Hello from the MTC!!!

Comreapsua!!! (jom-ree-aap-soo-ah) Hello!!! I'm finally at the MTC in Provo, Utah!!! It's crazy being here, I can't believe I'm actually a missionary! It really feels great to put on that tag and know that I'm Elder DeLong, a representative of Jesus Christ! It's been weird having everyone call me "Elder", though - that's definitely something I've had to get used to. I've also had to get used to having a companion with me EVERYWHERE I go, but hey, such is the life of a missionary.

 

The first few days have been awesome and busy, as I'm sure the rest of the next two years will be. The language was really discouraging those first few days, but as I'm adapting to missionary life, I also seem to be getting the hang of Cambodian - called Khmae (kuhm-eye), in the native tongue. We're working mostly with the Romanized Cambodian, though we do know the script for numbers and a couple small words, like "preah", which means God, or Divine. You use that for everything dealing with things of God - the Book of Mormon (preah koompii moomon), Jesus Christ (preah yeesuhkrih), the Church (preah vihii), etc. I want to send you a copy of my testimony in Khmae sometime if I can, but I don't have very much time here! We can pray, bear testimony, set up appointments, ask "getting to know you" questions, that kind of thing. It's amazing how much we've progressed in only a few days!

 

I got Trey's card in the mail - that made me so happy! Thank you, Trey, you're awesome too!!! =D

 

I'm glad you guys enjoyed the Jon Schmidt concert, and I'm definitely jealous that I didn't get to go! Oh well, I'm out here preparing to do the Lord's work, and I know without a doubt that I'm where I'm supposed to be.

 

A couple things you need to know, Mom: my departure date from the MTC is February 22nd - if that changes, I'll let you know. Also, December 23rd is the last day that the MTC will be receiving packages before Christmas, so if you were planning on sending anything it needs to be here by then. We'll get them again starting on the 27th or 28th, but if you want a package to get to me by Christmas, it needs to arrive HERE by the 23rd.

 

I realized when a button came off of one of my slacks that I forgot my sewing kit...can you send that to me please? I also forgot the other pictures of Christ I was going to bring...there's the Greg Olson one called "Lost and Found" that you know about already, but there's also a couple other 4x6 pictures that should be around my room somewhere...I'm not sure where I left them. Would you dig around and try and find them for me please? Any other pictures of Christ or inspirational things of that sort that I have in my room would be great. I also have a thing hanging on my wall next to my bulletin board - it's a cool-looking thing with Proverbs 3:5-6 on it. I'd really appreciate getting those things!!!

 

My temple shoes and other clothes would be nice too, since we go every week, but if not that's ok, the rentals are free for missionaries! Another thing that I don't NEED to have but would like is my small whiteboard that's on my dresser, with the markers and eraser that are there too.

 

So yeah, my P-days are Tuesdays, in case you couldn't figure that out! Expect emails on Tuesdays, Mom. =]

 

I have SO much more to tell you about, but I have almost no time left. I'll write you a letter and send it soon, and you can type it up and post it on the blog. I'm so sorry that I don't have time to include everything that's happened in this very short email time slot! And SPEAKING of letters...all the rest of you should write me! I love getting mail, and I promise to reply to every letter! I hope to hear from you all at some point.

 

Dad - I got your note as well. Thank you! Be sure to ask Mom to let you read my letter as soon as it gets there!

 

I love you so much, Mom! I miss you all. The MTC is great, and look for a letter in the mail from me soon! Comreapliah! (jom-ree-aap-lee-ah) Bye!!! =]

 

- Elder DeLong