*Note from me, Allee is our dog :)
February 5, 2010
Hillary, Jake and Allee,
Hola! Como le va? Soy el misinero de la iglesia de Jesu Cristo de los Santos de las Ultimos dia teno un mersaje de Dios y Cristo. Haha, sorry, I've been contacting for the past hour. That's my line. I got your letter yesterday. And yeah Jake, you were the 1st letter haha. Muchas gracias. I'm doing great here. I'm loving every minute of it. The spirit is so strong and I love my zone and district. Everything is going good. There are two other guys from Texas in my district (San Antonio and Houston) and I met another guy from Katy (not Elder Durham) **Note from Hillary again, Jake and I live in Katy and our Bishop's son (Elder Durham) went to the MTC the same day as Ross did.**
The food here is okay. It's not bad but it's not good. But Alex and Grandma have sent me packages so it's all good. I think you are tied with mom for most letters/Dear Elders. Congratulations! I love getting mail. Me and an hermana in my district get something everyday. There are 4 hermanas in my district, they keep us elders under control. There is a supervising sister in my zone that takes care of them, thank goodness. I had one sister that came to me and asked for a blessing cause she wanted to go home. It was a great opportunity for me, I loved it.
I was in the bookstore today and looked for Tyler's books and saw them, that was pretty sweet. Time here flies, it's crazy. (**Note from Hillary again....Tyler is Ross's buddy from A&M who went to the MTC 2 weeks after Ross and is headed to Guatemala)
Tell Jake that I do ball in gym. Nobody really messes with me, they are kind of scared! And the computers are in the laundry room so it works out great. Well that's all I have to say. I guess that's it. Hasta luego!
Love,
Elder Pequeno
Friday, February 19, 2010
Updates...
I am going to try to keep this updated! So far we have gotten 2 emails from Ross in addition to the letters he has written to family so it's been great to hear from him. He is doing wonderful and staying super busy...which is probably why you haven't heard from him if you have written him letters. Don't get your feelings hurt! Keep the letters coming...he continues to need your love and support and encouragement.
His address changed just a bit, just the departure date part...
Elder Ross Christopher Little
MTC Mailbox #277
CA-SD 0323
2005 N 900 E
Provo, UT 84604-1793
You can also continue to use www.dearelder.com. Here are instructions for that...
www.dearelder.com
On the left hand side under "Send Stuff" click on Provo MTC (Free)
Type in your information in the top boxes
Type in Ross's information in the bottom boxes
Mailbox number is 277
Mission Code is CA-SD
Departure Date is 0323
Scroll down and type your letter in the box and send! It's THAT easy!
Thanks again for everything. We have the best family and friends EVER!
His address changed just a bit, just the departure date part...
Elder Ross Christopher Little
MTC Mailbox #277
CA-SD 0323
2005 N 900 E
Provo, UT 84604-1793
You can also continue to use www.dearelder.com. Here are instructions for that...
www.dearelder.com
On the left hand side under "Send Stuff" click on Provo MTC (Free)
Type in your information in the top boxes
Type in Ross's information in the bottom boxes
Mailbox number is 277
Mission Code is CA-SD
Departure Date is 0323
Scroll down and type your letter in the box and send! It's THAT easy!
Thanks again for everything. We have the best family and friends EVER!
Ross's First Letter...
January 28, 2010 (Ross's first full day in the MTC)
mi Padre y mi Madre,
Hola from the MTC! My stay here so far has been great. My companion, Elder Bean, is a cool guy. He's quiet, but he's starting to come around. My other roommates, Elder Thomas y Elder Regan are real fun to be around. Elder Thomas is from Hawaii.
I guess you are wondering what happened on Day 1 so...
After my host helped me get checked in and took me to my room, I went and met my teachers, Hermano McPherson y Hermana Rivus. They are great as well. Before dinner we had an MTC orientation meeting. When we were seated I noticed everyone started to stand up again. I stood up to see who was walking in. You will never guess who it was. It was President Uchtdorf coming to welcome us and bring the love of President Monson! It was the first time in three years that a member of the First Presidency had come to the MTC. We had more meetings that night and then we went back to our rooms to unpack and meet our zone.
