First letter from Massachusetts!

Hello hello.

Yes my P-day is today. I think im starting to get used to life out here. Honestly im a little disappointed that you found out where I am, more or less, already. Alright, I will try to contextualize where I am, i.e. my area.

So I dont know about you, but when I got my call and found out that I would be speaking spanish, I visualized myself in the urban parts of Boston or Hartford or Providence or something. Frequently walking through slums and ghettos or such.

Needless to say, I was suprised to find out that I would be going to the middle of the state of massachusetts, which is where I am.

So they put me in the middle of New England. And yes it is kind of out in the country. There are a lot of trees and it's super beautiful. It's pretty green, the houses are like what you would imagine for new england. A lot of them are white. There are a lot of old churches. Some huge ones. The small town that we live in is called Lunenburg, but our house is kind of in the middle of the woods. There are a lot of birds, I hear frogs at night and it's been raining the past few days.

If you use your imagination and think of a scene that's forested, with a large bridge spanning a river, a train going by on the other side and a number of churches in between colorful houses, it's probably pretty close to an area where I have been.

We work a lot in a couple of small cities called Leominster (pronounced Lemonstir) and Fitchburg (It would be normal to not say the r). It's called the "Gardner" area. And that is where we go to church.
It is not a dominately spanish area, most of the people speak english. I thought at first that I would be completely preaching in english and it was a strange idea to me but there are actually a lot of hispanic people and we do teach in spanish often. All of the knowledge that I thought I had in the language, you can throw out the window. It's really hard for me to understand people, so I dont know how to reply. They speak kind of fast and softly. But I believe that the language will come and the Lord is helping me to develop as I do my part. Slowly, like you said.

The people are pretty interesting. It's definitely different from the west coast. The people have very distinct personalities. The members have been nice. Our apartment actually adjoins to the house of some members, the Stokes. Theyre great people.

My companion only has like three months left on his mission. He's really nice and good at being personable. His spanish is excellent so that has been a help. He's from Idaho. Wouldnt hurt a fly. Interesting personality. I'm learning a lot.

It was a tough week as far as lessons and numbers and everything but we're hoping that things will look up. My first lesson was actually pretty amazing. The members usually feed us dinner and its fun to meet with them.

It sounds like you're going to have an awesome time for the next month, with a bunch of people arriving and leaving and new experiences in familiar places. Make sure to update me. Best of luck with everything. I'll be interested to hear about how it was to say goodbye to the students and what the new ones are like soon. Also the adventures with Donald/Dallin and Amy.

For the next six weeks or so I should be here so if people want to send me letters soon my exact address is:

229 Lancaster Avenue

Lunenburg, MA 01462

It has been hard, but I think of the support that I have from all of you. I love you all. I'll try to send pictures next time from the MTC and my area here.

Sincerely,

-Elder Jared Ludlow Jr.

 

Last MTC letter April 13, 2012

Yeah the time is really coming to an end and im getting feelings like I did when I first opened my call. Thinking about Boston a lot and what it will be like.
The dead sea fieldtrips was one of my favorites. Sounds like the dead sea was better this time.
So the richards are still around?
This is probably my last email from the mtc and i dont know what it will be like in the field so i want to give some thanks.
-To my family for keeping me updated on whats going on in their interesting jerusalem lives
-The friends and relatives that have sent letters and packages. I have appreciated it. There are some friends that I wish i could stay in contact with but for the most part my closer friends have written me.
-To my grandparents for continuing to do so much for me. I dont think there is any way to pay back parents and grandparents
Today has been a good day. We've had in-field orientation and it will continue after this. It's pretty much talking about what we're going to be doing and how to do it effectively. Its fun with examples and stories and such. I've really enjoyed it.
I hope you have a good time as you wind down the semester. Im sure it will be sad for close friends to depart once again.
Ok i dont have my travel plans with me, which is a problem. I'll see if tomorrow i can give you the exact information in a brief email. But I do know that im reporting to the travel office at 4:00 am on wednesday and then heading over to salt lake soon after. So i believe that my time in the airport will be in the morning between like 7 and 10. Sorry im not for sure. I will try my hardest to get the right details to you later. It's an exciting opportunity. AND as has been pointed out by some people, mothers day is coming up soon too. So it will be fun to communicate with you a little bit.
I know one of the sisters in my travel group, she was in my arabic class freshman year at provo high. Shes going to boston to speak english
Saw and talked to Elder peter johnson for the first time today. It was interesting
Had the opportunity to host another time on wednesday. It was awesome. I helped two elders. Going to mongolia and salt lake city. Also Elder Uluave arrived and i got to have a brief chat with him. If you dont remember his dad was my baseball coach when i was like 8 or 9. Its kind of sad how much smaller i feel now compared to those polynesians.
Easter was good. We had a devotional by President Packer and his son, who is in the seventy. it was kind of a huge sacrament meeting, so that was cool. Unfortunately my health kind of went downhill so i was in my bed later in the day. Anyways how was your Easter experience as a whole? Quite something?
The weather has been kind of wacky. So ive been wondering what its like in the holy land these days. It was hot on tuesday and very pleasant on wednesday but freezing today and yesterday.
i've had an additional companion for a few days as an elder doesnt have his visa. But he got reassigned so he'll be leaving soon.
have a good time, I hope your testimonies of Jesus Christ are doing well and you are thinking of him as you are in that special place. Good luck and Les Amo

