MTC! June 12

Mia Family,

How are you?  My P-Day is on Wednesdays so I figured I would hand write you this week.  Kris dropped me off yesterday and it really is just a drop off.  

I got a companion who just grabbed me and we checked in and I got my foreign language books and put my stuff in our room.  10 seconds later, I went to class and was greeted by this man speaking gibberish (Swedish) and looking at me like I should answer - ha!ha! 

I got my companion, Aeldste Archibald and we did some online orientation and started learning Swedish.  Aeldste Archibald is cool.  He's from Shelley Idaho and graduated from high school 3 weeks ago like most Elders here.  We get along really well and he's really sincere which helps the companionship.





  

Check out the street sign in the background!

I have another Elder, Elder Ort who is going to the West Indies speaking Dutch!  He's the only one though so he was put in our companionship which we like to call the trifecta!  He is from St. George and he actually has a really serious GF so hopefully he isn't dumped at the MTC.  Aeldste Archibald and I leave on July 21st (well, estimated time). 

 So all we do here is study but yesterday we had a few "mock" investigators that we taught as a class.  Most people don't really know how to teach so some missionaries say things that are offensive when they don't mean to be.  One of the "investigators" called on me and asked me my name and I totally said Jake instead of Elder Israelsen (this is more embarrassing than it sounds) but I was able to bear testimony of Christ and his love.  It sounded cool coming out of my mouth but I realized that it isn't the perfect scripture or giving the most accurate answer, it's our testimony and letting the spirit use our simple testimonies to affect other people.  So don't be afraid to say things if you feel the need.  

Aunt Kris, Michael, Ryan and Nathan with Aeldste Israelsen

Ockso, I found out tomorrow we teach an unclasokare (investigator) pa swenska.  So we shall see if my Swedish can handle it.  I better pray for the spirit because we all know I can't say anything!  Love you all, I'll be able to get my email next week this one was just an odd one.  

Jag aelskar dig!
Aeldste Israelsen

Joseph Smith Memorial Building

Party, Setting Apart and Farewell!

One last family picture for two years!

Jake's friends from college, family and friends from high school

began arriving several days before his Sunday farewell.  It was fun to have everyone in the house.  Kenna flew in from Salt Lake and Jacob and Riley drove over from Logan.  Grandma Israelsen, Aunt Daryl, Uncle Jeff and Aunt Glenna drove over from Logan for the weekend.  Aunt Kris,

Uncle Bob, Michael, Katie, Ryan and Nathan drove from Draper for a quick trip to hear Jake speak in Sacrament meeting and see the family!  Grandpa and Grandma Olson drove over for the farewell on Sunday from Idaho.  We had a fun-filled weekend full of laughs, food and some sight seeing.  Thank you for all

coming and supporting Jake!  Jake spoke on Sunday and Rachel and Megan sang a beautiful song and even included some Swedish in it.  They can really harmonize together!  

Aunt Glenna, Aunt Daryl, Grandma Israelsen, Uncle Jeff

Jake, Riley and Jacob

Mom and Dad with Jake!

Nice One Rachel!

Tuesday night brought a blessing and setting apart with President Hickman.  Mom, Rachel and Elizabeth were already on a Colorado

President Hickman and Aeldste Israelsen

Youth Summit that they had been signed up for since last fall.  (we knew Murphy's Law would be at work and he would leave that week).  We finally decided that it was such a wonderful opportunity for Rachel and Elizabeth that we couldn't skip it.  It was a very bittersweet decision combined with many tears!  So, we got to hear his blessing over the phone from Mesa Verde.  

Denver Airport 4:00am!

Bright and early the next morning, Aeldste Israelsen got on a plane in Denver and flew to Salt Lake.  

Aunt Kris and the cousins picked him up from the airport, took him to Cheesecake Factory (his favorite) and then on to the MTC where they just let you drive up and jump out.  Mom got to talk to him from Mesa Verde but had to call back several times as the connection kept dropping.  He went right to work and is loving it already!  

Thank you everyone for helping him on his way!  

One last hike with Megan