The Power of the Spirit

One of the great things about the MTC is how much the spirit is here and how many amazing spiritual experiences you can have. Today I was blessed with the opportunity to sing to the incoming Senior Missionaries. Music always connects me with the spirit.  It was just last Sunday's devotional when I broke-down listening to "Come, Come ye saints!" This song is also a missionary song and even though a mission is one of the toughest things you can do, it's one of the best things you can do. If you are reading this and debating going or waiting for something significant in your life to happen to tell you to go, STOP WAITING!. It will be the best decision you've ever made. The spirit found here brings so much peace, comfort and the desire to change. You will be brought closer to Christ here then anywhere else. Everyone please remember to do whatever is nescessary to feel it's divine power everyday of your life.
If you are having a hard time, have a question, need someone to talk too, or need help, please write me. I love you and care about you.

Elder Glen Reber

Cleaning the Temple

"This last Thursday I had the privilege of cleaning the Provo, Utah temple. It has been closed for a couple weeks and re-opens soon. What an experience. It was strange at first, because we receive white grubs to clean in but we wear our tennis shoes.  We were then given a quick speech about how nobody else in the world cleans the way the temple does. It was very thorough. This is so that whoever comes to the temple is able to 100% focus on the spirit and not be distracted by anything. The first thing I was asked to do was help remove old alters in the sealing rooms. What amazing, beautiful and spiritual rooms those are. After words I was asked to do a few miscellaneous things in the "basement". I got to see the shop, which was very neat because the Provo temple is the only temple with a shop that makes and builds it's own repairs. Some simple vacuuming was next. How neat to be able to be in an endowment room all alone with the spirit and help others with the celestial room. I was a little jealous of the sisters as they got to clean the chandeliers in the sealing rooms. Finally, we got to see exactly how deep of a cleaning happens. Me and another Elder were giving the opportunity to scrub all the tile in 1 stairway with an extra-large toothbrush. Literally. We scrubbed and scrubbed with soapy water and out brushes until we could literally see our reflection in the stairs. To most it would seem awful, but I could not look at it any other way than an opportunity to serve the Lord. To be able to go to his house and help clean it so that the spirit may more fully abide there was truly a special experience.
Those who have the opportunity to go regularly to a temple, don't miss out! I can already tell I'm going to miss it on my mission. I am lucky thought, cause I get to go to the one in NY once every 3 months.

Don't forget you can still write me at the MTC mailbox #207, NY-NYCN- 0814, 2005 N 900 E, Provo, Utah 84604. I'll send my MY address to you guys soon :D! I think of you all often and hope all is well!

7/13/12

"Querido Amigos y familia,
Hello! How are you all doing?! It is crazy to think I've been in this place for 5 weeks! Yes it is! Only 3 and half  more weeks to go until I'll be checking out to NYC! I can tell the time is just going to gly by. You all are in my heart and prayers each day. Please know that even though it's not easy, it's worth it. I learn so much and grow much closer to the Lord each day. Yesterday, out evening devotional was world renowned violinist, Jenny Oaks Baker. What an amazing performance and spirit she brought. I am so blessed to not only be touched by her, bu to be touched by so many amazing people I've met in my life. I can only hope in someways I've been able to return the favor. One of the things you quickly learn here at the MTC is that is's not here to teach me a language. It's here to bring about my conversion and come closer to Christ. I had an awesome teacher recently say, " No matter how much Spanish you learn at the MTC, if you can learn to master even just 1 Christ-like attribute, your time here will not been in vain". This rings very true in my case. Everyone learns languages a t a different speed and when we hit the field we will ass still have a ton to learn not matter how much Spanish we picked up here. But, if I can master charity, patience, or other attribute of Christ my life will be blessed for eternity. What an opportunity a mission is. I beg all young men to prepare themselves for a mission and then serve on diligently. You all, whoever is read this, mean so much to me. Even thought you can't pick up a phone and call me, we can always talk through letters. And I'm ALWAYS here to listen. God bless all
Elder Glen Reber.


I know he wants me to thank all of who read his blog and write him. He is doing good in the MTC and can't wait to get to NYC. Write him! He is missing everyone and wants to make sure that everyone knows he does care about you and is loving his work no matter how hard it is. He loves you all and loves receiving letters!

