Letter #1- “Life in the MTC “ - August 8, 2021

 Hola!  This is Pepito!  I’m excited to write you about your Grammie Tammie and Papa Ben’s first week on their mission!   Here is where I sit when I am in the room with them

They got on their flight —here is a picture I took of them on the airplane

and when they got above the Salt Lake City airport there was a huge thunder storm going on!  The pilot had to circle around in the sky until the lightning stopped!  Then he said “OK we are heading down to the airport”. The plane started shaking really bad and I saw Grammie Tammie grab Papa Ben’s arm and she looked scared.  She closed her eyes and I could tell she was saying a prayer!!  Luckily they landed safely!  It was raining really hard!  

They had to get all of their suitcases and find out where to get the shuttle to take them to Provo, Utah to the Missionary Training Center.  

It was 10 at night when they got to the MTC.  There were 2 young ladies who let them in and they helped them find their room.  There were lots of stairs that they had to go up and down so a security guard and another employee came to help them.  

Their room was very cute and comfy!

They didn’t get to bed until after midnight because they had to unpack all of those suitcases….there was not room to walk around if they didn’t!  The next morning they were so tired.  They didn’t have to be anywhere until 10:15 am that day —but they had finished serving breakfast when they got to the cafeteria.  Luckily a really nice lady took them back to the kitchen and let them grab something

The very first meeting they went to Grammie Tammie met a really nice lady who knew one of her friends that lived in Puerto Rico when they did. 

This lady and her husband would end up being partners in this “invite others to come unto Christ” activity they would do.  They really liked them.  They are from Gilbert, Arizona so they plan on seeing them after their missions are over.  These two are both nurses and just retired.  They will be in the Church office in Salt Lake City and will help with nurses who are in Mission offices all over the world! 

They have met people from all over who are going to serve missions too: 

Everyone got put into “districts”.  They would meet together every morning and afternoon for classes.  Papa Ben was made the district leader for their group.  Here is a picture of them as a group and some pictures of them in class

Papa and Grammie really liked their “district”.  The other 3 couples were all going to Hawaii!  One couple was professors and going to teach business at BYU Hawaii.  The other couple were going to be over the dorms for 60 freshman girls,  The last couple - well he is an electrician and he is going to go help with all of the lighting etc at the Polynesian Cultural Center at BYU Hawaii and she is going to work in one of the shops at the center!  They had a lot of fun with this group! 

They had to be in class every morning at 8 am.  So Grammie Tammie had a hard time getting everything done by then!  She has to speed up her getting ready time!  I took a picture of them. Doing exercises in the morning! 

Papa Ben was going so fast his picture is blurry….Grammie Tammie not so much! 

They have a little card that they carry with them at all times.  They have to swipe it so they can get into different buildings.  Here is a picture of what their card looks like:

Thursday night they went to the Provo, Utah temple.  When they came out there was a beautiful sunset….here is a picture of them and the sunset:

Friday after their classes were over they had to do laundry — so they went to this huge laundry room with tons of washers and dryers.  They were free to use.  You just had to buy soap at the little store they have here. 

When they were done with that they took a bus that is not too far from the MTC.  

Here they are at the bus stop.  The other picture is what it looked like from their seats on the bus.

After walking around the mall for a bit they went to a place called Wingers and had a yummy dinner! Food at the MTC cafeteria was getting old—so anything would have been yummy!  Here is Papa eating the popcorn they bring to your table while you wait for your food

After a busy week of classes Papa and Grammie were so happy to have a day off.  Uncle Ky and Aunt Barb were in the area so they came to take them out to breakfast (they were glad to not have to eat in the cafeteria again).   Sadly I, Pepito, fell asleep on the ride over so they left me in the car and I didn’t get a picture of them together!  But I heard them talking and they had a really nice visit.  

They did some shopping:

Then went home and cleaned up their apartment.  Then they took a walk over to the BYU campus.  Papa Ben was happy to be on the campus where he went to college:

So was Grammie Tammie —even though she didn’t go to school there she spent a lot of time on that campus when she and Papa were dating and after they were married.  

They also went to this cool museum on campus.  I heard them say they wish they had their grandkids there to see all of the stuff that was in the museum!

After they were done walking around they decided to go to a place they had seen earlier called J.DAWGS.    It was a hot dog place and they loved it!  They think someone in their family should open up a place in Carlsbad!!

Today was Sunday and not only did they go to church but they also had lots of other special meetings and devotionals.  It was a great day….but boy are they tired!  Tomorrow they will start their office training!  Last week was all spiritual stuff on how to help others know about Jesus Christ!  

Here is a picture of them by the big map in the MTC.  Everyone who goes there has a picture taken of them pointing to where they are going in the world.  

I have heard them say their prayers together every morning and every night.  I always hear them talk about each of you and they ask God to watch over you and help keep you safe.  They also hope you will each be kind to others and to each other.  They sure do love you guys a lot!!

I will try to take more pictures this week and I will write you next Sunday!  They leave for Cancun, Mexico on Saturday morning very early!  

Until then my little friends! 

Adios!

Tu Amigo Pepito