Two Weeks!

Rusty informed us in his letter today that he is already 1/4 of the way finished with the MTC. Hard to believe. It's been very surreal... and really hard not having any contact with him except email and letters.

He has one companion that went to Brighton High, and the other two elders are from Idaho. I'm not sure where the three sisters are from. From the photos, looks like they are enjoying themselves! He said they "are pretty much like family now."

I can already see lots of spiritual growth! Excerpts from his letters/email:

"This place is perfect for training us, we learn the language obviously, but every class period and workshop is filled with the spirit, and we're constantly learning new ways to be more in tune with the spirit and how to pray more sincerely."

"Christmas was definitely different from what I was used to as far as spending Christmas, but it was great to spend that time focusing on Christ rather than ourselves. Elder Bednar gave an amazing talk about that at our huge sacrament meeting (2,100 missionaries). He talked about our purpose as missionaries. Really all we're here to do is become more like our Savior, then go out into the world to build a desire in others to follow our example. It really is awesome to think about it that way... Honestly after only 13 days here I've already felt that starting to happen. Dad, I think you were actually talking about this one time, but Elder Bednar quoted Elder Maxwell during his talk about having to understand the character of Christ before we can become like him. That is what I needed to hear right now. In 6 1/2 weeks I'll be in Denmark and I'll be inviting people to repent and change their lives to follow Christ's example."

I always have to go to Google translator to figure out his salutations! Jeg elsker jeres I think means I love all of you! And "jeg" is pronounced "Yiy." I've been pronouncing it "jeg" like "jug." Silly me...!

Yay! He's alive and well!

Yesterday I got an email AND a letter! And today I got a Christmas card with this picture inside = one happy mom. Sounds like he is adjusting well. He's a district leader. There are 3 other elders and 3 sisters going to Denmark. They are learning Danish together. They have an "investigator" who is from Denmark that they practice the language on. He says he is picking it up well.

Rødgrød med fløde

Try saying this tongue twister over and over again— "Rødgrød med fløde" except first you have to learn how to say it right! We practiced on the way to the MTC. Rusty says it best. I don't think Danish is easy to learn. BTW it means "red pudding made with berries."

WOW, dropping Rusty off today was WAY harder than I ever expected. I didn't see that coming. I feel a real sense of loss, and there is a void here. I haven't heard anything from him yet (I had to wait an entire week!). I think it's worse knowing I can't call or text. This won't be easy. But I couldn't be happier that he's where he should be!!!

So we're all crying while saying good-bye. And all Rusty says is "Mom, I'm not dead!" We watched him walk off with the escort. He didn't look back. He looked happy and more than ready to be on his way!