Mom and Dad, I know the church is true. So far we have been taught to rely on the Spirit when we teach and I can feel it everyday in my life. He has comforted me and helped to block out the homesickness so I can focus on how to better teach the people that I made promises to. I love my Heavenly Father with all my heart. I can feel His presence in all of my classes. I can not wait to start teaching. Mi espanol es bueno.
(He must have stopped here and come back later...)
I took a break from writing for the day. I am sitting in my room. Tonight we met our Branch Presidency. We bore our testimonies and then they left and the Zone Leaders came back in. A few minutes later they (The Branch Presidency) came back in and called me out. I met with the three of them and they extended the call to me to be District Leader of my District. It is an exciting position. I'm not sure what my responsibilities are (I have a meeting Sunday) but I know the Lord and Spirit will guide me to what is right. I love yall so much! I feel your prayers everyday and I know yall feel mine! Hasta luego!
Your son,
Elder Little
Hope you enjoyed the first letter we received from Ross! He also included his first prayer in Spanish but it is hand written and I don't know how to read Spanish and his handwriting isn't the best, so I would totally butcher it. Sorry!! I can email it to you if you are really interested. :)
mi Padre y mi Madre,
Hola from the MTC! My stay here so far has been great. My companion, Elder Bean, is a cool guy. He's quiet, but he's starting to come around. My other roommates, Elder Thomas y Elder Regan are real fun to be around. Elder Thomas is from Hawaii.
I guess you are wondering what happened on Day 1 so...
After my host helped me get checked in and took me to my room, I went and met my teachers, Hermano McPherson y Hermana Rivus. They are great as well. Before dinner we had an MTC orientation meeting. When we were seated I noticed everyone started to stand up again. I stood up to see who was walking in. You will never guess who it was. It was President Uchtdorf coming to welcome us and bring the love of President Monson! It was the first time in three years that a member of the First Presidency had come to the MTC. We had more meetings that night and then we went back to our rooms to unpack and meet our zone.
Mom and Dad, I know the church is true. So far we have been taught to rely on the Spirit when we teach and I can feel it everyday in my life. He has comforted me and helped to block out the homesickness so I can focus on how to better teach the people that I made promises to. I love my Heavenly Father with all my heart. I can feel His presence in all of my classes. I can not wait to start teaching. Mi espanol es bueno.
(He must have stopped here and come back later...)
I took a break from writing for the day. I am sitting in my room. Tonight we met our Branch Presidency. We bore our testimonies and then they left and the Zone Leaders came back in. A few minutes later they (The Branch Presidency) came back in and called me out. I met with the three of them and they extended the call to me to be District Leader of my District. It is an exciting position. I'm not sure what my responsibilities are (I have a meeting Sunday) but I know the Lord and Spirit will guide me to what is right. I love yall so much! I feel your prayers everyday and I know yall feel mine! Hasta luego!
Your son,
Elder Little
Hope you enjoyed the first letter we received from Ross! He also included his first prayer in Spanish but it is hand written and I don't know how to read Spanish and his handwriting isn't the best, so I would totally butcher it. Sorry!! I can email it to you if you are really interested. :)
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Another way to get in touch with Ross....
I've had a lot of people ask how they can get in touch with Ross. One way is to use his mailing address that is posted here, but there's another way I learned about that I LOVE. Here's what you can do...
While Ross is in the MTC (until March 30th) you can use this way to send him letters free of charge via www.dearelder.com
Go to www.dearelder.com
On the left hand side under the heading "Send Stuff" click on "Provo MTC (FREE)"
Type in your information in the top few boxes and Ross's in the bottom few boxes....
