We finally heard from Jeffrey. His first letter was upbeat and he sounded busy but happy. He said he had lost weight and couldn't eat. I think it may be from stress but I think he is doing better now. The photo is a photo we received from a couple at the MTC. A note accompanied the photo that said "We meet the missionaries curbside," so I assume that the other four Elders are the missionaries that caught the shuttle from Salt Lake Airport at the same time. Below is an excerpt of Jeffrey's first letter home.


Dear Family,
Things are going great so there's no need to worry about me. I have the coolest companion, Elder Clevenger from Arizona. Almost everyone in my district is going to Cuernavaca so that's cool. Since it's a new mission, a lot more Americans are going there. I've made a lot of friends already and we all get along great. Two of my roommates got boxes of Krispy Kreme donuts (hint, hint) so that's cool. The food here is excellent and I know I will gain some weight. Don't worry, our room is on the top floor of our residence hall so that's four floors of stairs I have to go up and down each day. The room are actually fairly nice with a desk and closet and a set of dressers for each Elder. The beds are OK but could be softer. They are bunk beds with two in each room. The rooms are a tad hot at night so I don't sleep through the night, but I'm not tired much.
Could you send me some of my old shirts? I actually lost about fifteen pounds since I got here, bit I still prefer the size and feel of my old shirts. The way that i lost weight is that ever since I got here, I felt kind of sick and queasy whenever I started to eat any of the food. I'm over it now, but I'm glad that I lost some of that weight. Unfortunately, when we went to the Temple this morning, my white pants were too large for me so I might need to find someone to take them in or just deal with big pants.
My Spanish is going great. I already know how to pray and bear my testimony and hold a simple conversation with an investigator. It's so awesome learning a new language and I'm trying my hardest to get it down.
Unfortunately, the guy that takes care of Visas for Mexico got an angry letter from one of the missionaries mothers and now he is only letting ten missionaries in a week and there's about three to four hundred in front of us I think, but there could be more. Basically, that means that most, if not all of us, will be sent to Salt Lake South which is a Spanish speaking mission, but we will most likely stay there until our Visas come through for a month or so. The MTC is the single greatest things that I could do at this time. I have learned so much in both Spanish and the Gospel here and I know it's only up from here. The devotionals are great and we think that the Prophet will visit at least once while I'm here which will be awesome. Anyways, I love and miss all of you and I know that what I'm doing here is one of the best things that I can do at this time.
Love, Elder Hooker

Jeff has left Eugene

We were up at 3:00 this morning to send Jeffrey off to Utah. I started crying yesterday and still have not stopped. We are thrilled that he is going off on this adventure and his willingness to volunteer and serve for two years, but it is very hard to see him go. I keep thinking about my 4 lb. premie and think that he has never flown alone or been gone from home for more than 10 days. It will be great for him and if I can survive, things will be great at home. Poor Jerry and Jordan are walking on egg shells because anything they say, makes me start crying again.

We had hoped that we'd get an email or note from the MTC today to say he had arrived but nothing yet. I hope we'll get something or if I can't wait any more, I'll call the MTC tomorrow afternoon. We will get his mail box address soon and I hope he'll write to us. We are anxious to hear about his flight and if he easily found the shuttle to Provo. We will go on the assumption that "no news is good news."

Jeffrey is Preparing to Leave

Jeffrey leaves this week and it has been a busy week getting him ready to leave. Friday we met Mom and Dad and went to the Portland Temple. It was a nice day. Mom, Dad and I waited for Jeffrey and Jerry as they meet with people at the Temple. The officiator was from our old ward in Tempe. Bro. Cooper had moved to Oregon three years ago and it was surprising to have someone we knew at the Temple. Jeffrey looked like he enjoyed the session and is looking more like a man rather than a teenager.

Sunday was his farewell at Church. He made his mom nervous because he had not spent too much time on his talk but he did an excellent job. We were all very proud of him. It looks like he will do great on his mission. Jerry rushed in just before the start of the meeting from work, still wearing Levis but caved in to my demand that he at least change out of his tee shirt and put on a white shirt and tie. The bishop asked me to say the closing prayer because Jerry couldn't wearing Levis !?! Jerry thinks it may be his new church outfit from now on.

Monday, we had an open house for Jeffrey, hosted by our home teacher. He has a lovely home and it was nice to just worry about food, and then leave my kitchen in a mess and not have to clean my house. Several members of the ward came to wish Jeffrey well. Jeffrey has been dating a young girl from his student ward and she came to the farewell and open house. It was the first time any of Jeffrey's family met Cassandra and she seems like a nice girl (even though she makes his mom nervous).


Several people commented to me about how well Jeffrey did on Sunday and it is starting to sink in that he will do great. It is hard to imagine that he will be in Utah in a few days but I'm sure he will have a wonderful experience.

We have spent the rest of the week finishing shopping. I do not seem to get out of any store for under $100.00. I even spent nearly $200.00 at Target this morning just getting miscellaneous items. So far we have probably spent $1,500 + to get him out of here. Lets see if Kelli can hold it together until Wednesday.