HE'S ALIVE!!!

We've been waiting what feels like forever for mail from Elder Smith and we've finally received some! He sent a letter home yesterday and today. Today was also his p-day so we got emails too!!! Here is a summary of the letters.

The first letter he wrote on his third day in the MTC. He said leaving family and friends was the hardest thing he's ever done, that the schedule was hard, but he had an amazing companion (Elder Mlazgar from Arizona) and a great district. He also really likes all the boys in his residence. He mentioned that his Zone Leaders will be going to Taiwan and are in the MTC for 12 weeks and he's very grateful he's only there for 2 1/2!

I received a letter today. He mentions that he is getting the most letters of anyone in his zone! Boo yah! That's what you call a supportive family! He is struggling with a little bit of homesickness but says letters help a ton and we need to keep those coming! On Sunday he was able to go on a Temple walk and was extremely excited to go outside of the gates, poor boy! He loves his district and again said they are great guys Elders (That's how he wrote it in his letter :)) He then mentioned that he will start teaching real investigators as part of his training and to keep him in your prayers.
Here is his Email..

Email #1

Dear Family,

Today is FINALLY P-day. So grateful to have made it. I only get 30 min. of email time on p-days, so I will try to tell you as much as i can. Today was awesome, minus the fact that I have to wait for my laundry for 2 hours, and there are so many missionaries here I can't get to a computer at that time, so it looks like i will be writing you after I get back from the Temple. That was awesome today. The Provo Temple is so great. Made my day. Wish I could have stayed there forever. I hate the fact I had to leave. The alter in the Provo temple is illuminated throughout the entire session. It's awesome! The celestial room is small, but so beautiful. It was hard to leave. :( I also want you to know that i am doing well. I have great days, and hard days, but I am happy to be about the Lords work. Yesterday I taught A REAL INVESTIGATOR with my companion...it was rough. I was so bummed. OH well, we get to teach him tomorrow, hopefully it will be better. My companion is from Arizona. Big baseball player, and basketball player. My district is awesome. I was able to give one of the members a blessing yesterday, and the rest of the district stood in the circle. Incredible experience. so cool. The guys said it was one of the best blessings they've ever heard. I was happy to do it. I got the package in the mail, and took some pics of the temple when we went today. It is so pretty inside. Thanks for the letters, keep them coming. I love you so much, hope to see you soon. I'll continue to write, so watch the mail. Hugs and kisses.

love Elder Smith :)

Arriving at the MTC!

 Oh my goodness! Dropping Elder Smith off was rather difficult. Many tears were shed but we are all so happy for him and so glad that he has finally began this amazing journey. We had to be at the MTC at 1:15. We met Dad in Provo, took some pictures, and then drove into the MTC where a very nice and welcoming Elder Christensen grabbed Braden's luggage and they headed in. It was really hard to watch him walk off, just like that it was over! I'm grateful that's how they do it though. Just rip it off like a bandaid!!! Here are some pictures from the day.

 

Taking pictures across from the MTC

 Mother and Son

 I told her to do this....

and the boy couldn't handle it. He burst into tears. He LOVES his mama.

 Our cute little fam.

 Kisses :)

 and hugs

 Saying Goodbye to Dad

 Dad and Kids

 Elder Smith in front of the MTC

Meeting Elder Christensen. It was cute, we got out of the car and Elder Christensen said, "Hi Elder, I'm Elder Christensen." Braden replied, "Hi I'm....Well I guess I'm Elder Smith."

 

 Heading off...

 Walking farther...

 and farther...

and farther away. Love that boy!

We're awaiting his first letter and man is it a killer. I will post his letters on this blog for all of you to read. Please keep him in your prayers!

-The Big Sis