January 26, 2010

Hey family:

How is everything going? The mission field is great. When we first got to Belgium we met our mission president and we headed over to the mission office to meet and have an interview with him to find out where we were going to get called to serve in our first area. Then we went back to the mission home were Sister Brubaker made us some lunch and we took a little nap. After we went to the place where Elder Holland came and dedicated Belgium for the mission. (just on a side note I hate the French keyboard) ok back to where I was - after we went there we went to the Grand Place were we got to do some contacting. After President Brubaker took us to dinner and then we all went back to the mission home to get our calls and find out were we are going to serve for our first area.

When we got back to the mission home we got our calls. I was so excited to find out that I will be serving in Bruxelles 1 (Brussels 1) for my first area. I was so happy! I also found out that I have 2 companions, Elder Mitchell and Elder Caywood. I thought it was pretty cool to have 2 comps. Then we had some treats and went to bed.

The next morning we all got up, got ready to go and went to the train station to meet our new companions. When we got there I found my companions and we left to go to the apartment. We got there, unpacked and then we had an appointment with a member to check up on them and teach them a lesson. After we went to a non members where he gave us dinner and we taught him a lesson. The best part was he spoke English and we taught him in English also. So that was our first day. Then the next day we did some contacting and went to work. This place is awesome.

The apartment is pretty nice. We have one of the nicest ones. It has a washer, dryer and oven. It is pretty nice. The apartment is really only a 4 person apartment and we have to companionships of 3 living in there - so it is a little tight, but the apartment is pretty nice.

The language is coming along. It is hard to understand but I am way happy to be here. I always have a smile on my face. It was the best on Sunday. We went to church and we were talking to some people and it was hard to understand what they were saying, but then we went to priesthood and it was so amazing. I understood almost every word people said in the class. The same went for Sunday school. I was so happy I could understood what they were saying. One might say I have been blessed with the gift of tongues and I am truly blessed. Others might say <> Ya, so I found out about 95 percent speak English. Ya, but I like the gift of tongues story better.

Yesterday (Monday) is our regular p-day, but we had interviews with the pres. so we moved them to today. But next week they will be on Monday.

Well, the mission is going great. I wish I had some more time to e-mail, but I will right more next week. The mission is great! I love it here and thank you so much for your love and your support. I love you all so much. Love Elder Walker

Brussels Belgium

January 19, 2010

Dear Brother & Sister Walker,

Elder Walker has arrived safely! He looks excited and enthusiastic about his mission. We are delighted to have him with us. His first assignment will be in the city of Brussels. His address will be:

194/3.2 Ave. De Broqueville
1200 Bruxelles
Belgium

We are continually impressed by the eagerness and strong testimonies of the new missionaries arriving in the mission field. We are happy for his addition to our missionary corps and assure you that we will do everything possible to make this a rewarding, cherished, and spiritual experience.

As you know, missionary work can be quite demanding. To help maintain a positive attitude for your missionary, communication from family and friends is especially important and should be supportive. May we make the following suggestions: write each week; make your letters optimistic and encouraging; avoid references to problems at home unless absolutely necessary; show genuine interest in your missionary’s daily activities and especially in his accomplishments.
Sister Brubaker and I wish to thank you for this ambassador of the Lord. We know that you will be blessed during the service of Elder Walker. We have frequent opportunity to review each missionary’s situation and needs. We hold zone conferences and personal interviews every six weeks. We do our best to love, encourage, sustain all of our missionaries, and to take personal interest in each one of them. They keep me informed as to their specific circumstances through a weekly letter. If you know of anything that would help me in assisting your missionary, please don’t hesitate to let me know. Know that your missionary is in the hands of the Lord and under His protection (Matthew 28:19).

We also invite you to visit the mission blog that we have created. The address is www.belgiumbrusselsnetherlandsmission.blogspot.com. This helps you see a little bit of their mission. Pictures from their first day in Brussels will be added to the site shortly. There is also a photo attachment with this email.

We are most appreciative of your constant support for your missionary.

Sincerely yours,

Scott M. Brubaker
President

Call Home

On Monday January 18th Chris left the MTC and headed over to Belgium. He had to catch the plane really early in the morning and then had a layover in Atlanta Georgia. While he was in Atlanta he was able to call home and talk to us for a bit. It was so fun to hear from him. My mom was on her phone in the bedroom, Dennis was on the phone in the kitchenand Britt and I shared the phone in the basement. Ben came over half way through and he took a turn on the basement phone. He sounds so different all ready...more grown up. It is amazing how much he has changed in such a short time. He told us about his travels and some funny stories from the MTC. He was so funny and wouldn't give out much information. We would ask him a question and he would give us a one word answer. We had to ask a lot of questions. We had a good time talking with him though. We were sad when we had to say good bye. He sent a package home with lots of pictures and things he didn't want to take with him to Belgium. It was fun to look through them and see funny pictures of the things missionaries do in the MTC. We are so excited for him and can't wait to hear all about his adventures in Belgium.

