Dear Family,

Thank you so much for the letters and the package! Those shorts will work great! The cookies were good, too, Ashley! I've had a great stay in the MTC, even though I've been busy.

My first companion left for NY this morning, so I had to move last night, but it all worked out. My new companion is great. By the time you get this, I'll probably be packed and ready for the field. I miss you already! I'm reporting to the airport on March 6, and I found out I'm allowed to call you from the Salt Lake airport. However, it will be at about 4 or 5 a.m. If the kids can wake up that early, it would be great to talk to you all.

I've had a really great experience here. One day in particular, last Thursday, I was working in the referral center answering phone calls from people with questions about the church. One woman called and right when I picked up, she said, "I'm confused. There's so many churches out there, and they are all different. How do you know the truth?" I turned to see if the teacher was monitoring my call. She was and she told me, "Let her have it". We talked for a while and she wanted me to send the missionaries over with a Book of Mormon. I'm really starting to see the joy of missionary work, especially when I heard how excited she was to receive the gospel. Things are going so well, it's almost hard to believe! Tell all of the kids I said hi.

Tell everyone that asks that I'm doing great, and even though it is hard, I'm having the time of my life! I love you all and miss you like crazy, but don't worry. I'm doing fine!

Love,
Elder Wallentine