1 month down!

Wow, it has already been 4 weeks here. It is absolutely nuts how fast time flies. Ha I hope everything is going good for everyone and you are enjoying time at home. I love the letters coming in. They make my day sooo much better and I look forward to reading them every night. Mom and dad thank you for writing me. I get a kick out of dad's letters because I can picture in my mind everything that is happening!

To first start off, I would just like to thank all of you for the examples I have had in my life. There have been so many people who have picked me up when I was struggling and have really thought about all the love you have shown me. The other night I was thinking while we were in a lesson. First thought, "It's not always easy, but it’s worth it." The first person I thought of was Quincy. I began to think back on my high school basketball career and honestly sometimes thought Coach was crazy sometimes.. But since I am done with all of that I couldn't be any more thankful for him and what he has shown me in life. It's absolutely crazy; the same things I learned from him apply here. There are SO many missionaries who are not on time and do not work hard at all. It bugs me SOO bad because they are just wasting their time. Playing basketball for the best coach in the nation has truly shown me hard work ethic and how important it is to be on time. There are so many more great things that I learned but I just want to thank Quincy for being like a father to me and showing me the ropes how to work hard. No wonder he is the best coach in the state. I have learned so many life lessons from him and he will always be one of my heroes.

 So, this past week was pretty hard. I cannot tell you how ready I am to leave this place and go to Germany. Yeah, the MTC is great and all but I am so ready to get out and teach. Sitting in a chair for so long has absolutely killed me and I have had the worst back pains. My companion gave me a massage for about 1 hour last night because I honestly was in so much pain. I am so grateful for him. But my back is feeling a little bit better and I am doing a lot better. My companion is doing awesome, this past week we have finally figured everything out. It's so easy to find your weaknesses when you live with someone 24/7. I have learned so much in just a month being here. I feel like a changed man already. He is doing awesome and I love him. He is one of the most spiritual guys I know and it has shown me so much. Yes, sometimes I think he is crazy but he has taught me so much.

Learning German has been very tough, but honestly the gift of tongues is real... The other day we were Skyping some investigators from Germany and Switzerland and I was having a full on conversation with them and explaining everything perfectly. (At least I thought so). My companion is really good at German so sometimes it can be super frustrating but I know the Lord has blessed me and if I can continue to work even harder I will be blessed even more. The most frustrating part is I can understand everything my teacher is saying but, speaking it is so hard. German is actually a pretty hard language to learn but I am slowly picking it up and working my hardest. 

Out of all the Gospel related stuff, there are some elders who I absolutely love to hang with. Elder Hawker, Elder Anderson, Elder Carr (England) and Elder Jensen. We have our "MTC Frau" which is lady in German. Haha and no one knows of them besides us 5. Well Elder Jensen had the opportunity to embarrass me and give "My MTC Frau" my email... I had no idea what he did until he came up and told me. I cannot tell you how awkward but funny it is when she walks past me and just smiles. So I have to get him back and do it to his frau. Haha it is obviously all a joke so don’t think we are serious but it’s just some things that keep us sane while we are here. Another story is we go in every night at 9:30 to our residence and we are all just dead from the day. We got these rubber stretching bands in a book of exercising. And Elder Moeller’s parents sent him hacky sacks. So being creative we decided to have war against each other. At each end of the halls we would have 2-3 hacky sacks and launch them over to the other side and if you got hit you were out. And yes these hurt very bad and I have a couple welts. Ha just a few things to keep us sane during the week since we are studying the language and gospel all day long.

I love that Talons Farewell went great. Brother Harper is the man and took notes of it and wrote them all to me. I loved seeing pictures of all my best friends (Taylor, Shanae, Talon, Bobby, Jared, Dawson, Riley, Jesse) haha I love them so very much and so grateful for the examples they are in my life. We are all best friends and I can't wait to share these same experiences with them when they are out here. I can't wait especially for Talon to come in 1 WEEK!!! Ahhhhh I am so pumped, I am going to meet him out on the curb and I am giving him the biggest hug! I wish all my friends were coming in next week. Keep staying close to the Lord and pray often. I am proud of you guys and keep up the good work. It is the best decision I have ever made to come out on a mission and I hope you will feel the same way. 

For the spiritual part, Elder Craig Zwick from the 70 came and spoke to us for our Tuesday devotional. Which are the best days of the week. It really did help me to understand a ton more about how to be a better missionary. So he was the architect for the Portland Temple and had 6 points to building the temple that could help us in missionary work they are;

1.      Start with the End in mind.

My thoughts on this is what kind of person do you want people to know you as and remember you as? I need to develop more Christ like attributes and I want people to remember me as a good guy who really loves Our Savior.

