Last email from the MTC

Hello only 22 min left... so my flight plans go as follows I leave Monday at 7:55 am flight #1678 to Cinci Ohio arrival time 1:27 then from there to Raleigh depart time 2:13 arrival time 3:44 flight #6583. Elder Brown is going to the West Virgina Charleston mission and leaves on Monday his flight is the same as mine to Ohio! He feels left out from me and dolly and wants a bracelet Kenz his address is Elder Christian James Brown MTC mailbox#168 WV-CHar 1229 2005N. 900E. Provo UT 84604. So, thanks so much for the Christmas box and the gifts to Elder Brown and Allen. Elder Allen is doing so much better. I met this kid in the MTC, it is Derek Ences sisters son from northern Cali. He is going foreign... I play ball with him! So we had 2 devos President Allen head of the missionary department and then Elder Niel l. Anderson an Apostle of the lord! But the bench I was sitting on was folding forward so it was hard to pay attention. A real funny story I'll tell you when I call! They said we could call in the airports and talk as long since we missed Christmas so I'll call you sometime Monday morning. Tell Kels to be there that would be sweet! Monica's gifts are sweet I got a king size candy bar I think uncle Steve sharpied it out and put king of the HILL!!! HAHAHA and barbie band aids, it is so funny and so much fun to look forward to every night! So we had a sub for a teacher. He told us this crazy story. He went to London England and there was this man Malcolm Taylor from Cape town Africa and he was a multi millionaire at 18! He started a tourism company and real estate but he was never truly happy. He had everything money could buy! So one day he bought a one way ticket to London and planned to take his life in London so his family wouldn't have to deal with it! Well while on his 13 hour plan ride he sat next to a MORMON who tried to talk to him but he wouldn't really open up! But this Mormon didn't give up they talked and he found out Malcolm's situation and they talked about scriptures and this Mormon made Malcolm promise he would go to an LDS church in London and took this Mormons business card. Well Malcolm went to church and met the missionaries which was my sub! They talked and Malcolm wanted to be taught everything and he was! 2 weeks later he was baptised Malcolm stayed in London for 6 months and took real good care of the missionaries and went on splits bought them dinner all the time. Well Malcolm was in the mission office he pointed to a picture of Henry B Erying and said I know that man who is he? They said he is an apostle (this was 3 years ago) and he goes that's the man that talked to me on the plane and pulled out the business card and it had his name and the Churches name and logo on it! CRAZY HUH!!!! I can't wait for my own stories like that! This way cool district in our zone left Monday, it has been kinda boring with out them. They went to Charlotte NC and Tampa FL! Tell Kelsi I sent her a Christmas letter Saturday and she should get it before Christmas although mail is slow here. Tell her to send me a clear tooth brush, she'll know what I'm talking about! So I can't wait to hear from you and talk with you. I hope you have the best Christmas ever and that your party goes great!!!!!! There are 14 kids in our travel group going to Raleigh! I hope Kelsi can be there so I can talk to her! I love you all so much and miss you all too, but can't wait to get to NC it will be so sweet! Love Elder Petersen

1st Email from the MTC from Taylor

Hey everyone, the MTC has been great, the spirit is so strong! So we have had a couple devos and one was by the BYU mens chorus it was a real treat! And one last night with Elder Maynes and his wife Nancy, he is in the quorum of the 70. His wife is a convert she has a real neat story!"I hope you will be the missionary your mom thinks you'll be" Gordon B. Hinckley. He talked about receiving gifts talked about three gifts we've received from our heavenly father!1. was the only begotten son, Jesus Christ! And 2. was the holy ghost and he had a cool quote said that a lot of people keep the spirit or holy ghost personal, and close to them. but that isn't what we should do. He said"being sensitive and worthy to the spirit or holy ghost isn't a personal thing, it is what links us all together!"3. is the greatest gift of all and can't be received without the first 2 it is the gift of eternal life!He was the man gave such a wonderful talk the spirit was so strong, his wife had a great talk but i think he wrote it for her, she read her testimony from the paper! HAHa kinda weird! But it was all so good the spirit here is amazing it blows my mind! ME and elder brown are becoming good friends maybe a little to good.... We were able to be ushers for the devo so we got amazing seats!!! He also talked about three attributes, 1. hard workers 2 is obedient 3 is basic under standing of the gospel of Jesus Christ, which i know and i love but i get scared on the spot of teaching and can't express how i wish too. But the teacher always tells us we do great!We had a lgm large group meeting on dropping dead wood or people who aren't keep commitments. There was a clip from elder Bednars talk he told a story about 2 missionaries that came to his house and had breakfast played b-ball with his young sons and just hung out for 1 hr 20 min. when they left he asked for referrals, Elder Bednar said Elders i love you so i hope you understand when i say that i would never give you any of my referrals he said it blew there mind. So he said don't waste the lords time because that's whose time card we are on! So mom and dad, i was thinking you for the kids could wake up and for scripture study could help the better understand gospel principles with preach my gospel chapter 3 like i didn't know it as well as i thought and i think it will help Drake and Sophie so much if you and dad teach those to them so they understand!I used to study and read at home but it never meant anything, or i never got out of it what i get here the spirit is here and it is STRONG. Sorry i don't mean to preach just think it would help a lot! So I need thicker church socks my feet just sweat right through them and a packaged of black normal socks maybe a watch, tie and hankie thing, alarm clock that plugs in no radio and lights up for night,wallet and a package of zebra pens like the metal little ones they are the best! I am so busy here it is crazy i try to right letters but you barely have time to breathe. Aunt Monica gave me the sweetest gift 12 days a Christmas a gift and a scripture reference with it so far on day 12 i got cinnamon rolls that could contest with yours mom and the 2nd day i got tums and the 10th days i got those sweet walmart sugar cookies! That is something to look forward to every night! Please keep letters and dear elders coming i don't miss home...that much, but love to here whats going on! Dad keep my updated in sports DEAR ELDERS EVERYDAY i have to beat elder Brown in mail. But i love you guys so much, Kelsi too it is weird not having her i talked to her every minute of everyday! And we did so much together everything i see reminds me of her, but in a good way like a lawn mower we used to mow her lawn all the time. I miss you mom giving you hugs picking you up, joking with billy and Kenz and Drake and Sophie! You guys i can't wait to see you wow just realized I've been in a WEEK wow well gotta go love ELDER PED Taylor Blaine Petersen