Elder Gebert

July Pics

2010-08-07T14:11:00.000-07:00

dog bite

Trainer

2010-06-11T23:08:00.000-07:00

Elder Gebert, with his "Papi", Elder Haskell

First Baptism!

2010-06-11T22:57:00.001-07:00

From David:

Hey, this week was awesome. I had my first baptism! Already! And it was in Spanish. They're twins from Peru. I dont know if I can email their names. They've been taught for over 9 months, but now they finally set a date with us. I was really nervous, but my companion went first. He messed up a couple of times and her hair came up, so he had to do it again. So that took a lot of pressure off me! She's super scared of water bc she can't swim, so that made it interesting. I didnt mess up though! It was so cool. We thought they got lost on the way bc we were waiting for about an hour for them. We saw them driving, but they weren't at the stake center. They don't have a cell phone so we were just waiting. We were getting worried they weren't going to show. They ended up being in the back of the stake center. We didn't even know there was another entrance. That was nerve-wrecking though. It was a really cool feeling and I can see why some missionaries want to extend their mission. Not saying I will, lol, I'm just saying I see one of the reasons why :)

Jambalaya and Smoothies

2010-06-11T22:42:00.000-07:00

In one of her countless boxes to David, my mom sent him mixes to make one of his favorite dishes: Jambalaya. So, he treated his companion and the other set of Elders that they live with to dinner. THEY LOVED IT! And of course, ate it all.

And before you make any cracks about him cooking, David has always been quite the chef. One time, when he was about 4 he got up in the middle of the night and decided he was hungry and needed to fix himself a sausage muffin. So, he stuck a frozen one in the microwave, pushed a bunch of buttons (including the start button), then eventually went back to bed because "it took too long". We still wonder how long that thing cooked. It was a black lump that stunk up the house for days... long after it, along with the glass tray it was adhered to, were thrown out.

All joking aside though, he really is an amazing cook. He always reminded me of the famous chef, Curtis Stone.

Looking The Part

2010-06-11T22:39:00.000-07:00

Letter From the Mission President

2010-05-12T02:22:00.000-07:00

{click to enlarge}

If you're interested in getting his address, send either my mom or me an email or leave a comment!

1st Day in Long Beach!

2010-05-11T10:21:00.000-07:00

Elder Gebert, with the Mission President and his wife,

President and Sister Sexton

Yesterday, my parents received a letter from the Mission President formally letting them know that Elder Gebert had arrived safely in Long Beach and was out proselyting by 6PM that evening . He also said that David had been paired with his first companion and trainer, Elder Haskell. David had also sent a letter with his Mother's Day card talking about the experience of being paired with Elder Haskell. They were all gathered in a room and before the assignments were made, David leaned over to his companion from the MTC and said, "THAT guy is my trainer", pointing to Elder Haskell. Sure enough, he was right! He really, really likes him, which is AWESOME news to get. He also wrote that they are in a "verrrrrry Spanish" area. We all got to talk to him on Mother's Day (missionaries get to call home twice a year... Mother's Day and Christmas) and he sounds great. He's very happy to be out in the field and said that they have 6 baptisms lined up. Before he entered the MTC, he had gotten some white pants for his baptisms, but they hadn't been hemmed. So, he left without them and my mom said she'd send them once he got on his way. Well, when he called with the news of 6 baptisms, he said "I need them NOW!". Needless to say, my mom overnighted them yesterday :)

The Many Poses of Elder Gebert...

2010-04-14T21:45:00.000-07:00

... as well as a few poses from his fellow missionaries.

The Provo Temple, which is in walking distance from the MTC and the only place a missionary can go once he's entered the MTC

This is a Classic MTC picture. Here he is pointing to his mission! Just a few more weeks and he'll be there!

Mormon Mission World

2010-04-01T18:04:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to do a quick shout out to whoever submitted Elder Gebert to the website Mormon Mission World! I posted the button that links up to the site over there on the right... see it? Yeah, right over there :) It's a really cool blog site that has compiled TONS of missionary blogs and I urge you to check it out.

Anyway, thanks again!

Boys will be boys... even in the MTC

2010-03-30T21:39:00.001-07:00

David has just about reached his halfway point at the MTC. According to one of is latest letters he has a week left of English, then he has to start speaking ALL Spanish. He is really, really anxious to become fluent and is continuing to flourish. The days are beginning to go by a little more quickly, which he is definitely welcoming with open arms. With such early mornings (5:30 am wake up call) followed up with class after class, all the boys are very ready to get out in the field. He said one of the Elders is writing a sci-fi novel and fills them in on what's happening next which David looks forward to, much to his own surprise. He says, "This story this guy is telling is so good. It'll be published for sure." It's funny seeing the pictures that David sends. There's obviously not too much to take pictures of there at the MTC, so it's a lot of funny boy stuff. The giant Easter egg came from Ariel, his girlfriend. The two guys with glasses are 2 Elders that have already left for Spain. There's also a video out there of one of the Elders "eating something really gross for money". Apparently, they came up with a concoction of "ketchup, mustard, chocolate milk, hot sauce, spice cake, etc" (who KNOWS what "etc" encompasses) and paid one of their companions to eat it. Unfortunately, David didn't point out the lucky guy in the group picture.