Sincerely,
-Elder Ludlow

April 6 letter

Hey family and everyone else.
To be honest, this week has felt longer than any other in the MTC. So im glad it's ending.
Wow, it sounds like Jerusalem really is the place to be around Easter time. I tried to picture the festivities in my mind while I read about them. Im glad that you all are a part of that experience. Im sure it's amazing. I've tried to learn and think about the last week of the savior's life in the best way I can here. It goes without saying, but I would have loved to be there with you during this time.
So from what I heard the weather is picking up? I honestly miss the climate over there. I've wondered what it's like in Boston. Here it's been interesting. The first day of conference we got to walk around the temple between sessions and it was very warm and pleasant outside. The next day was fairly cold, but the valley looked more beautiful. Since then it's slowly gotten colder until today when it was fun to walk up to the temple in the morning with snow pouring down.
So pretty much everyone has mentioned Elder Archuleta in their letters. He was pretty obvious in the choir during conference. I really dont want to talk about this subject a whole lot because i think its sort of annoying but you asked so :) I've seen him quite a few times. Maybe five or six. One time while I was leading a new missionary through the bookstore and he turned and asked me if "it really was him" and I replied that it was just a normal thing in the MTC.
So yes, I had the opportunity to host this past wednesday. It was interesting. Especially since I didnt have the same experience when i entered the MTC late. I hosted two elders, one going to brazil and one to japan.
How was marissa's birthday overall? It was on my mind throughout the day.
Tell me how the talent show goes.
Yeah that was kind of interesting to run into brother jacobs and have my picture taken. I wonder what it really looked like.
No I havent sung in the choir. Mom knows that I have certain feelings towards choirs, although I do love to sing. That desire has definitely grown a lot here-to sing. I try to translate songs into spanish.
We got some new missionaries in our zone and I SWEAR theyre a year younger than me or more. You feel older after a long time in the MTC.
You asked about Tender Mercies... Im not sure exactly what that means but I have seen the Lord's hand during this week. Yes. I went into conference with some questions and they were all answered. I really liked Elder Scott's talk about revelation (I believe) and President Monson's talk about the plan of salvation. I've also felt the spirit through hymns and prayer. I've had some great times in class. The scriptures are always an anchor for me.
We got to hear a lot of talks this week and on easter we will hear from three general authorites. I dont know who.
The tuesday speaker was Vai Sikahema (i think) I dont know if i slaughtered his name or not. But he played for BYU's championship team and was a sportscaster, or still is. He showed some funny and interesting clips and pictures and had kind of a reunion up on the stand with one of his converts and companions.
So what was your favorite talk? How are all my brothers and sisters doing?
Have you seen anything interesting with the students in the JC? (like LDS, Last Days Syndrome)
Boston is only a heartbeat away. Im a little nervous but mostly excited. Bring on the challenges.
Im in a good place with the language, at least for the amount of time I've had.
I'll be praying for all of you and thinking about you
Les Quiero. Love all of you.

-Elder Jared Ludlow Jr.

finally a picture!

Scott Jacobs, a Provo Peak fellow ward member and backyard neighbor who works at the MTC saw JJ and took a picture of him for us. Yea!

March 30 Letter

Thank you for all of your letters. I had a lot of things to read and think about. I enjoy the stories of the places in the galilee area. It's a special place for me.

Happy Birthday Dad. I would have told you on the day of if i was able to.

Wait so both of you (Mom and Dad) had different experiences with vehicles breaking down?

I bet galilee is even more beautiful with spring and all that comes with it. The weather here has been kind of up and down.

Im glad mom and my siblings could go up into the northern area (Banias, Golan Heights) because it's a great experience and an amazing area.

So you got to be a bullock again on your birthday? Awesome.

Thankyou again to my family for sending me updates. I might not reply to everything but i enjoy reading.

This week has been difficult for many reasons but im still glad to be here. Today I've actually been really sick and I had to stay in my room all morning until just recently when I wanted to email.

I remember the gratitude cards, i've actually taught that lesson a few times

El Campo.. To tell the truth, im pretty nervous about it because i have no idea what it will be like. But the mission field is an exciting thing because thats when the work really begins. Honestly I feel like the MTC has just been like an offseason training, and not very difficult. And then I'll be thrown into the game. Im excited to get into the groove and to get a new companion. I have been thinking about it a little bit but it still feels pretty far away.

I really like to talk about the Plan of Salvation. It's my favorite part of the gospel to teach because a lot of my favorite scriptures fall under it and it brings me a lot of happiness in my life.
I guess I've seen some new insights to the temple here. Im working on that.

Reading your letters and reading Jesus The Christ has helped me to reflect on the things i've learned and find new insights to it.

Our schedules will be centered around general conference the next few days so yes.

It will be interesting to hear from a multitude of general authorities after getting a few of them here in devotionals

Fasting is fine. Like i said, this week has been hard because i've been sick. That affects my attitude and the lessons have been hard because my voice has been weak and my companion still doesnt like to say much.

The jael joke was funny.

Master the Tempest is Raging is one of my favorite hymns. I enjoyed singing it out there on the sea of galilee as well.

It sounds like youre having good experiences and that makes me happy. I hope you know that i pray for y'all all of the time.

Sorry this email isnt much, but honestly not very much happened this week and my mind isnt in full gear today.

Im there with you in spirit. This feels like a different life so I like to pretend im still there with all of you.

How was the sea of galilee? still pretty cold?

I saw some of the best sunsets up there. would you agree?

Tell me more about those talking parrots.

Love you all. Have a good time