CAMBIAR (to change)

This week was probably unforgettable, but por que? Well it's because the living apostles and prophet were at the MTC for most of the week! We saw everyone at least once except for the prophet, it's chill tho he is a very busy guy. 

Just chattin' with Elder Christofferson

It was beyond cool to talk to Elder Christofferson, Suares, and Gong. Estoy muy agradecido por profetas hoy. I'm really grateful we have prophets today because they provide the guidance we need in todays world! If you have questions about prophets or what that means email me and I'll respond.  

Bye bye hackisack

"Change is good" - A classic quote from my momma

Thanks for the yummy Chick-fil-A!

Ive never liked change. Changing plans, changing classes, changing the laundry... i say this because one thing I've been worried about a little (or a lot idk) is I didn't want to come back from my mission changed. "weird" or different. You know what i mean, in 2 years I still wanna get lit wit da lads. BUT. My perspectiva on this has changed. We had a super good devotional from Elder Olsen about how if my mission isn't fun, I'm not doing it right and also how if I don't come back different in 2 years than my mission was pointless. Which is facts. I need to come back an evolved versión of myself. A better Nathan! So sorry Alex and Tyler for clowning you guys when you got back from your missions when you were weird, cuz I guess I'm gonna be like that too. And you too Cooper, you will be weird también. 

I'm getting excited about emails I send myself, it's sad. So pls send me an email so my hype can be for good reason. Shoutout mom for sending me that book. I love you.

Elder Rencher and me

Cool dude I met at the temple.

Abby Road

My homie Elder Rencher pulled up this week. I lost Elder Balser's hackysack (then got it back), told Elder Christofferson I am serving in España, Elder Balsers mom sent us Chik fil A (I love you Momma Balser), met a dope dude at the temple for China and LA who is a "traveler" and he gave me his business card lol, Abby Road (for you Grannie!), muy guapo aye? 

Love, 

Elder Ditto

Estoy Embarasado

This week I met a lot of Young Chap fans, it's sick to see some homies here. Shoutout Sister Bake and everyone else who bumps YC. 

Me and bro (visa). Can't wait to go to Spain!

Humility. That's what I am learning and trying to work on. Jesus is the perfect example of humility. Even though He knew everything and had so much power He was always serving and never thought of himself as better than anyone else. Today my district and I got to go to the temple. I always feel the spirit so strong in the temple and I am grateful for that because it is a time where I can receive answers to my questions. 

Mi districto!! (after our first Spanish class) 

I went into the temple asking how I could be a better teacher and not be as hindered by Spanish, and I read some excellent scriptures that helped me out. Of course, one was Ether 12:27, one of my favorites came to mind, I love it. It is Jesus talking to us, He says, "I give unto men weakness that they may be humble, and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them." I want one of my strengths to be following the spirit when teaching (especially in Spanish).  So I need to be humble, teachable, and have faith. This week think about something you need help with, and I know that as you stay humble and rely on Christ, He WILL help you.

Thank you Emilia. Big W, hand-crafted this righteous ski mask.  the Book of Mormon is powerful. Keep reading it! And if you haven't, try it out!

I thought I was good at Spanish, and thanks to Hernandez, Nelson, and Profe I've got a little lingo down. muchas gracias. But, I don't know much about gospel-related topics or vocab in español. Languages are hard, mad props to everyone learning languages rn. Here's a story from yesterday about my young gun gringo rookie Spanish:

 

We were giving a short lesson to our teacher Hermana Yauney (she was acting as one of the investigators she taught in the Dominican Republic) and it was all in Spanish. We asked her how her family was doing and she responded with some wicked fast Español, so I didnt really understand what she was saying. But she seemed sad about whatever it was, so when she stopped talking I said "lo siento" (sorry). You know, trying to be a good missionary and human being. Then both my companions and Hermana Yauney started laughing at me. So I was like, "uh what." After Elder Esmít (Elder Smith) did a pregant hand gesture for me, I figured out she said her mom was pregnant. Which is exciting, so I tried to recover by saying "¡Que Bueno!" I know, I'm smooth wit it. When we finished, Hermana Yauney asked how we felt about the lesson, and I said "estoy embarasado." Thinking embarasado means embarrassed, cuz like, it should. But. I guess it means pregnant. What are the odds haha. So they all laughed at me again. Español man, es deficil.

 

A group of us on the way back from getting our VISAs! 

On Tuesday we got to go on a field trip to UVU to get our passports and VISAs. The consulate of Spain, Consul Lago, is the plug and worked hard to get the VISAs to us on time. Love that man. He's from Spain and he is super smart, and he told us a little about how cool España is.

Elder Balser copped a Hackeysack, blessss

Holiest tech deck edit you've seen

Enough about me, how was your week? Send me an email pls. nathan.ditto@missionary.org 

Holy Spirit and Travis Scott

"I get those goosebumps every time yuh.  It ease my mind, it makes me smile cuz it helps me choose the right." -Travis Scott

This week was super duper bien. You know that feeling that makes your soul feel alright? 0i know Travis and I know that feeling. I believe that this feeling that leads us and guides us to do the right thing is the Holy Spirit. And if there's one thing that I have learned about the MTC this week is that the Holy Spirit is abundant here. It's the reason I have been able to learn so much in a short amount of time, and it's the way I'm gonna learn Español in 4.5 weeks (hopefully). 

