Airport Phone Call

We just got to talk to William from the Salt Lake City airport. It was a little crazy at first because Scott was at work, so I wanted to get in a conference call so we could BOTH talk. Andrew had answered the phone so he got to talk to William first.  Andrew was sooooo excited! You should have seen the smile on Anrew's face!  I'm glad Andrew answered!!!! Then after I got on the phone, I asked William the phone number of his pay phone so that I could use my cell phone to call Scott, then William....so we could all be on a 3 way call....but that was a DUMBBBBBB idea, because I CAN'T hear and so I accidentally wrote down William's number wrong! SOOOO, when I called him back it was some lady, I called her three times, then tried to call different numbers near what I wrote...but finally William called us back, and gave the number to me again, (I had reversed a 9 and a 3)....so it worked the next time...we got to talk...we probably talked for near a half hour. It was great to hear his voice. His voice hasn't changed a bit. He sounded great!

His flight is going directly to Paris, but since the mission home is in Versailles, their luggage will be taken there by some vans or trucks and the missionaries will get to go into actual Paris for sight seeing and meeting people. They should arrive at the airport at 11:05 am France time.

They are traveling on this flight with a group of Elders/Sisters who are on their way to Hungary. Those missionaries will have another flight after the one to Paris. The group that is going to Lyon, France had to leave at 8 am, they were flying to New York, then London, then Geneva, then taking a train to Lyon...they will take a lot longer to get to where they are going. William's bags were both 45 pounds.  He is sitting in seat 35 A...which is a window seat! He has his camera with him, but it's strapped to his belt! He didn't know until TODAY that he got his VISA, but everyone in the group got theirs, too.

He spoke some French to us. It is a beautiful language. He asked for us to pray for the Paris temple to be built. 
He said the mission president has both written to him in a letter and an e mail.  The mission president said the missionary work over there in France is thirving right now!  He said that a part of his mission is Luxembourg and he didn't know that when he first got his call. 

He talked about his very first day at the MTC, when he was with a huge group of brand new scared awkward elders....they were being guided into the big meeting area room when he heard some people yell, loudly "Neil Diamond, Paris France"....he thought that kinda sounded like Wil Guymon, so he looked around to see where it was coming from and it was his friend Spud Chelson and Spud's companion! What a happy reunion!!! William and Spud have had MANY adventures together through their teenaged years, it's cool that they could add some MTC memories to those past memories!

He said there is a lot of crazy fun stuff always happening at the MTC and even though it is a very spiritual place, there is always irreverance taking place (in fun, not in a bad way) somewhere or another.  He also said every time anyone tries to take a picture there....someone photo bombs the picture!  EVERY TIME....and so I asked him if he had done that to others, he first answered, "no way" but quickly changed it to "yeah" and laughed. 

He told us a little about his San Francisco trip. He said they came in from the North and he could see the Sutter Buttes from far off. He said at the French Consulate they asked him questions in French and he answered in English and they understood him. He said as a group they went to Pier 39, ate clam chowder, went to the Giradelli chocolate place, saw where the Giant play, saw Candlestick park, and went to a museum...(I think it was for the bridge).

He said he didn't really drink Windex...he just used the Windex to clean his waterbottle....and must not have rinsed it out enough, even though he rinsed and rinsed and rinsed....the water still taste like Windex, but he drank it because he was super thirsty.

He said that one of his teacher's might come to Chico for a visit.

I told him about a guy on the Sharks who is dating Tiger Wood's ex wife! and he laughed a lot.

He said the people in the mail room were watching the men's team volleyball olympics and he really wanted to stay and watch!

He told us that his friend Elder Chandler (SVU cross country runner) had been at the MTC waiting and waiting to get his VISA to go to somewhere like outer mongolia (not really, but I can't remember where) but since it didn't come and didn't come, he was reassigned until it comes to Carlsbad, CA. He told me that he does know the two Elders whose mom's I made friends with in an e mail group.