7-9-12

Hi all!
Oh how time flies in the MTC! I hope everyone had a truly special 4th of July. What a special time to be grateful for our independence, which also allows out religious freedom and me to serve a mission. The population at the MTC is about to jump up as July-August is it's busiest months. My zone in the MTC is about to grow from 18 to 52 in 2 weeks.
Thank you to all my friends and family who continually write and support me. You guys are my heroes. I continue to learn so much at the MTC. I also desperately miss performing. I know that singing, dancing, acting and directing/choreographing is definitely what I want to do with my life. I got to meet my new mission president while he was training here and it got me all that much more pumped for NYC! We also had an amazing truly devotional by L.Tom Perry where 10 of the 12 apostle attended. So many amazing things happening at the MTC. Love and miss you all!!!!

Love,
Glen Reber!

6-30

So, I got an other letter :D

Hey all!
It has been getting better here, I got quite a few letters of encouragement, a letter from Landon and some awesome teachers who look out for me a lot. Landon said it does get better when you are in the field. I just can't wait to be in NYC. I found out that I get to see 1 Broadway show a year :D :D. I'm so excited. Even though it's hard, I have enough faith to push on.

I'm still working on loving everyone. It hard but charity is my goal this week.

My companion is from San Diego. Parents divorced when he was 2 years old. He's super fun. He knows how to joke around. He's from a rough background but something told him about a year ago he needed to go on a mission. Understanding his past has definitely helped me to love him more. It's getting better, and I hope it continues to do so. I'm just trying to be patient and to learn to love him like Christ would. 

I got super lucky! And I was called as music coordinator for our branch. I get to pick and play the music and  organize special musical numbers. I'm also going to audition for the MTC performances. I will see how it goes but I'm excited for music in my life.

I'm starting to enjoy my time here and I love you all! Thanks for all that have written me. It means the world to have such great friends.

-Glen.

6-21

I got a letter! I got a letter! WOOT! :D So, here it is for your enjoyment.

Hello everyone!
What a week it has been! The first couple of days are definitely the craziest. The first day the teacher is only speaking Spanish and it freaked me out but it's been a week and I'm amazed at how much I have already learned. Each day gets better and better and even though the days are long, the weeks fly by. The MTC is one of the most spiritual places next to temples and there is amazing work being done here. New mission presidents and the Apostles start to arrive this weekend and I'm sure amazing experiences are to follow. I miss you all soo much but am excited to be on an errand for the Lord!Than you to all who have sent me letters. Mail is like GOLD out here and we love it! I hope to hear from more friends as time goes on. Remember to love who you are, be yourself and love everyone around you.

For now:
Yo se que Dios amorose todos ustedes. Yo se que esta iglesia es verdadero. Estoy agradeoido par mi amigoes.

So, I translate it because I have no idea what it means. ;)
I know God loves you. I know this church is true. I'm grateful for my friends.

Love always,
Glen


He also told me that his P-day is Thursday. So if you haven't gotten a letter just be patient, he said he didn't have time to write them all. He loves getting letters, and he misses everyone. But he's doing good and learning and growing a lot. :D

Today is the day!

Glen goes into the MTC today! At 1:10pm he will officially become a missionary for the next two years! After about 9 weeks in the MTC he will go on to NYC speaking Spanish. I'm so excited for him, I know he will do great things out there. He will grow and be changed and become back a better person.


I have a questionnaire that I sent him before he left. He are his answers, and they are awesome! Read below.

What’s your favorite movie or movies?

 

Oh boy, I never like picking favorites becuase usually I enjoy many. I think one of my favorite movies is the Dark Knight. Many people can talk about how dark it is but i love it for the acting that was portrayed by the joker, which i guess is what makes it so dark. The way he portrayed the character and the evil that came across was just so well done. I also enjoy inception, the prestige, pretty much every disney movie ever made, and avatar.

 

What’s your favorite song?

 

This questions is also a loaded questions, because those who know me know i love to sing all too much and sing Anything. However, everyone also knows I am a HUGE Lady GaGa Fan. I can't really pick a favorite song. That would be going against who I am. My favorite song switches depending on how I am feeling. I think music is amazing that way because it can lift us up and inspire us. 

 

Who’s your favorite artist?

