June 28, 2013 One week down

The MTC is a pretty cool place. We got kicked out of the cafeteria for a week so all of the new mission presidents, their wives, and some general authorities could eat. Because of that we had to eat in the gym, so gym time was moved out to the field. (I watched out for pot holes in the grass, don't worry) So that was kind of a pain. The food is worse when it is in the gym, so that was not good. But i will say that after we were finally back in the cafeteria, all of the food is amazing. We think it is left over from all of the general authorities and mission presidents being here... We had cheese cake and shrimp and papa johns pizza, and even Cafe Rio. Which is still worse than Chipotle, but it's better than the regular food, that's for sure.

Elder Whitted taking a Selfie

Elder Maybe

My district is getting along really well. I don't remember if i have told you about them so I'll just give you a quick summary:

Elder Whitted (My comp) is from Columbus Ohio, and is 6 foot 3 or so. So I look tiny next to him. 

Elder Maybe is from Southern California, LA area. He didn't know anyone I knew there, but he is a fan of Community so he holds a special place in my heart.

Elder Sylvester

Elder Sylvester is from Detroit Michigan (Ann Arbor specifically) He is a really nice guy who went to a year at BYU Hawaii before he came out on his mission.

Hermana Lamphear is from Park City, Utah

Hermana Law is from Brigham City, Utah

Hermana Manwell is from Montana and her life is The Blind Side, literally.

Hermana Rich is from Connecticut

So that is a little about my district. We all get along really well together. Sometimes too well. We have to separate ourselves during study time or else we would just sit and talk the whole time. I guess that's a good and bad thing? I'm not sure to be honest.

We have now taught our first investigator 5 times. I think that's a little more than normal, but it is still nice. He has come to church with us and has committed to read the book of Mormon and be baptized. I will say, that even though Juan (our investigator) is just an actor pretending to be an investigator, its still an amazing feeling when someone committed to be baptized. Another awesome thing about being here is that the Spirit is so strong. Even in our lessons where me and my Comp are speaking broken Spanish, I know that Juan is feeling the spirit. That is one thing I have learned while I have been here; The Gift of tongues doesn't have to do with being able to speak Spanish better, it has to do with being able to still convey the spirit, no matter how bad you are at speaking the language. I will say that I can successfully pray and bare my (very simple) testimony in Spanish, and that is a relief. I'm learning words here and there, but it is a hard language to pick up fast.

I haven't run in to too many people I know. A few here and there, but I don't usually have time to socialize. That's something about being here, you don't have a lot of free time -- ever.

Well that is about all I have to say. I love you all, and I miss you all

Elder Allen  

Elder Allen and Elder Christensen

The first few days in the MTC (missionary training center)

The first day was long, and hard. I walked in, got my missionary name tag, dropped off my stuff in my dorm and then immediately went to class. On the first day we only had about 2 hours of class, so it wasn't too bad. After that we did a lot of orientation stuff for the rest of the night. I met my companion and the other people in my district. My district has 8 people, 4 Hermanas and 4 Elders. 6 of us are going to Tempe, Arizona Spanish speaking, including my Companion, Elder Whitted, who is from Colombus Ohio.

After all that orientation we got back to our residents at about 9:30. Then we prepared for the next day, got ready for bed, and went to sleep. Quiet time starts at 10:15, and lights out at 10:30. We then woke up the next morning at 6:20, so we were guaranteed a shower. There are only 4 people in my room, which is nice because my Hermanas have 6 people in their room. We have only 6 showers for about 15-20 of us. So it's not terrible, but it isn't the most convenient. After showers we went to breakfast, and then we had some more orientation before lunch around noon. After lunch we had class until dinner at 5, and then we went back to class after to meet the Branch President and get our own district leader (Who is my companion. But I'm the senior companion? It's a bit weird.) After that we were all dead tired so we kicked in a little early at 10:15. Then this morning we had to get up at 6 so we could go to the temple early (but while we were all taking a shower, we managed to get our door locked and we didn't have a key so the zone leader, Elder Wagstaff, who played on the lacrosse team and is friends with McKay, had to go get a spare for us). But back to what I was saying, What a wonderful experience the temple is. There is so much peace that comes from it, words cannot properly express it. I love my mission already! And I'm only 3 days into it. After email today I have to go and do some laundry, even though I don't have much.

Thank you for all of the Dear Elders that you sent me! I think I got the most mail out of the people in my district. So that was cool.

The language is hard, but I think I will get a hold of it eventually. All of the guys in my zone say that I should wait a week, and I'll really start picking it up. 

Much love to you all

Elder Allen

June 19, 2013 Entering the MTC

Trevor's brother Andrew checked Trevor into the Missionary Training Center. They walked a few short blocks from Andrew's apartment to the MTC.   Here are some pictures:

Short walk to the MTC with my brother Andrew

One final goodbye

Entering the MTC. Only missionaries past the check point

Well this is it guys!

Well here I am. I'm finally going on the mission I have been preparing for my whole life. I don't really have a whole lot to say, just that I want you all to know that I know that this church is true. I know that just as much as I know that the sun will rise tomorrow. I love you all, and I'll be posting here every week (hopefully)!

See you in two!

-- Elder Allen