Week 1

Dear Family,

Hey thanks so much for the care packages that you have sent! It was really thoughtful and much appreciated! I don't even know where to begin about the MTC. The first day was insane! So many new missionaries all running around (really awesome by the way).  Earlier that day, Preident Rasband set met apart. He is currently the Dean of the Law School at BYU. He was very nice. We had a few classes, attempted to teach a few lessons, and had dinner. I met my companion, Elder Merrill. He is from Taylorsville, Utah. When he first met me, he thought I was fat and wouldn't participate in gym. Glad to know I look good in a suit right? haha. I later proved him wrong when I did 15 pushups with him on my back ;). My zone is really great and the leaders are super nice. By the 3rd day, I could pray, bare my testimony, and contact people in Dutch without a problem. We really did hit the ground running. The MTC overall is incredible! Something about this place makes me focus 110%. I love to study and love working hard. I have no problem waking up at 6 every day. A miracle! I know a lot of the missionaries here from BYU and other various places so it's nice to see friends again.  Please keep me informed about BYU basketball! I hear they are 3rd in the nation? My P-Days are on Wednesday but I still keep pretty busy. It's crazy to hear how all these revolts are happening. Keep me posted on what happens. I love being a missionary so much. It's such an incredible experience so far and it's only been a week. Everyone told me that the first few days would not be fun at all but I had a blast! We had a devotional the other day from President Edgerly about planting seeds and watching the gospel grow through generations. My district is really great. There are 9 of us all together. Seven are going to Belgium and Netherlands Dutch Speaking, another Netherlands Mandarin/Dutch speaking and there is one elder going to The West Indies/ Suriname Dutch/ Suriname Tongo speaking. Everyone is a lot of fun and we all get along very well. The Dear Elder.com allows me to get letters from you any and every day so I don't have to wait to read them and they come instantly, it's great! It's free while I'm still at the MTC too. It's so cool to be called Elder. I can't picture any of the other elders here having first names because I'm so used to them having the title "elder". Hope you all are doing well! Tell William thank you for me for all the advice! Thanks again for the letters and packages, it's so nice of you to send them. I love you all and I'm keeping you in my prayers!

Love, Elder Schulte