Justin's first e-mail!!

Hello family and friends! I love everyone. I'm here and it's pretty crazy. I now know what the meaning of missionary work is, I think. We've been non-stop learning and teaching as well. On Friday, the second day here, we had are first investigator. Jose Luis is an Argentinian that moved to Orem and is working in construction. And yes, he only speaks Spanish! Crazy! I have gotten a little bit homesick, but Elder Johansen is right, you are too busy to get homesick. My estimated departure date is March 12. I would like mom and dad to try and finish setting up dearelder.com. Anyone can write to me through it and I get it daily (if people write to me). It's really fun so far. One of the cool things I've noticed is during gym time, there are many different personalities, ethnics, and things that would usually cause a stereotype. But we're all wearing the Missionary Badge which brings everyone together. No one is left out or anything. It's just... an indescribable experience. There are positives and negatives. A couple of the negatives are sharing a room maybe about a little less than twice the size of my room at home with 5 other elders; and sharing 6 showers with maybe 50 other missionaries. The upside is how much time we're given to study the scriptures and the language. Speaking of language, I already know how to say a simple prayer and bear a simple testimony in spanish. The gift of tongues is very true here, and very common.

Here's a couple experiences: I was feeling pretty homesick the other day. Many missionaries here feel the same way. Nine weeks here in the MTC in a new schedule for everyone is a lot to digest, let alone two years away from family and friends and your own time. We had our branch presidency come talk to our district on Friday night. One of the counsilors is Brother Monson. (Yes, he is related to President Monson. I don't know exactly how though. I think maybe a cousin's son or something...) Each of the members of the presidency interviewed us individually. I got Brother Monson. He told me that everyone gets homesick. He said that even he got terribly homesick when he was here at the MTC. He told me though that the Lord is amazing in the challenges that he decides to give us and that there is a reason for this challenge. He promised me something though. He promised that I'll get over it. It may take a day or two, or a week or two. He personally got over it in a few weeks. He said that I'll definately get it as soon as I get out to New Jersey too. He told me to look in the mirror when that happens and tell myself that Brother Monson was right. He said that he knows I'll get over it and I'll be able to focus completely on missionary work. He definately was a blessing in my life. A man sent from the Lord to help me and other missionaries who are struggling. It is a little miserable when I'm homesick, but with Brother Monson and my zone leader, Elder Hawks, I'm getting through it.

Well, my P-Days in the MTC are on Thursday. I'll be able to write on Thursday again. I'm doing great. I thank everyone for their support and prayers.

Mom, Dad, Kelsie, Kyle, Julia, and Kaylee,

I love you guys. I miss you. I'm glad I'm out here. Could you please send me two books? On the bottom shelf in my room with all the language books. I would like the Spanish Grammar book. It's read, yellow, and white. It's also small. Also, the picture dictionary book. It's a square book and instead of just translations, it has pictures of all the translation. I'm almost out of time to write, so sorry for this letter not being longer.

Grandma and Grandpa (Bountiful) Thanks for your support. I love you and thank you. I'll write a letter to you later that's longer.

Grandma and Grandpa (Boise) I love you a lot. I'll write another letter to you later

I'm out of time. Goodbye!!! Love you!!!