lord has given me.

I am studying hard and I hope that you will pray for my success. I love you all and I hope you'll come back to this page from time to time to see how I'm doing.

Just a Brief Introduction...

My name is Melissa and I will be maintaining this blog at the request of Elder Rasband. Today he told me that good things come to those who wait, and while I don't actually think he meant it in this context, I just want to express the sentiment that I will do my best to keep this page as up-to-date as possible, but I can't make any promises about having a regimented update schedule. I will do my best to keep you posted as he keeps me posted.

Elder Rasband has officially entered the MTC as of 1:00 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time. I am very proud of him for taking this step in his life, as, I'm sure, are all of you. I know that Paul would love to receive letters from anyone who felt the desire to send them. His current address is posted on the sidebar.

I hope you all enjoy receiving these updates from Elder Rasband. Please remember to keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

Melissa Smith