Matthew's first day in the mission field!

Matthew with President and Sister Craven

Here is a picture of all the new missionaries!

17 new Sisters and 13 new Elders!

Snail Mail Letter!

Dear Mom and Dad,

I'm going to get into the habit of writing you more. As I'm sure you know, I made it to North Carolina alright. Flying over Charlotte, we all marveled at the landscape. It is so green, the likes of which I cannot recall ever seeing before, and the beauty is beyond description.

After we landed, we all got together and went down to meet the Mission President and his wife. They greeted us and we got our bags. As soon as we stepped outside, it was like a wall of humidity. It wasn't too bad at first, but when I started to help load the bags, that's when it got bad. They then brought us to the mission home and fed us really good. After a quick Q and A with some of the Elders and Sisters, we all went to our temporary residence. We stayed with some of the Elders.

The next day, all the new people went to an old chapel for a few more lessons. Then later that afternoon we were brought into the Chapel which was filled with other Elders and Sisters. It was there that we were paired up with our new companions. My companions name is Elder Keegan Call and he is from Detroit Michigan. I said goodbye to my old district and headed off.

I am in the Kannapolis area. I have been out here since yesterday. A member drove us here and he was so nice and had a thick accent, but it's not as common as you may think. Elder Call introduced me to the people in the front office of the complex. They are not members but they treat us as we are best of friends. Already we have talked to a few people.

We get to use iPads and we are basically writing the book on how to use them. I have already met some interesting people and I will tell you more later, there is just so much! Until then I'm doing fine and I am sure God walks along with each one of us during this time.

Love,
Elder Matthew Pena

P.S.  P-day is Monday and Dad can't send me any video on YouTube

New Email Today!!!

Dear Mom and Dad,

          Every thing is going fine so far. I have found adjusting to missionary life to be a little more difficult, but I know I will come around soon. I hope you will also get the letter I sent. It is from my first day here and I don't mention it in the letter, but we got rained on while we were biking to the church building to use their computers. We use Facebook for online proselyting. We also are using iPads, and we are one of the trial areas for it. There are only 5 other places in the world that get that privilege. Four in Utah and one in Arizona. The days of missionary's going around knocking on doors is going away. Now we rely on the local ward more then ever for referrals. While in the MTC I met a group that was going to Gilbert, so one person took a picture of my name tag in hopes they will see you guys and show you. 

The place I'm in is pretty nice, lots of trees and wooded areas, that I would absolutely love to go running through. I have been mostly just working out, and I figure that I will do that mostly, because we only get 30 minutes to work out in the morning. Its enough to get something out of it, if you work hard enough. Yes, I have been fed pretty well. Every night we have been fed by someone. Last night though, our dinner appointment cancelled on us, but another member fed us at the last minute. He was a member and his wife isn't, but she was still real nice to us. They made us bacon and eggs with grits which I have to say, I really like. But there was a lot of bacon and plenty of food it was so good. This southern hospitality, is kind of overwhelming. It does take some getting used to. Before I forget, I have passed by the house with the nascar.

One cool experience that I want to share with y'all is one morning my companion was going through the member list to find someone to go give a message to. He came across one name in-particular. He gave him a call and he answered which is a miracle in and of itself. We made an appointment and saw him that night. He was very happy to see us and said that when we called he was contemplating going back to church. He is inactive, and has not been to church in the last 10 years because his mother is not very found of the church, and he was living with her for awhile, but is now back on his feet. But this was just the thing that he needed, for both him and his son.

I love you all and I look foreword to hearing from y'all soon.

Love,

Elder Matthew Pena

First Email from MTC - August 15, 2013

Dear mom and Dad,

     I figured I would send this email to the both of you just in case. Sorry it took so long for me to email, but my P-day was not until Thursday. I have to say that there is a lot that has been going on! It's to the point that it is hard to recap an entire day, let alone a week. I saw Sister Waller last night and today, she is in my zone and her districts class room is right next to mine. It was cool to see all the new people come in and remember what it was like for me. It was like drinking from a fire hose. Right after processing, they threw you right into it. Our 2 main classes are 3 hours each. So far, the food has been pretty good and I have no complaints there. On Tuesday we had our devotional at the Marriott center, it was the first one to be televised live to other MTC's around the world. Elder Richard G. Scott of the 12 came and talked to us on prayer. The spirit from his talk is beyond words. I do kind of wish I was learning another language now, only because when he talked he gave an Apostalistic (sp?) blessing on all the missionaries learning another language. It is amazing all the things that go on in here, spirit wise. One of our teachers has be playing an investigator and each companionship goes in a teaches him. We have been doing this for awhile now, and just the other day he ran into some really tough times with his addiction that set him back a bit, so after me and my companion talked with him, my companion wanted to give him the blessing. We were really "lucky" that he had his oil and I had the cheat sheet! When it was over my companion was shaking and our teacher had tears in his eye's, and he was not acting that part out. I wish I could tell you more, and if I have enough time later I might send another email. In short, we are all getting along very well and are all pretty good friends with each other, and to Mom every one loves you Especially Elder Turnbow. 

Love,

       Elder Pena

Second Letter Home - August 9, 2013 9:25 pm

Dear Mom and Dad,

This is the only paper I have, so that is why it has the stubs on the end. Also, I do not have the return address for the MTC, so I just put our address down. I am tired. We are in class, or doing something 13 - 15 hours each day. The first day when we taught someone, we did it in a big group so it wasn't too bad. Today me and my companion taught for the first time. My companions name is Elder Burrup and yes I did bother to learn it. There are 6 of us in the room and we are an entire district. i am the senior companion and my companion is district leader. The whole thing at the MTC is pretty hard but I am getting along fairly well.

Love,
Elder Pena

First Letter Home - August 7, 2013 5:30pm

Dear Mom and Dad,

It feels like there is a lot going on, even though it has only been 3 hours. Processing went so fast you wouldn't believe it. Then I was dumped right into class with my companion. I found out in class that we are teaching someone tonight. We went through orientation and there are people from all over the world! A lot from Arizona and a LOT from Utah! Had dinner and the food was good. 1 dinner down, 11 more to go. Love you and see you soon.

Love,
Elder Pena

P.S. So glad I'm only here for 12 days!