Hello all!
I am alive and super duper well. I'm so happy here! I have made such good friends and love everyone and everything so much. I'm sorry if I don't answer all the questions, I've only got 30 minutes! And if I make grammatical errors or anything, that's why.
Well it has really set in now! I am a full time missionary! It feels really weird but really good! I have learned more in one week than I have in my whole life! And if there is one thing I've learned it is that the scriptures are so true and so fun to read! I love them so much. Since it is the first week and I had a lot of emails to catch up on, I don't have much time. One thing I ask is that while i'm in the MTC, emails stay short to me because 30 minutes goes by way too fast and I don't have much time to read. So plan on me just telling you all I can and that's gonna be it. Sorry!
First things first. Schedules.... We are on a really strict schedule without much time to even breathe. It can be pretty stressful but it is becoming a norm already so it's not that bad. We are split into companionships, districts and zones just like the real mission field. There is one zone over all of us because there are only 26 of us and I was called as the zone leader. My companion is Elder Mortezazadeh. He is super awesome! He's originally from Iran but moved to AF when he was younger and was converted. He has a super strong testimony. Our district mostly consists of kids from Utah that are just all great. I love them all. Some of my favorites are Elder Cooper. He was born and raised in Ethiopia (I found out its pronounced Etopia with no th sounds. Just a T and they get offended if you don't say it right.) But he moved to the US and was adopted when he was 12 because both his parents got sick and passed away. AND HE IS GOING BACK TO ETHIOPIA ON HIS MISSION!!! He said he knew it would happen. Isn't that amazing?!?! I am so excited he is in my mission. We will be really good friends through our time here and at home. Kinda like an Evan and Tab. We are already best buds. He is hilarious. English is his second language so he speaks really slow and monotone and its so funny cause he cracks tons of jokes. He brought 1 full suitcase just for food. lol.
I am so glad I'm speaking english cause I can't even imagine learning a language here. I am already so overwhelmed with the study and work!
Some of my favorite elders are:
Elder Call- He is from somewhere around salt lake. He is such a strong spirited kid and we get along really well!
Elder Cooper
Elder Monoalibe- Don't bother trying to pronounce any of the african elders names because they are nothing like they are spelled. He is a recent convert from Joburg and is really cool and amazing at soccer! I love playing with him.
Elder Mbuli- Also from Joburg SA. Really cool guy! I'll be honest I just love the African elders. They are so nice and cool and really fun to talk to! He is going to my mission.
Elder Harrot- He's from Manchester and knows our cousins!! He said to tell them hey for him. He is pretty good at soccer.
We play soccer during sports time. The african elders kick our butts and none of them wear shoes. It's pretty awesome. They also have hilarious humor. Like super dry and serious humor. and they say "Man" and "Flip" after everything. Haha. It's hard to explain. Everyone gets along super well when we play soccer and we all get excited when either team scores.
Hey Regan!! Your pen gift has saved me! I use it all day every day and it helps me a ton!
Dad, you'll be happy to know that I am the best finger skateboarder here and everyone is mesmerized by my skill. Don't worry I keep it under control!
The food is gross here. Like it's american food but poor quality. So I just eat Peanut butter sandwiches for every meal haha! It's okay though I'm trying to get used to it.
Spiritual things:
One cool thing I read about is the importance of the Lord in your life. You can't do ANYTHING without him. Especially me. I need him every hour of every day. This is hard but I know he is helping me.
Elder Holland said in an MTC Devotional, "Everything in the conversion process MUST happen to you before it can happen to them. You must read and study before asking them to read and study......." I really loved that! It is so true.
Alright it is time for me to run. Off to sports time to get my butt kicked in soccer.
I know this gospel is so true and I have learned so much because of the scriptures. I challenge all of you to read them again and again because every single book has so much in it we need to know! I am doing the best i've ever done and I am so, so happy. I love you all! Miss you too! see you in 1 year and 51 weeks. <3
Love,
Elder McLain
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