2. Strong Desire and Commitment

Coming out here on the mission you need a lot of help from our Father in Heaven. Sacrificing so much is hard but committing myself to the Lord is even better and serving him with all my heart, mind, might and strength.

3. Willingness and Discipline to work Hard

Again, relating back to Quincy for helping me work hard. Even watching how hard my Mom, Dad, brothers and sister work for what they want. I know I have been blessed with them as my family. And families can be together forever.

4. Prepare for Challenges

There are so many challenges not only out here on the mission but in life as well. Prepare for them and remember the scripture Alma 36:3. 

 5. Structural and spiritual integrity.

Strengthen our faith in our Savior and Redeemer Jesus Christ and develop Christ like attributes.

 6. Total Dedication to the Lord

Being out on a mission has shown me so much how much the Lord loves each and every one of us. I have felt my Saviors love and forgiveness for me. My Favorite quote I heard this week is on a Mormon message it said, "I have let my Heavenly Father down so many times, but he has never let me down. And, I know for a fact he never will." The atonement is powerful. Jesus Christ loves each and everyone one of us and was willing to Sacrifice for the sins we have made in our life.

Again, I love this gospel with all of my heart. I have never felt this close to my Heavenly Father. Some times are super rough but I am hanging in there and knowing this is the best thing for me right now. My testimony is strengthening stronger and stronger every day I am here and I am learning what type of person I want to be to help others. I am learning Christ like attributes and if we all can do that we will all feel our Saviors love for us.

I really do love all of you and I pray for you every day and night. There hasn't been a prayer where I haven't asked to bless my family. You have showed me so much and I appreciate all you do. Oh and Grandma Parris THANK YOU so much for the caramel. Ha it is almost gone already!

I love and miss you all!

Elder Emery

Sending mail to Germany..

This is a link that gives info on sending letters and packages to Germany.

http://pe.usps.com/text/imm/fh_011.htm

For example, the cost for sending a letter and packages (found at this link):

http://pe.usps.com/cpim/ftp/manuals/dmm300/Notice123.pdf

Letters: First class mail has a maximum weight of 3.5 ounces (6 sheets of

regular copy paper weigh about 1 ounce):

Weight:        Postage:

1 ounce        $1.10

2 ounces       $2.05

3 ounces       $3.00

3.5 ounces    $3.95

Packages: maximum weight of 4 pounds

Weight:        Postage:

1 lb.               $16.75

2 lbs.              $24.15 

3 lbs.              $31.55

4 lbs.              $38.95

Germany Frankfurt Mission Blog

Elder Emery's mission presidents have set up a blog specifically for his mission. If you would like to know more about it then here's the link for you to get there:) It is really interesting and cool to see how much the mission is growing!
http://frankfurtmission.blogspot.de/

Nick and Elder Lassley

Nick and Elder Barker on their splits

3 weeks!!!

Guten Morgen!

Hey everyone, I hope all is well back at home! I miss you guys, but I love being out here. It has shown me so much about myself and has strengthened me a ton. I can't believe it has already been 3 weeks. It has absolutely flown by. It seems like yesterday I said goodbye to you all. But anyways here is my week.

There is not a whole lot to write about the MTC since it is all the same.. Ha, for the first time though I have realized that being out here on a mission makes me so happy. Being around the gospel 24/7 is amazing and I am so blessed to be here. The other day I was really frustrated with the language.. I felt like I was doing really well with it then one day I couldn't understand or speak it for some odd reason. It was super frustrating and I had to go outside for a little bit to kind of relax. I am so hard on myself sometimes and that is one thing I am learning is that it won't all come at once.. I just have to work at it.

I heard a quote the other day that really help me it says "Faith is action and power, it is not having a perfect knowledge of things. Faith is what propels us forward to change what needs to be changed.” I really liked this quote because coming out here on a mission is all about faith in our Heavenly Father and strengthening that faith in our everyday lives. It has helped me come to realize that there is so much more to life than just sports. Growing up, I thought sports were life. But the true meaning of life is to learn from our mistakes and to come closer unto Christ. By having faith in Christ we can strengthen our burdens and make weak things become strong. (Ether 12:27)

So, every Sunday we get to go on the temple walk. It is so relaxing to get out and walk around off campus. We all call the MTC "spirit prison" haha the spirit here is amazing but we are confined to a classroom for 12 hours in the day. The food here at the MTC is.. okay. Like I said I have already gained weight! I am not fat I promise. I think I am just growing into my body though and I feel so much stronger for some reason.. ha but I am loving it.

The other day my companion was super sick.. That was the longest day of my life! He had a sinus infection or something. There are so many diseases floating around the MTC I swear. haha but it was the worst! I was stuck in our residence forever it seemed like. And there really is nothing to do because he was sleeping the whole time so I just sat there and read the Book of Mormon and studied German. Being with a companion 24/7 is soo different!!

