2nd Email from the MTC

Okay, first things first, by this time next week I will be serving somewhere in my mission and I really hope it is Arkansas because I would like to serve in that corner where the Ozarks are but anywhere else is fine with me.  Yeah, I will call home not sure when since I am leaving at three in the AM but probably when I am in Denver.  The kid from Denver thinks it is funny that you googled the lizard people.

MTC District

Today is kind of sad because most of our District left for Kenniwick Washington and so it is just me and Elder Martin.  To answer your question, I love Elder Martin he is just the best.  He makes me laugh so hard.  The best thing is that he used to work at a petting zoo where he and some others trained camels.  He said that the camels were like Satan in animal form.  He said they are like teenage brats.  I was crying at dinner when he was telling us these stories.  Elder Parker who I really like and was probably my best friend here left this morning along with Elder Taylor and Wallace who were both very funny.

I heard about all the new missions, man that is crazy; I was excited to hear that Gilbert is now a mission. 

Well, last time our district mottos was "that's how winning is done" from Rocky but our District song is "The Misty Mountain" song from the Hobbit; the one the dwarfs sing.  Every time we go outside our district and a couple others from the Zone start singing our anthem.  Best song in the world.  The time in the MTC flew past and I am kind of sad and kind of happy.  I would rather be in Oklahoma somewhere but I like it here it is great.  I have only gained five pounds.  I think that is pretty good; it has been the first time I ever gained any weight.  I guess I need to run more in gym time but I play like three basketball games and have to take a break because I am so tired. 

I will try to send you picture today or by next week.  Tell everyone thanks for the Dear Elders; those letters are like gold and they make me happy.  I liked the story about Brother Skinner and that is pretty cool that Austin is going to Korea.  Tell Pete congratulations on the Winnipeg call, crazy how big that mission is.  A kid from Minnesota says he loves it up there even though it is cold.  I heard Branson got called to somewhere in Oklahoma.  I guess Spencer Wright comes in tomorrow and Cole but I will already be gone before either of them come in.  That is a bummer because the only people I have seen is Colton Shiflet who I have only talked to a little bit and a girl from Gilbert.  I also talked to a kid from Kathy's ward that was in my summer school class, Zach Jackson.  So that was fun also in my zone the new people that are going to Texas came in and one is from Mesa he is nice kid and I talk to him when I can.  It sounds like home is the same old same old though of course it would snow when I leave it hasn't snowed in like sixty years but it snows the week I leave.

Tell Deanna thanks for the package; she sent us candy, chips and queso and every night we have a nacho party in our room.   I was trying to send pictures but the computer was being difficult so I will just try next week.

Answering questions:  I go to the Temple, Tuesday at about one.  I just returned on hour ago.  I do not play volleyball during gym, I usually  play basketball.  Usually nobody good plays volleyball so it isn't that good.  Well, I guess I'll call you bright and early tomorrow it shall be a real treat, a real treat!  Again tell everyone thanks for the dear elders and Dana's spelling was funny.  I met my wife the other day haha, just joking.  Nah I am pretty sure that I will not meet my future spouse on the mission like you think.  Unless...I convert Carrie Underwood then I guess I would meet my wife on the mission.

Grandma emailed me and told me about some storms in Oklahoma, I hope there are tornadoes that would be awesome for my first week, do some storm chasing.  Right now, I am just killing time waiting for dinner with Elder Martin, writing you and watching mormon.org and mormon messages.  If you want to have a good lesson watch "mountains to climb" it is a mormon message and I just watched it.

I am learning lots and can't wait to teach; love it if it was some weirdo who believes in aliens  Being in the MTC I see others learning languages and I wish that was me, but then I see that they are here nine or twelve weeks and I think about Oklahoma and I say no thanks, I'll pass on the foreign stuff.  Well, that is it.  Peace.

Movie Quote:  "The only thing you're going to catch out there is a cold!"  Try that one, my companions do movie quotes but I have the majority.

If you are home just ask me anything in the next 20 minutes before I go to dinner and I'll answer.

Elder Heywood

1st Email from the MTC

Hey Mom,

The MTC is good.  Did you get the letter I sent?  I explained in more detail and it should get there soon.  I sent it today because Saturday when I wrote the letter it was at night.  Sunday I was not allowed to send a letter because I had no stamps and the store was not open, Monday since it was President's day the store was not open so I sent it today; I hope you get it. 