 

Lady Gaga, Mother Monster, is my favorite artist. This is again very difficult to say becuase i LOVE SO MUCH MUSIC! But, in the end, it is her that helped me get through many of my sad days. Because even though she may not always stand for the best things, or make the right choices, she believes in standing up for YOU. And in a world where so many people are picked on, or bullied, or not appreciated for who they are, it's nice to have someone that helps people realize that people are just that, people. there is no need to judge.

 

What’s your favorite color?

 

Green. Simply becuase it is the color of my eyes and if i wear that color it makes them pop. the end.

 

Who do you wish you could meet?

 

Honestly, I would love to meet anyone from the Book of Mormon. I think it would be great to talk to any of the prophets. If we are talking non-scriptural, than probably either lucille ball. I could watch her all day :)

 

What is your favorite musical?

 

Les Miserables. The best musical hand down. I haven't seen them all, but i have seen a lot, performed a lot, and this musical never fails to touch me in a way none of the others can. It's music is so emotionally driver and when put together by the right actors this show can stun anyone. I also enjoy newsies, wicked, rent, and chicago.

 

Who do you most look up too?

 

I actually don't really look up to anyone. Not becuase i don't want to or think anyone is great, but becuase everyone is human, we all make mistakes. So rather then loathe after someone else i just try to be the best ME i can be. Now i Do try to follow the examples of those around me that make great choices. I obviously look up to my mom and dad when i think they might have good advice on something and i also look up a lot to my best friend Landon and he helps me make a lot of good choices.

 

What are you most excited for about your mission? Why? 

 

I am most excited to be in NEW YORK!!!!! I want to move their one day and be on broadway so i'll just be in the city of my dreams. I am also excited to learn another language, spanish, and be able to use it all the time.

 

What is your favorite scripture? Why?

 

I have always loved Helaman 5:12 ever since i was young. My dad had me memorize it at a very young age. It has always been a reminder to make Christ my rock. However, at college, a friend showed me Alma 26:12 and it has probably become my new favorite. It is amazing because I am weak, and feel so weak at many times where i can do nothing. But it reminds me that with God i can do anything.

What is your favorite hymn?

Different hymns have spoken to me at different times. For instance, when my aunt passed away, God be with til we meet again really was my favorite and still is in many ways. Going on a mission, i think i'll find a new different hymn i like. But, Overall, here are 3 favorite hymns. 1) I need thee every hour. Because i really do need him, all the time. otherwise, each day would be too hard. 2) how great thou art. this song is very powerful just like God is and he can do anything. 2) be still my soul,  becuase life needs peace. the world needs peace in this hectic time driven by satan.

 

Where do you want to be in 20 years?

 

39. Hm. Best scenario? Performing on Broadway in New York City married to an amazing and faithful wife raising or kids. Boom Awesome :)

What do you want your gravestone to say? Why?

This is an interesting questions. I've always just thought it would say my name..... but now that you mention it no one else ever cares what it says. Maybe it could say "Guess who?" becuase your family will already know its you. haha. If i had to guess it will probably say "In loving memory of Glen Reber, the song that never dies."

 

How many kids do you want?

 

idk. i honestly don't. i'm thinking between three and six. doesn't really matter so long as its in there.

 

What is your highest achievement?

 

A lot of people would probably consider being an Eagle scout my highest achievement. Or is it winning 2nd place at SUU's got talent? Or is it all the musicals i've been able to perform in? I honestly would hope my highest achievement is touching the lives of those around me and being an amazing friend to all who need.

 

What is your favorite electronic device?

 

My phone. my phone my phone my phone. I shall miss it dearly. And not becuase i spend hours on it playing games or stuff, but becuase it allows me to say connected to everyone. All my friends and family and everyone that i love.

 

What will you miss from home?

 

I will miss my bed, and sleep. I love my sleep and i love a huge bed i can just sprawl out over being a tall person and all. I will also miss my moms cooking a lot. It is pretty dang delicious. I will also miss my piano and being able to sit down anytime and play music that i like to play. So many times it has been my escape in life.

 

What will you miss from school?

From school, i will most definitely, truly, positively, miss friends. It's all i'll miss all the time. I'll think of everyone all the time. Friends are my life. They mean the world to me. People mean more than money, than awards, that everything. They are what make me happy, and i like making them happy. So it all works out :)

-Love Glen Reber