Week One at the MTC

First E-Mail Time, Baby‏

The day has finally come when I can sit here in the laundry room and write you an e-mail! (Kermit the Frog voice) YYYAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYY!!!

Typical that you guys decide to take a spontaneous vacation as soon as I leave. Whatever, I ain't even mad (I say with tears in my eyes).


My first week has been both the longest and shortest week of my life. There's a lot of work to be done at the MTC, and they keep us super busy. From the time you get out of bed to the time you get in, it's work, work, work. I'm adjusting well, though, because I have the Lord on my side. I'm feeling the spirit more frequently and consistently than ever before. And even if my companion, Elder Ashcraft (from Hamer, ID population:  12), isn't the easiest, I'm making a lot of friends with the missionaries in my district and zone. When you 're stuck in a room together 12 hours a day, you become pretty tight. Like Breakfast Club tight. My district leader, Elder Baumer, is super cool and understanding about everything, and he's been a big help with Elder Ashcraft. As Baumer told me, "He probably grew up talking to corn all day, so I know it's not easy."

We also have Elder Rosenbalm from Lehi. I probably get along best with him. He's super funny and cool. Elder Swaner from Layton knows a lot about movies and has a beautiful, rich, deep voice. Elder Carr is from Alaska, and he can be kind of obnoxious, but he's tolerable. All of the elders in the district are headed to Scottsdale too. Our sisters, Sister Webb and Sister Lower, are going to South Carolina (or North, but I think it's South. Heck, it might even be a Virginia. It's around there.) and they're pretty dang cool too. We're all here for the same reason, and that's to serve our Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and our spirit brothers and sisters. I know the church is true, and my first week hasn't been nearly enough to make me want to come home. It's a great life, everyone.

I'm eating quite heartily at every meal. We don't really have snacks here, so we feast at meals. The food is pretty heavy on the insides, but I'm eating fruits and vegetables and taking my fiber gummies, so it's all good.

And even with a hard companion, I'm feeling really good about being here. The spirit is strong and I'm learning a ton. And in less than a week, I'll be out in the actual field, bringing others to Christ. I'm super excited, and I can tell you that the church is true. Christ did die for us, and we can become clean through him.

In the photo of my district below, you will see (from left to right) Sister Lower, Sister Webb, me, Elder Ashcraft, Elder Swaner, Elder Carr, Elder Baumer, and Elder Rosenbalm. The other one is of Elder Hamer and me.