October 2, 2017: First Letter from Elder Jacob Andersen

Week 1:

I've checked everyday for an email, granted he has only been in the MTC for 5 days, but it's here, it's finally here.  For those that don't know this will be the blog if you would like to follow Elder Andersen's mission.  He reported to the MTC on September 27, 2017 where he will be for 9 weeks.  From then he will fly off to Taipei, Taiwan and serve a total of two years.  It's bittersweet for me thinking it won't be for two years until I can wrap my arms around him again, but I couldn't be more proud of him and the choice he has made to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and teach others what he believes in.  

I'm still tweeking the blog as there is info I'd like to include on his blog page. I'm just having technical difficulty right now so until that happens, there isn't really any info on his actual blog page.  I didn't want to fall behind though so I went ahead and posted his first letter even though it's still in the design stages so don't worry Jacob, it'll get better.  :)  

So on to his first letter........

MY first P-day is finally here.

The first night was really rough. I have a clock that resets itself at midnight to the atomic time. My clock changed to the wrong time zone and when it went off, some of my roomates started to take showers. We became very suspicious of why none of the other rooms were awake. We checked another clock and it was actually 4:30am. My roomates still remind me of this incident.

Learning Chinese has been a struggle these past few days. By the second day, our district was expected to say prayers in Chinese and by the third day, my companion and I had to teach our first investigator, who didn't understand any English. Lets just say that our lesson didn't go as planned. There is nowhere to go but up from here. I've been studying really hard and am suprised how much I know compared to when I first reported to the MTC. My companion, Elder Pilling is super funny and is from Canada. 

General conferece was a blast. This is the first time that I've watched all Saturday and Sunday sessions in full. The preisthood session stood out to me because many of the principles applied to me as a missionary. Another part that stood out to me was when the congregation was invited to sing with the choir. Countless missionaries inviting the spirit almost put me to tears. 

I have also been called to be a district leader. With this call, I have been trying to set a better example by getting ready and arriving to classes on time, making sure we are setting enough time to study Chinese and our scriptures, and practicing EXACT obedience. These last days have been so hard but I know that the Lord will help me if I give it my all. 

The cafeteria food has been making me feel sick lately. I'm not sure how I'm going to live without tacobell and dominoes by my side. I'm in for a rough 9 weeks. 

I forgot my camera in my dorm so I'll try to send pictures later. I don't think I'll be able to though. expect many pictures next week. 

Elder Andersen

耶穌基督後期聖徒教會

Since Jacob did not have pictures for his first letter, I have included pictures of September 27, 2017, the day he checked into the MTC (Missionary Training Center) in Provo, Utah.

Jacob is in the middle.  On the left is his brother who returned last October from his mission in Melbourne, Australia.  Even with the second it does not get easier.   They each brought their own chaos to the family and I miss it. I am on the right, his mom.  Just like Jordan, I know that Jacob will be a great missionary.  

Always a mom.  At least I didn't wipe spit on my fingers and try to groom his hair or wipe something off his face.  Just say'n.  

Thank you for to my family for coming to support Jacob.  

And just like that, he is gone.