Madison....

We received word that Jeff has been assigned to Madison with companion/trainer Elder Kimsey (who is a tad bit shorter than Jeff).

He says there are lakes and parks everywhere and they are biking/walking up to 20 miles a day. He says that the members are great and he already is beginning to understand the importance of the member missionary - they don't tract, it is totally ineffective in their area, they are dependent on the members - and the members come through!! They have an average of FOUR appointments a day!

I'll put his mission home address and current address on the side of the Blog somewhere so you have them - sorry I didn't think of that before - I'm sure he'd love some mail :)

He's alive!

Just a few quick notes from an email I received this morning. Sounds like he's doing well!


We are so crazy busy it is nuts!! we seriously do not stop going from 6:30 am until bed time at 10:30. We wake up and have personal study time for an hour and then we have our first three hour class period. Following that we have lunch and then another three hour class period. Following that we have usually an hour of teaching either zone or district. It is pretty fun! We then have more and more personal study time it is kind of crazy how much study time we have! 

When they said we would be in class 15 min after being dropped of they weren't kidding! We really were, my teachers are brother batillion or something close to that and sister paravado. We have the teachers with the hardest names to say. They are awesome though! the second day we were here we began teaching an investigator. It so awesome! The spirit is seriously so strong all of the time here and we are praying more than I have ever prayed in my life! We sing and pray before everything it is awesome!! 

oh I was made district leader for our district. There are only us three elders and six sisters in our district. but this place is awesome I am not really home sick at all. oh this is the only p day that I will get here in the mtc. the food is okay really really heavy and thick but i'm surviving! 

Sorry about the my incorrectness of writing but i am so flipping tired and so is everyone else!

....aaaaaand he's off!!

Whew! Elder Steiner is at the MTC!

I'd like to thank everyone who came and supported Jeff at his farewell. It was great to see many faces I haven't seen in quite some time - Thank you for being there for him.

Jeff was set apart Tuesday night by President McCleary. Shawn, Mel, Me and Gary were all present, as was Bishop Mack. Each of the stake presidency took a minute to give Jeff some advice, among these bits of wisdom were:

1. Be Obedient
2. Work Hard
3. Write home often

Jeff and Kristen headed to the MTC to drop Jeff off

4. Don't write about EVERYTHING that happens, your family doesn't need that stress.
5. Love the people

He spent Wednesday morning putting finishing touches on things and just relaxing with the family. The drop off at the MTC was one of the most wonderful things I've experienced.

I had heard how it was just amazingly fast and furious and heart-wrenching, but truly, I've never felt so much love and excitement in a "good-bye."

The line of missionaries stretched completely around the MTC, with brethren in yellow vests directing the unending flow of traffic. Melanie commented "They're so cute I just want to cry!" She was right, the spirit of giving and love emanating from those sweet young missionaries was enough to make you want to cry tears of joy! They were so excited to welcome every new missionary they could hardly stand still on the sidewalk and wait for you to put the car in park!

As we pulled up to our directed curbside spot little cheers went up 

"Hey look, its another one!"

"Here we go!" 

"Elder, are you excited?" 

"Elder, where are you going?" 

None of us could stop smiling.

Add caption

Within minutes the bags were out of the car, pictures were snapped, hugs were given and away went Jeffy! It was awesome!

I will do my best to put various letters and pictures here on the blog for everyone to share in his experience.

Thank you, long in advance, for your prayers, words of encouragement, love and support on Jeffy's behalf - you all are great!

Here's to a great two years!!