MTC PROVO

May 30, 2023

I've been in the MTC now for two weeks, after a week of Home MTC. I really appreciated that first week to ease into the lifestyle and have a little more time with my family- both sets of grandparents came over to see our (mine, Jackson, and Peyton's) farewell talks at church, and to accompany us to get endowed. The farewell talk went well- I went in "not knowing beforehand the things which I should do," or at least it felt like it since I didn't have a very detailed outline written. Surprisingly I wasn't that nervous- I prayed for comfort and focus beforehand and I gave what common consensus called a very good talk. I was required to talk for at least 10 minutes and I ended up going for 15. I just talked about my experiences and how I felt God prepared me for a mission. It ended up being a positive experience, which I didn't expect since I don't generally enjoy public speaking (does anyone?). It was sad to say goodbye to my grandparents, and sadder to say goodbye to my parents and siblings at the airport. But I'm being provided for and I know I'll see everyone again relatively soon. Plus, unlike the missionaries of earlier ages I can video chat with them every week. Sure, I'll likely perish in the wilderness of the harsh Sonoran desert, but at least I'll have access to medical care and indoor plumbing. Things could be worse. I really like my MTC district and its been a pleasure getting to know all of them. There are 3 elders in my district including me, since Elder Campbell (from Guiana) wasn't able to get his visa, so we were placed in a companionship of three. My two companions are Elder Mark Hill from Atlanta, Georgia and Elder Aaron Casper from Birmingham, Alabama. Elder Hill is short and athletic, a friendly, very polite, and genial guy whose greatest ambition is to be a good dad. He's going to Sacramento, California. Elder Casper looks and talks like your stereotypical small-town southerner, but he's experienced, a hard worker, and very independent. He worked in construction with a specialty in laying tile, and helped renovate several temples. He's the oldest in the group at 21 and was made district leader. He's going to Kennewick, Washington. Both of them have hidden depths and powerful testimonies, and it's been my honor to get to know them. We have four sisters in the district- Sisters Karlee Matthews (going to Kennewick as well), Lyteesia Lamb (Denver South Mission), Audrey Bigler (Los Vegas West Mission), and Emma Blackham (Eugene Oregon Mission). They are all really great as well. It's been great to see the 7 of us come closer as a district- I really feel included and part of the group. We can joke and have fun and also be serious studying the scriptures or discussing the gospel. I've managed to relate to and have personal conversations with each of them and I feel like we are all very closely connected. It will be very sad when we all leave the MTC on Friday and go our separate ways. Our branch/zone only has 3 districts, all with about 8 people. 03-G (our district) and 03-C have hung out a lot and know each other well, and are all going to stateside missions. 03-F got here last Wednesday and keep to themselves a lot more- I figure they don't see as much point in getting to know us since they are all either Chinese or Marshallese speaking, and will be staying at the MTC much longer than us. They seem like cool people though. The Elders from 03-C have given everyone nicknames, regardless of whether they want one. One of our Zone leaders, Elder Cunningham, has dubbed me "Boog," as in the bear from Open Season. I am not sure how to feel about this. The food here is fine. Elder Casper complains all the time about how it's an affront to food everywhere and can't possibly compare to glorious Southern cuisine, but it's better than what they used to serve in OK for school lunches. Occasionally we get something pretty good! He's right about one thing, though- no matter what you choose here, it's absolute murder on the digestive system. Our first few days here we all got really bad gas and Elder Hill got super sick. That world-famous chocolate milk is more devious than I could have ever imagined. I don't have much time, so even though there's much more that I'd like to talk about I think I'll have to end here. The reason why I haven't written before now is because they've been working us to the bone- we've hardly had a moment to breathe these past few weeks. Personally I think it's just to keep the Elders docile and occupied so they can't get into trouble. (Even with all the classes and devotionals on our schedule they manage to get into all kinds of mischief. There's always shouting and crashing noises from the floor above us every night before bed- we're 99% sure it's some kind of Fight Club but nobody wants to investigate since they don't want to be around when they finally get busted).It's only now, with our MTC experience winding down, that they've given us time to do anything besides study the scriptures and roleplay lessons. I'll try to do better next week, hopefully once I'm out in the field I won't be quite so busy. Of course, that sounds awfully like tempting the fates, so if you never hear from me again you can guess what happened. Faithfully Yours, Elder C. Calder