One of the first things I remember is trying to shove Elder Zaugg out of our fourth-story window. I can't remember why, but we all had a good time that night. I've got a picture of that that someday I might get on my picture page. Zaugg was funny. When he would brush his teeth in the morning, after awhile, he would have toothpaste flowing down his chin and into the sink. We always laughed at him about that. He was the slowest eater I've ever seen, too. My dad really likes to take his time eating, but Zaugg put my dad to shame. Since we had to wait for each other everywhere we went, everyone in our district would be sitting there waiting for him for at least 10 minutes. I guess he's got good digestion, though. He's a marathon runner these days. Even ran in Boston at the 100th.
One time I got busted by LTM security. Another missionary in our district was involved, but I don't remember who it was. I think it was Martinson. We would save our oranges from lunch and dinner and store them in our room. Then, one night, after we'd been there a few weeks, we went up to the top floor of our building (on which floor we all lived), and tried dropping the oranges through the railing of the stairs down to the first floor. We wanted to see what would happen, that's all. The oranges would sail down, hit the floor on the bottom (if we had good aim, that is), and splatter all over the floor. To 19-year olds, that was real comedy! Zaugg, being the leader of the band, came out to see what was going on. He told us to stop and get to bed, watched us for a bit, then "proceeded to wash my hands and disavow any knowledge of said incident." Thing was, pretty soon security came and caught us doing it and made us clean it all up. As I remember, there were two of us who got caught. The others didn't have to help clean up. I suppose we deserved it since we were the instigators.
Another time, Zaugg instigated something against me, although it was done and taken with good nature. I had a bad habit of falling asleep just after lunch. I was tired, so I'd come back a little early, sit at my desk, put my head down on my arm and get a little shuteye. One of those times Zaugg thought it would be funny to put some toothpaste on one of my fingers. Very funny. When I awoke I rubbed my face and hair and got toothpaste all over my head. I laughed, of course, but even now, 20 years later, I'm still planning my revenge.
The night before we left, August 14th, 1978, we all packed into Zaugg and Porter's room. They were in a threesome, but I don't remember which of the other guys was their companion. I think it was Eliason, but I'm not exactly sure. We ordered two large pizzas and partied it up. Evidently, they don't deliver pizzas to the MTC anymore. I guess there were too many episodes and too many missionaries staying up late. We were some of the last. I don't remember much about the party until the knock came on the door. There were six of us in that room who didn't belong and it was a very small room. We scattered as well as we could, finding room in closets, under beds and behind curtains. When Zaugg finally answered the door it was one of our teachers. Every single one of us knew we were busted and were in big trouble. But we weren't. He had just come over to say goodbye to us and to wish us well in our countries. He laughed hilariously when we all came out from our hiding places with little dust bunnies on our heads.
There were spiritual times, too. We didn't just play around. The LTM was a lot of hard, grueling work. I didn't particularly care for my time there, except the time I spent with these fine young men. Besides being homesick, I was too excited and anxious to get to Argentina.
One experience I remember distinctly is the chance we had to get to know Elder Ellsworth. He had been in Guatemala when the giant earthquake hit in the mid-70's. His backbone was crushed, entrails were forced out of this mouth, and he was pronounced dead by the doctors in Guatemala City. But through perseverance, the help of the Lord and long days of sweating and concentrating, when I met him, he walked as well as anyone in our group. He was an inspiration to all of us. And I remember that he taught us words we wouldn't learn anywhere else. One of those words, "bisagra," I'll never forget. It only means door hinge, but it's the way he taught me that made me remember. I don't know if I ever even used it in Argentina, but I'll always remember him and the way he taught me.
Were you in my district or do you remember any stories about what happened to us in the LTM? If so, be sure to send me an e-mail. I'd love to include all of the stories here!
