Week One: By the Pond, Across the Pond

Hello everyone! I can't believe I'm sitting here waiting my first email back home as a missionary (with the exception of the email I sent my parents saying I made it to England). This week has been full of so much that I can't cover in extreme detail otherwise you wouldn't finish reading it until next week's email came through. Let's just start at the beginning of my travels and I'll walk you through my week. 
After a tearful goodbye in the airport on Tuesday morning, I made my way from Virginia to Atlanta and then from Atlanta to Orlando. These two flights I was basically by myself. I had some interesting conversations with some extremely nice passengers who also let me text home saying I had landed safely. I will forever be grateful for their kindness. 
In Orlando, I was hoping to see some other missionaries headed to the Missionary Training Center in England but I was doubtful. Heading towards my gate, I saw a whole group of missionaries! All of them were on my flight and it was nice to not be alone anymore. After a long and sleepless flight, we made it to England and made our way through customs. Thankfully they let me in the country. We collected our bags and met up with other missionaries headed to the England mtc from all over the world. We took a bus to the MTC and immediately went through registration, meeting our companions and getting acquainted with the place. 
This MTC is small but quaint. I really love it. There are about 60 of us here. We spend most of the day in class, learning how to teach and spending time practising teaching people. So far the food has been pretty good. I'm getting introduced to many new British foods and sweets.  My favorite has been this soda called dandelion and burdock which kind of tastes like you just got out of the dentist. It sounds weird but it's delicious. 
My companion's name is Elder Madsen. He is from Lehi Utah and just got out of high school. He is a really kind and funny guy. We get along really well and are usually on the same page. We also just happened to meet up in the Orlando airport and were getting along well there. I secretly had a feeling we'd be put together and it happened! He's a good guy with a good heart. 
England is beautiful. I'm so excited to get out and see the old country and culture that resides in this foggy, hilly land. I love the temperature and it has barely even rained. I'm calling it a win. 
My birthday was Friday! It was actually really great. I got a great package of sweets and an eletric razor (honestly a highkight of the week) from my parents and a card from a friend plus plenty of birthday wishes by email. Everyone in the MTC knew it was my birthday and the sisters (female missionaries) in my district (my class) got everyone to sing to me at the end of the day. I also got a package with two ties in it! We had fantastic meals that day too. It was really a good day. 
I really love my district. I attached a picture of them. They make the many hours of class go by seamlessly and I'm excited to possibly serve with them in the field! All of us are headed to London South and will be leaving the MTC in four weeks. 
I haven't got much time to write today. I'm going to take time later on to respond to personal emails I got over the week so those are coming. Attached are pictures of my companion and I, the beautiful MTC pond (hence the title), and a few other self explanatory things. I love you all and thank you for your love, prayers, and support.

British word of the week: queue - a line; "are you in the queue for the loo?"

Quote of the week: "It's like a well decorated sponge cake" - Elder McLennan, a Scottish Elder, and one of my favorite missionaries here, speaking about the Preston Temple. 

Companion Comics: Elder Madsen spills on himself so much that we are keeping a tally. Current count - 6. Love him to death though. 

Pictures: 
1) The Preston Temple
























2) My companion Elder Madsen and I
















3) That Beautiful pond


















4) Elder Madsen drinking one of the best sodas ever, Vimto




















5) My district











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