Letter from President & Sister Doll - Illinois Chicago Mission

Dear Brother and Sister Sudweeks ... we wanted to let you know that Elder Sudweeks arrived in Chicago safely last Tuesday, and we also wanted to give you the link http://vimeo.com/28546255 to the video that was taken of the missionaries in his group during their first 24 hours.  We have attached a photo of Elder Sudweeks with his companion Elder Dearinger and President Doll and myself.  We hope you enjoy sharing in his first day in Chicago!

Warm regards,

President and Sister Doll
Illinois Chicago Mission 

MTC pictures

Here is a link to our Picasa web album of Elder Sudweeks' MTC pictures:  https://picasaweb.google.com/101135568224090848090/MTCPictures?authkey=Gv1sRgCLjkmoux_5u5MA

First Day [P Days in Chicago are Wednesdays]

Oi!

I'm finally in the field!  It's really exciting and almost doesn't feel like it's real.  The plane ride was really good.  I sat next to a member who lived in Chicago, but is going to school at the U.  He flies every week.  He is getting his PhD in Public Affairs or something like that.  I flew with 2 Elders and 3 Sisters.  I spent the next while with them.  Right as we got off the plane we met President and Sister Doll.  Straight afterwards we put our bags in the truck, they left, and we took the Subway.  I passed out my first Book of Mormon to Rob.  Rob is 21, starts school  next week, sells sun glasses at the airport, his parents are Catholic, he likes to run, ran track in High School, has lived in Chicago his whole life, really enjoys to read, and has family in Utah.  He said he'd been to our giant, Mormon "church" in Salt Lake.  So I explained that was the temple. He said it was so impressive.  I told him there was one in Chicago and he thought that was cool.  He asked me some questions about the Book of Mormon I was holding, what I was doing here, why, and I told the First Vision story and how the Book of Mormon came to be.  He accepted my challenge to read 3 Nephi 11.  I wasn't amazing and I can't wait to improve, but it was a really cool first 30 minutes in the mission field. 

     Next we went and ate pizza which was delicious and super filling.  I hadn't eaten all day.  After pizza we got a tour of Chicago and took pictures.  The AP's filmed a lot of stuff and said they'd send it to you.  That should be exciting.  There are so many random things in that city.  Afterwards we went to the Mission Office and had some orientation.  I picked up my letter from you mother which was very nice.  They said they prefer mail to go through the Mission Office because of transfers and things like that, but if you want my address it is 200 S. Hwy 59th Ingleside, IL 60041 Apt 109.  You can figure out how to write that. So after the Mission Office we went to the Mission Home.  We got to eat dinner with President and Sister Doll and the AP's.  Afterwards we had our interviews and we went to bed.  It's a really nice house and President and Sister Doll are so nice.  Especially Sister Doll.

     Today we woke up and did a few chores.  Then we ate breakfast and left for more orientation at the Stake Center.  I met my Trainer.  Elder Dearingen from Ukraine.  He was raised in an orphanage until a few years ago when he was adopted into a family here in the Washington.  Somewhere near Spokain.  He has 12 siblings and he is the 2 oldest.  He speaks Ukrainian, Russian, English, and wants to learn some portuguese.  He is very organized and is so on top of things.  Apparently we teach more than any other part of the mission.  I'm in Lakevilla, Illinois.  Our apartment is pretty nice.  It's just the two of us, but right behind our apartment is a pond.  We have a car.  We in a much nicer part of town.  We also have a dishwasher which is really cool.  I have to by a cheap blanket and pillow today though.  I'm not sure how I'll do on letters though.  I may be switching to mostly emails.  Elder Dearingen says we have lots of investigators.  They taught 40 lessons last week and his goal is 60.  Apparently the members feed us dinner every night.  We cover two wards.  We also get free laundry and bread.  Some member brings us bread every week.  I'm really excited.  We have a coordination meeting tonight and I think we may teach. I'm not sure yet...  The Church has started this new program for new missionaries.  There is this book we follow for the first 12 weeks.  We have 2 hours of companionship study every morning.  I'm not really sure what it's like yet.  Or what my schedule is at all actually.  Truthfully, I have no idea where I am right now.  I have no idea what part of the state I'm in.  I'm excited to be here though.

