September 7, 2014 -- Leaving The Mission Training

September 7, 2014

This post is from Jon's Mom.

Jonathan was scheduled to leave the MTC on Monday evening and with an early flight on Tuesday morning at 12:55 am arriving in Bolivia at 8:45 pm on Tuesday night.  But we received an email from Jonathan on Saturday morning stating that he and the three other Elders whom he was traveling with will be traveling a day earlier to their destination.  So Jonathan, Elder Brimhall, Elder Butts and Elder Galli left the MTC on Sunday, September 7th at 8:15 pm.  After checking their luggage in, they all found a pay phone and were able to call home.  We received our call from Jonathan around 11 pm Kansas City time.   We woke up the little girls and everyone had a turn to talk with their brother.  Luckily, Betsy was home also.  (She is driving back to SLC with her friend Paige Munden and was home for the weekend.)

Jonathan's itinerary:

September 8 -- 

Depart SLC 12:55 am

Arrive Atlanta at 6:26 am

Depart Atlanta at 7:34 am

Arrive Miami at 9:25 am

Depart Miami at 11:30 am

Arrive Santa Cruz, Bolivia at 8:45 pm

We might get a phone call during his Miami layover, but not certain.  

It was so wonderful getting to talk with Jonathan.  He has now been gone for six weeks and is ready to get out in the mission field.  We are so very proud of him.

He sent some pictures which are below.

September 4, 2014 -- Last Preparation Day At the MTC

September 4, 2014
Blog Entry Six 

Last Preparation Day (P-Day) At The MTC

MTC experience over! 

This Month has flown by. I've made so many new friends, and it's sad to be leaving them all. But I'm SOOOOOOOOOOO excited to go serve the People in Santa Cruz! 

My Last Tuesday night Devotional was given by Don R. Clark of the Seventy. He was the Mission President in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, before the current one, my Mission President Willard. He talked about being the best missionary you can be, because missionary work isn't about numbers now.  It's about retention. And if we can keep them in the Church, we will be much much more succesful than mass baptisms.

I was a Host Missionary again and I hosted my Friend Ezra Vaoifi.

 I met him at EFY back in 2012 and he's a good friend.  I'm happy he is on a mission. He asked me what MTC life was like. I told him the truth. The MTC was interesting, and there are no words to explain it. If you have the mind-set it is going to be bad, you aren't going to have a enjoyable time. 

I came in with a good mindset, and i have loved every minute of the MTC.

Bolivia is calling my friends. 

Hasta luego.

Elder Jonathan Tracy

Elder Alexander Butts and Elder Jonathan Tracy

August 28, 2014 -- Week Five

August 28, 2014

Week 5: 

This week went by super duper fast. So many fun things to see and do! On Tuesday I sang in the MTC choir. We sang "Jesus, Once of Humble Birth." Then we heard a message from President James B. Martino of the Seventy. Afterwards, I saw one of my good friends from my first EFY group. His name was Elder Checketts. I haven't seen him since the Temple Open House for The Kansas City Temple back in 2012. We talked for like 15 minutes, catching back up. He is going to Santa Rosa California, that's where Emily is serving right now. I told him to try and meet up with her. 

Wednesday, I was a Host Missionary for the New Elders and Hermanas that entered the Mission Training Center on that day. I helped three Elders get situated in their rooms. I love being able to help people! 

My District is trying to get a musical number together for this Sunday, because this is our last normal Sunday in the MTC. We have an Arrangement of "I Stand All Amazed". It sounds awesome right now.

Mom sent me a watch, and I really needed it because the one that I had broke the day I got into the MTC. I also got a new set of scriptures and the goods, because Elders deserve the best!

My time here at the MTC is coming to a close, and this time in 2 weeks, I will be proselyting in the Actual Mission field. I don't know if I have my VISA or not, but wherever I go, I know the Lord will guide me and protect me. I'll probably get sent to Boise or something dumb. I've been praying to be sent to Santa Rosa so I can see Emily one more time. But I know the Lord will make things work.

I love you family. Don't have to much fun without me

Elder Jonathan Tracy

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Elder Jonathan Tracy's Mailing and Email Addresses

If you would like to sent a letter of support to Elder Jonathan Tracy, you can contact him via usps or email.

