Last MTC letter

its going good i dont need anything before i leave but i do need some more p day shirts but ill just pick them up in louisiana.. my companion went home so now im in a threesome ones from utah and ones from canada so i make fun of him alot hes a cool elder tho.. well i dont have alot of time im doing laundry right now i need to write you but i haven't had time they keep you so busy in this place its hard to find to to do anything like sleep.. well ill probably call you between 10 and 12 cause we have a 2 hour lay over in dallas so ill find a phone.. but dont worry bout me i got this! ........ and tell dad and luke happy birthday. well i gotta go

MTC e-mail

its going good. yeah, you have to be busy here they don't let you have hardly any free time but its been good. the food isn't bad,nothing special. i think my all my w2's are in my top locker somewhere. but im doing better than i thought i would at being able to teach the gospel. me and my companion are pretty good together. but we aren't in the field yet so we will see how it goes. you sent my bike Right? well i look forward to getting down to louisiana to teach.
love elder ritchie

oh ps i did see elder cox he looked like he was doing good and i ship out on the 15th

He wrote us a letter!

Dear family and whoever reads this:

First day here has been crazy, but all in all it was good. It is really fast paced - there is alot to take in. But I definitely learned alot even from the first day. My compnions name is Elder Gustofson from West Jordan and we get along really good, so, no worries theer.

Sincerely,

Elder Samuel Alan Ritchie

Goodbye Family, Hello MTC

We spent the night of the 23rd in Pleasant Grove with Dena and Kim. In the morning, Sam finished packing his bags.

We went to the Timpanogus Temple with Dena, Kim, and Erica to do sealings. It was fun to see these two close cousins together before they go on missions. Erica is leaving in May for Sweden.

Doesn't this almost look like an engagement photo?

We stopped by Brenda's house to say goodbye.

We parked by the Provo Temple and planned to walk down to the MTC.

Sam was anxious to be on time, amazing considering the fact that he was never concerned about being on time to church.

Erica really wanted to be there to say goodbye one more time, she ran up just in time.

Before we crossed the street to the MTC, we were informed that we had to drive in, no walking in. So Brad ran back, drove the car down and we loaded six of us into a Camry and drove across the street to the MTC.

The Host Elders helped us unload the suitcases, asking multiple times if had remembered to leave his cell phone and keys behind. We hugged good-bye and drove away.

Conflicting emotions.

And so it begins.