WEEK 2.5.1: A LETTER FROM THE MISSION PRESIDENT

President & Sister Mullen welcome Elder Pennington

We are so grateful to have Elder Nathan Charles Pennington join us here in the California Riverside Mission! It was exciting to meet him at the airport. I had the opportunity to interview your missionary and we were able to hear his testimony before having dinner together. We have been impressed with his testimony and desire to serve. It has been a privilege to get to know him.

Elder Pennington is now hard at work in his new area, the JURUPA Zone with his companion Elder Stetson Saul Heelis.



His first companion & trainer Elder Heelis

Preparation day is Monday; most missionaries choose to email their family on that day. We encourage you to write or email weekly as well. Thank you for keeping your letters positive, uplifting and encouraging your son to work hard and take advantage of the time spent here in doing the work of the Lord.

Eating lunch after the flight from SLC to San Francisco to Ontario

As we visited with your son this is what he said about his family: "They are the best, and we love each other. I  remember singing’ I hope they call me on a mission’ when I was little. I am excited that I am finally here. I am anxious to see the light of Christ in people’s eyes."

We look forward to a wonderful experience together with your missionary.  Thank you for preparing one worthy to serve.  May God continue to bless you.

Sincerely,

John H. Mullen, President

I spy Nathan at his first mission testimony meeting.

WEEK 2.5: STILL ALIVE AND MADE IT TO RIVERSIDE



Elder Pennington with his trainer - Elder Heelis.

I made it to my first mission zone called Jurupa. I got my first awesome companion Elder Heelis. We have a couple appointments today, but President Mullen wanted me to get on to tell y'all that I am not dead. 

Hope everything is great in the 901 and the way it works out here all letters and packages need to be sent to just the mission office and then they get it to me personally. 

Love y'all hope all is well. 

Elder Pennington

WEEK 2: SEARCHING, PONDERING AND PRAYING ALL DAY LONG AT THE MTC

Beautiful snow capped mountains in Provo, Utah

Elder Pennington, yes I just used my name in third person.  My companion does it all the time so he is rubbing off on me. So this week went by super quick, of course I learned a ton and my teachers are two sisters and they are the B.O.M <----------Punny!

Basketball players reunited at the MTC

Anyways one of my friends from BYU camp that was talked to by a BYU-Hawaii scout with me at the basketball camp is here!!! It was awesome seeing him. I can't send pictures now, but when I get to a different computer I will send some.

So every Sunday there is a huge devotional when someone important speaks, and it's in front of the whole MTC and it is like a MTC General Conference, well anyways I got to get on the big screen and give a 15 minute talk in front of everyone.  It was insane. Okay that was a lie. I'm sorry.  All I did was say the prayer haha but it was definitely an awesome experience. I tried to get someone to take a pic of me on the big screens, but it didn't happen but they did get a pic of me on stage so that's cool.

FACS represent

MTC group selfie

Anyways thank you for the packages everyone. It meant a lot and means a lot to me that y'all are taking the time to send me stuff.  It brightens my day and gives me something to look forward to. The Gospel is true and I challenge everyone to read a verse a day because it changes lives.  I can see a change in my life extremely, and I am spending 8 hours of my day searching, pondering, and praying. I love you all and wish you all the best.

 

LOVE,

 

ELDER PENNINGTON

 

P.S. I JUST BROKE THE CAPS BUTTON SO THAT IS JUST AWESOME