Rupert Thanksgiving! 11/24/09

So, things that happened this week:

We went to the local Mexican place: Aguila con el Taco! (Translates to Eagle with a Taco) and the food there was way good! All the stuff they make is really authentic and delicious. The waiter was very attentive to us (since we were the only ones there) and talked with us for a bit too.

The small window in our bathroom is partially broken out and lets in a LOT of cold air at night (when it gets down to around 15) and we were getting fed up with a cold bathroom and apartment every morning. So, we did what any intelligent pair of young men would do. We duct taped the window over. But, that was a bit unsightly, and now, we had no view of outside (when the curtains were opened) when taking care of our lavatorial responsibilities. So, I devised a cunning resolution to our dilemma. (See the pictures to grasp the magnitude of awesome that my solution displayed).
This past Wednesday, I had the privilege of having a meal I'm sure is unique to my mission and probably Rupert. Venison Sloppy Joes. Top that, Guy Fieri.

Elder Smith and I decided to enter the Pinewood Derby in one of the wards that we cover. Here are the pictures of our car! We wanted to name it something to do with speed, so we searched diligently through the Bible and Book of Mormon and found the perfect title. "The Word of God." Helaman 3:29 was the inspiration (Caps added for emphasis) "Yea, we see that whosoever will may lay hold upon the word of God, which is QUICK and POWERFUL, which shall divide asunder all the cunning and the snares and the wiles of the devil, and lead the man of Christ in a STRAIT and NARROW COURSE..." Quick and powerful sounded like attributes our car would need to navigate the straight and narrow track and defeat our enemies! Unfortunately, we lost every race. But hey, the other cars had tons of time put in to them, ours had barely an hour of labor put into it and was colored with Sharpie, so I'm proud. Note the license plate.Last but not least, I scored the coveted Final Triple X in bowling (Also known as the Armageddon Turkey) today. Although, the rest of my game left something to be desired. Oh well, practice makes perfect, right? Right.I hope everyone has a happy Thanksgiving! I'm thankful for all of you who care enough to write and e-mail and let me know that you're there for me! I'm also thankful for having a Heavenly Father who loves me enough to have sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to suffer and die so that I can be forgiven of my sins and imperfections (of which I have many, as we all do). Don't forget to be thankful that we have this wonderful Earth to live on and wonderful families to share our time with. I'm thankful for my Mom and Dad who so patiently raised me and always took the time to let me know how much they care about me, I could not ask for better parents, teachers and friends than my Mom and Dad. Also, my sister, Alex, who is one of my closest and best friends as well. Although we may not have always liked each other, I know we've always loved each other and always will. And of course, Alex's husband and my only brother (even if it is only in law :P) Trevor, who has given me invaluable advice on my mission as well as in life. I would form a PGA with him any day (don't worry, it won't make sense unless you're him) And finally, but not least of all, my grandparents, who have supported me throughout all my endeavors in my life. They are an irreplaceable source of encouragement and they mean more than they know.

I can't list everything I'm thankful for, it'd take far too long, but I am thankful for the many of you who have and continue to write me while I'm on my Mission. It is such a source of strength that you can never fully understand until you're out. Thank you.


HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!!

-Elder Hops

Pictures - 11/10/09

I received all of these pictures from Elder Hopkins today in an email! I am so excited to share them with you! Captions are courtesy of Mike himself! Enjoy:

The Temple at about 7 AM, before our session.The temple afterwards
All four of us outside the Temple (L to R: Elder Begg, Ware, Smith and me!)
A shot I took of the snake river off my tag
Shoshone Falls! It's HUGE! It's hard to appreciate without being there
Falls again
Me after conquering IHOP's largest breakfast
The face of victory! (Notice all the plates and A1 and syrups I utilized)
The classic heel click after leaving the Temple
Contemplating how to improve the score (They had an instant replay feature where you can see your last throw...notice the sweetkicks.)
The professional...from 1930
We're glad to see that Elder Hopkins is doing well and enjoying life as usual! :)

Hello Rupert! 10/27/09

Well, I'm here in Rupert, a town of supposedly just over 5,000 people, although I don't believe it, I've barely seen more than a couple hundred. We've moved into our new apartment, which is easily one of the filthiest places I have ever seen in my life. The last elders who lived here CLEARLY did not understand the principle "Cleanliness is next to Godliness" After a few DAYS of cleaning, scrubbing and detoxifying our apartment, we felt at home. It's a nice little place, where we sleep on mattresses on the floor and have a toilet that sways when you are using it. The apartment also has no heater, save a small floor heater we bought that warms one of the rooms fairly well. The interesting thing is about this abode in which we live is that I love that way that it's falling apart. I absolutely love it. For some reason it just makes me happy knowing that I'm in easily one of the most run down of all the apartments in this mission. I know it doesn't make sense, but it's true.

