Elliot's May 9 email and pictures

Here's the latest message from Elliot.  He sent some pictures too.  You can see them after the jump.

Hey!

It was awesome talking to you guys too. [We spoke with him yesterday for Mother's Day.] Y'all are awesome and keep it up!

I guess there's really not too much to update you on that I hadn't done yesterday, but I'm excited to be training! [Elliot will get a new companion Wednesday, a brand new missionary straight from the MTC.] It makes me nervous, but I'm more excited. I just wish I knew who he was. Right now he's sitting in a classroom in Provo, UT. I remember being in his shoes like it was yesterday. It's feels like it was practically yesterday.

And I'm grateful for the time I had with Elder Endicott too. . . . I just hope I'm llegando a ser [becoming] the person God wants me to be!

Everything else is going awesome. I'm still loving this area and the works going well. I'm glad to know it's all good back home too! I love you all and thank y'all!

Love,

Elder Elliot Adair

And just for fun I included pictures! One of me in a Model T [for members of the Newhall First Ward, you can see his blue "100 Days" challenge wristband], one of my companion Elder Endicott, and one of an awesome burrito I ate recently at Los Dos Amigos.

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 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!