Week Two and Doing Well!!

The second week in the MTC goes a lot faster than the first. Its hard to imagine it has already been two weeks. This week we had a fireside where I think 7 of the apostles were present, and Elder Oaks spoke. After the fireside, Elder Ablett and I went to meet our new mission president. President and Sister Sorenson are great! They too are learning the Russian language and are heading to Russia the first of July. Church is mostly in Russian, but sometimes talks are in English. The Elders and Sisters in my zone are going to other places in Russia, as well as Ukraine. Chances are that when i go to renew my visa it will be to the Ukraine- probably Kiev, which is great because in a couple months, they are dedicating a temple there.
The language is steadily progressing. Tomorrow we are required to get to know someone, ask about their family, tell about our family, relate family to the gospel, ask about hobbies, ask about work, and set up an appointment with a posing investigator...all in Russian! and then we have to teach them the first discussion in English. We dont start teaching the first discussion in Russian for a few more weeks.
In the MTC bookstore you can buy shirts with the flag and name of your mission on it. I thought that was too boring and predictable to get one for Russia, so I ordered a shirt with the Virginia flag on it. Speaking of strange behavior, Elder Andrews came in last week. He is in the MTC for 9 weeks learning tagolog. I have the same lunch time as him, and although i dont eat with him, i talk to him a bit, and we exchange humorous phrases that we have learned in our languages.
I am going to develop some of the photos i have taken and send them home in a week from now.
There are 5 native Elders that are in the MTC right now learning the discussions for a few weeks until they go back to Russia to their various missions. One of the Elders is going to the Moscow mission, so I might have a chance to serve with him. He speaks no English, and i can hardly understand any of the Russian he speaks! I have a long way to go.
My time is just about out- I only have 30 minutes to email before it logs me off. Its good to hear from you, thanks for all the information of events. Hasta Luego!
Love,
Elder Paul

We got Mitchell's first e-mail!!!

We got Mitchell's first E-mail! Here are some excerpts of it for you!

Its been about a week in the MTC and i have already learned more than i have learned in 4 years of High School.. I am now saying simple prayers and bearing a simple testimony in Russian. We learned the alphabet in about an hour or two on the second day. This first week has felt like at least 3 or 4 weeks. My companion is Elder Ablett, from Cambridge, and our district consists of 8 elders and 2 sisters...My zone consists of two districts, the other district only has 5 missionaries, so church on Sunday had about 20 people. I conducted and attempted to sing the Russian hymn at the same time.. I am learning so much and having a great time.. My companion and i get along very well, which is good because we have to spend every minute together....we even have to go to the loo together..

PS.. some interesting things about my mission: we will have cell phones, the moscow mission is now almost entirely in the city of moscow, so chances are, thats where i will be for my whole mission.. I still dont know who the new mission president is, but they come in for training tomorrow along with the twelve apostles, so i might get to meet him, and we might even get a visit from an apostle! there are something like 14 branches in my mission, but i can't quite remember......well my time is out now, so talk to you again in a week!

6-16-10 Today Was The Day!

Well, today was the day! After a life time of knowing he would serve a mission, and months of preparation, today was the day! We left just after 5 this morning, and headed to Provo. We got there around 11:30, just in time to run one last errand and to have lunch before Mitch checked in. Many of you can probably guess where we ate lunch - In-N-Out it was for Mitchell's last meal before entering the MTC. The pace was full of other Missionaries and their families who were also checking in to the MTC.

When we got to the MTC we found two of Mitchell's friends camped out on the corner all dressed up in heir suits, holding signs with Elder Paul written on them.



When we got to the parking lot at the MTC they told us that Mitchell was one of 478 missionaries checking into the MTC today! We parked and walked over to take the typical Missionary pictures next to the MTC sign.



(this one was Mitchell's favorite!)

After some pictures and a walk up around the temple we got back in the car and drove up to the curb of the MTC where we dropped Mitchell off. You used to go in and see the missionaries off, but since the swine flu this last fall you just drop off at the curb and go. He was excited to go, and walked off with a smile! We can't wait to hear from him and learn all about his newest adventure! When we hear from him, we will be sure to post updates here on this blog so that everybody can know how he is doing.

MTC ADDRESS & Dear Elder

Well, the count down is on, 2 more days until Mitch checks into the MTC (Mission Training Center)where he will be for about 3 months. We will be leaving early Wednesday morning to drive him up there.

Mitch received his address for the MTC. You can send him letters at the following address:

Elder Mitchell Johnson Paul
MTC Mailbox #208
RUS-MOS 0831
2005 N 900 E
Provo, UT 84604-1793

Dear Elder:

dearelder.com is another way to send a letter to Mitchell, it is free to the Provo MTC and will continue to be free when he goes to Russia (since he is in a Pouch mission).

With dearelder, you simply write your letter on the website and submit it. It is then printed and sent to Mitchell. If you submit your letter before 12:00 p.m. (provo time) 11:00 a.m.(vegas time), he will receive it the same day you write it, if not, he will receive it the next day.

On the website simply click on the write a letter tab at the top, select Provo MTC from the drop down menu (once he goes to Russia you will select Moscow Russia)enter the address information, write your letter, and submit!

Thank - you all for your support! Mitch looks forward to receiving mail from you!