Many things here are different. First of all, Rupert has a very distinct smell. For those of you who have been the the State Fair near where the animals are, THAT'S what it smells like. However, much like the condition of our apartment, instead of disliking it, I enjoy it very much. It's really nice to be out of Boise where people are very prideful and unfriendly to a small town like Rupert where anyone will help you out with anything you need. Already, Elder Smith and I have recieved:
1 - Apples picked from an tree in someone's yard
2 - Homemade huckleberry jam
3 - Made from scratch cookies
4 - Elk burger meat
5 - A meal made solely from things owned by the family (Chuck roast from a cow they owned and killed, corn cut from ears they owned and of course, potatoes from their farm)

They also have a very strong following in the Church here. Attending membership is easily 2 to 3 times more than in Boise and the youth program is MUCH more active than in my last area. The other Elders in our area are Elder Begg and Elder Ware, from Tampa, Florida and Hueytown, Alabama, respectively. They are awesome. All four of us get along very well and get lots of work done while still sharing plenty of laughs. Well, I have to go for now, but pictures will be on the way soon! (Pics posted in the previous post!)

Take care everyone!

-Elder Hops

Pictures!

Things are gettin' squirrely around here in Boisetown. Time for a transfer, we thinks!

Elder Hopkins, King of Boise!


This is what it is all about!

Elder Hopkins in caricature. Notice the clean cut hair and
the chiseled chin. Woo Hoo!

Chow Time!


Elder Hopkins and Elder Keith just before Elder Keith returned home to Raleigh, NC

Letter - Thursday, October 15th

Well, the last few weeks we hadn't heard much from Mike, but he did tell us that he's been sick with food poisoning! I think he's all better now, since it's been over a week and a half since he said he started feeling sick. Anyway, we had also heard from him that he'd be staying in Boise for a while longer. Then, we got this letter from him today, updating everything:

"So, About Tuesday...

We went to send e-mails but the place we were at had the internet crash, and so we didn't get the e-mails sent. I actually printed off what I was GOING to send and will send it to you (mom and dad) in a letter.

Anyway, turns out I'm not staying in Boise, but instead am going to Rupert to shotgun an area. Shotgunning is where you and another Elder enter an area that is new to the both of you. Essentially, we'll be the first Elders to be in this area in a while. I've sent Dad the GoogleMaps of Rupert. It's a car area, so I'll be going to Wal-Mart this week to return my bike. I'll miss it.

So anyway, I was upset at this transfer call at first because my first baptism and my first confirmation would've taken place this next transfer if I had stayed. But, I know that me going to a brand new area shows that President really trusts me.

Anyway, my new companion's name is Elder Smith. I'll be transferring to Rupert next Wednesday. Neither of us are going to know the area at all and it's a really large area I've been told. I will need the Garmin (GPS). I've been weaning myself onto the cold weather by sleeping with our windows open the first few days it started getting cold and that was really nice, because it's in the 40s right now and I'm still in short sleeves!

So, that's what's been going on in my life the last week or so. Again, sorry for the delayed e-mail. Know that I am striving to write you as much as I can in the limited time I have and I love you each. Our family picture is right next to my bed and it's almost always the last thing I see before the lights go out. I miss you and love you all very much, these past 3 months have been very frustrating to be quite honest, but I know this is where and what I need to be doing, and that, as they say, every trial makes your future wife more attractive :D

Always,

Elder Hops"

New Pictures

So, Elder, how are things going in Boise?


Teaching a McVestigator


Mission Car.....you wish!

Letter - Week of 9/14/09

Hello All!

