I'm a Missionary! [Week One]

Hello all! 안녕하세요? I just thought I would send you lovely lot an email. Feel free to write back and tell me how swell I am. Today is day seven at home MTC, and it has been a jolly fun time. I've had about eight hours of zoom meetings a day, and the rest of the day is full of studying, meetings with my companion, practicing the Korean alphabet, and I eat on occasion as well. It's GREAT! I love having a purpose all day long. I never have to wonder if I'm wasting my time. I'll get a ten minute break out of the blue every once in a while and I don't know what to do with my life so I have a banana and read some of the Book of Mormon (another testament of Jesus Christ). 

So yeah good times. I got to meet my MTC companion, Elder Prock. He is a bodacious dude, He is as committed to the work as me if not MORE. I am super glad for that, It's easier to go at the same pace as your companion than slower or faster. He plays baseball, He is from Mesa Arizona, and he is shorter than me, and he always shuts me down when I comment on how cute our Korean instructor is. That's a good companion right there keeping my mind in the right spot (but she's still cute).

So I met my companion, you now know him, and I met the rest of my district. I could write a ton about them, but I'll give you the shorter version. 

• Elder Greene is a smart dude with huge eyebrows (like Rock Lee level eyebrows) and I think he is a convert to the church. He is serious.
• Elder Dickey is from Arkansas and he looks like a ladies man. He's kind of quiet in group meetings, and more extroverted in small group rooms. He likes shoes. 
• The best way I can describe Elder Harden is un-weird. He just seems like a nice normal dude that everyone would get along with and like. He built his own computer. 
• Elder Del Priore is the guy who raises his hand whenever he can (I am in second place after him for the teacher's pet award) . We get along really well and have a lot in common. I have talked to him the most after my companion. He likes anime. (I forgot his favorite, but my favorite is Naruto, thank you for asking)
• Elder Griswold, I don't know very well yet, but he seems like a popular sort of guy. He isn't shy, but he doesn't talk much either. I thought he was a grumpy pants until we did an exercise together and it turned out he was a funny guy. He has nice hair.
• Elder Livingston is really nice! He makes everyone feel included and special. He was in theatre in high school, and he was good at math. 
• Elder Fallon loves drums... And he is a member of the Church of Jesus Chris of Latter Day Saints and serving a mission, so that must mean he is a very righteous dude! I know the least about him.
• Then there's me! I am the oldest, loudest, biggest, and most handsome. 

Earlier Today before the first Sunday session of Conference, a righteous guy named TR and his wife Amber came over to my house for crepes. He grew up in Soda Springs and he went to Seoul, South Korea for his mission as well. Since I have been a missionary the spirit comes whenever somebody bears their testimony to me, and they usually tear up when they talk about the thing that they feel the most blessed about. TR (who doesn't seem like the kind of guy who would cry for no reason) teared up when he told me about the people in South Korea who came to him to hear his message and be lifted up with the help of and in the eyes of the lord. This was a really cool message for me and made me look forward to serving in Korea even more. And TR was a super cool person. His church calling is being an Addiction Recovery Facilitator, which is sweet in itself. He and his wife were easy to get along with, and he told me some cool stuff about being in Korea.

This is TR--such a cool guy!

  

I don't want to make this email too long, but I have to mention some great people who helped me get to where I am.

My Mom and Dad are at the top of the list, and I love them very much. They have helped me through every tough time in my life and I wouldn't have a testimony if it wasn't for them. 

My Stake President, Wade Clark, is the most in tune with the spirit person I know, and he doesn't have a mean bone in his body. He is really great and helped me enter the mission field as a strong member of the church.

Me and President Clark--haha, he is doing a weird face--
he usually looks like he is about to laugh

Chad Harris and Karen Bartlett taught me how to work hard and well, and they are both good friends now. I have some good memories with those great bosses. 

My cousins and aunts and uncles and grandparents are at the core of my testimony. Their examples have shown me how powerful living by the gospel can be. I love them all and I wish them the best.

All my friends from working at Lava and living in Soda and going to Rexburg. I am going to miss you guys!

The MTC has been a great experience for me. I have never felt the spirit more fully and consistently, and I can't wait to get into the mission field and spread Jesus Christ's Gospel. I already love all of my future companions, and mission leaders and most of all I love the people I am going to teach in Korea. I can't wait! I love you guys. Thank you for your support and friendship.

Truly, 

Truman 

My favorite scripture