1 Down, 103 To Go

One year ago yesterday, I graduated high school. I've done a lot since then but it seems like the time flew by. I thought about this yesterday and how fast these two years are going to fly by. Then I asked myself, "Is that what I want?" Yes, I am excited to be home with all of you again. BUT, I'm so excited to serve and already know I'm going to love my mission and the people.

So there is an annoying red clock ticking time away and I hope I get to say everything before I get logged off. First of all, I am loving it here at the MTC. You can all rest assured that I'm doing okay and I'm in good hands. My companion is Elder Bleazard from Manti and we are having a blast with the other elders in our room; Prusse and Owens. There are two other elders in my district and 4 sisters all going to Temple Square. My district leader is quite the tool, but I'm learning to just suck it up.

Remember a couple days before I came here and Tyson was doing all that fake dialogue (SP?) stuff that was getting on my nerves? Well, I figured out he was doing that to help prepare me for my district leader. He is always having conversations with himself.

This is going to be very jumbled and such but i want to make sure I hit all the highlights. Yesterday, I had to sew a button back on a pair of slacks. It wasn't anything like what Grandma could have done, but i think it's on for good now. Plus it's on the inside so looks don't really matter. I've been the only person in my district to have a hot shower every day so far and who has slept through the night so those are definite tender mercies considering how much I value those two things. The food here. Well, it's gross. There have been some hit-and-miss things that I enjoy but I have just been too spoiled with REAL food my whole life that I can tell the difference when it's cooked cafeteria style.

Now some more substantial and important stuff. On Sunday night, there was a fireside where Robert P. Swenson spoke. It was really good and uplifting and lifted my spirits, even though I can't remember what he said and I don't have my notes with me. Last night, Bradley D. Foster from the second quorum of the seventy and his wife spoke. Her talk was about being able to say, "yay" even when days are hard and you feel alone. On days when I get the door slammed in my face and I can't call home, I can still find something to be happy about. He talked on a myriad of topics but what really stuck out to me was that if I am just myself and teach with the Spirit, I Will be able to do much more and much better work.

On Monday, Elder Bleazard and I had a mock-teaching appointment. We had been given some background info on an elderly couple but it turned out we were teaching a college-aged girl so we weren't prepared at all but we felt like it went okay considering the situation and we felt the spirit and learned a lot.

Thanks for all the letters!! I got 15 on Friday and 12 on Tuesday so the love is felt and IT IS GOOD. I love you all so much and am praying for all of you! God Speed!

Love,

Elder Cody M. Jardine