First Letter from the MTC 1/11/06

Dear Family,

Crazy! This day is truly "spiritual r-day." So much information, locations, scheduling and rules to absorb, all while trying to be guided by the Spirit. My companion Elder Foley is a quiet guy from Vernal, Utah. It has been tough trying to refrain from using the word "dude," but Elder Foley has been helping me. Feeling the Spirit here is very different from anywhere else. Other places you don't feel as much of a testimony of your own calling as you do here at the MTC. The branch presidency made me the new district leader for our group. There are 7 of us going to Boston and 3 going to Indianapolis. The guys in the district are pretty good, but Elder Foley is the best, so I'm lucky to be with him. It's tough and discouraging to see Elders who are here for the wrong reasons, but I'm trying not to make too much of their comments about how long 2 years is, or what else they could be doing. Today was getting into the mindset, tomorrow the work. I'm so excited. Send more t-shirts (like 1-2). The day was long but it went by quickly. I'll write again soon.

TTYL, love you guys.
Elder Onken