Las Vegas West Mission

 Robert  was in Las Vegas for about 2 weeks, he loved the people he met there and was touched by their generosity, he never had to buy a meal.  He said when ever they were out to eat or at the store, people would just buy their meals for them.

 There are just a handful of Spanish speaking missionaries in The Las Vegas West Mission. The missionaries going to Merida, Mexico were placed in one of those companionship's. So when they received their Visas they could go without causing havoc to the Mission.   His one companion, Elder Quintana, his first language is Spanish he is from Texas. Elder Farmer is Spanish learned as is Robert, is from Tennessee.  He really enjoyed serving with them both.   He said the food was interesting but very good. He ate his first pigs nose. He lived in a community of mostly Latinos.   I don't believe he was able to do very much while there, he did write briefly about teaching an English class.

The picture in this series of  pictures of the party, was a church, family Valentine's Day party Latino Style. Robert said he heard it lasted until 2:00am.

Missionary Training Center, Provo, Utah

These picture were taken in Dec. 2011. The one with  Kristy is from Dec. 7, 2011 the day Robert left.

I wanted to add this photo separate because it has special meaning to us. This is Elder Josh McIntosh. He is currently serving his mission in Spokane, Washington.  Robert and Josh are childhood friends. Josh and his family lived next door to us in West Valley City, Utah.  They were three or so when they met and when we moved to Cincinnati, Ohio in 2004, Robert just turned 12, he and Josh stayed in touch. 
Robert knew Josh was coming into the MTC on Jan. 18th 2012, for they have been writing to each other. Robert really wanted to be a HOST for that day. A Host is the person who greets a new missionary at the curb, as their parents dropped them off. The Host helps with their luggage and shows them around the MTC, helps them get their books, their name tags etc. and introduce him or her to their district.  Robert wanted so bad to be a Host the day Josh would be arriving, but he writes: I am not sure if I will be able to be a host when Josh comes, and even if I do, it's a 1 to 375 chances that I will actually get to be Josh's Host. As you can see by the picture above, Heavenly Father has blessed these childhood friends and is looking after our boys. Sundee, Josh's mom told me about the events that took place in her family in getting Josh to the MTC; and Robert told me his story and it's a wonderful gift and blessing from our Father in Heaven.
  Sundee said they arrived in Provo with plenty of time, so they as a family grabbed a bite to eat and still with time to spare decided to go to the Provo Temple to take some family pictures and say their good-bye's.  When you  drop off your missionary at the MTC, you do just that, you drop them off  at the curb and you leave.  They  have 375 mission arriving continually throughout the day. I am not sure if that is daily or weekly... ANYWAY... it was time to get Josh to the Missionary Training Center and all of a sudden Sundee got feeling really sick to were she turned to her husband Mike and said, I need to fine a bathroom and fasted. So they all piled into their van and long story short.  Josh was 25 mins. late reporting to the MTC.  I know Sundee felt really bad. Josh was teasing her, the other kids were a little worried Josh was going to be so late. She said she felt awful until she pulled up and when they finally stop to let Josh out.  Who was standing their to greet her missionary at the curb, you guessed it, Elder Prince.  Sundee was so excited she got out of the car and gave Robert a BIG HUG, "for me".  It was nothing short of a miracle.  Now Robert said, he helped two other missionaries that day and had time for one last missionary. So he went to the back of the line and waited. When it was his turn, this car pulled up and this missionary out of no where cut in front of him and took the new missionary that should have been for Robert to Host.  Robert said he was really mad and couldn't believe that that just happened... a few minutes. later, Robert still being next up in line... a van pulls up... and you guess it.. It was Elder McIntosh.  I know this was a gift for these two childhood friends... I know that Heavenly Father loves his missionaries and this was a special blessing just for them. These are great boys now men, doing the Lord's work and Sundee and I both agree and are grateful for such a wonderful blessing.  I love this work and I love the spirit of our Heavenly Father bearing witness to me of His love for our sons. This was a wonderful blessing for us and the McIntosh family.

Provo, Utah

                                                  Love that Hat

                                         Elder Prince with Cincinnati friend Elder Kent Thalman

These pictures were taken in Provo, Utah. Around the end of Jan. 2012, Robert has made so many new friends who are serving missions in diverse places around the world.  You can tell they like to strike a pose!!  I knew how cold Robert gets so I sent him a beanie hat to wear, he looks like a little Jewish boy, hahahah. The Building in these photo's is the Provo Temple.  Robert really enjoys attending the Temple on his P-Day with his district. (p-day = preparation day)

 Across the street from the Provo Temple is the Missionary Training Center.   So they were able to walk back and forth once a week. 

 (P-Days happen once a week, this is when they have time to do laundry, write letters etc.)

Robert really  enjoyed the MTC, but was ready to leave by Feb. 2012.

     A little cloudy that day, but as a family it was a beautiful Temple trip.

I have never blogged before and thought this would a great way to share Robert's or Elder Prince as he is known now, experience's on his Mission with friends and family. Be patient as I learn the in's and out of blogging... 
Theresa

Friends in the MTC

Elder Prince's teacher: Wearing the white name tags. He really enjoyed his classes.

What comes to mind is the song "to much time on my hands..." If only his room was as neat :) or too much pop in my belly...hahaha  It wasn't told if these were all Robert's or if they all had a hand in collecting them.    Due to construction they had six missionaries to a dorm room. A little crowded I would say.  Robert didn't seem to mind, he said it was like a fiesta every night.  They had very little of R and R time, but it seems to me they made the most of it.

Life in the Missionary Training Center (MTC).  Robert left on Dec. 7th, 2011 and headed to Provo Utah.

This is Elder Prince's District in the MTC. Elder Prince was called to be the District Leader.