Wed June 26

Hey Everyone. How are you. Im doing alright except for the fact that our plane was canceled. We had our plans and everything. I Went to the travel office got prepared. Everything was underweight. We Woke up at 2:00 a.m. and got to the air port at salt lake at 4:30. oUR FIRST DEPARTURE WAS AT 6:00 a.m to Dallas. But then while waiting in line the airlines told us that our flight was canceled due to big thunderstorms. So we called the mission office and an hour later they picked us up. During that hour the 23 of us going sang hymns. So We got back into bus and headed home. We ate breakfast then went back to sleep for a couple more hours. So we went to the Temple today and Im really enjoying going. I really feel closer to God when Im there. And im starting and to memorise and say the parts back. So Hopefully tommorow or the next day we can leave. But for now im back with my old district and in the same bed. We were lucky. Other missionaries got kicked out of their rooms because of all the new missionaries that come in on wendsday. I also saw devon again. He's awesome and we bore each others testimonies in our respective languages. it was really neat. We did this outside with sack lunches. Last night for our tuesday devotional we had Elder Holland Speak, present were Elder Perry, Elder Eyring, Elder Scott, Elder Ballard, and Elder Uchtdorf. It was probably the best, most influential and emotional talk i have ever experianced. He spoke on the Atonement of christ. By the end their wasnt a dry face in the building as he bore a beautiful yet bold testimony. It was then followed by a powerful and very emotional prayer offered by an elder. He was hugged and kissed right after, by both brother holland and ballard. On suday President Monson spoke to us and taked about missionary work and about him and his dealings with missionaries in his life, especially as a 30 year old mission president. Its awesome at the MTC right now be cause this last week we have had the new mission presidents training. The whole place is shut down and on lock down. Apostles are wissing in and out of view as more thatn have of them are here each day. Even the prophet has come many instances. Seldom do people see them because of all the security protecting the mission presidents and Apotles. The spirit is so stong in their that even the teachers cant go in the main building, It is very sacresd and no one can talk to the MP's until they have been spoken to. Not even the teachers can speak or be with them. But it was an amazing expeiance seeing 118 new mission presidents from 16 nationalities be present. It was an amazing experiance, even having to wait in very long lines do to there presence.I hope all is well with you all. I hope this gets to everyone. I really am gaining a huge testimony of the gospel and learning spanish very well. Im glad im here. I hope that I can grow to love my companion but we are totally differeant. Im trying to be patient. Thats my biggest challenge here. But any ways I love the gospel and my savior jesus Christ. I love him and all of you. I hope to see you soon. Well not to soon. But the thought counts that I miss ya.Love,Elder Zabransky ( as my distict would call me)

Wed Jun 20

Hey Mom and Dad!!! I hope your having an amazing time in Europe. I hope you take lots of pictures. Well I wrote you a letter but i think you left the day it got home. But anyways, thanks for the package and card. I opened the card during class the other day and the music went off. We all thought it was really funny. Well, This is techinally my second week here but im in my 3rd according to their scheduale. I leave for the Island at 3:00a.m on wendsday. We then have flights from SLC to Dallas/Fort Worth, TX. Then to Miami, Fl. THen to Santo Domingo. At 6:00 am we leave SLC and arrive in Santo Domingo at 6:30 P.M. The MTC is a really neat place. I have enjoyed it very much. The food is amazing and you really are never hungry. I really enjoy my Teachers and My district. I was made the District Leader for our distrit of 8 Guys and 3 Girls. They are a rowdy bunch and I have to get on them a lot in the night. But its fun to have some fun elders. Everyone in our distict except for my companion and I are going to San Antonio. When I was set apart the Girl that was before us Sister Faulkner, is in my district. What a small world. ahaha. Well I saw Preston and Austin alot and also Kellee Walker. They all left last wendesday though.The language is coming pretty good. Within a couple days we could pray in spanish and testify. I can do all sorts of stuff now but We are concentrating most on Preach my gospel and the lessons. I love Preach my Gospel. Its the coolest book ever, other thatn the BOM. I've learned so much so far and am really gaining a super testimony of the gospel. My companoion is Elder Merrill, hes from Albany, Oregon. We actually were in a English 111 class at BYU-I together. He loves music and is very different then me. we clash a littlte and he gets to me sometimes but I try my best to make the best of it. He is the complkete opposite of what I want. But thats probably what I need. I need more patience and I think the lord is telling me that. Hes messy forgets tons of stuff so we have to go back and get it. Corrects me and sings all the time. But other than that I love the MTC and cant wait to get to the Santo Domingo MTC. I feel that Ive grown and Im glad i was given the opportunity to be the District leader. Since Ive been here Ive gained a greater respect for my Patriartical Blessing. I feel that every thing is coming true and is as planed. Ive really gained more in the understanding of the scriptures and of The gospel.Elder Uchdorf and Elder Christenson have talked to us in our 2 devotionals. I could really feel the spirit there. Its so cool to havew the spirit here alot. It seems as though there is no time. We wake up class, study eat. thats all we do. the days go by slow but the weeks fly by. I have attended the Provo temple last week adn will go again. It was a really sweet temple and a lot bigger than the Boise one. Its really cool to be a missionary but Its also in the back of my mind of wehat Im going to be or do when I get done with my mission. But dont worry I m focused. Im one of the better missonaries there are here. I really do understand what bad missisonarys are now. And it seems that the dorms are just like college dorms. Because the kids are really not mature, do stupid things and It dosnt really feel like a sacred place all the time. It gets to me how much diffrent I am from them. Their not bad kids but they, do things diffrently. And I belive that they can be a lot better. I just dont think they get why there there and who there serving. I usually am low key and sit in my room, write in my journal, or read the scripturtes. I think the postion of DL has made me keep in line and set the good example. The guy you knew before would be going nuts and crazy just like the others but I think Ive really grasped the concept of life and how were supposed to be. I really dont care about anything other than the gospel now. Its really weird but I think its awesome.Well I dont know when Im going to talk to you again with all the traveling and when you get this but Im guessing in 2 weeks because Im traveling next wendsday on my p day. So just be alerted. Ill see what i can do weith the mission preident. Ill also watch out for deven todayI am so thankful for your guidences and love as I was growing up. You really made me into a good elder, missonary and leader. I love you tonsElder Anderson

Pictures of My Farewell on May 27th 2007

Thanks to everyone who came to my farewell. I hope you enjoyed it.