Week 3 - Leaving the MTC

We said goodbye July 10th and left Elder George at the MTC. We were grateful for the easy shipping that made it possible to send "Kim cookies" and a few other things we forgot that he might need. The new "call home" on P-day policy made it possible for us to talk to Jacob several times before he left for Guam. The calling is probably more for the families' benefit but that's okay we'll take it!

Seems like it should get easier but it doesn't! Sisters and moms never want to let go.

Thanks for the treats...
Especially Kim's Cookies

Mom said I had to call home while I still could...
I gained a total of 11 pounds :)

Sister Bergeson who also went to Cottonwood sent this picture. Elders 
 George and Pehrson on the big screen playing "A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief" 
for 2000 plus missionaries at the at the closing Sunday devotional.  

Afterwards I got to see Max (Elder Dunbar) and Elder Ostler 
in the following session. (friends from Cottonwood) It was great 
to just say goodbye again and wish them the best of luck in the 
coming weeks. They will go to Samoa and Bulgaria.

Funny story... Elder "Max" Dunbar shared.....
Elder George was nice enough to tell me some tips and secrets to the MTC. 
One of those things was to open the elevator door while it was moving. 
"It is really fun, my district and I do it all the time. We've only gotten stuck once." ~Elder George.
So me and my колега (companion) tried it. And we got stuck!!! We laughed so hard!
It took about an hour to get us out. Some great bonding time for us two.

Saying goodbye was tough but I know that all of them have
a strong drive to serve in their respective missions. 

Sunday night, my district decided to have a closing fireside till quiet time. 
It was really special, and I will really miss all of them. They made living the Gospel 
a joyful experience, where we could have fun while serving.

and we're off for an Amazing Adventure!

Week 2 - Last P-day at the MTC

This week has truly been spiritually fulfilling. Really, studying for 3 hours a day is exhausting but also an experience I rarely got to have at home. My companion Elder Kendall and I got to teach a priesthood lesson on the gift of the Holy Ghost. The zone leaders hadn’t asked anyone, but as district leader we were following up so we got the privilege to teach! President Christofferson said it was the best lesson he has seen as a branch president. I wonder if he says that to all the Elders 😉 Elder Pehrson and I will get to play for the fireside on Sunday!
The fun note for the week is that I've gained 8 1/2 lbs while being here. It's not that the food is all that great but I just figure eat as much as I can while I can. Who knows what the future holds. 
I fly out to Guam on Monday July 29th. It’s going to be an adventure. 18 hour flight adventure! First we fly to Denver and we checkout of the MTC at 3 am. Then from Denver we fly to Honolulu where we have about a 4 hour layover in Hawaii and then we fly to Guam. So on our flight schedule we leave Utah at 6 am Monday and arrive in Guam on Tuesday at 6 pm. I will be the travel guide! Just means I’m in charge of the 6 elders going to Guam. 
Lastly, the best thing I have learned this week is the influence of leading. We compared Nephi, Sam, Laman, and Lemuel to one another. Sam and Lemuel are really no different in as much as each was a follower and chose who they would follow when they were young. Laman and Nephi were both leaders and carried heavy influence over those who followed them. From this, we can see how important it is to be a powerful influence for good, and to follow those who are doing good things. Our actions will affect many others who look to us and follow us, and if we aren’t following the Lord then we are following the adversary. It is so important to use our agency to follow a good influence or to be a good leader. Both are important. 
I love hearing from everyone back home and how you are doing. It really means a lot to me. I hope that you each have the chance to have fun and meaningful experiences this week! Love Elder George

Attended Salt Lake and Jordan River Temples before I left for the MTC.
Unfortunately the Provo temple is closed until after we leave for Guam.

Elder Kendall has been a great companion at the MTC.
He is one of the six of us that will be serving in Guam -
 Elders Hansen, Snow, Holman, Jones, Kendall and me.

Here it is, home for two and a half weeks.

Some of us are better on the story board then others.

Many times when accompanying my dad as he spoke for the
High Council he would tell the story of the Savior and Peter.

We had a Holy war in class. Our teacher sister Powell promised
us that on our break time in class that we could play a game.
So we each got 2 paper balls and got to play dodge-ball
with forts in our classroom. Our team won hehehe.

Boys will be boys.... Elder Cox won the soda chugging contest.

Sister Mittens who I just call Kitty, likes alone time.  

Elder Foote, Elder Kendall, Elder Bustos and Elder George

Week 1 - Life at the MTC

I'll send out a weekly email and Mom will forward it to those who have asked. Pictures and excerpts of the email will be here on the blog.
It isn’t possible to completely share all the feelings, impressions, and lessons I’ve been apart of. However, I can testify that these learning experiences don’t require a name tag and a call to serve. Studying the Words of Christ is for everyone. My testimony is growing, and I love my Savior. 1 John 4 explains Gods love for us. “We love him, because he first loved us.”

March 28th I found out I was going to serve in Micronesia Guam!

No suits, only cool vented shirts from Serveclothing.com

The Jacobs reunited again! Elders Pehrson
and George got the opportunity for an hour and
a half to rehearse for a fireside or devotional.
We'll find out if they were selected next week!

Got lucky with some of the coolest guys! Me with my companion Elder Kendall.
He went to Wasatch High School, he's awesome.

Sister Mittens is taken care of by the MTC

A mural showing the parting of the Red Sea

My District is Lucky, unbelievably: We have Elders Cox, Knight, George, Snow, Hansen, Kendall, Foote, Holman, Bustos, Jones, and in the front Sister Caten, Peery, Wesemann, and Pierce. The teachers said it’s very rare for a district to get so close and have so much fun with each other so quickly. The gospel is great news! And though we have serious discussions we also share funny stories and class is always a party :)