Final Week at the MTC

Richard LOVES care packages and letters!
Richard LOVES the spirit he feels!
Richard LOVES his companions, Elder Reali, Elder Doutre, and Elder Reams...small connections were made and they discovered that Elder Reams also went to BYU-I and worked for our neighbor (Josh Lopez) while there.
Richard LOVES to walk around the MTC singing(at the top of his lungs) "I Will Go I Will Do..." and "Lead Kindly Light".
Richard LOVES his family and misses home but knows that this is an experience of a lifetime!
Richard is having great experiences at the MTC.  He leaves this Monday, April 29 for NEW MEXICO!

First Handwritten Letter

We received our first hand-written letter from Elder Broulim in the MTC.  He said that he and his companion have been call to be the ZONE LEADERS!  The first of his letter said, "Curb drop-off=Not very fun! Although I think the old way would have been a lot worse!"  Richard mentioned that he was one of more than 500 elders/sisters to enter the MTC just that day!  (He said that they are the first group of missionaries to have more sisters than elders).  He said, "When we received our name badges and paperwork, we dropped our bags off and then went to a huge chapel kind of room.  There I was asked 'Are you feeling lucky today'--'Ah, ya'.  "Good, because you're saying the opening prayer--WELCOME TO THE MTC, ELDER BROULIM".  "After meeting our district and doing a few classroom things, we went to three different role-play discussions... In one room was a hispanic couple (like barely speaka no englisha).  During this the spirit was so strong.  I was jumping out of my chair answering questions.  This couple ended up being real investigators.  Super cool stuff. I pretty well rocked the lesson."  It sounds like he absolutely loves his companions.  He says many times that Elder Reali (Ree-al-ee) is the nicest/sweetest kid he has ever met.   He said, "So I love my last name...I have had seriously like 15 people come up to me and be like, 'do you have anything to do with the grocery store called Broulim's.  Ha ha I love it."  Richard again mentions that the chocolate milk is as good as they say and that the beds at the MTC are as bad as they say.  He feels the spirit very strong and mentions that the spirit is what is going to get him through.  We pray he will continue to have great experiences that will prepare him for the mission field and that he can feel the strength of the Lord every single day.  We love our missionary!

Yay! First e-mails AND PICTURES from the MTC...

The MTC is going well.  The spirit is felt every second of the day.  I really appreciate the packages and letters...keep em coming.  I don't have much time to e-mail (only about 10 more min.)  I will write letters.  I walked into class the first day when I got dropped off and introduced myself as Richard.. NOT THE RIGHT THING TO SAY. I am now officially Elder Broulim. The MTC is very, very busy. We go go go 24-7...wake up at 6:30 am work out for 15-30 min... then class for the rest of the day until 9:30pm. The food isn't too bad, the chocolate milk is AMAZING!  My Companion, ( we think he's talking about Elder Reali) is a very, very nice kid.  He is a convert, got baptized when he was 14.  He hasn't been active until about a year ago.  I know I was meant to be his companion to humble myself.  He is very, very humble.  His dad discouraged him to go on a mission.  He told him he couldn't make it a couple of weeks.  He is very, very...perfect.  He makes sure I'm always in line (ha,ha).  My other roomies are Elder Boutre and Elder Reams... Boutre is a stud. We have a lot in common. He is huge into lifting weights and basketball.  Elder Reams is my fav. He is originally from guam but moved to washington. He is a convert to the church, only been a member for about a year. He is the BEST example. He reminds me exactly of Mason. Thanks for all the tips, I really need them.  I love you so much and really want to thank you for your examples.  I know I am in the right place doing the right things.  I Love you so much,  Elder Broulim

The Beginning of the Mission Adventure...The MTC

April 17, 2013
What a bitter-sweet day!  It was tough to drop Richard off at the MTC (a lot of tears were shed) but we are so excited and happy for the opportunity he has to serve a mission.  We love you, Richard!
D&C 84:88

The Call to Serve is on it's way

On Thursday, March 7, 2013, we waited for the mail lady to bring us some pretty important mail.  Our Bishop and Stake President both had mentioned that Richard would be receiving his mission call today.  As we stood waiting by the front door with all the blinds open watching for her, we spotted her car.  Everyone came running up to see but to our disappointment, there was no mission call today.  So, we learned a lesson in patience and hoped that it would be here tomorrow.

Friday, March 8, 2013  IT CAME TODAY!  The official call is to Albuquerque New Mexico.  Only 5 weeks to get everything DONE!  So excited for this experience for Richard.  After the excitement and people left, he said, "It feels right, Albuquerque, New Mexico feels right".