The Saga Continues

9/13/24

Welcome back to the channel... I mean, the email. If you have children who know how to work YouTube, you have probably heard the words "like and subscribe" thousands of times. If you were born in the 2000's, you have probably also heard that phrases a similar number of times. If neither of those apply to you, I am sorry. I am out of ways to describe you. All of this was to say that there will be no subscribes or likes on this post, simply discover your entertainment in my written words.

This week flew by. I feel like I just sent the last email yesterday, but apparently it's been a while. Also, if you sent me something and I haven't replied yet, I apologize. They only give us 2 hours to do what we want on p-days, but once I leave this place of learning (cough cough prison) then I will have way more time.

Let's see... this week we got chewed out by one of our teachers because she thinks that we aren't spending our time constructively. I think she was having a terrible day because she isn't usually like that. We just live our lives, man. Our district is so close (maybe too close) and we all just work together to do what we need to do. Sometimes we are a little distracted, but there is barely any time to think about anything other than what we're supposed to be doing.

It's almost been a month since I started this thing, which is crazy. I feel like I've grown a lot in a short 30 days and can hardly remember what my house looks like (just kidding, but I can't remember what a soft bed feels like). 

I had a really crazy spiritual experience that I never would have thought I could have. I was in the top of a training building in the MTC and could see my home neighborhood through the window. I was pretty worried about my family and how they were going to be without me. I was half reading in Genesis (sorry, I kind of think Genesis is a liiiittle boring) when the song "I Know My Heavenly Father Loves Me" came on over my headphones. It was in French, and three little girls sang the song, just like my sisters have in sacrament meeting. In one instant that felt like forever, I saw the fields and meadows behind Mt. Baldy. I saw my family dressed in white and they were all so happy. I was kind of far away, but I could feel their happiness in my heart. I knew that they would be okay without me. The exuded brightness and peace that I can't put into words, and it calmed my worries and fears. They stood together, happily, among the flowers and the grass. Everything was perfect. I don't have much of a testimony of a lot of things, but I have a very strong testimony of heaven and families being together. And yes, I wrote it in my journal. I would be stupid.

And now, for the moment you've all been waiting for: the general ruckus of activities in which I and my fellow missionaries are engaged in. This week, bread was placed on a door handle (and then hardened and could not be removed), Eddie Vetter impressions were done many times (kids, ask your parents about Eddie Vetter), and another photo was recreated. We are semi-working on an episode of the Office. If that gets done, it will be sent immediately. I really can't think of anything else that was completed in these latter days.

Today I spoke French the best I ever have. I was talking about something that I read and I don't think I stumbled on a single word. The French is coming along. It is actually really fun to speak. And I have been told it works on the "laaaayydiiiiess". Time will tell with that one.

Oh, the Google Photos album is up. I will still put the highlights here, but if you really miss my face, you can look at the pictures on there. Also, there might be the occasional humdrum on there that I fail to mention on my email. Limited edition content for my biggest fans.

I decided I want to do a question and answer section on my emails. Ask me a question and I will answer it Dear Abby style. 

That's all for now!

Elder Will Ott

1. Me X Vogue Collab

2. Me X Louis Vuitton Collab

3. Les Elders

4. Guess the Artwork

5. Me X Une Biche

Camera Work by Moi, et le voix de Elder Banbury (another skit, of sorts)

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Jz9ktynqfgVPp8Nz7

The Exclusive Google Photos:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/s8jvo5wQUspnPkvh9

Comment dit-on "raptured?"

Bonjour y'all,

That is supposed to be pronounced with the most outlandish country southern accent you can muster. You may be wondering to yourself, "My friend, I am fairly sure that the first word is French. Why would I pronounce it like an American?" Well, I have an answer for you. Nobody knows why. Sort of.

We have been up to many a shenanigan lately. We have very friendly relationships with our teachers and the guys in my district are like my brothers now. We frequently mess with our teacher, Soeur Heiner with small, insignificant jokes. One day we walked into class and sat down in unison. Another time we switched nametags and seats and she didn't notice for 20ish minutes. We discovered that peppers grow on the terrace outside our classroom, and we convinced her to eat one. It was way too hot for her.

Our other teacher, Frère McKenna, is from Leeds, England. He has some very distinct habits that we quickly learned to mimic. Par example, he always slides into class and says "Les Elders," with a circular hand wave. Obviously we started doing that.

We are learning (aka making up) our own French slang. We say "Je suis cuit," which means, 'I am cooked'. We learned "le sang" which means 'the blood', so now we say "cheque me up le sang" which is Franglais for 'dap me up, blood'. For all of the older (than me) adults reading this email, a dap is a low five that looks kind of like a  handshake when executed correctly.

We have begun to reenact famous paintings as a district. I will attach some of them. I'm gonna start a Google Photos and when I do I'll send the link, but I'll also attach the week's highlights to each email.

While recreated "The Last Leaf", a member of our branch presidency knocked on our door to check on us. I threw my shirt on and opened the door but forgot about my headgear. I proceeded to have the least professional interaction I have ever had.

We also make funny skits. One thing that we say when things are hard is "Comment dit-on "raptured"? It means, 'how do you say raptured?' We made a skit. It is attached.

Please send me emails. "I'm just a poor boy, I need [some] sympathy." Queen said that. Specifically, Freddie Mercury said that. It has been 16 days without music. I don't know if I'm gonna make it. Even if you don't think I want to hear from you, I promise I do. I just might not be able to respond for a maximum of six business days.

I am BCCing everyone on this email this time. You are welcome.

All in all, my experience is great thus far. I like my friends and the people that I've met. I love learning French and remember a lot more than I thought I would.

En fin, the title came from "bonjour, les elders", which slowly got more and more southern throughout the week.

I hope everyone is doing well!

Je s'aimez!

Elder Will Ott

Photos

1. Moroni's return

2. The Last Leaf

3. We are like the Beatles

4. The Rapture

Those are the only four I can remember. There will be others.




https://photos.app.goo.gl/PKHTG8NX9Xu2vNQt7

<--- the rapture skit (10/10)

I'll make an album tomorrow and add it to my next email.