James sent these photos from the MTC. Dad provided the captions.
James and fellow missionaries from his District/Zone in the MTC.
Some Elders grow faster than others.
James has made a lot of friends with missionaries who will be serving throughout the world.
These Elders and Sister(s) are going to Greece. In some of his letters he calls them the Greek Elders. He sometimes omits the "r" in Greeks - we're not sure if that's on purpose.
James and fellow missionaries in front of the sign for the MTC.
Explaining the finer points of life with a fellow Elder.
Once a week the missionaries are able to go the the Provo Temple. It's a short walk from the MTC. Evidently it also provides a lot of photo opportunities.
The view from the Provo Temple looking toward the west. Utah Lake and the Oquirrh mountains are in the distance. The MTC is just behind the line of trees near the left center of the photo.
James and his companion, Elder Hilton, and missionaries from his District/Zone in the MTC.
James and Elder Hilton.
This is the name tag James will be wearing for two years. It says, "Elder Sanford - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
A Lithuanian banner hanging in their classroom.
James' desk in his room in the MTC (one of its cleaner moments).
Morning hair.
The bulletin board in one of their classrooms.
Maps and photos from his MTC teacher(s). Most of the instructors teaching foreign languages in the MTC are former missionaries who served in the same country/language.
A majority of the missionaries' time is spent in class learning the language and learning how to teach the gospel in Lithuanian.
The pen is mightier than the sword.
It seems training to be a missionary has a lot in common with becoming a Jedi.