He said that every building at the MTC has stairs and that he is not very good at walking up (or down) stairs, so he fell a lot and rolled his ankles a lot and now his ankle clicks all the time!

He got the stuff I sent him and loves the owl tie.

He wanted to talk to Bradley and Melanee, but Melanee was working and Bradley was swimming at a friends house.

He was hungry and wanted to eat before getting on the plane, so we let him go. I hope he got something to eat...he said the line was long....I KNOW the food will have been EXPENSIVE....but I still really hope he got something!

Last MTC Letter

Here is William's latest and last letter from the MTC (in his words this time, don't tell him!!!!)  I'm really excited for him to get to travel to and live in France, but I'm going to miss him.  I hope his letters from France are longer and tell us MORE!!!!  I love him so much.  He is a really good person and he will be a great missionary! 

 

 

So pretty much we're just getting ready to leave now. We're packing and stuff.   We are finished with learning French in class.

We're hosting again this Wednesday. Andrew Kubat is coming in I hope I get to see him.

A bunch of my friends left last week so it is weird not seeing them. My friend elder chandler's district finally got re-assigned, half of their district went to Carlsbad and the other half went to sac.  They left on day 100 for them! I'm so glad I'm leaving in 6 days!!!!

The teachers have stopped teaching us language and started teaching like mission skills and telling stories. It's scary that it's finally real.

We're just sitting around and packing. I'm pretty sure I will be able to fit everything in my bags and have it be under weight.

Whenever ANYONE asks me where I'm going they either swoon or get angry.  I feel bad for elders who have to go to Chico.

I think I'm finally actually soully (I liked the way he spelled "solely", his way actually makes MORE sense) focused on the mission.  It's really good.

My friend elder finau knows elder tongi.

I see Blake Carter pretty often.

Nothing really that funny has happened.

We have a straight flight from Salt Lake to Paris. overnight.

There's not that much to write about this week.  Next week I'm sure its going to be crazy.

We showed our investigators Mormon messages of president monson. It's amazing how fast the spirit comes when he speaks. (even with the french dubbs)

Well i cant think of anything to write. I really miss Bradley and Andrew.

-Elder Guymon

shortest e mail EVER

This week has been super uneventful.

Frere Dohrman told me that he reads the blog.

Jenny Oaks Baker played violin on Sunday (Dallin H. Oak's daughter)

We're hosting this Wednesday, so that's exciting.

Oh I thought of something. I had a sty(?) in my armpit. It was because of a clogged sweat gland. I had to go to the byu health center. The doctor there squeezed it and it hurt so bad. so he gave me some antibiotics and told me NOT TO WEAR DEODORANT FOR 3 DAYS!

The next morning I said "Nertz to him! I'm wearing deodorant!" and the sty swelled up to the size of a mike n ike. and it hurt SOOOOOOOOOOO bad! i couldn't put my arm down without like the worst pain ever. so I walked around for 3 days with my arm over my head. I looked like a freak. the sty slowly went away, but the doctors called me in for a check up and there's still a bump and he said I'm going to have scar tissue forever.

The MTC Gym is getting its floor redone.

I played soccer once and it made me really miss playing soccer with rules. and being not 177 lbs. and being able to breathe. and wearing cleats. and shin guards.

I'm in such bad shape. the food is terrible.  I feel like I'm constantly sick.

I have seen Brigham. No one told me that Max was engaged to Darcy! I'm pretty mad.

There's nothing to write about really. French is getting easy.

What am I gonna do after my mission?

ok bye

-elder guymon

Q and A letter

I wrote William another question and answer letter to try to find out more interesting information.  He did answer the questions with a circle...but did not write ANY extra info in ANY margins or spaces! 

