during Alex's first week in the MTC he wrote us a letter instead of an email, so it took a while for us to get, but here it is! and remember, Alex would love to hear from anyone, and its really easy to write to him with dearelder.com
My companion is Elder Brown. He is really cool. He is pretty quiet and relaxed and we get along really well. My whole district is cool. There are 12 of us, 4 Elder companions and 2 Sister companions. Half of us are going to Australia with 2 Elders and a Sister going to Melbourne and 3 Elders going to Perth. I'm not sure if we are the only ones going to Australia or not. There were 467 of us who entered the MTC together and 2700 missionaries here now. My roommate said that earlier in the summer it hit 3100 which was the record. I have 3 other roommates, two are companions and are learning Spanish. This is their 7th week. The other elder has also been here around the same time, but he is learning English but is having some back problems. He finds out next week if he needs surgery.
I have seen lots of elders I know from BYU. Actually I saw my Elders Quorum President at the Salt Lake airport. I have seen both Elder Mariana and Elder Campbell, just not at the same time.
So here is an overview of my schedule. I wake up at 6:30 and eat at 7:00. Then I have class and personal study time until lunch. Then more class and study time until dinner at 4:30 (yes really early dinner). Then we have more class, or some type of workshop. We get back to our room and have personal time until we go to bed at 10:30. I like the classes. They are great and do not seem that long. The studying can go on, especially if you have it for a couple hours straight. So far it has been great. I am learning so much. I have taught two lessons, one day apart. It was amazing how much that one day was. The first one I was worried about how well I was teaching and it didn't go well. The second one we were focused on the investigator's (our teacher's) needs. I am also really surprised how well you can feel the Spirit in these fake appointments. I am also so impressed by my teachers' acting ability to create a character so well that you can forget that you are teaching your teacher.
I was really excited that they had BYU chocolate milk, and Creamery ice cream on Wednesday and Sunday. The food has been pretty good and was a nice surprise.
Well tomorrow is Sunday and everyone said once you get to Sunday you will be good. I haven't really been homesick so I guess that is a good sign. There is also a saying that the days are like months and the months are like days. I can attest to the days being like months, and just hoping the weeks go by quickly because I just want to get to Australia, but I realize I have so much to learn. I leave in 15 days though, so that is exciting (I'm not counting Monday since I leave in the morning)! Also, my clergy card expires August 20, 2014, so I'm guessing I will be released around then. Well I think that is it, and you thought I wasn't going to write that much. And I hope you don't freak out too much since you will probably get this letter the same time you get my next email.
I know that this church is true, and I can see the influence it can have just on my these last couple of days. I cannot wait and be there to watch it completely change other people's lives. I know that is why I am here, to help others receive the joy that I have had in my life. I love you guys so much, and thank you for all you have done. I know I haven't said thank you as much as I should have, but know that I love you so much for everything you have given me, especially the gospel in my life.
Love,
Elder Cook
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