Elder Shields in Carlsbad, CA

Hi mom I'm in Carlsbad right now! I don't really know anything yet, like who my trainer is or what area I'm in or anything. My P day is on Monday so I will let you know more then! These texts came through from members later on: Elders Mann and Shields "We had your sons for dinner for their first night in the Temecula area - French Valley Ward!  They are doing great!  Elder Shields is already a pro missionary and had our dishes washed before I could stop him.  And Elder Mann gave a great lesson.  They both gave our daughter tips for the MTC since she just turned her mission papers in.  You've raised great boys!" -Carolyn Gonzales

This week went so much faster than the first week!! I have finally gotten into a good routine of waking up and being ready on time to go for everything. Just in time to get sent off to a new place haha! My TRCs have gone a ton better!! There are still times where I feel a little uncomfortable but overall I can feel myself growing so much in the gospel. I have really come to appreciate the ability the spirit has to bring words to my mouth. I have said things in lessons that I know I wouldn't have thought to say if it were not for the Holy Ghost. As nervous as I am to leave for Carlsbad on Tuesday I am ready to get out in the field though, I'm glad I don't have to be in here for 6-12 weeks like the language learners do. The food here all tastes the same and I am ready for a change haha! Not everyone in my district is going to Carlsbad. Me, Elder Meyer, Elder Petersen, Elder Halstead, Sister Chong, and Sister Lee are the ones who are. The rest of the elders are going to t...

Text exchange between Sandi and Michaela: Me:  I heard you saw Matt yesterday!?  I want ALL details! Michaela:  YES!!  It was the happiest part of my day :') so madi kimball and i were talking with this other missionary and had been looking around for all our friends haha but i had given up on finding matt but then all of a sudden, he walked outside and we made eye contact and we yelled each other's names and he came up to us and almost hugged me but then had to give me a handshake (lameeee). but AH it was amazing haha. he's doing so so great sandi!! he's so mature it kinda blew my mind! he loves it there and it's all he could talk about, just how much he loves it and all that he's learning. he said it can be kinda hard and repetitive, but that he has loved every minute of it and can't wait to get out there! he's still the same old matt, but he's definitely Elder Shields now :)) he has changed but in a great way and his spirit is so strong ahhh...

Sorry it has taken me so long to write back. Because my p day is on Thursday they didn't let us write on the first Thursday so I had to wait a full week and a day to write.  Wow!! this first week in the MTC has been something else. It has been so jam packed with stuff that I can hardly believe how much stuff I've been able to do. When I first walked in, they loaded me up with a bunch of papers, my schedule, they gave me my name tag, and I am also getting an iPad for my time in the MTC. Sadly I will not be able to keep it when I go into the mission field. Right after I got all of my stuff, my host walked me to my dorm and we dropped off all my luggage. I didn't even have time to unpack anything when they shipped me off to my first class. This is where I met my companion for the first time. I already said this but his name is Elder Dillon Meyer. He is from Ogden, Utah and he went to Weber High School. We have gotten along pretty well! He played baseball for a while...

This came right before we walked into the house after that LONG drive home from Provo: Hey guys I made it safely into the MTC!! haha   I am getting started in classes right away so this has to be short.  My comps name is Elder Meyer and he is from North Ogden, he went to Weber High School, and he seems like a really cool guy.

We FaceTimed Lauren and her fam on the way down in the car and then we met Sarah in Provo and all went to lunch at Brick Oven; Matt was able to eat half his lunch, which surprised us all.  We then went to the temple to say goodbye, and take pictures.  The drop-off was different than before; with the new building you drive down to underground parking. Honestly, the way it was all set up, it felt like dropping off a rental car (haha), only half of my heart stayed with it.  I LOVE this boy, goodbyes are the worst!  The Lord is getting the best of the best with this guy!   See ya in two!  We love you!!!