During gym time I usually go shoot in the gym. Don't worry mom I am not playing anybody and I won't get hurt. I am being careful. Haha, they only give us 50 min every 3 days... Which is awful because I always need to be doing some type of sport or something! Sitting in class is so different. But like I said, I am learning so much.

Anyways, there’s not much to write about the MTC and everything that happens here because a whole lot doesn’t really happen. My companion is doing a ton better. I found out from president that he has a compulsive disorder. But I am learning so much and it is strengthening me so much.  Today actually I am with Elder Barker, we did splits today because he has really been struggling with the MTC and has some problems and so president asked if I could take him for the day and cheer him up a little. He seems to be doing so much better and I include him a lot more in things. I know I am here for a reason. I already feel so much more different than before and I can't wait to see who I am in 2 years. I am doing my best in everything I do. I LOVE receiving letters and it makes my day. So if you can keep sending them.

I love you all!

Elder Emery

some pics from the first few weeks:)

 Nick with his companion Elder Lassley:)

 Nick's district

two weeks down!

"When you are born, you don't come with a manual. You come with a mother!" I love you mom and hope your Mother’s Day was awesome! Also, I hope everyone’s Mother’s Day was awesome and you told your mom’s how much you loved them. I never realized how much my mom did for me until I came out here on the mission. Then laundry and food didn't magically appear anymore. Ha JK

I hope all is going well with everyone. I am doing awesome out here and I swear I have never felt this close with the Lord in my life. This work is amazing and my testimony is growing every day.

So the MTC... it has been good! My favorite part about being here are the devotionals we have on Sundays and Tuesdays. They have been so powerful and definitely have strengthened my testimony. Last night, Elder Nelson of the 12 came and spoke. It was so powerful and he talked a lot about Family work and how mission work can be successful! It was very strong and powerful.

Sooooo my Comp is COMPLETELY opposite as I am. Ha, I am a really easy kid to get along with. I love the kid and he is super strong in the church but something’s just are too much. We played kickball the other day and just having fun and enjoying it.. We got back to the room and he told me we can never play it again because it got "too competitive.." Uhhh yeah everything I do is competitive and you better believe I am winning!!! Haha another thing was my companion was talking to me how they should take "sports time out of the schedule and imply music and singing time... I was dying! Ha but everything is perfect and there are just some minor things as always. He is really a great guy and is very strong in the church and has helped me so much already. There is a reason I have him as a companion and I’m going to learn all I can from him.

So here at the MTC I have always wondered.. "Why has God put me through so many trials in my life?" I never really understood the true meaning of it all; until I got here. To tell you the truth I wouldn't be here if it weren't for all the trials I have been through in my life because I wouldn't be as strong as I am today without them. Alma 36:3 talks about how we go through trials in our lives to strengthen us and to make us humble.. Trust in the Lord and anything is possible. I know we have all made mistakes in our lives but my testimony on the atonement and being able to repent has grown tremendously!!! I love this Gospel and all the wonderful things it has.

Another thing I have noticed while I am here is: I have never realized how much I had sacrificed to be here. It has been so humbling knowing I have been so blessed with so much and I would just like to thank everyone who has gotten me here today. Being able to sacrifice has been hard but I know it will continue to bless my life as we go on.

You would never believe it.. When I first came here I was about 182 pounds.. I am now at 190........... Ha I am not getting fat I promise! I run every day and feel the same! Just trying to get bigger than my brother Jackson!!! Haha JK, but yes that’s what happens when you sit in class for 8-9 hours a day. I have been going crazy because I am so used to doing things and running and playing sports and everything. One benefit is that I know a ton of German just in 2 weeks. I can have full conversations now! Ha it’s amazing the power of the gift of tongues. I taught the whole first discussion to our investigator the other day. It was so hard. It didn't sound good at all but I know a lot of words that helps.

Anyways, I am loving this work and I know for a fact that I am supposed to be here. It has already blessed me so much and I can't wait to strengthen my testimony even more. I do have a testimony that I know this church is true with all my heart. It has blessed me so much in my life and I know that I wouldn't be the person I am today without it. God lives, His son Jesus Christ atoned for our sins. They love us; they made this wonderful gospel so we can someday live with them again.

I am praying for you all every night.

Ich weiss, unser himmlischer vater liebt uns.
Alles Gut

I love you all!