    I really appreciate all of your support.  I was so good to talk to you on the phone yesterday.  I have no idea how long I'll be here.  I'm just going to treat this like it's my final destination until then.  I did get two emails from the Curitiba mission this week though which was weird.  They're entirely in Portuguese.  I think I may try and learn some Russian from Elder Dearingen.  Apparently we have a Russian investigator.  He'll pretty much do all the talking there.

   Chicago has lots of spanish speakers.  i hear them everywhere.  unfortunately no Portuguese really.  We'll see I guess.  One of the AP's, Elder Castillo, I think was one of McCade Powell's companions.  Him, President and Sister Doll say hi.  They all spoke very highly of him.  They said he was one of the best  I love you all so much and I miss you.  I can't wait to hear from you all.  You are all so important to me.  I can't wait for my first lesson.  Eu amo voces e a igreja e verdadeira.

Love you too,

Elder Reeve Sudweeks

Last Day in the MTC.

Oi!

Eu estou muito animado hoje.  Today is my last p day and day in the MTC.  I'm way excited for everything tomorrow.  I have to be in the Travel Office at 5 in the morning though.  My flight leaves about 8:40.  I get to call in the airport which is way exciting.  Chicago is really exciting.

    So we all guessed this week where we were all going.  I was the only one right on any of them.  I guessed Sister Ricks was going to Billings.  And she is along with Elder Morrey (my companion), Elder Hutchins (my old companion), and Sister Smith.  They are all really excited.  Elder Freeze and Elder Chavez are going to Philidelphia--however that's spelled-- Pennsylvania.  They are really excited too because apparently there is a portuguese branch there.  Elder Head was reassigned to Philidelphia too, but he when he went to pick up his travel plans they said Brasilia on them.  He got his visa that day so he's going straight down.

    Speaking of visas I just got to do my online portion. [We, his family, are very excited for this answer to prayer.]  I was so excited and am so excited about that.  They called my name over the intercoms.  It was really exciting.  I can't wait to get down there.  Elder Head did his online 4 weeks ago.  [One of the sisters did hers 2 months ago and still hasn't gotten the final visa, so we'll see how soon Reeve's comes.]  But it's really random on the time so I have no idea how long I'll be in Chicago.  One exciting fact about Chicago I quite enjoy is that Frank Sinatra sang about it.  He didn't sing about Jacksonville, Florida now did he?

     The MTC is great.  These week has been really different with In-Field orientation and what not.  Getting our reassignments was an adventure as well.  We went in at the normal time people get them and they weren't there.  So we waited an hour and went back.  They weren't there still so we sat there for 45 minutes waiting.  (We didn't have anywhere to be because our schedule was different because of Hosting) and they didn't come in.  So we went and Hosted.  I Hosted exactly one Elder because not many came in this week.  He ended up being in our Branch.  Elder Stahilee or something I just know it's pronounced Staley como Luke Staley.  That como wasn't actually on purpose, but I decided to leave it.  It means like.  Anyways after that we went back and they had them--but Elder Head wasn't there so we had to wait 20 minutes for him.  It was terrible.  But it was worth it.  Unfortunately I forgot my camera.  Afterwards Elder Morrey and I went to the BYU laundry place to get pants fixed.  We got to see a few freshman because it was Wednesday, but no one we knew.

    It's really inconvenient trying to pack when you have to wait until the day before because that is the only day you can do laundry.  We tried to do as much as we could, but most of our stuff we needed still.  It'll work out though.  The Temple was great today.  You'll be happy to know, Mother, that I did the last name today.  Other than that we have studied and done our laundry today.

    Porutguese mistake of the week.  The Sisters were trying to say that the members will support you to their investigator.  They used the verb suportar which more directly translates to They will put up with you.  It was muito engracada.  Unfortunately I can't add accents or anything like that so that word won't work in google translate.

    I would like to thank everyone for all the support and letters I have received. I love you all and miss you all.  I am doing my best to keep up with the writing back, but missionaries don't have much time these days.  Something to do with the economy or something like that.

