Elder Christian Thomas Dietz: First Letter Home!

Heeeeey Jerrrry!!! It's Me Elder Dietz!

Well everybody! I can't believe my first week as a missionary is almost over! I am doing great and I am very excited! Okay let's start off by talking about Monday. When my parents and I arrived at the JSMB(Joseph Smith Memorial Building) we were greeted by President Tate, Sister Tate, and the rest of the Mission presidency. I knew immediately that I was in good hands. We all went inside to the lobby of the JSMB and took pictures. Then came the hard part. I had to say goodbye to Mom and Dad. Tears were shed, but it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be because I am doing the right thing by Serving a mission.

After we said our goodbyes, I met my companions Elder Ransom and Elder McLewaine. I'm in a tri-companionship because I am the only Elder entering the Mission. The mission has Monday morning devotional every Monday in the Chapel at the JSMB. I had no idea that there was a chapel inside the JSMB. That's where we have sacrament meeting on Sundays. I was Introduced by President Tate as Elder Thomas Dietz. Uh..... Yeah I found out later that they switched my middle name and my first name on the sheet they gave him. I'm not going to lie. I was shocked when I got to the mission. I found out that most of the missionaries are senior missionaries. I then found out that not only am I the newest Elder on the mission, I'm also the Youngest. By 10 months. I didn't realize how many of the Young Elders on the mission are struggling with a lot worse problems than the level of my depression and anxiety. I am extremely humbled because of them. Well after Devotional I dove headfirst into the mission and began orientation. I got my missionary badge. It was an awesome experience! I had orientation pretty much the rest of the day. Twice I saw my sister Sarah(She works at the JSMB) which was way cool.

Well the next day we had more orientation. Holy heck there's a lot of that. So That day I got to do a few tours. One of the coolest ones was the Book of Mormon display at the Church History Library. I got to see Hyrum Smith's Book of Mormon from Carthage Jail. A few years ago in General Conference Elder Jeffrey R. Holland Held that exact Book of Mormon when he gave one of the most powerful testimonies I have heard. So on the Mission we obviously get to spend a lot of time doing our own family history work. I found that someone made a duplicate of my Grandma Stears. I had to fix that haha. Oh Boy... two words..... Grocery Shopping. Let's just say that I am extremely grateful for my parents providing food for me while growing up. I got everything I thought I needed. I went to Check out at the City Creek Harmons. SLAP IN THE FACE. I had no idea how expensive food was if you don't shop smart. So I get the total. "$123.45 please." I felt horrible because the lady had to take stuff off until I got to $70. Never making that mistake again. I think the biggest two reasons I spent so much was because 1) I had never shopped on my own before and 2) I had to get a lot of new stuff that I won't have to buy again for awhile. Well That night was a little rough because I was so stressed out about Money. Yeah I get it now Dad;)

The next morning went a lot better. Why you ask? TEMPLE TRIP!!!!! I arrived at a great time because we go to a different Temple besides the Salt Lake Temple every three months. We drove down to the Mount Timpinogis Temple. I had a really cool experience in the Temple. So each Time I go to the temple i say a prayer and ask Heavenly Father to help me find a scripture that I can apply or relate to myself. I opened to a Random scripture. That Scripture was: D&C 127:4. It reads: "And again, verily thus saith the Lord: Let the works of my temple and all the works which I have appointed unto you, be continued on and not cease; and let your diligence, and your perseverance, and patience, and your works be redoubled, and you nowise lose your reward, saith the Lord of Hosts. And if they persecute you, so persecuted they the Prophets and righteous men that were before you. For all this there is a reward in heaven." That was a awesome answer to a prayer!

So Wednesday night was really hard for me. I felt a little homesick, but I felt just drained physically. I didn't know how I would work the next day. So I said my prayers and went to bed. When I woke up the next morning I felt the same way until I said my morning prayer. An overwhelming feeling of peace and joy overcame me. I felt like I could take on anything the Lord asked me to do! Now if you know me, you know that especially when I'm in a good mood I like to sing Hymns. So I played the Hymn "There is Sunshine In My Soul Today!" I promise you that the Lord loves His children and He does answer their prayers if the are sincere. So something I'll admit is that Grandpa Stears is right. The thing I miss the most IS the storage room! Man I think I'll have dropped 15lbs by the end of the mission! as a Missionary you DO NOT pass up free food. You eat all the food you can get! If you make too much food, make room because food is money!

Well Friday was a great day! It was raining. Love rain! Except when I don't have a coat.... At lunch, my companions and I were Invited by some other elders over to have lunch! Man that was awesome!!! During training I got so tiered that the my senior missionary couple let me go take a 30 minute power nap on the couch! That was very much needed!

Today I got to go Grocery shopping again. This time I shopped smart and got the cheapest things I could find that were still good. I got my laundry stuff as well. Hey Mom guess what! I can do laundry too! Anyways, I only spent $55/$80 this time. Today is my P-Day and I get to hang out with the AP's who are awesome. I almost forgot! While I was at Walmart I saw the Deseret News newspaper headline. So Utah be USC in a thriller eh? Cool beans! Anyways It's been a great first week on the Mission!

So I want to say that the Church is true! And that the Lord put me in the best and coolest Mission he has to offer! I Love and Miss all of you! If you want to write physical letters or emails you can! I'll but both addresses below! See you in Two!

With Much Love,

Elder CTBD Dietz

(Correction: Only immediate family is able to email Christian. But anyone can write him a physical letter)