Hey Family and Friends!

I am still alive and kicking here in the MTC! The first few days are extremely tough. Every missionary goes through many trials and wants to go home their first few days. Your life in the MTC changes in an instance and it hits everyone in different ways. For me personally, I struggled up until Saturday and Sunday. I am so much happier now than I have been! All the older missionaries say just stick it out until Sunday and you will be totally fine afterwards and they are totally right. I am really starting to love it here. The spirit is everywhere and I am growing in my knowledge of the gospel everyday. My companion's name is Elder Miller. He is from Lehi, Utah. There are 4 Elders and 1 Sister in my district all going to the NYNYS Mission. The other 2 Elders are going to Bangalore India and the other 2 sisters are going to Chicago. My district and I are becoming very close and feel like I have known them my entire life. On my arrival, all the new missionaries got together for a New Missionary Orientation. As we were singing in the very beginning, the spirit hit me so hard that I was unable to sing. I knew that being on this mission is what I am supposed to do. I have been growing a lot spiritually and learning how to always have the spirit with me. I have memorized my purpose as a missionary and it explains everything that we are supposed to do as missionaries. My purpose is to "invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and his atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the holy ghost, and enduring to the end".

Yesterday in my Teaching Resource Center (TRC) activity, we taught a referrals we got (not sure if he is not a member, or is really a member and acting). It was the hardest investigator ever! He is Catholic and really didn't care what we had to say. I was trying to get to know him and develop a relationship of trust, and he got so offended me trying to ask him questions. He even called my racist! Mainly because I am from Arizona where all the SB1070 and Sheriff Joe. We didn't get much teaching in, but we will try and teach him again Wednesday this week.

I have been called as the Senior Companion and also as our wards Music Coordinator. I choose all the hymns we sing in sacrament meeting and find a piano player and a conductor for the music. Its pretty simple, but now we get to sing good "recognizable" hymns since I get to pick them. Sundays are seriously the best days in the MTC. We have our priesthood meeting, Sunday school, sacrament, and then an awesome fireside afterward. My comp and I blessed the sacrament. The fireside was awesome! President Mciff of the MTC presidency gave a great talk. He showed a video of my mission and all the service they were doing out there. It was truly inspiring. The people in the New York called the Mormons out there angels because there was no one out there helping them accept the missionaries. They were all so happy for their help. I cant wait to get out of here and get into the mission field and bless the other people's lives of New York. My district was all freaking out after that since they were talking about our missionaries the entire fireside!

Just a little FYI. My P-Days will be on Tuesday and these are my only days to write letters here in the MTC so I wont be able to respond until then. Dear Elder is the best way to communicate with me. I get those letters the next day and it is seriously the best part of my day when we all get letters. We check our boxes twice a day. I will be here in the MTC until December 3rd.I could really use a clothes hamper to put my dirty clothes in. I don't like tossing my dirty clothes in the bottom of my closet. I love having our gym time. I really kick some butt at volleyball! I know this letter is all over the place. There is so much going on through my mind I just don't know what to write. I am doing much better here and the homesickness is finally fading to a point where I can focus and work now. I am overcoming a lot of challenges I face in life and am becoming a stronger more spiritual missionary, but most importantly a stronger priesthood holder. I gave a sister in our district a blessing and it was beautiful. I felt so excited to use my priesthood to bless others. She is doing much better now (she had a massive migraine that she needed a shot to help with the pain). I am learning how to love and to turn outwards during times of trial and well during all times. This work is not about me. It is about those who have gone without the gospel in their lives. Turn out, don't turn in. Prospective missionaries, learn to love. The church is true! I am doing well and love all of you so much! I will continue to respond to everyone in personal letters today to. I am out of time! Talk to you next week.

I love you!

Elder Hooper