1.  Did you send grandma back her temple cards?  no
2. Did you send back the done ones?  no
3.  Did you get to clean the temple when it was closed?  no
4.  who eats fast and watches people trip with you?  everyone
5.  did you get to be a greeter?  no
6.  did your teachers go on any more dates?  yes
7.  did you get to sight see in San Fran?  a little bit
8.  how many people went on the SF trip?  10
9.  How many letters have you gotten from other people?  a couple
10  did you get one from chris T?  no
11.  Max D?  no
12.  David Maloney? yes
13.  Anyone from our ward besides the Dunbars?  no
14.  why did you drink the windex?  (didn't answer)
15.  how sick were you?  VERY
16.  could you see the 4th of July fireworks?  yes
17.  is there air better there from the fires?  yes
18 have you heard Julia play from the bell tower?  no
19 have you talked to the Brad Guymon elder?  yes
20 Did the guy they thought his appendix burst recover?  ruptured liver
21 Which hat do you want? none
22  When will you know if you got your VISA?  dont know
23.  did the black death elder get better? no
24.  can you shake hands again?  yes
25.  do you still run around your floor for exercise?  no
26  doesn't that wake people up?  no
27  do you still have 6 guys in your room?  no
28  do you get along with your companion?  yes
29  do you get along with your roommates yes
30  can you call us from the airport?  yes
31  what indoor sport do you play volleyball
32  is your bed comfortable?  no
33  top or bottom bunk?  top
34  do you want to send any of your stuff back here before you leave? no
35  if you do, can you do it from the post office there?  yes
36  do you wear the brodie brazil tie?  yes
37  does anyone there know who brodie brazil is?  no
38  do you ever bless or pass the sacrament? no
39  have you spoke in sacrament meeting or anything like that?  testimony
40  have you gotten a haircut there?  yes
41  did you like it? no
42  is time going fast or slow?  slow.
43  did you know that pres utchdorf threw out the first pitch at the Dodgers game?  no
44  is your razor burn better?  no
45  do you need anything?  no
46  do you need cash?  yes
47  are your shoes comfortable?  yes
48  what floor are you on? 2nd
49  how many missionaries are traveling to Paris on the 30th?  18
50  Besides gummy worms on pudding, what is your favorite food there?  nothing
51  which cafeteria is better svu or mtc?  svu
52  do you speak french in your room?  yes
53  is sacrament meeting in french?  yes
54  is the big bruise on your arm better?  yes
55  are you healthier now?  yes
56  have you seen anyone there with your same suit?  yes
57  do you go right to sleep or stay up talking?  toss and turn
58  is your investigator real?  no
59.  how was the flight to San Fran  good
60  Did you go to Pier 39?  yes
61  did you see the windiest street?  no
62  did you guys rent a van in San Fran?  no taxi
63  did the consulate interview you personally?  yes
64  did you get fingerprinted? yes
65  when do you find out if you get your visa?  dont know
66.  Did you get the cheerwine?  yes
67.  did you share it? yes
68.  did others like it as much as you? yes


  and that was it. 

Letter #6 from the MTC

I look forward to Tuesdays.  I have to say, I think they are my most favorite day of the week.  Sunday's are nice because they are really restful and easy (after my primary lesson is over)....Saturdays are usually fun because of Andrew's baseball and often there is a soccer game for me to watch....but TUESDAYS are really something I look forward to because that's when I get William's e mail. 

He sounds, to me, like he is doing really well this week.  We still haven't gotten any details from the San Francisco trip, but he always tells us a little of what is going on. 

He doesn't like that the temple is now closed because that leaves a big 3 hour gap in his p day.  So today they "cleaned, cleaned, cleaned" and now their room "looks like the celestial room". 

I asked him why Johnny Meyer (one of his friends) was already at his mission, even though he came to the MTC later than William and he said -

"The reason john meyer already left is cuz he is gonna learn his language in the field.  I wouldn't want to do that. I'm getting really good at French, but I still have so far to go.  Every Thursday we have the chance to talk to French speakers and some of them are native.  I don't catch very much of what they are saying.  I probably only understand about 60 percent."

He told us that the MTC is getting really crowded.  When he first got there there were about 2,100 missionaries, now there are nearly 2,900.  There is never any hot water, the laundry room is packed, and it's really hard to find a seat in the cafeteria.  Forty four new French speaking (learning) missionaries will arrive tomorrow.  He also said that it is getting really hot there.  He can't wait to go to Paris and it's crazy for him to think that he will leave in less than 3 weeks. 

