Translating is a Funny Thing

Yesterday, I received a nice little e-mail from Xander.  It was a very short, early Happy Mother's Day greeting.  At the end of the letter, he wrote a few lines in Dutch, knowing that I would cut and paste the Dutch into our Mac's Translator widget to find out what he wrote.  I laughed out loud when I read it.

I'm pretty sure that he meant to write "best" instead of "beest" because after a little research, "best" is the same in both languages, but is probably pronounced with a long e in Dutch.  Beest = Animal.  He just misspelled "dankbaar" which means grateful or thankful.  Can't really figure out the last phrase.  I know it has something to do with when I sent a package containing some treats and notes for other missionaries in his district.

An Unlikely Couple

Xander's mission call came in a nice little packet. Near the beginning of the packet was a picture of his future mission president and wife, who reside in the mission home in Trinidad/Tobago. Brent's 1st comment when he saw the photo of this nice looking couple was, "Oh look it's Obama and Sarah Palin." I grabbed the packet wondering what in the world he was talking about. Sure enough, they kind of do resemble the unlikely couple...

Xander sounds great. In Monday's TRC, he had to teach a 35 minute lesson all in Dutch. He said it was very

scary, but went better than expected. He thinks it's pretty cool being able to express himself in another language. He's used to speaking Dutch enough that his throat doesn't hurt all the time, and he can make a good-sounding guttural. The missionaries listened to L. Tom Perry give a great talk about the Book of Mormon. Other than some foot/toe-nail problems and "super ugly" red splotches on his face (mysteriously appearing after doing handstand push-ups), he says "no complaints."

An Unlikely Sighting

Simon's school bus was stopped at a red light by the MTC last week. It was pouring down rain, and he saw Xander running up to the light to cross the street. Simon opened the bus window and shouted at Xander, and he shouted back. We sure miss that handsome fellow!

Torture Resource Center

"Every Monday afternoon we have to participate in what is called the TRC. I don't know what TRC stands for, but possibilities are: Torture Resource Center, Teach Read and Convert, The Real Conflict. Anyway it is like being tested each week on our ability to handle humiliation, and our ability to teach. This week was the first time that we didn't completely embarrass ourselves in the TRC. So I think things are getting better at least for me.

"Soccer is so hard! It demands so much from my feet, and my feet are so far away from my brain that I don't think they work well together. Luckily, you play defense in soccer similarly to in lacrosse, so I make an ok defender. Also, soccer gives me a workout whereas 4-square does not.

"I am doing well, one month in and one to go. My departure date is actually May 25 so I think I'll call from the airport, not on Mother's Day. So cool yeah, one month and 4 days from now I'll be in Suriname.

Vrede! (frey duh- peace)"

MTC Pictures

Xander and his companion, Elder Freeman from Blackfoot, Idaho.

We think this is the statue that a fellow in our ward made.

Xander found his friend, Elder Buddy Walker, in the MTC.

I'm Fat

Highlights from middle of April:

1) I figured out the food crisis finally. The food isn't particularly bad, it is just repetitive. The same ingredients are used for every meal every day. I'll be glad to have a real variety of fruit in the jungle.

2) I am learning how to be a better scriptorian and I am learning to be more attentive to the promptings from the spirit, two of my weak points. I am overall enjoying myself. I like having time to read and learn all the time.

3) Heb geen kui man ("don't have a cow, man!")

4) Conference was sweet. I watched all 5 sessions and only fell asleep when the women were talking to the young women, so I'd say I did pretty well.

5) I'm fat. I looked at myself in the mirror, and my stomach has taken the shape of a gummy bear.

6) During gym, it would be nice if I worked out, but all I want to do is play 4 square. It is the most fun game ever! I don't do all the tricks that some people do, but I am good at positioning myself in a way that I don't get out.

7) I learned why people use pocket protectors. Now my shirt has a big black stain the size of a lacrosse ball.

I (VaLene talking now) found this interesting: In his MTC district, 4 of them are going to Suriname, 4 elders and 3 sisters are going to the Netherlands/Belgium, and 1 lonely elder is going to Denmark. Xander likes letters! Send him one when you have a chance. His mailing address is here at the bottom.

Four Square

Beyond the typical classes of "preach my gospel" and dutch it appears as though Xander is honing his skills of Four Square. Great for developing manual dexterity, strategy and social skills.

Finally, A Letter

I don't think it's necessary to scan all his letters in - few people have the detective skills required to decipher Xander's handwriting anyway. I don't really want to type a whole letter, and doing so with each letter might become a little boring. So, let's try a list this time:

Favorite Quotes From Xander's First Letter

1) Please send me a bar of soap, thanks!

2) I'm not dead yet.

3) The food here takes skill to eat. There are always salads that aren't bad.

4) One nice thing is that we sing a ton. I am in the choir which is sweet. (what?!?!, Xander never sang in church.)

5) The side effect to singing so much is that my entire jaw is sore.

6) People keep saying that now, time is going to fly by. It doesn't seem like it's flying by yet. Feels like I've been here exactly 7 days.

7) I'm very glad you send letters. Best feeling in the world to get them.

8) Dutch is tough, remembering vocabulary is the hardest part for me. Rules and sentence structure make so much more sense than English.

9) It is amazing what is exciting here in the MTC. Like how stoked I am for Conference, it's comical. I can't wait!

10) I'm sleepy always. Too much of not enough walking and fluorescent lights isn't very cool.

11) This suit sucks. It's all pilly and fraying and well thats all, pilly and fraying.

12) I basically forgot how to do my hair so it looks good, I think. Style is something that is impossible in the MTC.

13) (after a minor complaint about his companion).. He acts as a great compass to me. He is good at being in tune with the spirit and staying on task. This I really appreciate.

13) I love you.

14) I'm going to eat a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup now. It's huge!

15) The letter in the luggage trick was brilliant.

Overall, Xander sounds great. He really likes his teachers. He's getting along with his companion. He has 3 roommates, and they all arrived on the same day, and they are all headed to the same mission on May 25. I'm so relieved that he sounds happy and well. We have to figure out a system for getting his photographs. I'll post some as soon as we solve this puzzle (he only gets 30 minutes each week for e-mail/computer time.) Please note that his address has changed slightly. I edited the address post, so it is correct now.