Along with having some great male bonding time, David has been able to enjoy some great spiritual highs. He's learning so much about the scriptures and was also able to hear Quentin L. Cook, of the quorum of the 12 Apostles, speak. With General Conference, as well as Easter, coming up, we're all excited to hear about David's take on this special weekend. As always, I'll keep you posted!

The First Couple of Weeks at the MTC

2010-03-17T17:52:00.000-07:00

Here is David with his companion, Elder Ward.

Elder Ward getting checked out. Looks like David totally had to sneak this pic.

Elder Ward admitted to the hospital before having to go home.

And, here's the best of the best visual aides the MTC has to offer...

(Elder Ward being quarantined)

(Translation: The Elder runs on the clouds)

The Provo Temple

2010-03-11T13:21:00.001-08:00

Things have been going awesome for Elder Gebert at the MTC. His Spanish is coming along really, really well. He wrote his testimony in Spanish to Mom and Dad already and said that people come to him for help with the language. His companion has been sick the entire time and has already had to got to the hospital. He's since been quarantined and they think he either has the flu or mono. David said that he thinks it's mono and that he himself feels fine, thank goodness. He's gone through amazing spiritual highs and a few bouts of homesickness, but all in all is doing excellent and, as you can see above, he is thoroughly enjoying himself.

"See you in 2."

2010-03-04T20:45:00.000-08:00

At the hotel... love those mountains!

The next two years... stuffed into two suitcases and a backpack.

Gotta get the pics by the sign, for sure!

And, his final Facebook status:

David Gebert

weelll Im off to the MTC tomorrow to learn some spanish. Then off to Long Beach Cali. See you in 2. Keep up with my sisters blog...or google Elder Gebert!on Tuesday

Left at the curb...

2010-03-04T09:35:00.000-08:00

For those that may not know, missionaries are dropped off at the curb now. Nope, no more "Crying Room"! All tears are left at the curb.

Word from Mom is that he was very ready, very eager, and not hesitant at all. More non-iPhone pics to come very soon!

Saying Goodbye

2010-03-01T22:54:00.000-08:00

We said goodbye to David on Sunday night, as he headed to Utah with Mom and Dad. He doesn't report until Wednesday, but they definitely wanted to get a few last minute things taken care of with plenty of time to spare. Oh yeah, and enough time to eat Cafe Rio! It's truly bittersweet sending someone you love off on a mission. You're so happy for them and so excited to watch them grow and have this once in a lifetime experience... yet, it's just plain hard saying goodbye. You think about the things that are going to be different when he gets back, all happy and sad again. It's all relative though, given the amazing experiences he will have and how 2 years will be a blink of the eye.

Right before heading to the airport;

Elder Gebert with Annabelle, who joined our family when David was 8 years old

Set Apart From the World

2010-03-01T22:43:00.001-08:00

It's official! He's an Elder! On Thursday, David was set apart!

The group that attended (from left to right):

Pete Kerr, Missy Kerr, Michelle and Colt Kerr, Brian Perkes, Missy Gebert, Cathy Carrasquillo, Elder David Gebert, Al Gebert, Pres. Alleman, Corey Gebert, Claire Gebert

(not pictured: Russel Gebert, probably trying to make his grand escape out the front doors with his 1 year old self)

Called to serve in...

2009-12-12T12:07:00.000-08:00

Long Beach, California

Spanish-Speaking

(Isn't it just so perfect and so... David??!)

He'll report to the MTC in Provo, Utah on March 3, 2010. Congrats, David! We love you!!!

Still Waiting.

2009-12-10T14:03:00.000-08:00

Do mission calls get lost in the mail?? Anyone have any funny stories to share along these lines? I heard one from a friend. Her brother-in-law received his call... a letter stating that he was to be serving in Michigan. Then he starts flipping through his packet, only to find information about France. Confused, he called headquarters, and come to find out his own cousin who turned his papers in at the same time, got the brother-in-law's letter calling him to France and he had his cousin's letter calling him to Michigan!

Anyway, just to keep everyone updated... we're still waiting anxiously to hear. David is very, very eager, and has changed his mind about my mom over-nighting him the package. He just wants her to open it over the phone ASAP!! That is, if it comes before he gets home for Christmas Break, which will be Saturday the 19th. I guess this call has turned from a Thanksgiving Blessing to A Christmas Miracle. We'll keep y'all posted.

Receiving the Melchizidek Priesthood

2009-11-23T11:12:00.000-08:00

From Left to Right: Clint Gebert, Pete Kerr, Al Gebert, President Alleman, David Gebert, Brian Perkes, Riley Carrasquillo, President Carrasquillo

Where in the world...?

2009-11-19T14:19:00.000-08:00

Give it your best shot. Where in the world will Elder Gebert serve? Leave a comment with a stateside guess and foreign guess and if you get the closest, you win. Something. I dunno yet. But, it will be so neat.

He should be receiving his call within a week or so, so hurry up and leave your comment!