Le Letter #1

Hey Family! Sorry that I can't send individual letters, but I only have an hour and I was surprised at how long it took to get everything down that I did. I hope everything is going well, and am glad to hear that you were able to have the family over for the super-bowl. 

This last week has been incredible. I've learned so much about how the Spirit works and teaches us, and have had some incredible teaching experiences as well. There was one lady who came in on Friday to be taught. They are called Gold Tag investigators, because they are either members acting out their conversion for the missionaries, less-actives, or most often simply non-members who want to learn about those crazy Mormons and figure the MTC is a great place to find a missionary or two. The woman we taught was Carol, and she was so ready to hear the gospel it wasn't even funny. I mean, give her another three lessons and she'd be set for baptism. We are also teaching our teachers when they role-play as investigators they had taught in the field. It is really interesting, and I never thought that I would use my theatre acting skills out here, but I've been doing a lot of it. I decided that a lot of missionary work is like those twenty question riddles; you have a limited amount of time to find out everything about the investigator as possible to be able to teach them the most effectively. The studying I've done in the past on body language has been invaluable.

My companion is Elder Kemp, and he's from West Jordan. Most of the people in my district are going to Jamaica, except for me and Elder Pulsifer. He's an interesting guy, and both he and the District Leader, Elder Iverson, remind me of different aspects of myself.  E.Iverson is incredibly Yellow, and is crazy excited about going to Jamaica. He has an incredible testimony and is a fantastic teacher.

I've been studying like crazy, and I never thought that I would ever have a reason to study the scriptures and Preach My Gospel for nine hours straight before! My brain has been so fried this past week, and while I love the MTC I can't wait to get outa Dodge. 

As a Zone Leader it is my job to make sure that everything is going well and that we are all working our hardest.  THis upcoming week we, meaning my companion and I, will be escorting the newbs to get their name tags and books, and then help them find their rooms to go to. It should be fun.

Also I found out that I will be the travel leader when we all go to leave the MTC. I will be checking in my bags and confirming that the other students here under my charge are all ready and accounted for. Normally I'd think that this would be nothing but a good thing, but we are kinda having to leave at 03.30. So early flight for me. I'll be going to Atlanta first, and then on to Arkansas. The other elders and sisters in my zone will be going with me to Atlanta, but there we will all be going our separate ways. Elder Kemp is also going to Jamaica, so I won't be seeing him much after a week. I am super excited to meet my new companion in Arkansas though, and hope that I will be a good elder.

I hope everything is going great, and will talk to you again next Monday. Love you lots!

Jayden