Elliot's August 26 email

Here's Elliot's latest message.  He has already found Carlton Reininger, who arrived at the MTC yesterday, and it sounds like all is well in Provo.

Hey family!


I'm glad to hear from you guys. I'm gonna send a letter back today too so I can say more in case I leave anything out. I only have 18 minutes to email back right now! I was actually able to see Carlton yesterday after he came in. He's still alive in case you want to tell his parents that. But I bet his talk and Daniel's talks were amazing. I wish I could have heard it, but I'm way glad to have friends here in the MTC!

I'm glad to hear that everything is going well at home. I wish I could help Alyssa with her Stats, but she's smarter than me and can get it. And that's way cool that you were able to see your friends dad! That must have been fun. I bet it'll be kinda like that when I visit Santa Clarita after my mission. And I'm glad you're handling the split okay there mom. I wish I could play basketball with them again lol.

Thanks for everything you have been doing lately. Mom- I did get the package and am ever so grateful. It's great to have some of those Spongebob gummies! And thanks for keeping up the blog dad! And thanks for that talk too, I wrote down the reference because I can go on LDS.org during study time and I'll read it then.

The MTC has been fine this past week. Time already feels like it's flying right by. I feel as though I just was dropped off two days ago. It's crazy. Time is more of an ideal than a reality in the MTC. I've really learned a lot so far and have had some awesome experences. Just last night we were practicing talking to strangers in Spanish to volunteers, and I talked to one of them after, en español of course, and it turned out he and his wife served with Keith! Their names were Elder and Sister Crockett. They were way nice and loved you Keith! I've come to learn that there are very few coincidences in the MTC.

I feel like I'm pretty far ahead as far as my Spanish goes, and I think that's a blessing from living in LA all my life. I find that I just pick it up quickly and am able to understand whatever people are saying. But I know that I couldn't do it without the help of God. I was getting kinda proud about what I knew, and when I had to use Spanish for a practice, I froze and couldn't say anything. So it's been quite a humbling experience here at the MTC.

I'm just excited to get out there and tell the people of Oklahoma about Jesus! I want other people to be able to experience the happiness that I've felt because of the Gospel.

I love you all and miss you all! I hope everything is going great. I wish I could be there to help out, but i know what I'm supposed to do right now.

Much Love!

Elder Elliot Adair

Elder Adair and Elder Peacock at the MTC

We received this picture of Elliot and his friend Justin Peacock of the Valencia 2nd Ward together at the MTC.  I'm not sure where Justin is going.*  Lori and Sister Peacock are in the Stake Young Women's presidency together.  It's great to see Elliot wearing his missionary badge.  He looks very much like the real deal!

*September 1 update: Justin's mom, Lisa, posted a comment that Justin is going to Mexico City West and is waiting for a visa.  He should be on his way this month.

Another letter home from Elliot

Elliot sent us another letter.  He's off to a great start keeping in touch with us.  Let's hope that continues for the next couple of years.

Another of Elliot's friends, Carlton Reininger, gave his farewell address in church yesterday and reports to the MTC on August 25.  Daniel Hofstedt gave him homecoming address in the same meeting after returning from  his mission to Washington state.  Next Sunday, two more of Elliot's friends, Travis Beach and Taylor Johnson, will speak in church and report the following Wednesday.  It will be good for all of them to be in the MTC together, to be joined a few weeks later by Ian Loveland.  What a great group of young men.

Here's a copy of Elliot's latest letter:

Elliot's August 19 email

We got our first email from Elliot today.  He's feeling much better, thankfully.  Here is his email address: elliot.adair@myldsmail.net.  And here is his email of today:

Hey family! I love you all and miss you all but am happy and doing well!

I'm not sure if you got my letter yet, but i did get pretty badly sick the second night of the MTC. I had a viral infection of the intestines that was supposed to last for up to a week, but was better after a few days thanks to a blessing from my companion and a lot of prayer. I wasn't supposed to get back to eating solids for like 7 days, but was able to after like 2.

I've already been thrown into the fire with teaching, but feel like I am doing very well and really think that the missionary training program back home really helped. I've learned a lot of Spanish already and feel overwhelmed a bit but think it's nothing that I can't handle. I've have an awesome companion Elder Phillips, from Draper, UT, who seems very willing to do the hard work necessary to learn a new language. I'm grateful for that and have some really awesome teachers.

The MTC food is admittedly horrible. It's like the Canon Center a BYU, but a bit worse. I'm just trying to eat pretty healthy so that i can stay feeling good. This morning we went to the temple and went to it's cafeteria after, and I enjoyed a $8 breakfast. Definitely the best food I've had out here. But I have been able to sleep well. All the work is tiring, but super rewarding. I am doing well and am just doing my best to be happy.

I have a really cool district and feel way close to them already, like I've known some of them my whole life. I'm grateful for that and for the support they've been and for the fun we've been able to have. We all go out and play soccer for gym, and it's great. I even scored a goal yesterday! So I'm having a good time for sure.

The work is also enjoyable too. I definitely feel the Spirit a lot, and have already practiced teaching a lot. I've also learned how to meet people in Spanish and tell them what I believe. It's slightly daunting, but when I just slow down and let the Spirit in, I have no problem communicating what I need to. It's really incredible out here like that.

I've seen a lot of friends out here from college and stuff, including Elder Peacock today (you can tell his mom he's still alive). That's a lot of fun, but I can't wait to see all the guys from back home come in here. Also please give a thousand thanks to the Sarmiento's for me. It meant a lot to me to be able to spend that last bit with them and I'm super grateful for that. And I'm grateful for all of your support and love! Please pray for me, I know that I could definitely use it. I love you guys and send my love to the ward as well!

Much love!

Elder Elliot Adair

Elliot's first letter home

Elliot's first letter home from the missionary training center arrived yesterday.  Other than a viral infection and bad cafeteria food (is there a connection?), it sounds like he is doing great.  His mailing address in Provo for the next seven weeks or so is:

Elder Elliot Adair
MTC Mailbox #275
OK-OKL 1011
2005 N. 900 E.
Provo, UT 84604-1793

We'll post Elliot's missionary email address on here shortly.  Here's his letter.

Elliot reports to the Missionary Training Center

On August 11, 2010, Elliot got up very early, said goodbye to his brother Keith, his new sister-in-law Kim, and his sister Alyssa and drove to the Burbank airport with his mom, dad, and grandparents.  His flight to Salt Lake City left at 7:00 a.m.  As usual, Elliot was excited and happy.  The rest of us were very happy for him but a little sad to see him go.  We'll look forward to the four phone calls over the next two years and weekly emails.  Here are the last images of Elliot before he left.

Elliot's officially a missionary!

Elliot Adair has been called to serve in the Oklahoma, Oklahoma City Spanish-speaking mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  On August 10, 2010, President Ray Carlson set Elliot apart as a missionary, beginning Elliot's two-year adventure.  This blog will document Elliot's mission through his emails, pictures, and posts from his family.  He reports to the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah, on August 11, 2010, where he will spend two months learning Spanish and preparing to serve in Oklahoma.  He is very excited and ready to go!