The Adventure Begins! MTC Week 1

Saturday, June 23, 2012, 7:22 AM

"A missionary leaves his family for two years so others can be with theirs for eternity." 

Here are some updates from Elder Hawkins via email :)

"How's it going Family?!?! It's Elder Hawkins ! I gotta say I love the MTC so far. I left Aunt Pam and Cody, went with an escort to get my badge and everything, checked out my room, then I went to my classroom, did an orientation and assessment of my Spanish and came back. At that point I met my companion, who is a total boss, Elder Jensen and it's been going great so far. Our district is all in our intermediate Spanish class and we have a pretty bomb teacher, he has the coolest Guatemalan accent, but he's not Guatemalan he just served his mission there. Everyone in my district is so chill and some of them went to school with Josh and Michael and roomed with them so we have mutual friends and it's sweet. 

OH MY GOSH ! And the one who roomed with Michael is Elder Bever !!!! BEVER PEOPLE ! But it's not pronounced beaver like mine, but I was like a wha ?! that's my nickname! 

So in our district we have me and Elder Jensen, Elder Cook and Elder Tarr, Elder Willis and Elder Bever, Elder Glassett and Elder Jarvis, and Elder Nelson and Elder Wood. So I'll give you a little low down on everyone. 

-Elder Jensen is a very confident, open person, which I greatly respect. 

-Elder Cook is a huge laugher and is always smiling.

-Elder Tarr is a friendly (funny thing is though, he looks IDENTICAL to the kid in Drillbit Taylor that says I AM NOT A HOBBIT !) but he is way more cool haha. 

-Elder Willis is a kindhearted guy who has these little jokes every once in a while that are just outstandingly witty.

-His companion Elder Bever is a total boss, super chill and friendly and funny. 

-Elder Glasset is pretty laid back but is hilarious too 

-Elder Jarvis, & Elder Glasset are the most laid back guy in our district both play soccer ! 

-And last but not least our roommates, Elder nelson is funny and kind of sassy, and Elder wood always smiles and is always cracking jokes. 

Basically everyone is amazing ! So first day p-day we played soccer ! SO SWEET and I scored 2 pretty sweet goals that everyone was like WOW ! Elder Jensen was like "that's my companion!" It was great :) lame thing is no headers so every time it was in the air (which is a lot cuz these missionaries are crazy) I wanted to head it but last second I would have to chest tap it, ah well though. And it was a really good sized field, much better than playing soccer on a small field and accidentally murdering your bishops face hahaha. 

So the first day we "taught" some "investigators" thankfully in English. So we sat around in a semi circle around an "investigator" who was being taught by 3 sister missionaries and then we just raised our hand to testify or something And the second guy had his leg amputated and I felt very strongly impressed to tell him that although we may be nothing (which he had said) to God we are everything and through Jesus Christ we can become everything.. . and kept going but it was so cool. I totally experienced the joy that I believe it was Ammon felt when he was able to share the gospel. It's such a great feeling. 

I have 6 minutes left to type ! so much has gone on ok short sentences. I love it here, pero la comida es loco en la cabeza (food is wack) So me and my roomates just eat wraps and whatever looks edible that day (for the most part it's ok) Elder Jensen got called to be district leader, so now I am senior companion to the district leader hahaha, I had a feeling one of us would be called. We taught our first fake real investigator and it went so well even though my Spanish is lacking. It's been so frustrating! it's like a funnel over my mouth, I have so much to say but very little can escape my mouth through the funnel. I can feel the spirit strong even in Spanish and it is so cool, my companion has a good voice and I tear up a little bit every time everyone sings a song in Spanish I love it. 

Sally don't worry your letters are getting to me along with all of you guys thank you so much! I have received the most letters so keep em coming ! Haha I really need more white socks and my grey pants and all the other things that I left thank you guys for your support and love I hope everything is going well."

-Elder Hawkins