Greenie

Mary left the MTC today and is probably in Arizona about now! This is when the real work begins. I updated Mary's address to her mission address (see sidebar) so you can already send her letters!

Current temps in her area are around 110 degrees! Looks like she has the new climate to adjust to, in addition to the new companion, place to live, community, and the missionary life. I'm sure she'd love to hear from all of you.

And for fun, try sending her all green stuff - green envelope, use a green pen, or even better send her a green package! Anything green. In our church many new missionaries out in the field are nicknamed a "Greenie". How long this "Greenie" time lasts may be determined by the what mission you're in. Some people say it ends once you change companions for the first time, and others say it ends once you are transfered for the first time. We'll have to find out from Mary what the Mesa, AZ mission is like!

GOOD LUCK MARY!!!

First Photos

First Letter, First Thoughts

Mary sent home her first letter. Here are some of her first thoughts on being at the MTC:

"I can't even tell you how many times I've heard "Welcome Sisters!". ... Yeah, still getting used to that, though it's happening faster than I expected. When everyone's being called "Sister" or "Elder" something, it makes it feel more normal.

...

When I was walking in, they immediately called some "hosts" (they're just other missionaries here that have been here a while). Mine were elders that insisted on taking all my luggage (they really do that here, most them anyhow). The Elders let make you go in front of them in the lines to eat, and open the doors for us. It's pretty nice, and fun to see that they really do treat us sisters differently than the elders (the rumors are true!). Oh! One rumor that's apparently false is that we have to take a makeup class... though, I still suspect they'll spring one on us.

...

And after this is dinner... I feel like we really do eat a lot here. Three meals a day, but w/ 4-5 hrs in between each (and they go by fast) it feels like so much! ... Basically, it's a 19-yr old boy's dream come true in the cafeteria.


Oh, I almost forgot. My companions! Yes, companions, there are two of them. I really like that actually, I think it'll help us to not get so tired of each other, more variety, you know? And it's just nice to get to know more people.

...

I really like my district a lot. So many of them are really excited and prepared to be here. There's one that definitely seems like he doesn't want to be here, but hopefully as he adjusts he will like it more. My teachers are great, too, I like them a lot. The last couple days we've mostly been learning about the purpose of being a missionary, and why we want to. I think it's to help us relax about doing this and to remind us why we're here.


It's been great to be in a place that you can always feel the spirit in. It's everywhere here! Every person here are worthy temple recommend holders (except for just a few that work here). I love it, it feels like being at the temple all the time.


I'm excited to get to teach people, I really want tod to his, I just feel like I have no idea how. But, I guess that's what the next few weeks are for!

...

My companion that's going to Laia thinks it's cold here (shes from AZ, the Mesa area). I think it's perfect. We'll see how the heat of AZ will feel to me... oh man. maybe God will throw in a cold front and let it be 85 degrees when I show up. The rest of the country's weather is all jacked up, why not Arizona's? :)


Anyways, I love it here, I know this is where I'm supposed to be. Now that I'm here, I can't imagine NOT being on a mission. The MTC Pres told us that we were foreordained for this, and I believe it. This is something the Lord has always had planned for me. I just hope I'll be good at it! Pray for me, I feel like I know nothing. "


She also writes that she wants EVERYONE to know about dearelder.com because she is able to get the messages so quickly - and she loves that. She says for those of you who have already sent her some messages using dearelder.com to keep it up!

As you can tell she sounds awesome. And is totally on fire! :)

Today It Begins

Mary reports to the MTC (Missionary Training Center) this afternoon!

She was super busy her last month (pre-mish) taking finals, traveling around the country to visit family, a two week trip to Israel, shopping for the mission, attending the temple, and was finally set apart as a missionary just days ago...

All leading up to today... the start of 18 months of her life dedicated to spreading the gospel and serving Christ.

And the start of lots of letter writing from all of you - she is really hoping! So go ahead and send her a letter so she knows we are all thinking of her. Surely the first week is big transition and she'd love to feel support from everyone.

Send letters or even just quick notes to:

Sister Mary Elise Parker
MTC Mailbox # 320
AZ-MESA 0628
2005 N 900 E
Provo, UT 84604-1793

You can also write her at: dearelder.com using the address above. From what I hear about it you email them, they print it out, and deliver it to Mary all on the same day! FREE. That means that Mary could already get messages from you this evening if you send them now!!!

(I'm totally about to try this!)

Email her at:

mary.parker@myldsmail.com

She'll check her email every Monday while in the MTC, which is for the next 3... or 4 weeks. I'm not sure. And now it's too late to call her! Oh, I'm going to miss not being able to just call or text her whenever :(

Alright everyone, lets overwhelm Mary with all the love and support! For those of you she wasn't sure would actually write, let's prove to her that we will!