Last Letter from the MTC

The MTC is going by so fast. I can't believe we take off on Tuesday. It feels like I just got here. I have learned so much in the time I have been here. Sitting outside watching all the new confused scared Elders find all their places they need to go is quite fun. (Didn't he just get there?) As we walked back from the Temple this morning, I was hoping to see someone I knew jog or drive by. Now that I think about it...as I go throughout my days doing the things I need to do I kinda sadly forget about the outside world. It is also kinda nice it helps me study and focus. We have been teaching a lot and it feels that we are teaching better. Elder Rogers (who is also going to Anaheim) and I work really well together and it seems to get things done. We had a fireside last night from one of the 70 and he said something interesting that hit me pretty hard. "We determine our own success". He went on to say that "if you do your best the Lord will make things happen." So I am going to do everything as best as I can. I will go and do the things that the Lord has commanded. Thank-you: Kam for the cupcakes and CTR ring, Uncle Mark and Aunt Tammy mmm amazing brownies and all the kids cards and letters from everyone else. This was the main part of the letter we received on Friday. He also sent an email saying he will be calling us early Tuesday morning so we look forward to hearing from him when he is getting ready to fly out. He wants us to share any posts or comments people leave on the blog or facebook so COMMENT and POST away so I have something to share with him. He said his MTC district is great. Most of them are going to Hawaii. One sister and Adam and his comp. are going to Anaheim. His favorite baptism scripture is Alma 5:62.

MTC

After Adam's farewell in Utah, we headed up to take pictures at the MTC. We were a little disappointed that the sign is now gone that said "Missionary Training Center". It was fun to go get pictures even though we were nearly blown away. We were lucky though because the rain hit just as we were running back to the car. Adam sent us a letter so I will share some quotes from his first letter: "I am now Elder Wardle!! I picked the top bunk so I can work my triceps by getting in bed. I met my companion Elder Rogers, a redhead from Texas who likes sports and is pretty cool. After introductions we jumped right into discussions and studying the scriptures. We have a great full schedule which keeps us busy and time flies by. We have had lots of teaching opportunities and I feel like I have already learned a ton. I am still walking in the wrong doors, but I know where the lunchroom is! The food is pretty good and I probably eat too much but lots of fruit and not any ice cream or soda so not any bad bad stuff. Oh, our zone leaders have been here for way too long...10 weeks. They are going to Estonia (they are kinda crazy) we just had goodnight hugs..." I can just see Adam dying over goodnight hugs...it cracked me up! He said to tell everyone they can email him at adam.wardle@myldsmail.net I know he would love to hear from all of you! Also, if you would like to leave COMMENTS here, I will let him know what you have to say.

Lunch with Mom and Friends

Adam's mom picked him up at the airport and took him to meet his friends for lunch. Adam had a great time with his friends and loved being able to see them before he left. Thanks everyone for being there for him, he loves you guys!

He's Off

Adam was set apart last night by our Stake President. We didn't get home until 10:30 so it was a bit of a late night finishing things up. We got up at 3:45 and headed to the airport at 4. The pictures are of my hug goodbye and him getting in line to check in for his flight. He arrived in SLC and had breakfast with his mom and I believe he then went to lunch with his mom and some high school friends before she dropped him off at the MTC. We are so proud of him and excited for him!

Birthday Bowling

For Adam's birthday Monday we went to dinner and bowling. It actually started out a bit rough for him, but it ended up being a fun day. He went golfing with Troy that morning and said he did terrible. Then he wanted to eat at Wingers so we went to Tacoma (the only Wingers in Washington is there) at 5 and went to a bowling place whose website said they had open bowling all night. Well...their leagues started that day and they hadn't updated their website so we couldn't bowl. They were nice and called other bowling alleys for us and found one that had openings at 7. So we headed to Wingers and on the door the sign read "Closed for business as of 9/10/2012"! Adam said, "you've got to be kidding me"! I just laughed and told him Satan was trying to get him down before he left. We called the bowling alley we were going to and they said they had a restaurant so we decided to just head there. The food was good (although not Wingers' Sticky Fingers that he wanted) and bowling was fun. Adam beat all of us and we all had a great time. Then he got a phone call from a special girl that made the night even better. It was so much fun to spend a nice evening together playing before he left.

Adam Wardle- Hopefully I grow a foot or two, and not around the mid-section. I am very excited to serve the people of Anaheim and share the Gospel.

HERE WE GO!