The Fly Out

Elder Talbot's parents are taking over the post for this week. We were able to talk to him on Monday, September 26th before he boarded his flight to Toronto.  Here are a few things we talked about that we wanted to share.

Every time we asked him about someone at the MTC, he would tell us how much he loved them. He loved his teachers, he loved his companions, he loved his district and his zone, he loved the investigators that he taught. He loved being the zone leader because he loved watching over everyone. He was up packing for most of the night before he left, and since some sisters in his zone were leaving at 3:30 a.m., he stayed up to go help them get their luggage to the vans.

He said the spirit is very strong in the MTC. It's always there in abundance. There are no distractions, nothing that detracts from the spirit except for disobedience. He said he only struggled with the bedtime, mostly because he was out checking on everyone instead of having some quiet time before lights out. Well, bedtime and the lobby furniture fort incident...

The MTC is a great learning environment. Besides practicing teaching lessons and attending the temple, they had opportunities to give other missionaries priesthood blessings. During one blessing, when an elder didn't say something quite right and everyone was standing there awkwardly, another elder said 'Nope, try again!!' They had a good laugh about that, but aren't we all grateful for second chances and opportunities to learn and try again!?

During our phone call Elder Talbot was very focused on his mission. He didn't want to talk much about home.  He wanted to talk mostly about his mission so far, and cool things he had learned and experienced. He said he cut his hair before he left because you never get a second chance to make a first impression. After his arrival in Toronto, we were sent an email and some pictures from his mission president. President Shields also noted Elder Talbot's excitement for his mission. He said:

Elder Talbot with President and Sister Shields

We are grateful to receive your son, Elder Andrew Penman Talbot as a new missionary in the Canada Toronto Mission.  We are including a picture that we took with him when he arrived.  His testimony and enthusiasm for the work are evident.  As his mission president and wife, we thank you for the sacrifice you are making in being separated from him in serving as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. 

That's one happy guy!

Elder Hernandez and Elder Talbot

The newly arrived missionaries and their trainers.

Elder Talbot is doing so well! Talking to him brought our emotions close to the surface, but that's okay.  He is excited to get to work in his first area in Scarborough.  We miss him, but we are so excited for him to have this experience and can't wait to hear more of how his mission changes him and those he will serve.