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!