First Email from Elder Corey Hurd (11/01/2013)

Dear Friends and Family I am glad to tell you that I am still alive and well. The moment I stepped out of the car I was immediately immersed in the work. I have been having a lot of fun and these first few days have been real exciting. I hope to send you all of the wonderful pictures of my new friends here at the M.T.C., and pictures of my Zone and District. My District is Comprised of five Elders including me and four Sisters. Elder Crapo from Idaho, Smith from Victoria Canada, Erenzeller from Virginia, and Hawks who was from Minnesota but moved to Utah for a while, these are the Elders in my district then theres Sister Roberts, Toone, Trickler, and Mccelough most of them are from around Utah but I can't remember exactly where. All of these Elders and Sisters are wonderful. Elder Hawks is our district leader and I think Sister Trickler and Mccelough are the Sister trainers but I could be wrong. Elder Crapo and Smith are my companions and I love them dearly, they are very nice and fun to be around they definitely carry the spirit with them. Its been a great week so far but I won't lie it is TOUGH sometimes, I feel anxious or overwhelmed but then I remember why I'm here and I get over myself and go to work. Lately I've been feeling really tired all of the time, I think that it has something to do with the other district their crazy. But I love them its also the district with our Zone leaders Elder Allred who's cousin plays satan in the endowment video and Elder Creger, they too are very nice. I'd have to say that the most interesting Elder in that district is Elder Jones, who for the first two days I was their pretended that he couldn't speak English and could only Speak the African Click language. He sure was crazy but I have grown to love him and he is one of my good friends now. Today I got to go to the temple it was such a relief, sadly I kept dozing off during the session. That made me sad, I had a good time regardless and I learned something new. My teachers are Brother Summerfelt, Brother Kendle, Brother Hitchcock and Sister Medsker, for some reason I have so much trouble with her last name. They have taught me so much and I love them dearly I am definitely making the best of my time with them, even when the Subject matter can often be overwhelming. But I believe I got the best advice from our Branch President, President Washburn who told me that I am never alone because the book of mormon Prophets and Missionaries have also felt how I do now. The Branch President and my teachers constantly remind me that my time at M.T.C. is the time for me to become familiar with Missionary work not perfect, Brother hall reminded us that our training is to help us become better Missionaries in six months not two weeks. Our Two week time here is for us to get more familiar with what we are teaching and to practice feeling and teaching with the spirit. I testify to you that this is the work and that the Lord surely is hastening it. I know that he is preparing the people of Minnesota Minneapolis for our arrival, and that he needs each of us to help them. I know that I am being sent to Minnesota with all of the knowledge and tools I will need to help those wonderful people have faith in the restored gospel of Christ. I also know that I still have much to learn and I will continue to learn with an open mind and heart.

P.s. looking forward to the package that Dad mentioned in his first email. P.s.s. Please send me emails of anyone and everyone who would like to write me and also sent this letter to those who would like to know how my fist few days were.

 Sincerely Elder Hurd