WEEK ONE - At the MTC

"Dear Elder Nakai:

You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. you are assigned to labor in the NEW MEXICO FARMINGTON MISSION.

You should report to the Provo Missionary Training Center on WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2013."

And report he did.  Drew was more than ready to go.  He was pacing around the house around noon in his suit and tie, and he didn't have to be at the MTC until 1:45 pm.

Everyone did remarkably well with their goodbyes.  Some did better than others, but no one had a total come apart at the curb where Drew was dropped off.

We received an email the very next day from Junichi Maeda.  My guess is that Junichi Maeda works at the MTC.  Apparently Junichi's son and Drew were in band together.  Junichi saw Drew at the MTC and took a couple of pictures of him and emailed them to us.  One of the pictures is of Drew and his new companion, Elder Corn.  From the looks of it, they are both happy to be there. 

We received our first letter in the mail on Saturday.  Everyone was excited to read it, and several wrote back to him the very same day.

"Dear Family,

Oh. My. Gosh. 

First day at the MTC was so spiritually filled.  At our introductory meeting, we all got to introduce ourselves, why we are here, how God prepared us for our missions, and where we saw ourselves in two years.

Time just zoomed by, like really unexpectedly.  Before you knew it, it was time for dinner (chicken cordon bleu . . . Yum.).  Afterwards, we had three lessons where we talk to 'investigators' about the church.  Such a powerful experience.

Anyway, I met four other Elders going to my mission.  Elder Corn from North Dakota is an awesome companion.  I introduced him to Cactus Cooler.  He loved it.

Hope to hear from you all soon!

Love Elder Nakai

P.S.  Enclosed is my MTC address and the approx. date I leave for New Mexico."

It cracks me up that Drew introduced his companion to an Orange Pineapple soda.  Maybe that's how guys bond with one another - through food. 

Drew will be at the MTC until March 11th. 
Here's his address:

Elder Andrew Ryan Nakai
MTC Mailbox # 41
NM-FARM 0311
2005 N 900 E
Provo, UT 84604-1793