In Washington

Week 2 (the day before I leave)

Hello World! (Get it?)

I leave the MTC tomorrow.... It has gone so fast. There's only two people left from my zone. That's Elder Clark and I. Everybody else left for Hawaii this morning. It's so strange to be the only two left. Our district has become really close over the last two weeks, so it was sad to see them all leave. I've been getting these moments all the time where I realize that I will be in Washington extremely soon. It's scary, but at the same time, I feel ready to go. I have been prepared very well. Our two teachers, Brother Godfrey and Sister Madrid, have been the best teachers I could have hoped for. They are so confident and invite the Spirit every time they teach. 

Speaking of teaching, both the investigators I have been teaching agreed to be baptized! It's a pretty great feeling to hear that, even if one of them is my teacher, and the other one is being paid to be an investigator. Teaching has become easier and easier every day. As we practice and learn how to let the Spirit guide the lesson, I can feel the investigators and myself coming closer to Christ.

Elder Clark and I went through the temple again today. I'm going to miss not having the opportunity to go every week. I'll still be able to go while I'm on my mission, probably just not as much.

I want to hear how everyone is doing! Write me letters, send me email. I'll try to get back to everyone individually. I wish everyone the best!

Love, Elder Plehn

Washington Kennewick Mission address

Andrew leaves for Washington tomorrow! The mission president prefers that extended family and friends send snail mail as opposed to email. They only have one hour on P-Day to read emails and write home and to the mission president. But they love to get snail mail during the week!

Elder Andrew Plehn
Washington Kennewick Mission
8202 W Quinault Ave #D
Kennewick WA 99336

First long letter

Hey guys!

The last few days have been incredible. It's interesting how time is different here. I have only been here six days. But it feels so much longer than that, and at the same time so much shorter. We are kept busy all the time. It hasn't really been that bad of a schedule. Every morning we wake up by 6:30, and have personal or companion study for about an hour before we head to breakfast. The food here is really good, and there is a ton of it, but I can see how it will get old really fast. 

I have the best district ever. Five of us are going to Hawai'i, and three of us, including me, are going to Washington. My companion's name is Elder Zollinger. I know that he will be an amazing missionary. I was assigned as the senior companion, but we're going to switch next week. Elder Zollinger and I are the sacrament coordinators for our branch. Everyone in our district has amazing insights and testimonies. We are all turning into really good friends. 

Elder Zollinger and I have been teaching our first investigator. His name is Joe. It's fascinating to see our "investigators," who are are teachers pretending to not know anything, progress and feel the Spirit. It can be frustrating sometimes, but I keep reminding myself of my purpose, which is to invite others to come unto Christ. I have realized many times that this is not my mission. It is the Lord's. This is his work and his glory, and I have been called and set apart to help Him in bring others to Christ. We just got back from going to the temple. It was great. The temple is such a great place to feel close to God, and know that your prayers are being heard. I know that I have been indivudually called to my specific mission. We listened to a lesson given by Elder Bednar last night. It was by far, the most inspiriational and powerful message I have ever heard. It was about the character of Christ, and how we need to be converted unto the Lord. Elder Bednar had great insight about how the natural man is an enemy to God, and the way to rid ourselves of the natural man is too turn outwards, to others, like the Savior did, and never inward. I have been feeling the Spirit constantly here. It has been wonderful. The MTC is a great place, but none of us can wait. We all want to be in Washington or Hawai'i right now. I know that what I am sharing is the true Gospel of Jesus Christ, and that it can bless other's lives, just as it has blessed mine.

I love getting your email and letters. They are great. Keep them coming. Dear Elder is a great resource, because we don't have to wait until P-day to get letters. We all love getting mail. For the first few days, nobody in our district got any mail, but that was just because Elder Va'enuku was checking the wrong mail box. I never really got how much missionaries want mail until I didn't have any. Thank you so much for all your love and support!

Love, Elder Plehn

MTC address

Elder Andrew D. Plehn
Unit 150 Aug 26 Wa-Kenn
2005 North 900 East
Provo, UT 84604-1793

First letter home!

Hello! This is going to be short, because I only have about 5 minutes to write. I'll write more on P-day. 

The MTC is awesome. It is so easy to feel the spirit here. I have to go now, but I'm just letting you know that I'm here, and ok.

Love, Elder Plehn.

PS: The food is really good.