So, these past weeks have been some busy ones, ladies and gentlemen! I apologize in advance for not writing last week, but now you'll be able to hear of my adventures in a more condensed version! Hooray! Ok, so first things first...I had, on Friday the 11th, my very first...meatloaf. Yuck! But I knew it was inevitable, and I made it two months into my mission before I had one, so I'm ok with it. The family we ate with with super nice and fun to talk to, their names were the Carlsons! They made up for the meatloaf, however, with AMAZING peach pie. For those of you who live in a cave, it is currently peach season, and members are constantly bombarding us with the delightful fruit. However, Elder Moos does not take to peaches at all, therefore, I have mass amounts of peaches all to myself! :D I put them in my Frosted Flakes, eat them whole, put them in yogurt...anything and everything to get rid of them before another member gives us another bagful.

Also, while being out here, I have found the immense value of yard sales and garage sales, as well as stores like Ross and thrift stores. They are goldmines of this and that and you can always find something you'd like for about a nickel. Also, there is a glorious place known as Vista Pawn which is about the size of a grocery store and has everything you could ever want at bargain prices. I go there every so often to play bass :]

I've only got a few moments left and I'd like to dedicate them to a fellow named Travis Kidd. He is a fantastic guy who we had the opportunity to teach the Gospel. Not only did he learn the things we had to teach, he lived it! He was so absorbed in the teachings and scriptures and the Gospel of Jesus Christ that you could see the improvement it made in his life. He was baptized on the 12th. I have never seen someone so enthusiastic as he was about joining the Church. I strive in my life, as we all should, to keep that joy and enthusiasm in knowing that God truly is our loving Heavenly Father and he sent his Son to atone and die for us, so that we may be able to repent and once again go live with Him after this life. I know these things are true without a doubt in my mind and it makes me so humbled that Christ would die for ME, personally. I know that we can all feel that humility through reading the scriptures and through sincere prayer to our Heavenly Father! Way to go Travis!

Anyway, I must be going, I'm buying a new bike today :D

Until next time!

-Elder Hops

A Few Updates

I (Alex) got a letter today from Elder Hopkins! It's been almost two weeks since we really heard much from him, but I guessed it was just because he's been so busy up in Idaho!

So, I was very excited to get a handwritten letter in the mail today! Here are a couple snippets from the letter that are updates on his status:

"I have a new companion, Elder Moos (said like Moose). He's humble and excited and he loves to laugh. Elder Nelson is now my District Leader, so I'll still see him all the time."

"Well, I hope everything is going absolutely fabulously, because it is on my end. We have two baptisms this week and more on the way. I've started reading the Book of Mormon all the way through again - I actually read all of 1 Nephi this morning! :P The scriptures are so sick, they always have the answers."

It's so nice to hear that he's still doing well and that things are going so successfully for him! Hopefully we'll get a nice long letter from him tomorrow over email! :)

More Pictures

Yesterday brought us a nice gift. We received these photos from a friend of ours who lived in Raleigh for years until moving to North Ogden a while back. He works in Boise occasionally and was able to meet up with Elder Hopkins and his trainer Elder Nelson and take them to dinner. Afterward, he took some photos of them in front of their residence. Thanks O'Neill!

What's in a name?

Elder Hop and Elder Nelson

Gettin around in style!

Ahhh, dinner at the Olive Garden. It soothes the soul!

Letter - Week of 8/24/09

Hello people!

Sorry it's been a few weeks, but I've been kind of busy trying to work a couple things out, things I needed from home and stuff like that.

Anyway, things have been going great in Boise! I'm really bummed because the computer I've been using doesn't have Picture Manager, so I can't compress my pictures to send them in e-mails more than one at a time, which takes a while anyway (10M pictures are huge.)

But there are some cool things that have happened recently. For starters, I participated in my first mission baptism. It was for a lady named Carol we had been working with. We had been teaching her for a while, and some missionaries had been teaching her before I even got here. She decided that she wanted to join the church after we had a few meetings with her, which Elder Nelson said was pretty miraculous.

Other than that, we've been teaching a lot and having tons of fun. We actually got to play paintball with some members this past Saturday, as well as some people who were investigating the church. It was really really fun. I got shot in the behind, among other places. We had a really good course to play on with bunkers and hideouts and stuff like that. It was REALLY hot though. Just under 100 and we were out in the open sun. We also were able to hang out with one of our favorite member families, the Weybrights. We played a couple games with them and they gave us good food!

We've been working really hard lately, doing some sheet-rocking and other service things around the community, as well as teaching a lot of people who are interested in the church. It's kind of a tough area, because most people here are either already members or know they don't want to be. It's funny, how you'll walk (or bike) down the street and have people yell at you and tell you that you worship the Devil and stuff. It really gets under Elder Nelson's skin, but it always just makes me laugh that they would make an effort to yell at someone as if what they say would make us completely rethink our lives and decide to go home. Silly people.