   We have no clue what's going on in the world it's kind of funny.  We went to the front desk and saw an old newspaper that said "Steve Job resigns" and it was just really funny how we have no idea about stuff like that.

   We committed Arnarldo to a baptismal date this week.  That was an exciting accomplishment.  We have also received many compliments on our portuguese from natives that are here.  It is so crazy that we can already say pretty much anything we want in one way or another.  The Lord has really blessed and the new program is truly inspired.  I have already taught way more than 50 lessons here.  I am so excited to start teaching real people.  No matter where.  The exciting thing is not learning portuguese, but teaching people how the gospel can bless their lives and family.  I have seen a true change in myself.  When I hear about some kind of problem I immediately think how the gospel could help them.  Christ knows and loves each one of us.  Our Heavenly Father loves us and has a plan for us.  This plan is the Plan of Salvation and only through this plan and our Savior Jesus Christ can we return and live with them and with our families forever.  The Book of Mormon is true and Joseph Smith was a prophet.  Thomas S. Monson is our prophet today.  Christ still lives and is the head of this church.

I love you all and miss you.  Thank you for all the prayers on my behalf.  I pray for you all every day.

Love you too,

Elder Reeve Sudweeks

PS family I will try and call while I'm in the airport waiting tomorrow morning.  I have no idea what time, but between 5 and 8:45

Reassignment

Elder Reeve Sudweeks has been temporarily reassigned to the Illinois, Chicago mission, and will be flying there Tuesday, the 30th (I think that's the date that matches that Tuesday).

His new address will be:
Elder Reeve Sudweeks
Illinois, Chicago Mission
1319 Butterfield  Rd, Ste 522
Downers Grove, IL 60515

Several of the other Brazilian visa waiters were reassigned as well to places like Philadelphia, PA (2 missionaries), and Billings, MT (4).  Reeve is the only one he knows of going to Chicago.  One of his district got his visa today.

Only one more week in the MTC

8/22/2011

Oi!

Como vao?  Eu estou muito bem e eu estou muito animado para minha reassignment este Quarta-feira.  Once again I would like to thank you all for the support and letters.  They are all so great and I love getting them and reading them.  I do apologize if it takes me a little to respond.  I am a little behind.  This week we hosted the new missionaries.  My district was one of the ones that helped take suitcases and show the new missionaries their rooms and classrooms.  We've been asked to do it again this Wednesday.  But right before we do that we get our reassignments which is extremely exciting.  My three guesses: St. George, Ogden, or Denver.  I would love any of those way too much.  Actually I'm excited for anywhere, but my fingers are crossed for Jacksonville, Florida or Everrett, Washington.

     We had Elders reassigned to Detroit, Pittsburgh, St. George, Baltimore, and Riverside, California this week.  Oh and Sister Doyle was reassigned to Temple Square.  She was surprisingly not happy about that.  Both Sister Smith and Sister Ricks are extrememly jealous.  Most of them left this morning so we woke up and saw them off at 4 in the morning.  Yeah I'm pretty tired today.  Exciting news for last night though.  Elder Hutchins said I was mumbling portuguese in my sleep last night though.  I'm pretty excited that the language is coming.  Hopefully I get to do my online portion in the next week.  There's 3 of us in my district who haven't including me and my companion.

     I inherited the Branch Tie for my last week.  It's name is "The Shredder".  I have pictures.  It is possibly the most hideous, heinous tie I've ever seen in my life.  And it's becoming a little thread-bare.  I wore it one day.  Once I leave I'll pass it on.

    Yesterday we had movie night and we had a lack of chairs so I sat cross legged on the floor the whole time.  I didn't realize it, but my leg fell completely asleep.  When i tried to move and get up.  Nothing happened.  I fell and almost hit my head on the table.  I was fine though.  Elder Morrey helped me up and I just sat it out waiting for it to go back to normal.

