Elder Nielsen in California

Ethan left the MTC this morning, headed for the Salt Lake Airport. He called us around 9:45, and we got to talk to him for about an hour before he boarded the flight. It was so great to hear his voice!! He said there were 22 missionaries headed to Sacramento on the 11:13 flight. He also told us a little more about his MTC experience, and that he was able to meet Elder D. Todd Christofferson yesterday.

I tracked his flight online so I saw when it had landed in Sacramento:

They gave the new missionaries some time at the mission home to write home; it was great to hear from him twice in one day! Here's a bit of what he sent:

"It's pretty cool right now, because I am temporarily companions with Elder Maiwiriwiri. We were the only 2 elders without a legitimate companion from the MTC (Ethan's MTC companion left for Philadephia), so we just paired up and here we are!

We are just learning about our mission area today, and then we are heading over to some missionary's apartment to go to bed...at 8:00! I'm really surprised that they are having us go to bed so early, but we are all pretty tired so it makes sense. I hope I will be able to fall asleep quickly, because I can guarantee that with 18 elders in one apartment there is bound to be at least one who snores! Tomorrow, we meet back up and talk a bit more, then we meet our trainers!"

We're so excited for him to settle in, get his area assignment and companion, and get to work.

Worldwide Leadership Broadcast

Our church meetings let out early today so everyone had a chance to watch the Worldwide Leadership Broadcast titled "The Work of Salvation." We were thrilled while watching it to see Elder Nielsen not once but twice in the sea of missionaries attending at the Marriott Center.

A summary of the meeting from the Deseret News: "With the worldwide LDS missionary force surging due to the recent reduction in age for missionary service, church leaders on Sunday spoke via satellite to a global gathering of missionaries and local church officers and members, presenting innovative approaches to missionary work, including the use of the Internet by full-time missionaries in their work and the opening of local meetinghouses to guided tours."

Elder Nielsen is in the bottom right corner.

What a handsome missionary! :)

It was a powerful meeting. We are so excited to have Ethan and Alisha serve during this unprecedented surge in missionary work.

It was Elder Nielsen's P-day today and we got our very first e-mail from him. YAY!

He is looking forward to the worldwide broadcast this Sunday. His companion is from Salt Lake City and will serve in Philadelphia. Ethan will leave the MTC next Tuesday (6/25) to head to California. Only 13 days in the MTC, then right into the mission field.

They have been able to do some role-playing as they practice teaching investigators. He said it is pretty cool and pretty tough at the same time. He mentioned that there are two elders in his district that are going to the Roseville mission, and he has become pretty good friends with both of them.

I can already tell that Ethan is growing spiritually and I'm so grateful for the help that he is getting from his Heavenly Father as he begins his mission experience.

We dropped Ethan off at the Missionary Training Center in Provo on Wednesday, June 12th. I'm sure he is very busy studying and learning how to be a great missionary. We haven't heard from him yet, but are anxiously awaiting his first letter. I just wanted to post a few lines to thank all his friends and family members for the support that Ethan has received, both recently as he has prepared to leave and throughout his life. He often comments about how grateful he is for everyone who has influenced him in his life. I know that this influence has impacted him greatly and will continue to do so as he serves in California.

A few highlights from a very special day:

President Ronald Stoddard has served as the Sunset Heights Stake President for the past ten years. Ethan was the last missionary to be set apart by President Stoddard, because this  Sunday our stake presidency will be released and our stake will be divided.  Thank you to President Stoddard, President David Jenkins, and President Michael Thompson for their dedicated service.

It was a beautiful day for taking pictures at the Provo Temple. We had time to relax on the grass after pictures, counting down the minutes until he enters the MTC. Evan (face down in the grass) made everyone laugh when he asked "what are we doing here?"

His assigned arrival time at the MTC was 1:30. Evan estimated that the drop off procedure took one minute and 19 seconds from the time we pulled up to the curb.

God be with you 'till we meet again, Elder Nielsen.

Welcome!

Ethan will be entering the Provo MTC on June 12th, 2013.  Stay updated here on all things great and glorious about his full time LDS mission.