Anyway, thanks for all the letters you guys have sent! I know everyone is starting school, so if you haven't already, send me your college addresses!

I'll write again soon!

-Elder Hopkins


Also, here is a picture that I (Alex) found on Mike's Facebook that someone had taken of him and another Elder outside the Provo temple near the MTC in Utah!We're all glad to know that he's doing well. Please remember to pray for him to be happy and to be able to influence everyone around him for good. :)

A pleasant Surprise

So, about 9:30 pm last night, our phone rings and it is a call from a sister in the Columbus Park Ward in the Boise South Stake, Sis. Diana Swanson. (A Ward is a congregation and a Stake is made up of several Wards) We have never met her before. Her call to us was a pleasant surprise. She and her husband asked Elder Hopkins for his home phone number. They wanted to call to say that he and his companion, Elder Nelson, had just eaten dinner at thier home and had some good news to to share.

She said that Elder Hopkins looked good and was happy. He offered a short message about our Savior Jesus Christ to thier family. She said he taught with a very sweet Spirit. She found it hard to believe he was a "greenie" (New Missionary).

During dinner, Elder Hopkins told the Swansons that he and Elder Nelson had taught a lesson to an middle-aged woman who had known about the Church for quite some time. The Elders were able to teach with the Spirit and through the prayers of many, she committed to Baptism this coming Saturday, August 22nd.

We were delighted to hear such great news and were very humbled that Elder Hopkins was able to be a part of this event. Hearing from another member, who also has a son on a mission right now, really warmed our heart. It was very meaningful that she thought to call us with this news!

Go Elders!

More about week one

Hey everyone, I was able to get a few more minutes online during my preparation day or as we call it, "P-Day". I've been in Boise my first week and it's been really exciting and fun. Like I mentioned last week, Elder Nelson is my trainer/companion and Elder Keith (from Raleigh, also) has been hanging out with us for this week only. He goes home in two days. We've been doing tons of stuff.

I finally got some pictures to download, so now you can know what all these people I'm talking about look like. I have added them to earlier posts while at the MTC. You can see them below.

As I mentioned in a previous post, the outside sleep last night was a HUGE success and we're doing it again tonight. We're also going to get Mongolian Grill for dinner, which is by far some of the best food I've ever eaten in my life, bar none.

We still go around on bikes a lot, but also drive part of the time. I've found that I really really like biking and I'll probably buy a bike when I get home and get around that way when I go back to Rexburg. It's started cooling off from the 100s it's been in this week, which is nice.

I appreciate all the letters you guys send, as well as the packages I've received. Remember, if you DO decide to send a package, use the US Postal Service so I can get it quicker. Like I always say, I always appreciate mail, whether letters, packages, pictures, postcards or e-mail. I especially have liked the pictures some of you have sent. It's just nice to see faces of my friends!

Anyway, I better bounce, but I'll write again next Tuesday. Until then, take it easy, everyone and have a great week!

- E. Hops

One week down in Boise!

Sorry this is such a short post everyone, but I spent pretty much all my alloted time on the computer today trying to get some pictures of me to download, but I can't compress them on the computer I'm using. The files are WAY too big. I'll try on a different computer at a later time.

Everything is awesome here, Elder(Colton)Keith, who I know from Raleigh, is with my companion Elder Nelson and me until this Thursday. We've been having tons of fun working together.

We slept outside last night! We just dragged our mattresses onto the lawn and slept there. It was pretty awesome.

I got a package today from my mom and dad. I really appreciated everything! I know it must've killed Dad to give up that bag of Tootsie Roll mini's that was in there. I love you all and hope to hear from you soon. We Elder's really appreciate when you write to us.

Love,

Elder Hopkins

First Adventure in Boise Idaho

Hello hello hello everyone!

So I'm finally in Boise! Here's a picture of President and Sister Yardley and me on my first day at the mission office. The Yardley's are resopnsible for all the missionaries in the Idaho Boise Mission. They are awesome. They are from Panguitch, Utah which is in the South Western part of the state down near Bryce Canyon. My mom and dad were just there being tourists the very day after they dropped me off at the Missionary Training Center.




