This picture was passed along to us by a family friend. I know Donovan is so excited to run into his friends while he's in the MTC. So fun!

Donovan and his friend, Collin White.

Donovan's 2nd (and much longer) letter + pictures! BONUS!

Hello Everyone!! My week has been pretty intense since arriving here on Wednesday. The first day was hectic and intense all at once but luckily I saw my college roommate, Tom, from BYU-Idaho. I had also seen my friends Shelby and Brayden and a lot of talking ensued after seeing them. I met my District the same day and we started learning from right there so there is not much time to settle in.

Thursday was a little better although trying to find the classroom was a bit difficult and I am slowly getting used to going up a lot of stairs and I haven't even got exercise time yet! But I had met both my teachers and then we had been able to work together with our companions to start practicing to teach an investigator named Victoria. It was a rocky start at first but the Holy Ghost really knows how to help teach when you let it. I have felt the spirit so much more here than I have in my life because I have felt it everyday since coming here. 

Friday and Saturday were more about actually teaching and we also got exercise time and we played volleyball. It was really crazy because the district who was here before us played and they were trying to spike it on every shot and man, were they on point. But teaching has helped us better understand how to teach investigators and I also learned this really nice quote from a sister in my District, "Without the Book of Mormon, you won't have the truth and without the Spirit, you won't know the truth" and I think this is really important because when I read my scriptures I find myself learning more and more spiritual truths. I also got called to be the District Leader for my District and it is a hard leadership position but you learn more about the people serving alongside with you and all of us are going to different places like Portland, OR; San Antonio, TX; Omaha, NE; and THE Ohio Columbus mission( My mission).

Also in my Branch we have to sing in the choir so I went to choir practice on Sunday and I actually liked singing. There was a Film of a Devotional by David A. Bednar where he imitated the Cookie Monster and it was one of the funniest thing I have seen in a long time.  

Then yesterday, my companion, Elder Barnes, and I had to teach our real investigators and it was really hard especially when they ask questions you are not really prepared for.

Today was P-day and that's why I can email today but also I did laundry and I love having clean laundry! Then we played volleyball and started kicking the ball and hitting it with our heads like it's a soccer ball. Elder Barnes and I also got the chance to attend the Temple and it was an awesome experience!

Well I have to go now but I love you all so much! Have a great week!!

--

Elder Donovan J. Olivo

Here is Donovan's first short letter. (Our personal family notes have been left out.)

Hellloooo!!!

 I finally get my P-day and thank you so much for the "dear elders"!( www.dearelder.com )  It makes my days brighter than they already are and I am learning so much!! I sent you and the family a letter in the mail so it should be there today or tomorrow I think.  I got called as District Leader!! My companion Elder Barnes is wicked awesome! He is from North Carolina and I wish he could be my companion out in the field but we are going to have to wait to see what happens in the field. We have taught really well together and we pick each other up where the other leaves off in a lesson and we were evaluated on one of our lessons and we testify of each other and I think that it is the greatest thing I can hear about me and my companion! It is really awesome learning here and I wish you could see everything here like the mountains and the temple and the MTC! I also have been able to play volleyball in my exercise time and it has been so intense but fun and everybody has a good time!

I hope that everyone there at home is doing well! I love you all so much! 

 Love,

Elder Donovan Olivo

Called To Serve