Jan 29 2008 MTC Letter

Starsi Nowland sends his first email on his P-Day....
He asked for more stamps so he could write to friends and family. Considering I have only gotten one letter (.41 cents) he must be writing to many of you - hopefully. We bought some white shirts without front pockets (oops) so he is going to send some of those back home. Meanwhile, I ordered 4 more shirts with pockets to replace those and had those delivered to him. So moms of sons planning for a mission - remember to get white shirts with pockets for their nametag.

He then says "I love you all so much and I'm having such a spiritually wonderful time here. The language is way fun but most definitely difficult. I'll be able to speak some for you by the time next tuesday rolls around. I Love you so much, Nashledanou (Goodbye or see you later). "

Your son,
Starsi' Nowland

1st Letter from Morgan

We received a letter from Morgan today.

It was very short as he wrote it the first night at the MTC...

Hey Family,
So it's the first day, I've got 3 roommates, they're cool guys all from the Western US. I've been assigned as District Leader over my District, which is a little overwhelming but I'll pull through. I love you all so much. Have a good time, I'll keep in touch.
Love, Morgan
Starsi Nowland

Morgan enters the MTC (Missionary Training Center)

We arrived at the MTC (Missionary Training Center) on Wednesday, January 23rd, 2008. I don't think I have seen anything more organized than what we witnessed at the MTC. We drove up to to entrance and were welcomed by a nice elderly man (one of the hundreds of volunteers working at the MTC - most of them grandma and grandpa ages). He asked if we had an "Elder" for him. He then told us where to go and unload our Missionary and his suitcases. We were then met by "grandpa" #2 with his furry russian looking hat. He helped Morgan strap his suitcases together and told him to make sure he had his immunization papers on his person (in his pocket). Then grandpa #3 told Whitney where to go and park while Jeff and I(Susan) went with Morgan to drop off his suitcases. We came back to the front and entered with Morgan, Whitney, Jeff Merrill (Whitney's fiance') and Jeff and I. He got his name tag which I couldn't pronounce since it was all in Czech. I will put a picture of it so you can see it. We took a few pictures and then went into a short meeting to meet the Mission President of the MTC. We watched a short video called "Called to Serve" and then we said goodbye. Morgan was so excited that he couldn't quit smiling. It made it easy to say goodbye because he was so happy. I don't know how many missionaries were there that day but if you figure there are 54,000 - 56,000 missionaries out at one time and they enter every Wednesday that is about 1000 per week. It was awesome seeing the organization in welcoming these young men and women. I have posted pictures and will keep you all updated on this blogspot so save us to your favorites. I will also put a link to the blogspot that was created by his Mission President and his wife in the Czech Republic.