area: MTC (Missionary Training Center - Provo)
companion: Elder Potter
dates: 11/12/2014 to 11/2014
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excerpts from his first letter: written 11/13/2014
Hi Mom,
I really like it here!
The food is really good! As much as we can eat too. I'm not going hungry, in the MTC at least.
Our district leader was chosen today, Elder Boehmer. I really like him, he knows what he's talking about and seems humble. He also bears his testimony whenever he can. He'll do good. My companion's name is Elder Potter. The other guys in our room are Elder McDonald and Elder Heath.
Lessons are good and the teachers are nice. Spirit is strong here too.
One question, what do I put in the white laundry bags?
Anyway, life is GOOD here!
I love you, but I love the Lord more. He wants me here, so I want to be here.
Elder Combrink
(the white mesh "laundry bags" are to wash his sweaters - We went to a laundromat so Nathan could learn how to use a top-loading washing machine, which I figured he'd be using most of his mission, but we forgot to bring one of those mesh bags so I could demonstrate how to wash his sweaters - I just wrote him a letter explaining)
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first email: 11/20/2014
Thanks for all the support Mom, and all my siblings and everyone else. I can only email on P-days and they "strongly encourage" only writing on P-days so that's why you've only received one letter.
My companion is Elder Potter. He's from Idaho and has a southern accent. We get along pretty well though. The other guys in the district are super amazing. 2 are from Canada and they act most like Californians than any of the rest of the people here. One of them is Elder Boehmer who was our district leader until him and his companion became zone leaders and now I'm the district leader. Now I'm glad for all the leader opportunities I had in Camino ward.
The MTC is awesome though. For those who have been to Brother Stark's Mission Prep class, it's essentially that 24/7 and on steroids. The first night they have big groups talk with people who are investigating the church and we got nowhere with any of them. I think they do that to humble us cuz I felt like I had just run into a brick wall (or Michael) when that experience was over. It really showed me that I still had a lot to learn, even though I was a lot more prepared from Mission Prep.
The food is great! And I'm learning to eat things I don't like Grandpa and Grandma... even though I said I never would.
One story, we are teaching a lady named Carol over Skype and the first time she saw us she said that we just looked so happy we had a glow to us, that we seemed to be emitting light. I think it's just her imagination but that does explain how happy I am.
I miss all of you and I love all of you. But I love the Lord more. He wants me to be here. So I want to be here.
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MTC pictures: 11/12/2014 to 11/24/2014
SNOW!
Elder Combrink, Elder McDonald, Elder Heath (and Sister Tavoian)
Elder Stafford
Elder Potter and Elder Combrink
back row: Elder Cedeno, Elder Stafford, Elder, Elder Combrink, Elder Potter
front row: Elder Herzog, Elder Lopez, Elder Boehmer, Elder McDonald, Elder Heath
back row: Elder Boehmer, Elder Cedeno, Elder Potter, Elder Stafford, Elder, Elder Combrink, Elder Heath
middle row: Sister Foote, Sister Tavoian, Sister Casas, Elder Herzog, Elder Lopez, Elder McDonald
front row: Sister Driscoll, Elder and Sister, Sister, Sister
Elder Heath
Elder Potter, Elder Boehmer, Elder Cedeno
Elder Boehmer
Elder Boehmer
Elder Combrink and Elder Cedeno
Elder Lopez, Elder McDonald, Elder Combrink
Elder MacDonald
Sister Foote and Sister Tavoian
left side: Sister Casas, Sister Foote, Sister Driscoll, Sister Tavoian
right side sitting: Elder McDonald, Elder Combrink, Elder Lopez, Elder Potter
right side standing: Elder Herzog and Elder Cedeno
Elder Combrink's desk
Elder Boehmer, Elder Combrink, Elder
picture from Grandma
Elder McDonald
Elder Potter
Elder Lopez
Sister Foote
Elder Boehmer
Elder Heath
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11/24/2014 Salt Lake to Houston
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Mission President's email: 11/25/2014
Your Missionary has arrived safely to T.H.E. Mission!
Upon arrival we met your missionary at the airport and took them directly to the mission home where they were fed Texas Bar-b-que. Individual interviews were conducted by President Drake. That evening they were invited to share their testimonies.
The following morning was focused on training after which they met their new companion and were transported to their area of service. They are now out diligently searching for our Heavenly Father's children and doing the work of the Lord.
Thank you for sending your daughters and sons to us, they have added great strength to our small army here in the Texas Houston East Mission. We love them and are so grateful to have them with us. We are delighted that your Missionary is here and look forward to working with them.
Sincerely,
President and Sister Drake