Andy's first letter from the MTC

Dear Mom and Dad,

Well I didn't get John for my first companion. So you can have him to help Vivian move. I'm not too disapointed though, my companion is great. Elder Broadhead is from West Jordan, and no he is not related to the Broadheads in the 23rd ward.

Elder Cook and Elder Stoddard are the other two in my room and we're all going to the same mission. We somehow managed to be put on a spanish speaking floor, so we get "chastized" for speaking a "telestial" language by the other missionaries. But the four of us get along really well and so things are good.

P-days are going to be on Thursdays and I will be able to set up an email account, so expect an email starting on the 5th. I love you all and miss you lots, but don't worry, I don't miss you enough to lose any sleep. Thank the young men for the letters they wrote me and be sure to go to Sunday School. I'm enjoying 3 weeks of Sunday School, that should make up for what I've missed.

Well in the time that I stopped writing and now, I've been called as my district's leader and now I know my companion kicks John's butt.. well sort of. Love you all, God bless.

Elder Harris


It's a continuation of the Elder Harris version of Name That Song. This weeks lyrics are:

"won't you look down on me Jesus, You've got to help me make a stand"

Notes: John was a joke as to who Andy's comp would be and the "name that song" was started by Sam during his mission.

Directions for the Pony Express Carrier

Anyone wishing to write to Andy while he's in the MTC (prior to Feb 15th), the address is:

Elder Andrew Michael Harris
MTC Box # 123
AZ-TUC 0217
2005 N. 900 E.
Provo, Utah 84604-1793

Mission Field Address is:

Elder Andrew Harris
Arizona Tucson Mission
1840 E River Rd, Ste. 102
Tucson, AZ 85718

Where's Andy?

Just wanted to be involved: Thought I'd share a quick note...

X2 and I are sitting together this morning and out of no where he asks, "Where's Andy?"

So it begins... I'm glad to have a good example for my little boy, even if he's too young to understand when I respond, "Andy's on a mission!"

Entering the MTC

Today at noon, Elder Harris entered the MTC, accompanied by Mom & Dad and Enos, myself and our kids. What a great experience it was!

With Mom and Dad:

With Enos, Audrey, S, X1, and R:

Putting on the name tag:

( the red dot, which is known as the celestial dot, is how they mark the new missionaries so they can take extra special care of them for the first little while.)

Excited!

The meeting was emotional, and you could feel the excitement, anticipation, and dread of separation in the room. After a brief talk, and a short movie, it was time for the missionaries to leave through one door, and the families through another. We all gave Elder Harris final hugs, and he left through the door without looking back!

Obviously, we were all emotional, even the kids, who didn't really understand what was going on, but as they hugged their uncle for the last time for two years, they were both crying. We'll miss him, but there is no where else we would rather he be.

Brand Spankin' New

Tonight, Andy was set apart as a missionary, where his name changed to Elder Harris! As the newest missionary in the church, he has many people looking up to him, a few of which are his young niece and nephews. We are all so excited to see the powerful influence Elder Harris will have on the people of Tucson, and how he will grow and change over the next two years of his life.


Because this is the last time some of his family will see him for two years, we took as many pictures as the kids would allow...


...with Presidents Savage, and Matsumura (a three-minute-old missionary!)

...with the Priests' Quorum, who came to wish him well

...with his oldest nephew, S

...with his second nephew, X1

...with his third nephew, X2

...with his niece, R


...with all the nephews and niece (boy are these guys going to miss him while he is gone!)


...with Jake, Vivian, and X2


...with Audrey


...with Sam


Others of us will get to go to the MTC to drop him off tomorrow, so we'll probably take more pictures then, including pictures with Mom and Dad.

Sacrament Meeting

Many wonderful friends and family joined us yesterday for our sacrament meeting where Andy was invited to speak along with Bro. John Zitting. The meeting was very rewarding (and not just because Andy spoke)

John shared an excellent message about service to our Heavenly Father by providing service to his children.

Then, Andy gave a wonderful message on how we each can help fulfill the purpose of the church by helping in missionary work, attending (and participating) in church and by regular temple service. Andy showed how he truly prepared himself to fulfill his calling as an representative of Christ.

We also had an open house on Saturday evening, and a few on Sunday after church, that gave us a chance to visit with family and many special friends. We thank you for your love and generosity shown to our family and especially to Andy.

The Temple

As Andy finishes up his preparation for his mission there are many things to do but one of the most enjoyable is the temple.

Jan and I were able to go with Andy to the Manti Temple for him to do his own work. Andy wanted to go through the temple with live ordinance workers and has always loved the Manti Temple (his Grandma & Grandpa Wells have rubbed off on him). I was a beautiful day.

Andy promised that we would all go to the temple together before he left and last Saturday after noon we did. What a wonderful blessing it is to be able to be in the temple with all of your children at the same time. It will be something I will always cherish.

Many, including myself, have said that their mission was the best time in their lives and up until that point, it was true. But since then there have been many, many other "best times". Saturday is definitely a "best time" for the eternities.

The time grows short. Andy will work his final shift before his mission on Friday and then will have the remaining week and a half to finish his shopping and other personal matters.