MTC e-mail: Dec. 24, 2008

We got an early Christmas present when we unexpectedly received an e-mail from Bryan the morning of Christmas Eve. Here is part of what he wrote:

"So my first week here was great. They've got this computer setup with my ldsmail.com and they let us use it on P-day for 30 minutes. They've even got a countdown thing in the corner that counts down from the time you log in. It's pretty intense. So I'm here and what did I forget to bring? My notes from the week because I can't remember a darn thing off the top of my head as to what all has happened this week. So I'll do my best to recap stuff.

"My companion is Elder Wright and he's from Riverton. He taught the marching band at Riverton High after he graduated and he plays percussion, so we're really tight and have a lot in common and that totally rocks! Our teacher Sister Olsen is a short petite women whose a returned missionary and BYU student whom we call affectionatly Goldy Locks due to her very curly, very blonde hair. However what she lacks in size she makes up for in spirit. She does an excellent job of inviting the spirit and letting it teach us.

"The spirit here is so strong. It's really cool how fast you can learn things. We've already got the first lesson down flat and we've taught it several times in different mock set ups and to real people in the Refferal Center. The RC is amazing. We've been there twice already. I've gotten 5 people to agree to having the Elders in their area bring them a Book of Mormon and teach the first lesson, then to have them read and pray about it. Then yesterday I taught one women the first and second lessons, and she committed to be baptized!! She's from Ohio and named Cynthia. She's a middle school English teacher.

"We've had some really good lessons. We had one on Sunday about a change of heart that was really, really good. I'll have to get my notes and write about it to you next week. The main point of it is that we have to live it and excercise the examples of it before we are able to go out and convert people to our gospel. Then we've got a Christmas Eve devotional tonight and two tomorrow but they won't tell us whose coming.

"I love you all and hope you have a merry Christmas."

First MTC Letter: Dec. 20, 2008

We got our first letter from Bryan today. It was short, but I think he wrote it the first night he was there, so he didn't have much to say yet. Here are a few comments from the letter:

"Well, they definitely keep us really busy here! I really like my companion, Elder Wright. He's from Riverton and played percussion, so we enjoy each other's conversations. Then Taylor Bass, a friend from school, is my zone leader. That was cool, too. I assume more interesting things will happen tomorrow and through the week."

Bryan reminded me to put his MTC address on the blog (which I have), so that's a hint that he would love to have people write to him. More to come.

Bryan Enters MTC: Dec. 17, 2008

Bryan officially started his mission on Dec. 17, 2008, when he entered the MTC at 11 a.m. His dad placed his name tag on him and after some tearful goodbyes from Mom, Dad and Alison, he started on his mission journey. We'll add photos and information as we get them from Bryan. Check back often to see what's happening. If you would like to receive his weekly e-mails once he gets to Tennessee (Jan. 12), send a message to his dad at markjc790@msn.com and we'll include you in the weekly updates. Thanks for your love and support of Bryan.

Farewell to Bryan: Dec. 13-14, 2008

Thanks to everyone who came to bid farewell to Bryan over the weekend of Dec. 13-14. We enjoyed having you at our house (really!) and are glad you enjoyed the snacks (especially the cookies). Here are a few photos from the weekend.

Why I Am Serving A Mission

I'm very honored and humbled to be able to call myself a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Christ beckons us in the scriptures to come unto him, and to take upon us his name, and I am honored for that privilege. The reason that I am willing to give two years of my life away from family and very close friends is because I know that this gospel is something special. The church blesses lives in so many ways that I couldn’t number them if I tried. I know that this church is led by God through his prophets, and I feel obligated in some sense to share this great knowledge with the world. The actual word gospel means 'good news,' so I am thrilled to be able to go to Tennessee and spread abroad the good news of Christ. That he is our Savior, our Redeemer, Lord, and King. That by Him, through Him, and of Him, all things have been created and that He is our only way back to heaven and the presence of our loving Father. For this purpose I very willingly make a sacrifice that I am happy to make. For truly what is it to devote two years to the one who has given us all? I'm thrilled to go and I can't wait to serve the people of Tennessee. I love you all and I hope you'll keep in touch with me, and I pray God be with you till we meet again.