Elder Ross Little
MTC Box #277
Mission Code is CA-SD
Estimated MTC Departure Date is 0330
Enter your email address so it can email you a copy of the letter
Then scroll down and type your letter in the box, click "send letter" and you're done! Your letter will be printed out, stuffed and sealed in an envelope, addressed to Ross and hand delivered. As long as your letter is sent before noon (mountain time) it will be delivered THAT DAY! If you write it after 12pm (1pm Texas time) it will be delivered the next day. This is fast AND saves you the cost of a stamp...what more could you ask for! So to all of Ross's friends out there....write him a quick note!! He would ABSOLUTELY LOVE to hear from you, especially in this first week of being gone. Let me know if you have any questions.
While Ross is in the MTC (until March 30th) you can use this way to send him letters free of charge via www.dearelder.com
Go to www.dearelder.com
On the left hand side under the heading "Send Stuff" click on "Provo MTC (FREE)"
Type in your information in the top few boxes and Ross's in the bottom few boxes....
Elder Ross Little
MTC Box #277
Mission Code is CA-SD
Estimated MTC Departure Date is 0330
Enter your email address so it can email you a copy of the letter
Then scroll down and type your letter in the box, click "send letter" and you're done! Your letter will be printed out, stuffed and sealed in an envelope, addressed to Ross and hand delivered. As long as your letter is sent before noon (mountain time) it will be delivered THAT DAY! If you write it after 12pm (1pm Texas time) it will be delivered the next day. This is fast AND saves you the cost of a stamp...what more could you ask for! So to all of Ross's friends out there....write him a quick note!! He would ABSOLUTELY LOVE to hear from you, especially in this first week of being gone. Let me know if you have any questions.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
MTC Address
My parents got an email last night updating them of Ross's address. If you would like to write him while he is the MTC he will be there until March 30th. Here is his contact info....
Elder Ross Christopher Little
MTC Mailbox #277
CA-SD 0330
2005 N 900 E
Provo, UT 84604
~Hillary
Elder Ross Christopher Little
MTC Mailbox #277
CA-SD 0330
2005 N 900 E
Provo, UT 84604
~Hillary
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
The big day!
Today was the big day! Ross entered the Missionary Training Center today around 1-ish Utah time. My parents dropped him off...the MTC is totally serious about curbside drop off. You literally pull up and drop your missionary at the curb. There was another missionary assigned to Ross waiting for him so they met and off they went. My parents had already said their goodbyes to Ross so off they went as well. It was an emotional day for all, I'm sure.
I know it seems odd that we are kinda sad about Ross doing such a great thing. But you have to understand we won't see or talk to Ross other than letters and occasional emails for the next 2 years and when you come from a family as close knit as ours, that's hard. So it's not that we're sad that he's going on a mission, we're totally ecstatic about that. It's that we won't see him for the next couple of years. But we are so proud of him and excited too. So good luck to Ross! Thanks for all of your good thoughts and prayers sent his way. He'll continue to need lots these next few days as he is adjusting to the MTC and life as a missionary :)
More updates to come as we're updated on Ross's address and such. :)
~Hillary
I know it seems odd that we are kinda sad about Ross doing such a great thing. But you have to understand we won't see or talk to Ross other than letters and occasional emails for the next 2 years and when you come from a family as close knit as ours, that's hard. So it's not that we're sad that he's going on a mission, we're totally ecstatic about that. It's that we won't see him for the next couple of years. But we are so proud of him and excited too. So good luck to Ross! Thanks for all of your good thoughts and prayers sent his way. He'll continue to need lots these next few days as he is adjusting to the MTC and life as a missionary :)
More updates to come as we're updated on Ross's address and such. :)
~Hillary
Saturday, January 23, 2010
And he's off!
So it's official! Ross is now Elder Little and is on his way to Utah. He and my parents left this morning to fly out to Salt Lake for a few days before he enters the MTC on WEDNESDAY! We totally can not believe the time has already come. Hopefully the fact that time flew by up to this date means time will continue to fly by until we see him again in 2 years!