Elder Emery

May 5th

Family,

Well, I can honestly say that I really enjoy being here and that the spirit is very strong. One thing is I am super tired. My German isn't too bad.. I understand a lot and I'm getting used to it. All class is in German, we go 3 hours straight then lunch, then 3 more hours, plus 2 hours of language study. It's absolutely nuts! But I really enjoy it because I am actually learning.  My branch is awesome and really fun. There are about 15 of us that are going to Frankfurt and the Alpine mission. There are just 8 of us in my district. Our estimated departure date is June 11 (Annie's birthday!) but I'll let you know more when it gets closer. We help each other out a lot. Elder Lassley and I got called to be Zone Leaders! It is a ton of work to do and can be frustrating, but we are doing well.

I am sleeping really well at night but last night I actually turned and fell off my bed. Yeah really stupid! When I first hit, I thought I re-broke my thumb. It was more painful than actually breaking it the first time. But I was in pain for about an hour and just said a prayer because it was super swollen. Pretty much how big it was the first time. I said a prayer asking to strengthen me and not to let this happen to me. By morning all the swelling was gone and my finger just ached. God does indeed answer our prayers!

Today was fast Sunday and can I say it was LONG!! Ha we had a ton of meetings and a lot of studying. I actually enjoyed today. Chad Lewis came and talked at the fireside, then came and gave me a big hug after. It made me feel really good.

Please keep the letters coming! I love hearing from you guys and it makes my day so much better! Know that I love you all.

Love,
Elder Emery

Guten Tag!

Meine Familie,

Wow, the MTC is awesome! It definitely is one of the most spiritual places I have ever been. I have never felt this clean in my life and I am so grateful to be here.

First off, my companion is Elder Lassley, he is from Kansas and LOVES music. We are complete opposites but we get along great. He is a convert of 1 1/2 years and is one of the most spiritual guys I know. I am definitely blessed to have him. The MTC is great, the first 2 days were definitely hard but I am so busy I hardly have time to think about home. I love getting all your letters at night and reading about the family. They mean so much to me and I look forward to reading them. My days here at the MTC are so jam packed. Ha I never thought I would be this busy. I enjoy it very much though.

Waking up at 6:30 every morning has been a killer but it isn’t too bad. That is the only thing that really is a struggle but everything else is fine. My German is coming; it’s crazy how much German we have learned in just 1 week!! But I can say so much, the gift of tongues is definitely real.

So the 2nd day we were here we actually taught an investigator.... Auf deutsch!!! Ha it’s crazy how much we relied on the spirit. I actually did pretty well. It was one of the hardest things I had to do but I learned so much from it. Humility is one thing. I have never felt so stupid in my life. But I loved it and learned so much.

They only give us 30 min on the computer and it is timed. I love getting all your letters. PLEASE keep sending them. I am doing awesome and I know this is where the Lord wants me to be. There is a reason behind everything, though we may not know it, there is! I enjoy the work, it has only been a week and I have gained such a stronger testimony about the Gospel and my love for Jesus Christ our Savior. Before the mission I was super worried about what it was going to be like, and it was nothing what I expected, but I absolutely love it. It has already shown me so much. It has shown me my weaknesses and strengths in the gospel. I have got a lot of work to do.

I love you guys with all my heart. I am not homesick but I do miss you guys. Pretty sure basketball and being away helped me not be homesick. But I can definitely say I am a mamma's boy, I have never realized all that she does at home. I have to do my own wash now :) ha but as my family always taught me, do everything with all you got. I sure am doing that! Though I may be tired I will be blessed. I am sorry I can’t say much more. I will try to describe everything in a letter I will send home.

Hope all is well, and I love you!

Elder Emery

Meine Familia

Halo!

Hello parents and family,

Well, my first day is finally over. It was very difficult saying goodbye to you guys. One of the hardest things I will ever do but I know I will be blessed greatly. My companion is Elder Lassley, he is from Kansas. Actually a really cool guy, he is a convert. Joined about 1 1/2 years ago by meeting some missionaries. He is big into music but actually is a really cool guy. He is 21 and is incredible at violin I guess.
First day, we went to class and they spoke in nothing but German. I was completely lost! Ha, but I understood a couple words. After that we had orientation and I saw a couple friends. I went up to Sam Beck and gave him a big hug. I am thankful for him. Dinner wasn't too bad, but it definitely was not mom's home cooking.
I am in the Dan Jones building dad! I don't know if you were in that one but my roommates are really cool. Elder Anderson is the kid from Bingham I have hung out with before. Elder Muller is from Michigan. Luckily there are just 4 of us in one room. I do have to say that there are a TON of girls!!! haha it's crazy! But today has definitely been spiritual. Well, thank you guys for everything that you do for me. I know for a fact I wouldn't be here without you guys. You guys are my family and thankfully you are stuck with me forever:) I am always praying for you all and know that I love you guys so much. This is where I need ot be right now and I know it deep down.

I love you.

Nick

and he's off!