August 29, 2011 Made District Leader

AUNT STEPHY,

Que tal?! How is it going? Everything is going awesome with me! The MTC is way cool. It's super difficult sometimes and the days are ridiculously long, but really I am learning so much and it just so awesome. I got made district leader on my second day here and I'm so happy to serve the elders in my district. They are all so awesome and are characters, totally. It seriously is such a cool calling. My district is the largest in my zone with 12 Elder's, but half of them are leaving to the Peru MTC in three weeks. All of the rest are going to my mission on the same day as me (except one who is going to Monterrey Mexico East) so we throw up West side gang signs all the time and stuff like that. You know. But really, I am learning so much and it is so cool to be able to have fun and be in this spiritually rich enviornment 24/7. Sometimes it gets bad, like we saw a car and a house over one of the fences and freaked because you just don't see cars at all, but it's all good. I'm telling you, this whole basically no being around girls thing is killing me. Definitely the most difficult part of the MTC. So whenever I see and girls I always yell "Hola hermanas!" I actually say hi to people more often now than I did before except it's all in Spanish.

One of the things we are supposed to do here at the MTC is try not to say "guys" or "dude" and for me, that is the most difficult task anyone has ever asked me to accomplish. So, I tried my best but even when I speak in English for two sentences, one of those words get in there, so I just don't speak in English. Probably really good for me and my Spanish learning anyway, which is coming along so well too, by the way.

My companion is pretty cool. He's a really nice guy and we get along just fine.

I've been getting your letters like basically everyday and they've been totally awesome. Thank you so much, and thank you for everything you and Uncle Dan, Granny, and everyone have done for me to get to where I am now. There is no way I could have done it without you guys. No way.
I've been able to write in my journal pretty often, so that's good. I get more sleep here than I did back at college or really anywhere else, which is funny because we only get a maximum of eight hours. I play a lot of Volleyball at gym time and just have been having fun and working so hard. Literally, I am busy every single second. There is never any free time. Also, having a conmpanion with you every second of the day is werid. I like being alone at least sometimes, but I'm adjusting okay.
I'm telling you, if I were a missionary going to an English speaking place, I could do pretty well! I am good at speaking English especially when it comes to something I'm totally passionate about like, Christ for example, but in Spanish? I sound like a dope. I'm getting better, but it still is difficult! We've been teaching an "investigator" (aka someone who works here pretending to be investigating the church) all in Spanish and it gets so difficult! They talk so fast! I am doing well, though. I'm proud of my progress as well as the progress of my district.

How is everything with the family? School still going well and all of that? I saw Deana last Thursday as well as today at the temple, which was super cool!
Really, being here just these few days has made my testimony increase so, so much. I know more than anything that Jesus Chrsit came to this Earth and suffered for all of us. I know that He loves each of us and knows us personally. I know that. I have recieved a witness of that in my life and it is a witness that I cannot deny. That's why I'm here. I can't have this knowlege of Christ, who stands at the head of this church, and not share it. I need everyone to know. I have such a strong love for Him and I know that this is what He would have me do at this time of my life. I know that this church is His completely. I am just an instrument in His hands, submitting my enitre will to His, because well, His will is a lot better than mine.

I do miss home, though. I miss all of you. Aunt Stehpy, Uncle Dan, Austen, Savy, Dylan, and Reese, too. It's a bummer not being with you. It's a bummer missing my friends, too, but I know what I am doing is so right and my family and my true friends will be around in two years when I come home :D
Well, I hope everything is going well. I love you all so, so much. I miss you all like crazy, too.

Oh, no music allowed in the MTC either, so Enya will have to wait until Mexico. Also, the food here? Ehhhh...

I wrote you about getting some addresses but I actually aquired some of those. So it's totally cool. I am, however, still looking for address for Elizabeth, Kelsi, Maddy, and Jakey, so hopefully they'll write me, but I'll cut them some slack. It's been what, 5 or 6 days? For me, they have been SO LONG. It feels like months already.
But really, everything is so awesome here. I am completely good and am just doing my best here and really working hard. The people in Monterrey deserve it. I'm here for them, not me. I really like what Taylor said in one of his older letters about how he is going to find those people he promised he would before this life. He told them he'd bring them the gospel here on this Earth, and that's where he is. Well, guess what? That's what I'm preparing to do. I'm here to learn a language so I can speak to those people I promised beofre this life. I promised them I would change their lives here, make their families last forever with this knowledge of the resotred gospel, and I intend to.
I love you all so much. Keep being the best family ever. Tell everyone in the world to write me letters because I love them, too.

Your support is the best thing for me and it is very helpful. Whenever I get down, I just look around and see all of the thousands of missionaries here and honestly a huge smile goes on my face. They all know what I know and they all are here to share it, too. Whether that be in Hong Kong or Mesa, Arizona Spanish speaking. It makes me so happy to see them all. It is a sight to behold.

Love it.
Love you.
Write me.
I'll keep you posted.

Love,
Elder Wheeler

August 24, 2011 Entering the MTC

Jordan woke up about 5:00am to get ready. We said our tearful goodbyes, tears of Joy for our sweet boy and we will miss his sweet smile around here for 2 years!!

Thanks to the AMAZING Aunt Deana for taking Jordan to the MTC, hugging and loving him for us, and for getting in some georgeous temples on the drive down. We love you Deana!!

SLC airport - picking Elder Wheeler up

Oquirrh Mountain Temple

Jordan River Temple

Draper Utah Temple

Time to drop off

Elders helping with suitcases

Goodbye to our sweet Elder and HOLA MTC!

August 24, 2011 Click on it to read up close!

August 23, 2011 "Adios Party"

We are grateful to everyone who came over to support Jordan and wish him well. We had such a good time with friends and family. Here are some of the highlights.

August 23, 2011 "Set apart as Missionary"

Elder Wheeler is officially Elder Wheeler!
Jordan was set apart as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints tonight! There was the sweetest Spirit in the room. We are so proud of you Jordan and LOVE you so VERY, VERY much.

Granny Julie

Sister Paula

My Family - U.D. , Aunt Stephy, Austen, Savannah, Dylan, Reese

Uncle Mason, Macey, Roc, Tate, Miley

Uncle Ty

Granny Dinah, Aunt Marlo, Jessy

Uncle John, Aunt Jamie, Rebekah, Samantha

Uncle Ira, Aunt Krystal

August 22, 2011 - Dear Jordan (and friends, fans, & boosters)

Jordan,

Steph and I have received many heartfelt comments from people who have gotten to know our story, telling us what a good thing we've done in taking you into our home and family, and what a positive difference we've made in your life. We appreciate all those expressions and really feel like adding you to our family has brought individual blessings to each member of our family, as well as being a good thing for your life.

Now that you are leaving on your mission, I would like to share an observation: the reason you're going on a mission is because YOU decided to make living worthily a priority, YOU decided to develop your testimony of the Gospel, YOU decided to develop friendships that would support your worthiness, YOU decided to develop personal habits that strengthened your faith. Of all the questionable decisions you made, and of all the corrections we tried to provide you, it was obvious you had a core desire to choose the right, a desire to honor covenants you had made, and a desire to be the best you could be.

So, while we are thankful for all the kind words about the impact you being with us has had on your life, please know that YOUR own will (and your faith in God) is what got you to this place in life! If you keep cultivating YOUR OWN WILL to live righteously, in spite of fear, the praise of man, etc. you will fulfill your divine destiny and have joy. Never forget that. All we did was love you and give you a family to belong to, no different than any parent would do. We are a FOREVER FAMILY!

I Love You- U.D.

August 19, 2011 "The Temple" - Click on it to read it up close!