Transition From the MTC to the Field

Jacob was able to call the morning he flew from SLC to Boise. He sounded really good and ready to go. Then we heard from the Idaho Nampa Mission office on Wednesday, "Elder Waite has arrived in our mission and doing well. We are pleased to have this fine young man."

Elder Waite with President and Sister Sorensen

Elder Waite just arriving in Idaho

We also heard from Jacob. He was told to write a quick email home and let us know he made it. He says he likes his companion, Elder Boswell. Since Elder Boswell is his trainer he calls him his 'dad'. Haha! (it's a mission thing) He's from Missouri. They are serving together in Payette, ID. We are looking forward to hearing more this coming Monday!

Elder Waite emailing with Elder Boswell in Payette, ID

Elder Waite met another Elder Waite in the MTC!

Jacob was also blessed to be among a few St. Johns friends in the MTC!

Jacob and Levi

Jacob and Marcus

Jacob and Trevor

Jacob and Rebecca

Jacob and Seth

Days Like Weeks, Weeks Like Days

Hey everyone!

This week was a lot better than last week! When I first got here another Elder told me that the days will feel like weeks but the weeks will feel like days. Its crazy how true that really is! It feels like last p-day was just yesterday! I'm starting to get used to the schedule more and more each day. 

Elder Waite at the Provo Temple

Elder Waite and Elder Ashton

The food is still gross and I'm still craving Dr. Pepper like crazy! I leave next Tuesday morning for Idaho so hopefully we'll be welcomed with some good food and of course, Dr. Pepper! ;)

Even though the food is gross, the spirit here in the MTC makes up for it! The spirit is so strong everywhere you go. My testimony has been strengthened so much since being here. I'm excited to see what the next two years will bring! 

Sorry there isn't much to report this week. But I'm doing fine and I really am loving it! Oh! Elder Bednar came and talked to us on Sunday, I'm sure most of you have already heard about it but I still had to mention it. He's so awesome! I hope everyone has a good week! I love you all! The gospel is true! Never forget it!

Love,

Elder Waite

Look to Pizza Day

Hey everyone!! Its finally P-day! Boy has it been a rough week! and talk about long! I feel like it could've lasted about five years! That's probably not the case for all you guys but it was for me! I hope everyone is doing okay! 

This first week started out, and it was really hard. Everyone tells you that missions are hard and you're like "yeah, yeah whatever" but dang! its true! This has probably been the hardest week of my life! Mostly because I can't talk to my family whenever I want. And I can't be alone, boy do I miss being able to be alone! But it's getting better! If you don't know already, I'm a Dr. Pepper addict.. and there's no caffeine in the MTC.. So i am having some serious withdrawals! 

16 hour days and 8 hour nights are something I'm definitely not used to. It's been crazy! But it's also been a crazy good experience! I'm looking forward to the next 103 weeks!! 

The past week I've been really grateful for all the tender mercies that the Lord has shown me. Elder Trevor James somehow got to be my host when I got here. He said that 645 missionaries came into the MTC that day and he only got to escort 5 of them. And somehow I was one! I can't say enough how much easier that made the whole leaving my parents at the curb thing!!

I've been really greatful for my district! There aren't any sisters so its all elders! There's twelve in a district, so we call ourselves The Twelvders! Haha! That's been really fun.

I guess I should explain the whole "Look to pizza day" thing. Like I said the last week has been really hard. My sister, Abbie (Sister Waite), knew I was having a rough time and she told me that I should just take it one step at a time. Instead of looking two years ahead I should just look to pizza day! In the MTC they serve pizza every Friday! So, I took what she said to heart and that's what I've been trying to do to make the days go by a little faster!

Well, thats all I have for this week! I hope all of you have a good week!

Love, 

Elder Waite

Elder Van Der Wekken and me

"The Twelvders"

My roommates

Marcus 'aka' Elder Wiltbank and me

My study area 'aka' my bed

At the Provo Temple