Letter #1 October 23, 2012

Hey fam,
I am just fine. I have two companions, Elders Pita and Vehikite (VEH-HEH-GEE-DAY). I fly out on Tues. Nov. 6. I think i know ;)
We have had some incredible lessons and devotionals. When i was preparing to come here, i felt the spirit quite a bit. now i feel it almost all the time, and when i don't i go repent haha. Some of it has been hard. My comps don't respect each other. they respect me, but not each other or many other missionaries for that matter. but they are sincere about their missions.
i've been making some video journal entries that i'll send home with my pictures (in fact, if you send the other memory card sometime next week, i can send home my card right before i leave cuz mail day is tuesday).
i have advice for especially favorite bros owen and andy:) first of all, I love you guys:) secondly, learn the doctrine now. read the scriptures and maybe for some family home evenings, read chapter 3 in preach my gospel. it has all the doctrine you really need to know. my comps don't know the doctrine well at all so it has been really hard trying to teach with them.
i have never realized the amount of planning that goes into missionary work. i was overwhelmed with it the first day or two. but with a little (ok a lot) of help from God, i've been able to gain confidence in planning out lessons.
oh and if you remember steven taylor, his fiance is one of my teachers.
i've loved the letters so far, we have mail call every day so i get your letters either the day of or the day after you send them, so keep em coming:)
one thing i've been a little disappointed in is the lack of missionary jokes. the only one i've heard is "what did joshua do to jericho? He faithed the keep." yeah, i didn't laugh either. so if you hear any good ones, PLEASE send them:)
I'm so excited to hear about the hobbit hole! please send pictures!
the food is good, but we all have gas.
i have been able to wake up on time every day, but my comps are having a hard time hearing our alarm. let me explain: some people snore, and some people don't. some people sleep lightly and some people you think are dead when they sleep. my comps sleep like they are dead, but i know they aren't because they snore:) actually, elder pita's snores are more like snores mixed with hiccups, so it is really irregular. i am worried i'm gonna wake up one day and find him dead cuz he tried to breathe in at the same time he was breathing out and he exploded.
i bought a backpack and a scripture bag, both of which are coming in super handy. it's nice because we get a 40 % discount at the store so everything is affordable. I also needed another t shirt, so i bought one for like 2 or 3 dollars. which reminds me: i forgot jeans.
i love you guys a whole lot. i haven't got home sick, but i have missed you. not enough to make me sad, but enough to make me realize how much i really do love all of you:) please send letters thru dearelder.com every day, it really means a lot.
i'll talk to you again next week:)

Drop Off

Welcome to Elder Sam's blog!  I (Kennedy, Sam's sister), will be posting Sam's letters to this blog per his request.  Sam was set apart on Tuesday-it was beautiful.  Wednesday morning we all drove down to Provo, and he was very excited to get going on his adventure.  Everyone did well saying goodbye, but we all will miss him.  Here are some pictures to document:

Tuesday night

The boys getting some lunch before the MTC 

We love you Sam and are excited to hear how your adventure is starting!!!