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David Ulbrich serving two-year mission in Brazil |
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Written by Staff Reports
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Wednesday, 01 July 2009 |
Elder David Ronald Ulbrich is serving a full-time two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Brazil Florianopolis Mission. On Nov. 10, 2008, he entered the Mission Training Center in Provo, Utah, to learn Portuguese and the customs of Brazil prior to his departure from the United States.
David saved money all his life to go on a mission to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. He had always had this desire, even from early childhood. When others spent their birthday or Christmas gift money on themselves, David, nearly always, set his money aside to pay for his mission, which now costs $10,000 for that particular area. After high school graduation, David went to work as a bank teller and saved the difference between what he had already saved and what was needed for his mission.
Communication between the missionaries and their families is limited to brief e-mails once a week or weekly letters where e-mail is not available. On Mother's Day and Christmas, brief telephone conversations with the families are permitted. In his last conversation with his family, they learned he is learning Portuguese quickly and that he loves his missionary service in Brazil.
David's musical talent is a plus on his mission, playing the piano when needed. He loves music and plays the piano, guitar, trumpet, tuba and English horn, besides being a talented composer. Prior to serving his mission, he received second place in a New Mexico statewide music composing competition while in middle school. He went on to write and produce the entire repertoire for his high school's annual musical production, The Elephant Man. By the time he had graduated from high school, he had published a book of his compositions. He received the distinguished John Philip Sousa Award in his junior year in high school. Other accomplishments David fulfilled prior to his mission were; four year seminary graduate, rank of Eagle Scout of the Boy Scouts of America, B.S.A. Camp Aquatic Director, bank teller at First Heritage Bank of Washington for three years, graduate of Inglemore High School in Washington, and attended Everett Community College of Washington State.
After his return, he has been accepted at Brigham University, University of Idaho and the L.D.S. Business College.
Davis is the son of Ron and Suzanne Ulbrich of Sweetwater. His father is the marketing manager at Ludlum Measurements, Inc. and is also the President of the Sweetwater Branch of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. His mother volunteers at SNAP and serves as second counselor in the Primary children's organization of the Sweetwater Branch. |
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Last Updated ( Friday, 03 July 2009 )
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