 

here's a funny story-
"I was explaining the sacrament to Chris, my fake investigator, and I meant to say was "2 priests sit up at the front and break up bread and then everyone takes a piece of the broken bread and eats it and passes it to the next person." I  said "2 priests sit at the front and break up a hand, and then everyone takes a piece of the broken hand and then eats it, and passes it to the next person."  The word for bread is "pain" and the word for hand is "main".   He was pretty horrified."

another quote-

"I think the way that the gift of tongues works for me is that I know what I should say, but I have to meet the spirit halfway to know how to actually say it. I have to study really hard, but it is paying off I guess."

 

He has a new favorite apostle, it's D. Todd.  "he's THE MAN!" according to William. 

He asked me to send him a duck tie if we have any "clean" ones or an owl tie because "owls are so cool!"

I like that he signs his letters "Elder Guymon"....even though I still think of him as "William".

postcard

William sent a postcard to Scott, this was the front of it....
I didn't even catch the change till Andrew pointed it out...."MTC"  haha. 
But the back side was a really nice little note to Scott about how he is a hero.  Another important point in the letter was that William is getting REALLY GOOD at French and that he even thinks in French now!!!!

Letter #5

I always look forward to Tuesdays because that's when I get an e mail from my missionary. Well, yesterday was Tuesday, but Bradley, Andrew, and I were going to be gone all day. I knew the letter would be here when I got home, but I really wanted to read it right when it came, so I brought our ipod, hoping I could find some free wi-fi....and I did!

His letter was fun to read, but still not detailed at allllllllllll!----

Isn't bradley friends on facebook with a guy named brad guymon? he lives down the hall from me, so that weird. im pretty sure that ive seen his pictures before.

so our new neighbors are 5 Germans on one side and 5 Japanese guys on the other side. they remind me of yutaro.

the temple is closed this month and grandma mailed me like a zillion names.

that's CRAZY about the quakes! while i was in san fran i saw a huge billboard of wondo facing dono and it was like all epic and cool. I really wanted to watch it.

spud went out to the field yesterday. its sad because i was friends with everyone in his district. they all gave me their addresses tho, and i gave them mine.

I think my favorite thing to do is finish lunch or dinner early and then sit on this one particular bench. in front of the bench there is a big crack/hill in the cement and people trip on it. i trip on it all the time. everyday we count how many people we see trip on it and its usually over ten.

i was sick for like 3 days last week. I drank Windex.

tall is super boring.

the sand is too hot to play sand vball a lot of the time now, so we go inside a lot. i have a big bruise on my arms from something, probably volleyball related. I think I'm going to send my memory card home on Friday or Saturday.

how is the blog going? not very many people have written yet.

today a guy in my district went to the hospital, they taught his appendix burst, so he came back, and then went back to the hospital again for a cat scan, and a different guy in our district got cut by scissors on his hand and went to the hospital and got stitches. he had never gotten them before because he lives in vanuatu. he was pretty freaked out!

we should be leaving on July 30th, if our visas come in. they have our travel plans all ready. its a straight flight from salt lake to Paris.

the new missionaries who come in this week are coming in on Thursday because of the 4th of July. i think we might host them this week. Ivan has hosted twice already!

I'm so excited to go to France, our teachers have been showing us around on google earth and everything just looks better than America.

I really wish i had a hat for p-days!

i really want to watch an episode of sportscenter.

hey dad, what do i do if a progressing investigator stops honoring commitments? its so frustrating, but that's life. our job is just to invite people to come unto Christ.

can you send me a yoyo? like one that i can try to do tricks with? like Andrews? and my big Joe pavelski shirt?

its so weird thinking about Andrew playing baseball, i don't even think I've seen him wear a hat.

french is coming along super well. I'm one of the best in the class now.

love you guys. bye

-Elder Guymon