     One of the Elder's twin brother came in this week.  He's going to Brazil also, but he's not in our branch.  He does live in our building though.  We're getting 10 new Elders this week and 2 new Sisters.  We're pretty excited.  Most for the Sisters, but it's always fun to have new missionaries in our branch.

    with our investigators this week we taught Arnaldo and Rosa.  We have a baptismal date with Rosa after our second visit.  Arnaldo is harder.  Irma Jacobs is back which is great.  It's funny because she gets mixed up with english all the time.  The other day she told us that in portuguese the adjectives always come first then realized her mistake and fixed it, but we were all thoroughly confused for a second.  She learned english on her mission in Brazil from her american companions. 

     We met an Elder from Rio de Janeiro this week.  He came into our class and talked to us for a bit.  He's going somewhere Spanish speaking.  I forget.  he had such a strong accent though.  A Rio one with lots of Sh's.  Hard to explain.

    It's hard trying to get everything done like dry cleaning, haircuts, and all that stuff before we leave.  There are so many missionaries.  We get a four minute phone call this week.  I'm going to aim for Thursday from about 5-6.  That area.  So stand waiting by at the home phone if you could, please.  I don't have lots of time and I'd like to talk to you all.  I have to welcome our new missionaries after that.  It's my job.

    I miss you all and I'm sorry I'm not a faster typer.  have fun guessing where I'm going.  Thank you for all the letters and prayers.  I love and miss you all.  The church is true and Jesus Christ lives.  I testify that God love each and every one of us.

  Love you too,

Elder Reeve Sudweeks

Week whatever I'm in (7)

7/15/2011

Oi!

Como vao? Eu estou muito bem aqui en o CTM.  Eu estou muito animado ainda.  I really appreciate hearing from all of you.  It's very encouraging  and I feel the love.  I love to hear how all of you have been doing.  I am sorry if I miss some of your questions though i do try, but it's hard to remember everything.

     Elder Morrey and I taught a 19 year old girl in the TRC this week.  I don't remember her name, but she taught so so so fast.  Our teacher was even astonished by how fast she talked.  Fortunately we were able to understand most of what she was saying.  Her mother is from Brazil and her father served his mission there.  She lived there for a couple years and went on and on about how beautiful Curitiba and the temple there is.  I'm excited.  Everyone I've talked to that has been there says it's a little cool, but most of them are Brazilian and cool for them isn't quite the same.  It was an excellent lesson.  We taught her as herself about receiving revelation through scripture study.  She gave us excellent reviews which was flattering.  She is also living In Pleasant Grove.

     Funny things this week include me talking to someone in english and asking "how many weeks do you have here?"  That is how you would phrase it in portuguese and it translated into my english.  We also took some pretty good pictures the last couple days which should be coming shortly. Elder Morrey tried to say campo or field and said comma, the thing used when writing. 

     Our teacher has been out of town with her mother that is here from Brazil and because of this we have had subs.  We teach the subs as themselves and the lessons are great.  it's very different teaching returned missionaries, but it helps us.  Elder Chavez made one Sister cry because his comment was what she needed to hear.  It's crazy how spirit lead missionaries can be when they are teaching.  We also got a new investigator named Arnaldo.  He's awesome, but he has a problem with smoking.  His whole family is members and we teach him for the third time today.

    I don't know if Martha has left because I haven't seen her in a week.  Sister Proctor is one sly Sister.  Hopefully I see her before she leaves.  i took pictures with Elder Bryant yesterday after the devotional.  It was good to have more time to talk before he leaves me here for another 2 weeks.  We get our reassignments a week from Wednesday.  It's an exciting time, but it's weird that it's getting close to the end.  It seems like just yesterday I got here and at the same time I swear I have been here forever.

    Yesterday was Sunday which was good.  Sister Smith from my district gave an excellent talk in church.  It was so busy though.  First a meeting with the branch presidency, then sacrament meeting, then branch council, then leadership training, then priesthood, then lunch, an interview with the branch president, temple walk, district meeting, then interviewing district leaders, then building meeting, then dinner, then finally a little personal time, then devotional, then pictures, then movie night, then planning, then more pictures, then bed time.  that was my whole day.

   i love you all and miss you dearly.  Sorry about the capitilization this keyboard is semi broken and I'm typing fast.  Elder Bryant is here and says hi.  Elder Morrey says hi too.  My testimony is really growing and I'm working hard.  Constantly tired. 

Love you all,

Elder Sudweeks