James letter 10-3-11

So it's happened. I'm am now in Portland, Oregon. Well, actually I am in a place called Tigard, which is near Tualatin. It is so beautiful here. There is so much green everywhere. It was raining when we arrived and for about an hour or so afterward. It smells like pine sap and rain. I like it.

The two investigators at the MTC were real members playing the part, but if I told you that it wouldn't have been as cool. I am going to miss them though, even though they were just acting.

My trainer's name is Elder Fannin. He seems like a pretty cool guy, but then again I have only been here for five hours so I don't really know him that well. It is so weird being seperated from my MTC companions, roommates and friends. I hope I will see some of them again. There were seventeen on us on the plane to Portland. It was like an invading army.

President Morby is a really cool guy. He and his wife are both really nice. The best thing about him though is he looks like the Emperor in Star Wars. Tell dad to watch #3 and see. I can finally listen to music again too. What a relief, I was going insane. The music in the van on the way out of the airport was literally music to my ears.

P-day is monday here, so my writing will come then. Also we have an hour, so I will be able to write more. Thats all now. I'll write more about my experiences here when I actually have some. I love you. I know this Church is true, and that this is where I'm supposed to be.

I'm loving it out here. I'm so glad I came. I have been out three weeks on wednesday. What a miracle it is to have made it this far. And I have to say going to the airport, and escaping the compound was the best thing to happen so far. That and the consumption of real food. Next weeks email will be better, as I will actually have some experiences out here.

Conference was great. Elder Hollands talk in Priesthood session was one of my favorites. His and President Monsons in the same session. I took almost twelve pages of notes altogether. Sitting on the hard bleacher chairs in the MTC wasn't fun at all, but watching conference was. Sunday we had a devotional and Chad Lewis came and spoke. It was a really great way to end my experience at the MTC. I loved it there. It's kind of weird being in the real world again. My district family is all split up, but on the bright side I can once again listen to music. Thats all for now. Love you always.

-James.