The guys in my district (I like all of them; they are awesome) were looking at my scriptures.  They loved my facial hair a lot!  They were very impressed and when we get home they all want to see me grow it again. 

The MTC is not bad, I have three meals a day and chocolate milk at each meal so it is all good!  Long days but very good and I have learned so much and grown so much already.  I received my flight plan and I leave next Wednesday at three in the morning.  What???  I was so surprised when I heard that; I didn't know they would do that do state side elders.  First I go to Denver where an Elder I met here is from and he says that Lizard People live in secret tunnels under the airport, and then I head to Oklahoma.  The elder that lived in Denver also says that they have the longest street in America; it is 40 miles.  (Stupid fact).  I tell him that Phoenix is known for child prostitution and he was impressed.  I am known as Elder Wolverine because of my impressive chops so you have to let me grow them when I get back.  "I am a peacock you need to let me fly". 

Well, I hope you get my letter it explains more about my first day and my companion and strict.  In case you don't get it my companion is Elder Martin from Boise and he is a great guy.  The district of guys are awesome; I like all of them a lot.  The sisters in my district are annoying and don't let us have fun....total buzz kill.  Well, I think that is all I have and my letter explains more. 

Peace Momma bear; say good mornin to the fam.  Hurrah, hurrah for Israel.

Elder Heywood

'THAT'S HOW WINNING IS DONE!"  This is our district catch phrase.  Peace.

1st letter from the MTC

To Family,

Hey there...everything is going great.  Long days, good food, blah, blah, blah that stuff is not really important.  What is important is that I like my companion and I like my district.  A little bit about my companion, he is from Idaho a small town south of Boise.  He is twenty and a very nice guy.  I am glad I get to have him for the duration of the MTC.  He looks a little like Steve Buscemi; I do not tell him that in case he doesn't think it is a compliment but once you get him to open up he won't stop talking.  He is awesome and I enjoy serving with him.  I absolutely love my district; it consists of 6 elders and 6 sisters.  My comp and I are going to Tulsa and two of the sisters are going to Tulsa.  We have one sister going to Scotland and she is waiting on her visa then she will go to the England MTC.  There is one elder who is heading to NY, NY North mission.  Everyone else is going to Kennewick Washinton.  Not sure how to spell Kenniwick but that is where they are going. 

Some interesting facts:  on Wednesday when I arrived I was one of eight hundred new missionaries a number which is regarded as one of the highest new missionary counts in history.  The MTC has currently been able to hold 3,000 missionaries and we are currently at 3200 and will probably be at 3600-3700 missionaries by next Wednesday.  The English speaking elders and sisters that came in Wednesday re the first to have a 2 week MTC this includes me.  Enough about facts, I will tell you more about my district.  The six elders are me, Elder Martin, Elder Parker, Elder Sprurub, Elder Taylor and Elder Wallace.  I absolutely love the elders, they are fun to be around.  The sisters are alright but every time we get distracted and have fun they stop us.  I guess this is a good thing but very annoying all the same.  Whatever it's all good in this holy neighborhood.  My first day was so long with about ten minutes of sleep I knew it was going to suck, but it ended up being a good thing because that night I slept like a baby Seth.  Meaning it was good, I slept very well.  When I first got to the MTC I got my paper stuff and a funny looking hobbit-like Elder showed me my room and told me Korean bus stories.  I asked him if he had been to Korea he said that he was going to be there in three weeks.  How he heard the stories I don't know.  I found out that if you go to bed by 10:30 then it is easy to wake up at 6:30.  I though it was going to be harder to get up.  I think you guys told me that once or twice in my life. 

In all honesty, I have learned so much in these last few days.  Days are long and packed with studying because I leave in two weeks so we have to learn more in less time then the average missionary like Jared and Parker.  All is well and when the sisters aren't telling us to be quiet I am having fun.  Thanks for the last few letters; it was good to hear from home and have those letters the first days.  I can't wait to email for the first time and tell you more.  It stinks that the house is quiet when Parker, Jared and Katie were gone it was kind of lifeless also.  Tell hi to everyone for me and make sure you share this letter with everyone because I know how you like to keep them for yourself. 

Thanks to Katie (Jared and Mom) for the scripture covers.  I love them.  The guys all like looking at them and have asked all kinds of questions about the family.  They love my beard.

Peace and love,

Elder Heywood

Luke leaves for the MTC



Luke and his cousin Marie enter the MTC on the same day.



Heywood family saying goodbye at the airport.

Elder Heywood!!