Letter Dated July 4, 2009

Dear Grandma & Grandpa (Westover),

!Hola! ...My first week was crazy! My companion, Elder McCammon, is very nice and laid back. We work very hard though, here at the MTC. Right off the bat, we began our work to prepare to teach the people of Chile. So far we have contacted numerous people at the MTC, in English and Espanol. We taught our first "discussion" last night! Granted, they were just volunteers, but it still made me very nervous!

My district is great! All the people are very nice and they make me excited to go and spread the word of God.

All the (care) packages of food have made me very popular with all of the guys in my building. However, I don't think you guys need to send any more packages with food! It will take awhile to finish all of the food I have right now!

Love you guys!
Elder Westover

"I'm Alive" Letter & First P-Day Letter

Paul's branch president in the MTC had the missionaries write a quick letter home on Wednesday, his first day at the MTC. The most poignant piece of information we got out of Paul's letter was: "Well, I'm alive." His P-Day is on Saturday and his first P-day he wrote the following tib bits: "It seems like I've been here 2 months already!" "My companion is great, and so are the other two elders in our room. I'm really happy to end up where I did. " "I really feel overwhelmed...but I know that I am where I need to be." "I am grateful for all the your packages (and so are my roommates)." He ends his letter with a short testimony in Spanish. He sounds like he misses the life he left behind but is looking to the future and what is in store.

Departure from Grandma & Grandpa's House

After a blessing from his Grandpa, Paul left from his Grandparents house directly to the MTC.

The Last Good-bye

Paul gives Jean one last, long hug and whispers "I Love You" through the tears. After this he went through the missionaries-only door and we will see him again in 2 years.

New Stop-and-Drop Send Off Procedure

Here we are at the MTC grounds right by the new stop-and-drop location where families park their cars, unload the missionary's luggage, take a few pictures, and are soon told by a BYU traffic cop that their parking spot is needed...and that's how you say good-bye for 2 years.