The funniest thing that happened this week was one of my comps Elder Balser found a bouncy ball in a bush. It's so lit. Idk what that one game is called where you bounce the ball once then the other guy bounces it twice then 3,4,5... we played it after class one night and a bunch of elders pulled up to see wagwan. 

A VISA is needed to get into Spain. Last week I didn't have it. But guess what. I got it!! Well, at least I got an appointment with the Spain consulate. Suiiii, which means I should be able to fly to Madrid in 4.5 weeks. Several other Elders also got their VISAs but some didn't. You never know.

I played Hackeysack with a HiChew!

Shoutout George for graduating Hight School. Shoutout Alex for sending me a text this week. Shoutout kellyboi for starting his mission on the 19th! Love yall. Send me pictures plz.

Spanish word of the week: payasos. Clown. Elder Balser is getting better at Spanish and this is his favorite word right now lol. 

Bouncing outta Yakima

Oye! 

Last Friday Elder Maile got news that he can't come to the Provo MTC because his VISA didn't get received in time or whatever the VISA needs to do. I hate VISAs a lot. Elder Maile is my dog and he is already in the mission field in Sydney Australia. He only went to the MTC for a week. I love that guy. He said he's gonna invite me to his wedding and we will go to Bunnings Warehouse and get sausage sizzles with him and his mates. That sounds so lit. I'm now in a trio with Elder Balser and Elder Smith.

Game night at Alex and Alexa's house after a long and good day of Home MTC.

Quinn and me

Teaching Quinn to walk

Future Elder Ditto

On Sunday we went to Alex and Alexa's house to play games and I kinda taught Quinn (my nephew) how to walk. I love Quinn. He's gonna be shredding the monopatin (skateboarding) in no time.

Quick bite to eat between classes with my mom

Saying "bye" to the Andersens! I'm going to miss them!

My last dinner at home...I picked homemade stromboli and Ceaser salad! 

Monday night we played our last family game of wiffle ball and then my dad gave me a Father's Blessing.  We all sat around on the trampoline and everyone shared something they loved about me and what trait they thought I had that would make me a good missionary.  It was a special night.

On Monday we had two lessons and they were bad and good. We are learning how to teach better. We also balled up some beisbol with the fam and my mom made YUMmmy food it was so good. Thanks, mom. 

Last early morning skate shesh before flying out to the MTC. 

Luggage scale at the airport

On Tuesday I left yak. My check on bags were both like exactly 49 lbs, clutch up.

Chloe

Mom and Dad

Baby Quinn

Tyler

Farewell to the bois...several of my friends will be leaving on missions in the next couple of months.

Hailee

Alexa

Last hug with mom

Family pictures with the whole airport send-off crew

Mom and Tyler watching me go through security

This is what I wrote in my journal right after I said "bye" to my family: 

I just said "bye" to my fam and friends for two years. It doesn't feel real that is for sure. I am definitely sad and nervous to leave and start, but I'm also hyped. While I'm gone have fun and send me pics and stuff. I love my homies they are all so cool. 

Flight from Yakima to Seattle to Salt Lake City and then final "goodbyes" at the Provo MTC

Alysee picked me up from the SLC airport

We had a fun night together riding Dallin's homemade go-cart and eating a super yummy dinner!

The next morning Alysee and I did personal scripture study and then some last minute shopping before meeting Aunt Leah and Uncle Geoff for lunch.

Italian lunch with Leah, Geoff, and Alysee right before heading to the Provo MTC.

Last farewell pictures

Goodbye Alysee!!

Alysee dropped me off at the MTC.  There was an Elder there to help me with my luggage.

I love the MTC. The spirit I feel here is insane It's so good. I have only been here for 3 days but I've already learned so much and seen a lot of homies from BYU! 

At the Provo MTC

I love my district, they are all dope. 

Our MTC dorm room - we have five of us living here instead of six because of Elder Maile not making it here.

Para Elder Kemp. Unpacking at the MTC -- two years of deodorant!!

Had to 'yod up

 My district. Without Elder Maile rip. Love you guys

Mis companions (Elder Balser on left, Elder Smith on right)

Today for p day we had a lesson and went to the temple. Don't worry we also did some fun stuff, played a little volleyball and went to the gym. Even p days are busy!

I found a Vespa

Spanish word of the week: bendito 

I think it means blessing but I thought it was cool because if I name my kid Ben his name will be BenDito basically. haha

My District at the Provo Temple

My first mission facebook post

Spiritual thought:

God will help you do hard things! 

We all have trials in our life and sometimes it feels like they are overpowering. One thing that helps me when I feel this way is to remember that God loves me and wants me to succeed. 1 Nephi 17:1 says it best, "...And if it so be that the children of men keep the commandments of God he doth nourish them, and strengthen them, and provide means whereby they can accomplish the thing which he has commanded them;" 

If we do our best to be obedient to what God has told us to do, He will make sure we get thru it.  

Love yall