Ross gave his first farewell talk in Sherman 2 weeks ago. It was in front of our ward (congregation) that we grew up in, so there were LOTS of people there that know and love Ross. He also invited some friends like the lady who has cut his hair since he was 4 and his football coach both of whom came...he is already doing the missionary thing! It was an awesome meeting and Ross did a great job of conveying the spirit.
He gave his other farewell talk this past weekend in College Station. This was in his ward he has attended since August of last year. He has made a lot of friends there most of whom where there to hear him speak as well as lots of our family. Again, Ross gave a wonderful talk...I'm totally biased as his sister, I know. But he did do a great job. It's so comforting to know he has SO MANY friends and family who will keep him in their thoughts and prayers...what a blessing!
Friday the 22nd, Ross was set apart as a full time missionary. We are all so proud of him and his decision to serve the Lord for 2 years without a glance back. He'll miss everyone here, we'll miss him, but that won't detract from his desire to serve the Lord. I am excited for the opportunities and experiences that he is about to have and wouldn't want him anywhere else right now except on a mission. After Ross was set apart we had a family dinner at Olive Garden for all who could attend. We crowded around a table without about 20 or so of us and had a great time...here are some pictures from after dinner...
Ross gave his first farewell talk in Sherman 2 weeks ago. It was in front of our ward (congregation) that we grew up in, so there were LOTS of people there that know and love Ross. He also invited some friends like the lady who has cut his hair since he was 4 and his football coach both of whom came...he is already doing the missionary thing! It was an awesome meeting and Ross did a great job of conveying the spirit.
He gave his other farewell talk this past weekend in College Station. This was in his ward he has attended since August of last year. He has made a lot of friends there most of whom where there to hear him speak as well as lots of our family. Again, Ross gave a wonderful talk...I'm totally biased as his sister, I know. But he did do a great job. It's so comforting to know he has SO MANY friends and family who will keep him in their thoughts and prayers...what a blessing!
Friday the 22nd, Ross was set apart as a full time missionary. We are all so proud of him and his decision to serve the Lord for 2 years without a glance back. He'll miss everyone here, we'll miss him, but that won't detract from his desire to serve the Lord. I am excited for the opportunities and experiences that he is about to have and wouldn't want him anywhere else right now except on a mission. After Ross was set apart we had a family dinner at Olive Garden for all who could attend. We crowded around a table without about 20 or so of us and had a great time...here are some pictures from after dinner...
I'm so sad this one turned out blurry! But it's the only one I got of Ross and Grandma & Grandpa Wertz so I had to post it. :(
Ross, Hillary and Jake (sister and brother in law)
Mimi, Ross and Popa
Alivia, Ross and Andrea (Ross's cousins)
Jessica (cousin) with Ross and her 2 kids, Shawnee and Kayson. Her husband Dayne is one of Ross's closest friends...he was working hard and couldn't make it.
Kelly and Thomas (aunt and uncle) with Ross and their girls. Their son Ashton is another close friend of Ross's, but he had a SHS soccer game.
Us again!
Being silly is what we do best.
Hillary, Ross and Brooke...siblings!
Ryan, Ross and Brooke (brother in law and sister)And last but certainly not least....the 2 people who are mainly responsible for helping Ross to be the person he is today.....
Ross, Mom and Dad
Come back and visit the blog for letters, pictures and updates on and from Ross over the next 2 years. Once we hear from him, we'll pick things out to post here for all to see. We appreciate your thoughts and prayers in Ross's behalf...we can already feel them and know you will be blessed as well for your kindness and love for Ross over the years, whether you've known him his whole life or just a few months. Good luck Elder Little!
Ross, Mom and DadCome back and visit the blog for letters, pictures and updates on and from Ross over the next 2 years. Once we hear from him, we'll pick things out to post here for all to see. We appreciate your thoughts and prayers in Ross's behalf...we can already feel them and know you will be blessed as well for your kindness and love for Ross over the years, whether you've known him his whole life or just a few months. Good luck Elder Little!
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