I met my trainer, Elder Nelson, who's a cool guy. We've really hit it off, so hopefully, he'll help me learn and we'll get along. We went out and walked around the area a little and met a few people, all of who were super friendly. These people don't have much, but what they DO have is a smile and an open heart and that's what counts. I love it here. As far as the weather, it's pretty much optimal. It can be a little hot, but it seems like there's always a breeze blowing to make it ok. It's also very dry which is nice. It's awesome to look and see mountains around everywhere and there's actually a decent amount of trees in this area.

Today (Wednesday 7/29/09) we realized that we needed to use some bikes to get where we needed to go, but all we have to use at the house we're staying at are a couple old beach cruisers. So we went riding down the street on these "old-school" beach cruising bikes, ringing the bells and laughing on our way to our appointments. It's going to be fun being here. It's still a little strange being in a new place, but I'm sure I'll warm up to it after a short while.

I'd love to hear from everyone. Feel free to send pictures and messages and things so I know what's going on back home. I'm so excited to be here. The mission covers a large area and my first area is in South Boise, right near the Mission Office. If you send packages use USPS not FedEx or UPS or anything like that, or I have to go to the mission home to get it which is a ways away. So,if you haven't already been informed, here's my mailing address:

Elder Mike Hopkins
Boise Idaho Mission Office
1111 S. Cole Rd.
Boise, ID 83709

Also, my trainer is from Canada, America's hat. We joke around a lot and already have fun. I have pictures, which I'll start uploading soon so everyone can see what's going on! I love you all and thanks for your support! Keep writing!


-Elder Hopkins

Boise Bound

This morning the phone rang promptly at 9:15 am. It was our missionary Mike calling from the SLC airport. Those of you who have been through the Salt Lake airport on Tuesday mornings have the visual...banks of pay phones lined with new missionaries making that last call before they reach their assigned area. It was great to hear his voice. He is very excited. He learned a lot in the Missionary Training Center and made lots of good friends. He and five others are flying to Boise today.

He has recieved a lot of mail from many of you. He tells us that is what keeps them connected and helps move them forward in the work. His new address in the Idaho Boise Mission is:

Elder Mike Hopkins
Idaho Boise Mission
1111 S. Cole Road
Boise, ID 83709-1869

He enjoyed serving as a District Leader and indicated to us how much love he felt toward each missionary in his district as he prayed for them individually in his daily prayers. He says he hopes all of you are well and loves each of you.

Please write a note when you can. Care packages are also welcomed.

Here's a thought from Elder Russell M. Nelson one of the Twelve Apostles in our Church:

"As the work expands at a rate that many have described as "unbelievable," we should recall a remarkable admonition given by the Lord through the Prophet Joseph Smith on 11 September 1831 to the elders of the Church assembled at the Morley Farm near Kirtland, Ohio. There the Master simply said": ' "Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great" ' (Doctrine & Covenants Section 64 verse 33).

Check back for pictures soon.

Week 2 at the MTC

Hey everyone! It feels like just yesterday, I was the new guy coming into the MTC, and now I only have 6 days left! It's funny to see the new missionaries arriving. Elder Asuao and I sat in the grass and watched them arrive today and say goodbye to their families. It was interesting to think of how far we feel like we've come in just these two short weeks. The weeks seem like they're flying by. I heard someone in a talk say "On a mission, the days are long, and the weeks are short." I can definitely testify to that, as I feel like every day drags on, but then, once I'm in bed that night, it hits me that I'm already over halfway done with the Missionary Training Center. If time keeps moving at this rate, I'll be home in no time.
I met an English missionary today who lived in my brother-in-law Trevor's mission, in London, England. He had the coolest accent. He said he was going to Alberta, Canada. He was brand new, just got here today, and was confiding in me about how he wasn't sure if he'd be able to make it two years. I assured him that the MTC would get him totally pumped to go, because I know it did for me. I also gave him my mission address and my mailbox here at the MTC and told him if he ever felt like he couldn't make it or something to write me. He smiled really big and thanked me and said that he was really glad he had talked to me and that seeing my excitement to serve made him more excited to go. That really meant a lot to me.
Anyway, enough about the British kid. All the guys who lived on the floor of my residence hall have left except my district and it was sad to see them go. Even in the short time we've been here, a lot of us had made friendships and it's tough saying goodbye. There's also an element of jealousy that they get to go to their missions while we're stuck here eating the MTC food, which gets old REALLY fast. Except, on Fridays, they have TERIYAKI STIX :D I hope all of you at home are doing well. Thanks so much for the letters you've been sending. It means so much more than I can adequately describe with words to know that you took time out of your day to write me. I really appreciate it. I hope everything is going well with all of you. I'd LOVE to hear about what's going on and give you more insight about what's going on with me. I only have 1/2 an hour to e-mail, so I can't go into too much detail or I'd run out of time. I guess college starts back soon for most of you, right? Like a month away or something? That's cool. I kind of miss college right now, because being in these residence halls reminds me of dorm life, even though when I go back to BYU-I after the mish, I'll be in an apartment.
I also think I'm going to try to learn some Spanish, because apparently there's a decent amount of Spanish speakers in Idaho. Elder Cruz said he'd help with that.
Other than that, everything here is golden and I'm so excited. This is going to be a huge adventure and an amazing learning experience. Again, thanks to all those who wrote me and all of those who didn't, it's not too late! You can write it or type it and mail it, or send me an e-mail at Mike.Hopkins.BIM@myldsmail.net, although I might not reply because I use most of my time writing back to my parents and then typing out these lovely blog posts for all of you to read!

