Elder Tanner Rogers: Macho In My Cuatro

Howdy,

Wow, a lot has happened since last week.

Luckily I was able to get my tooth filled at a different dentist. I say luckily, but it actually wasn't fun. It hurt because the problem was with the filling, so they got to drill it all out and fill it again so that really wasn't that great, but I'm happy I got it over with.

Friday I went to Debbie's because Grandma left for Georgia, and that's where I spent Friday, Saturday, and most of Sunday. It was crazy saying goodbye to everybody, it was surreal almost. I was not very nervous except when I finished my class on Saturday and realized I didn't have any more classes, but I got an email from the mission nurse telling me she saw where I was going and that my trainer was awesome so that was nice.

Sunday night was pure chaos trying to get everything packed and I was exhausted, but finally, Monday morning came around and it was my time to fly out. We headed for the airport, without breakfast, and I had to say my goodbyes. Even at the airport saying goodbye to my family it didn't feel real. I was able to get there at the same time as some other missionaries so that was nice. I made it through security with them, and then when I got to my gate I saw Brookie's dad which was awesome. I talked to him for a long time, and so I didn't eat breakfast before I got on the plane, which was a mistake.

Anyway, I flew out with 22 elders which was crazy. When I landed we walked to the baggage claim where we met President Ensign and the APs. As everybody was grabbing their luggage President Ensign grabbed me (literally haha) and pulled me aside. He asked if I was the runner who signed at Weber State. I said I was and he said that he had big plans for me in the mission. He said he was pairing me with one of the best elders in the mission. He said that my companion only had one transfer left and he wanted me to suck up all of his knowledge so that I could become the missionary he wanted me to become. It was cool. After that, I watched to see if he did something similar to other missionaries, but he didn't as far as I saw.

As I was walking to the car I saw Elder Willis, one of my buddies from high school. He's been serving here for about two months, and it was so awesome to see him. When I got up to the car, I found out that I have not one, not two, but three companions. That's right, I'm in a cuatro. I also found out that my first area is in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. Whiskey city USA. We are about 300 meters from the Ohio River, 100 meters from a big casino, and 50 meters from a pretty legit park. They make a lot of whiskey here, and so it smells like yeast. I kind of like it, it smells like bread dough right before you stick it in the oven.

My companions are cool. Elder Robinson, the elder President Ensign was referring to, is on his last transfer, and he's awesome. He's a pretty legit runner. He's been to NXN and a bunch of other high up there meets, so we're excited to go on runs together. He is very sarcastic, but he likes the work, and so I'm excited to work with him. Elder Weaver goes home today, so our cuatro will be town to three after today. He seems like he was a great missionary. Very obedient and diligent. Elder Leavitt is here on reassignment from Paris, France. He speaks French and he's been here for like a month. He's really cool. After today, Elder Robinson will be training both of us.

Because it was Elder Weaver's last day we went to some restaurant last night that they'd never been to before. There was a long wait, and the food was pricy, but trash. We all agreed we won't go there again. The worst thing about being in a cuatro is that I had to sleep on the floor last night cause there's only three beds. Oh well. I had like a pad to sleep on. Not the best night's sleep, but I survived.

I really like my area. The only thing I would change is that I wish I was Spanish-speaking. Elder Robinson is the district leader and he said he'll set up an exchange with me and the Spanish elders though. Anyway, so far everything has been great!!

Keep Striving everybody!!

Elder Rogers

The pictures are of my cuatro at Walmart, me walking onto the plane, a picture my MTC district drew of me, me with Elder Willis, and me with Brookie's dad at the airport.