Off to the MTC

Well, I'm not very good at keeping up Grady's mission blog!! He's been in the MTC for two weeks today. Wow! It was really difficult to leave him, knowing we won't see him for two years. The whole "not seeing or touching" him for two years part didn't really sink in until right before we had to say good-bye in the MTC. It was such a strange feeling as I sat next to him, knowing that in a few minutes I would hug him and then he'd be gone. We all held it together pretty well. We only shed a few tears in front of him and he held up really well, too. The ride home was difficult and Gus and I kept looking at each other, tears running down our faces, wondering what on earth we had just done!!

We've had two emails and one letter from him. He had a really difficult first day, but he said that things are going well now. Here's an excerpt from his first email:

May 12, 2009--Konichiwa family! I really appreciated

the letters, they were great. Since being here I

have had an amazing experience. The first day
was a little rocky, but I figured everything

out and have been doing well since then.
Everyday is the same pretty much and I haven't

minded it. I have class everyday for about 6
or 7 hours and then meetings, gym, and meals in

between. I have really enjoyed learning by
the spirit, because there is no way I would know

the language as good as I do now. The
language has been hard but the spirit helps me learn at

a rapid pace. My companion is great and we
get along well. His name is Wiser Charo, or Elder

Wiser for you English speakers. Just letting
you all know that I am ok and I have a testimony

that God loves us, and he sent his son, Jesus
Christ to atone for our sins.

Grady's second letter talks about how well the language is coming. He says "The language is coming very fast. I can make my own sentences, but extremely slow, but it is coming along. " He also talks about going to the Temple each Tuesday and he said "Last week it was awesome and I'm excited to go today."
We're so proud of Grady and happy for his decision to serve a mission. We know he'll have some wonderful opportunities and experiences, and some challenging ones, too.