Here are some photos from the Elders in My District:


My District (L to R: Elder Asuao, Elder Davis [Grey shirt], Elder Martinez [Top left], Elder Cruz [Top Right], Elder Tang [The Asian], Elder Greenhalgh and Elder Allred.



My District + the Zone Leaders [Elder Lake whose shoulders I'm on, Elder Foulger above and behind me] and Elder Robert (In green)



Elder Cruz and me



Elder Tang and me



Us outside the Provo, Utah Temple



Elder Lake, me and Elder Foulger


I love you all and miss you and thanks again for all the support!
- Mike

First Letter!!! Wednesday, July 15th

Dear All:

So the first week at the MTC is over and it's been an awesome experience. I'm so glad I decided to come. I've learned so much already and am really itching to get to Boise so I can start getting to work serving the Lord.

I'm the District Leader of my district, which means I have tons of responsibilities and things, but I think it's helping me to be able to organize better and gain leadership experience. District 36D is as follows:

Elder Allred - My companion and a really nice guy. He can frustrate me at times, but he definitely helps me keep schedules and reminds me of things I need to do if I ever forget. He's essentially my counselor. He gets tons of letters from his family in Layton, Utah. He's going to Oakland, CA.


Elder Cruz - Another Boise Elder who is a funny guy. He's from Texas and he speaks fluent Spanish but is speaking English for the mission. He's really tall and he and I get along well. He's in the same room as Elder Allred and I am.

Elder Martinez - The third of us Boise missionaries, he's also from Texas and speaks just a tiny bit of Spanish. He's a huge history buff and is excited to be able to go on the mission, although he and Elder Cruz are dreading the cold weather that awaits in Boise.

Elder Tang - Lived in China, moved to Brooklyn four years ago. One of the happiest people I've ever met, I can tell how the Gospel has blessed his life. He speaks over 5 languages fluently, as well as a few others in bits and pieces. He is just fantastic. I'm sad because he's going to Oakland, so I won't be able to serve with him. We decided, though, that if I get into BYU when I get home, we're going to hang out all the time. Awesome Possum.

Elder Davis - A great kid from Annabella Utah, a tiny town, who is a very diligent worker. He gets mail almost everyday and care packages too. We always make fun of him for it, but are secretly jealous of he and Elder Allred's wealth of letters. He has a girl waiting for him and we all wish him the best.

Elder Greenhalgh - A fellow southerner from Kentucky, he also can appreciate the weather out here much more than Elder Allred or Elder Davis, who are both from Utah. He's a fun-loving guy and he likes to keep things from getting too serious.

Elder Asuao - A Samoan from Hawaii, he is an integral part of our district. Anytime he smiles, it makes me laugh, and we joke with each other a lot. We've helped each other through some hard times already, and it'll be tough to see him leave for Oakland with the rest of the guys. He also likes to talk to the Sister missionaries and I always laugh at him for doing it and we make fun of each other whenever the Sisters are around.

It's a great place here and I love all these guys already. A part of me, of course, is still with all of you back home and I miss you all very much, although NONE of you have sent me any letters yet :P

I'll write again next Wednesday, but for now, I have to run! I love you all and miss you and appreciate your support in my going on a mission. I know this is where I need to be. I feel a great peace here that I haven't felt in quite a while.