Mailing address at the Provo Mission Training Center

Elder Jonathan T. Tracy
SEP 09 BOL-SC
2023 North 900 East Unit 845
Provo, Utah  84602

Email address

jonathan.tracy@myldsmail.net

Thank for keeping in touch with Jonathan!

August 21, 2014

I've been going to Choir every Tuesday and Sunday. But the bad part is they only have enough spots for 150 people from West Campus. So every Hermana gets in, leaving the Elders to their own devices. I didn't make choir this week because I was number 151 out of 150. But i saw my opportunity to sit in the Very Front Row for the Devotional that night. The devotional was given by President Bonnie Oscarson of the General Young Women's Presidency. She spoke about how Missionary work doesn't have to be serious all the time, and that it can be fun. But we also need o now where to draw the line on how far we take it.

The MTC experience is going by so fast. A day feels like a week, but a week feels like a day. I learn more Spanish as every single day passes, and i see the Blessings Heavenly Father has given me with each passing Day. I've realized how lucky I am being born into a LDS Family. I also know that i have the obligation to give to those who don't have it. Hymn #219 "Because I have been Given Much" talks about this a lot. Verse 2 says "Because I have been Sheltered, Fed by thy good care. I cannot see another's lack and I not share. My glowing Fire, my loaf of Bread, my roof's safe Shelter overhead. That he to may be comforted". This is one of my favorite Hymns because it shows us the 2 types of people: Those who give because they know its what Heavenly Father wants, and those that have so much, They're blinded by their many things and can't help another. We must try to be the Members that share everything we have. Because we have been given much. D&C 82:3 reads : 3 For of him unto whom much is given much is required; and he who sins against the greater light shall receive the greater condemnation.
Send me more letters. I like hearing from you all. Love you and see you next week.

Elder Tracy

August 14, 2014

Two  weeks and counting

The time here at the MTC is really flying now. The days seem longer, but weeks go by in a flash.  It's amazing how time is relative to your work ethic and who you're thinking about. When you are selfish and think about yourself, time goes slow and you don't enjoy it. But when you put your "Shoulder to The Wheel", work is fast and days zoom.

We got two new "investigators" so I'm planning lessons all in Spanish. Teaching in Spanish is harder than you think.  I think of Dad, and how he said " It's your turn to shoulder the sins of the world." And he couldn't be more true. The more I learn about truly living the gospel, the more I learn about what I used to do wrong. But the past is in the past and I'm a new person.

Yo estoy muy feliz en el MTC. Estoy aprediendo muchas cosas sobre de El Evangelio de Jesucristo. Yo sé que José Smith es un profeta de Dio. Yo sé que Él vi Dios y JesuCristo en la arboleda y La Iglesia de Jesucristo de Los Santos de Los Ultimos Dios es verdadera.

Yo amo mi familia

Love,

Elder Jonathan Tracy

August 7, 2014

August 7, 2014

The MTC is FANTASTIC. I've made so many new friends its not even funny. Everyone in my Zone are super cool. I'm in Zone 132, which is known at the MTC as " The Singing District". My Zone is required to go sing in the MTC Choir every Tuesday and Sunday! The Blessings from my Heavenly father are to numerous to count. Spanish is coming very easily to me, I'm getting along with my companion, Elder Butts, and my roommates, Elder Fitzgerald and Battenfield. But there are some downsides.

Being thrown headfirst into Missionary life has been rough. Overcoming feelings of homesickness and fear have been difficult for me. I miss a lot of people from back home. I miss my Mother and her kind spirit. I miss my Father with his sense of humor and his love towards me. And I miss my siblings, who only annoyed me sometimes. I'm nervous about transitioning into the real mission life and not understanding Native Spanish in a foreign country. I know i have my fears, but i know i can over come them throught Christ. 
Doctrine & Covenants Chapter 11 reads:

" For, behold, it is I that speak; behold, I am the light which shineth in darkness, and by my power I give these words unto thee."

I know that I am the Light that shines and I know many people are lost in the dark.  I love all of you and hope you can follow me on my Adventure in Santa Cruz.

Love, Elder Jonathan Tracy