Missionary Picture

This is Elder Walker and Elder Horton at the Provo Temple

January 15, 2010

Hey Family - what's up? How is the good old life? Well, life here is great. I got rid of my cold and this is my last week in the MTC. I will be leaving on Monday. I am very nervous and feel really sick! But oh well - I am excited and looking forward to going to Belgium! I am way happy. On Tuesday we had Elder L. Tom Perry of the quorum of the 12th come and speak to us. He has come twice since I have been here so it is pretty cool. He has been the 5th apostle that has come since I have been here. It is way cool.
The first day we got here we went into a room with about 50 new missionary's. There was also an investigator in the room too. It was an activity where you asked "get to know ya" questions. There are also two missionary's who come in and start off the activity by asking questions, just to be an example on how to do it. Well, last Wednesday, 1/13/10, they asked us if we wanted to be the two missionary's who start off the conversation and be an example for the new missionary's. So that was fun to do. We just went in and asked like how they were doing, just questions on getting to know them. It was great!
This week we have been talking a lot about Europe and my mission. The time for the 2nd harvest of Europe has come. In about 2002 or 2003 Elder Hollond of the twelve set apart Europe for the 2nd harvest. And there has been more and more baptisms every year. The seed has already been planted and now it is time to reap. The field is white already to harvest. It is still going to be a tough mission but the time is here. President Uchtdorf, in 2006 said that, "The great harvest in Europe was not in the past but in the future. And the future for us is now."
Well, I just thought that was cool. Well I am way excited. On Monday I leave the MTC and I will be going to Belgium.
Thank you All for your love and support I love you all so much!!!!!!!!
-Elder Walker

January 8, 2010

Hey family! How is it going? Life here is good but not much has been going on. Well, there are a few things, like I got my travel plans. I leave Monday the 18th at 4 am in the morning. I am flying to Atlanta, then I am flying to Belgium. It is going to be a long trip. I won't get there until 8 o'clock in the morning the next day. So, I was happy I got those. What's been kinda bad is that I have a really bad cold. I hope that it gets better. The mornings are the worst when I wake up. Then I feel way bad the rest of the day. I have been taking some medicine so that should help.

Well, besides that everything is going good. I am able to understand a little more French and I can speak it ok. Things here have just been same old same old. On Sunday we got to go do our temple walk. We then had a devotional and we watched the Testaments movie. It is a good movie and I liked it. Then on Tuesday we had Elder Ringwood of the 70's come and speak to us and that was good. On Wednesday we had to teach the 2 lessons in French in the TRC, then we just had class. On Thursday we had class then we did some contacting activitys. Then there is today. It is p-day. I am doing my laundry and when I am done I am going back to the room and sleeping. They told me to get lots of sleep, so that is what I am going to do. Then we also get to go to the temple this week. I am so excited that I get to go. I haven't been in about 3 weeks, so I am happy to get to go again.Ya, so that was my week. Now this week I am going to have to pack my bags and get ready to go to the field, to BELGIUM! O YA! I am so happy. So that is what I am going to do. Time here has flown by so fast. I just hope I am better by the time I leave the MTC.

Ya, so that is my life.I hope you are all having a great week and hope that you all will have fun. I love you all---------Love ELDER WALKER

January 1, 2010

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY!!!!!! It is the beginning of 2010. So how is everyone, you all doing fine? Well, this week has been great. Friday night we had Greg Olsen come and he talked about all the paintings he created and the meaning behind the paintings as well. On Sunday, we relaxed. I still haven't been called to give a talk, but there is still 2 more chances to give it. It is weird to think that I only have 2 weeks left in the MTC on Monday. I am so excited!!! Then we also got new missionary's in our zone this week. So, now we are a big zone once again. Not much has gone on this week, well most of the week I should say. Last night, now that is a story you have got to hear.

So, as you know yesterday was New Years Eve. We are all suppose to be in bed at 10:30. Ya right, who goes to bed at 10:30 on New Years Eve? So, we all decided to stay up. We ended up playing Uno, making funny videos and more. Then at midnight we all got in one room. and we had noise makers, confetti, hats , everything, then at 12 o clock we all were yelling Happy New Year and making a bunch of noise and making a big mess. Then we all ran back to our rooms, turned off the lights and jumped in bed as fast as we could in fear of a security guard coming and getting mad at us. It was great! People were looking out of their rooms wondering what was going on. But it turned out no security guard came, but it was still fun to say the least. It was a great New Years.

Ya, so that was my highlight of the week. The down part is I think I am getting a cold. Oh well. Oh and I also ripped my pants which sucked. So I will have to take them to get them fixed. Well that is the extent of my week. What has been pretty good is the teaching in French. I feel so blessed when I go and teach and find out how much I have learned and how much I have been help by the Lord. I may not be able to understand that much but it is coming to say the least. Life here is great.

So how was everyone's New Year? I hope it was great and that everyone has set new and great goals. I hope you all have a great week. I am so thankful to have family and friends that love and support me so much. So, thank you.

LOVE ELDER WALKER