I love you all,

Elder Mike Hopkins

Mailing Address until July 28th

Here's Mike's MTC mailing address:

Elder Kevin Michael Hopkins
MTC Mailbox #110
ID-BOI 0728
2005 N 900 E
Provo, UT 84604

Write letters! :) He'll love it, I know!

July 8th: Into the MTC!

Well, we dropped Mike off at the MTC today! We walked over from the Wymount apartment where Trevor and I live. It was hot in the sun, cool in the shade. Mike was so excited to go--the type of jittery, talkative excitement and nervousness that Mike tends to get when he wants to keep his mind busy enough that he can't think about the fact that he's actually leaving.

That morning, we all went to IHOP for breakfast, where we ran into another missionary who was on his way to the MTC, also to go to the Boise, Idaho mission! Later, we stopped by Supercuts to get Mike his "official" missionary haircut! After a quick shower, we were off to the MTC. We got there and took the ever-so-popular picture in front of the sign:The lady we asked to take the picture happened to be the mom of ANOTHER missionary who was on his way to the Boise, Idaho mission! And, to make the world even smaller, this family knew the Hernandez family that just moved into my parents' ward back in NC! The Hernandez's told my parents to look out for this family and VOILA! There they were, right at the MTC! :)

So, we did a lot of picture taking and a lot of hugging. We found out since we didn't drive over that we couldn't go past the outer wall, so that's where we said goodbye! We were all a bit weepy for a minute, but just remembering how wonderful it is that Mike is doing such an honorable thing helped us stop crying and bring back the smiles.

We sure love our missionary: Elder Hopkins! He will be in the MTC (Missionary Training Center) for approximately 3 weeks here in Provo as he learns how to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ. After that, he will fly to Boise for the remainder of the two years!

I look forward to posting his letters and updates on this blog! So check in often! Also, I will post his MTC mailing address (for letters and packages) as soon as I find out what it is!

What a fantastic Wednesday!

MTC

At the Church's Missionary Training Center (MTC) in Provo, Utah, young men and women as well as retired men and women from around the world come together to prepare to serve the Lord. The purpose of the MTC is to provide an atmosphere of peace, love, trust, confidence, and respect in which missionaries can prepare for missionary service.

Missionaries dedicate 18 months to two years to missionary service. Approximately 52,000 members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are currently serving as full-time missionaries. They are called to serve in one of 334 missions in approximately 120 different countries around the world. Missionaries begin their service at a Missionary Training Center, where they prepare to become messengers of the Lord, bringing glad tidings to families around the world. As representatives of the Church, missionaries believe that people throughout the world can obtain life's greatest happiness from following the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Each Wednesday several hundred missionaries enter the Provo MTC. Families accompany them to an orientation, and then bid them farewell. The eager missionaries then enter an exciting world of learning. The MTC curriculum consists of up to 12 weeks of studying doctrine, learning to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ effectively, and developing excellent communication skills. When missionaries are called to serve in foreign lands, their training also includes learning a new language. The Provo MTC is well known for its language teaching program. Approximately 50 languages are taught at the Provo MTC. The teaching staff is composed largely of former missionaries, who are well acquainted with missionary life. Using state-of-the-art language training technology, the Provo MTC fulfills the prophecy that "every man shall hear the fullness of the gospel in his own tongue . . . through those who are ordained unto this power" (D&C 90:10).

The Provo MTC is a beautiful campus designed to accommodate up to 4,000 missionaries. The facility includes a large gymnasium, cafeterias, a medical clinic, a bookstore, a mail center, laundry facilities, classrooms, meetinghouses, and residence halls. A day at the MTC can involve many different activities, including visiting the cafeteria, enjoying some exercise in the gym, and engaging in personal study. Missionaries spend much of their time in the classroom.

Although the MTC has excellent facilities and an outstanding training curriculum, missionaries feel that the spirit of the MTC is their best learning and teaching aid. The MTC experience is the fulfillment of a life-long dream for many missionaries, and yet they anxiously await the day when they will depart to their assigned missions. After weeks of training, missionaries leave prepared to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with people around the world.

For more information about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or to request a visit from missionaries, visit the official Church "Learn More" site, or call toll-free at 1-888-LDS-7700 or 1-888-537-7700.