MTC - Day 1

Sept.16, 2010
I only have 15 min. to email today so I will be brief but normally I will have 30 min. So yesterday was the first day as you know. All those anxious feelings associated with entering

the MTC just kind of melted away as soon as I walked through the doors. They have a very slick system as far as checking you in. It moves so fast that you don't even have time to feel home sick or anything. That is the whole idea centered around the MTC that you are so busy you don't have time to think about anything else. The check in was kind of like an assembly line. One sister or elder would direct you to the next step whether it was obtaining a nametag or getting the meal card. Haven't met the branch president yet. I will be doing that tonight. Most of my time is spent in my classroom with my district, which consists of 5 companionships. However, one of the elders isn't here yet... don't know what that is about. My companion is Australian! Not like Alex from summer semester at BYU but a real Australian. His name is Elder W and he’s quite the celebrity, being the only Australian. There is a lot I can learn from him. I have taken one picture so far. That probably doesn't even put a dent in the average you are expecting but I'm trying.

After we checked in yesterday we went to an orientation meeting and had dinner and then we went to a mock investigator meeting type thing. There were fifty of us in a room and there were "investigators" who we had to teach. They were actually members, but they were converts so they shared their conversion story.

                                                                                                           

Funny thing. I have seen two other Elders who were in my ward at BYU during fall semester. AND! Another kid from my German class during fall came in the same day I did. We're in the same building and both saw each other and were like, "Hey!" That was about it. Funny though.

I'm trying to think about what else but it all comes and goes so fast I can't remember everything, which is why Dad said to write it all down in the journal of course. Let me know what's going on there please! I will try and write letters but we only do that on P days. I probably have more time to write actual letters but I prefer the E Mail.

The spirit is strong and I am ready to learn and get lost in the work. We haven't dived into the language yet but we're almost there. All of us have some sort of previous German language experience. My comp Elder W knows a lot of Swiss German. I've heard it though and it is quite different from traditional German. Anyways. Lots of love!

Tschuss!

Elder Peterson

                                                                                                

The Big Day

September 15, 2010

Yesterdays picture taking wasn't enough torture, so we decided to do it again today.  I have to say we got some great pictures of Evan with his nieces and nephew, though!  And the sibling shot isn't bad either.  OK!  I'll admit it.  The sibling shot was taken in Pasco.  Sorry, I just couldn't help slipping it in.  I love that picture!!

I've heard a lot of stories from several people about their experiences of dropping their sons or daughters off at the MTC.  But I don't think any of those fully sink in until it's your own kid.  Then the world stops.  And it's a really strange dichotomy.  You're happy that he chose to serve a mission, happy that he was worthy to go, happy for the growth he'll experience (and the adventure).  And you wouldn't want him to be anywhere else at this time in his life.  But, as a friend once said about their son leaving on his mission, "It's like someone reached in and ripped your heart out when you see them walk away".  And while I'm sure Evan will serve Heavenly Father and the people of Germany to the best of his ability and with all his heart, we here at home will miss him dearly for the next two years.

Little Miss Piglet will be
a totally different person
when her Uncle Evan gets
back home in 2 years.

That being said, the system for dropping off your missionary at the MTC is a slick one.  They have it well planned and orchestrated.  You pull up to the curb, shove them out the door, and speed away.  Just kidding.  You actually have a set time for drop off, along with many other missionaries.  Several in every set of 15 minute increments.  When you pull up to the curb there are resident missionaries waiting to help with the luggage and to escort the new missionary inside and show him the ropes.  Terry and I each gave Evan a brief but very large hug.  Before getting back in the truck, I turned and gave Evan a big grin and a thumbs up.  Then I got in and promptly fell apart.  How slow can two years go, right?
Well - right now it feels like eternity.