First Letter!!!

November 23, 2011

Dear Family,
Ciao!  Sorry it has taken me so long to write back!  I have been unbelievably busy here!  My P-Day is on Wednesday so that will be usually when I write to you all!  So I might as well let you know how things have been going for me.  When dad dropped me off on Wednesday, an Elder who was headed to Billings, Montana helped me get settled.  We first go my I.D. card picture taken, then I checked in, and then I sat in this huge room with all the New Missionaries.  The MTC president then welcomed us there.  After I was taken to a classroom where I sat down and listened to a teacher speak ALL Italian!! At first I thought it was a joke but he just kept going and going and going !!!  I wish I would of known this but when they teach you a language at the MTC, they just immerse you in the language.  Seriously I had no clue what he was saying!  It was so frustrating!  After I got to meet my companions.  Elder C. from Manassas, Virgina and Elder J. from Coeur d' Alene, Idaho.  We were supposed to have another Elder from Brazil, but he was having Visa problems. Anyway, we got to our room and settled in.  We have 3 other elders in our room 2 going to Indiana and 1 going to Columbus, Ohio.  Anyway it is good to get mail from all of you!  It really makes my day!  It's nice that all of you are making dinner for the sister missionaries.  Now that I am a missionary I can see how much of a help it is to have them for dinner!  So about my first week at the MTC!  Thursday I woke up at 6!  Earliest I've been up since high school.  Went to gym, I ususally play basketball or four square haha!  Then that night I met with the Branch Presidency.  Everyone introduced themselves and then we had individual interviews.  The Branch Presidency then called me in to be the District Leader!  Later in the week, on Tuesday I had a sad but spiritual experience.  Lately for whatever reason my companion has been in to see the Branch President.  Anyway this Elder was in talking to the MTC president while Elder C. and I were in the computer lab working on the language.  All of the sudden, I feel a tap on my shoulder and see it is one of the MTC presidents with Elder J.  The MTC president told us to follow him and I was like shoot!  What did we do?!  We went in a room where he told us that Anziano (Elder) J. was being sent home.  The MTC President then asked Anziano J. to ask one of us to give him a blessing of comfort.  Anziano J. picked me and I pulled out the missionary handbook to see how to do it because it was my first blessing.  As I was blessing him I could feel the Holy Ghost's presence, it was incredible!  After the blessing he gave us both hugs and we helped him pack his stuff and go.  As we were walking him there I couldn't help but think that I should of blessed or said some other things.  But then I remembered it's not what I want, it's what the Lord wants!  So now it is just Anziano C. and I he's great and helps me a ton with the language.  About the language... when you do family prayers pray for me to do my best to learn the language.  Learning Italian has been the hardest thing for me so far.  I'm thankful to be out here on a mission and everyday I try to do my best.  I'm thankful for this true church and how it can change peoples lives!  Keep the mail coming and know that I love you all!

amare (Love),
- Anziano Thomas