Spud has almost 3 weeks under his belt. He says that the language is hard and he's gets discouraged, but he'll just keep working hard. His teacher said he's improved a lot, but he doesn't feel like that. He said they're in class over 10 hours a day and when they're not studying, they're eating. Therefore, they spend a lot of time in the bathrooms. He said that the MTC has some of the nicest toilet seats he's seen. He is doing really well and in his words to Lantzen, "A new day has come". - Celine Dion. He has had some great spiritual experiences and he has gained a deeper understand of the atonement. Spud says he has had a lot of mail and he appreciates that. Keep the letters coming!

After his first two weeks in the MTC, Spud is doing great! The first week, his companion, Elder Teaupa, was sick. Spud got the opportunity to give him a blessing. The language is hard, but he is picking it up little by little. His favorite part is personal study time and singing. He said that when all of the missionaries sing together, it sounds amazing. "We sound like the Tabernacle Choir". There are only 4 missionaries going to Samoa. They all get along great and he said they have become his second family. They play volleyball during gym time and his team rocks! He said the spirit in the MTC is awesome, but sometimes he gets homesick. He gets a lot of mail and his mom sends him fun packages!

Here's Spud with Elder Tyler Brooks. Tyler entered the MTC the same day as Spud. He's going to Spanish speaking Macon, Georgia. It's nice to have friends in the MTC at the same time.

Here is Spud with his Soa (companion), Elder Teaupa. They have a lot of fun together.

Spud and the other 3 Elders here are all going to Samoa. They are Elder Chappell from Delta, Elder Vaenuka, Elder Teaupa (he's Spud's companion), and Spud. Spud loves these guys and says they've become his second family. Don't they look great?

After Spud got all checked in, mom got to pin on the official badge. Now he officially looks the part. Then we all went into the meeting and said our final good-byes. It was such a great day... and a sad day all in one. Go get 'em Elder Toomer!

Wednesday December 31, 2008, the big day finally arrived. His check-in time was at 1:00. It took 2 cars to get all nine of us down there. Spud seemed pretty calm... we even stopped at McDonalds on the way down to get him some lunch.

After dinner, went to have Spud set apart. President Mauer did the honors and the blessing was wonderful. From that time forward, he was an official missionary.

Dec 30, Tuesday night, we went to eat at Tepanyaki. This is one of Spud's favorite restaurants. We requested Paraseth as our cook and we lucked out and got him.

On Friday, Sept. 26 (mom's birthday), Scooter and Spud both got their wisdom teeth out. Scooter got really swollen on the right side and Spud swelled on his left side. Misery loves company!

On Sept. 22 - 25, we took a trip to Nauvoo. It was fun and we saw a lot of interesting things. Spud, dad, mom, and grandma went. We also managed to see a baseball game between the Cardinals and Diamondbacks.

MTC

Spud entered the MTC on December 31, 2008.