Provo MTC drop-off

 Eli was dropped of today at the Provo MTC by his Grandpa & Grandma Alkema and oldest brother, Noah. We received a quick message saying he was well and excited. We are also very excited for him, even if we are missing him. Here he goes!!!!!

1st Week-Home MTC

 Dear friends and family,

I started the MTC on Monday, May 22nd (my moms birthday).  I did not know how online MTC was going to be and had no idea what to expect of my time during the week. After the first day, I felt that I was already acclimated to the daily plan, at least somewhat. As the days went by, I started to realize the many different things that I hadn’t really thought about doing that I felt were such a normal part of my life. Part of this knowledge led me to know the power that comes through being set apart as a missionary and following the rules. I have felt more efficient, more energetic, and more attentive in all that I do in just the past week. This has led me to feel very confident in myself and has given me the will to press forward with complete faith in Christ and His work. I am ready to serve.

An experience that particularly stood out to me was actually the Sunday before my last day of online MTC. On this particular day, I did not have classes scheduled and I was ready to prepare for my travels. During church I went to Elders Quorum for the first time in my home ward and the message there shook me because of how well I understood it. I heard all of these people mentioning missions and the spiritual feelings they felt and during this time I felt the spirit telling me that this is my calling too. There are so many ways to be a missionary but since I am able and willing to, I will serve my Lord in an unknown place because I know that His teachings are true. 

Online MTC has been great! One particular thing that my district of just 3 others (due to Denmark being a relatively small mission) decided to do was to actively take this time to cherish what we have. I am so grateful to have a loving family and so many others supporting me. Even through the technological problems, online disruptions, and a variety of distractions we still shared about the many different things that we loved about our online experience. The main takeaway from me was that it doesn’t matter how the Gospel is being taught, the message is still the same. I definitely learned a lot and I know that I have a lot more to learn as my conversion progresses. Finally, the last thing that I learned is that I can do anything if the Lord wills it. I am ready to serve and grateful for the opportunity to do so in a far away land. 

I begin my Provo MTC training tomorrow! I just arrived in Salt Lake City where my grandparents and brother will feed me and drop me off at the MTC. I love you all and can feel your support! I'm very, very grateful.

Love,

Ældste Lines

Time to say goodbye!

 

Home MTC

Unlike his brothers who served pre-COVID, Eli had one week of online/home MTC. It was a wonderful experience for our family to have him in our home during the first week of his mission. It was fun to have him chat with us during his breaks and meals. We truly enjoyed the time and watched as he became a missionary!!!  Here are some pictures from his home MTC time...including a walk around the temple as a family, taking flowers to Papa Farrell's grave on memorial day (a family tradition) and his set up for the week. 

Set apart as a missionary!

On Sunday, May 21st Eli was set apart as a missionary. The blessing was performed by President Mike Davis. Derek (his father)  was also in the circle. 

 Introducing Elder Elias Lines, or rather Ældste Lines!!!!

The Temple

On March 18, 2023 Eli received his own endowment at the Provo City Center temple. We were so grateful to have so many family and friends there. It was a wonderful experience that we all will remember. 

All the family that came!!!

Grandpa and Grandma Alkema

Grandma Lucynthia

Aunt Alli and Uncle Wing

Cousin Sarah and husband Alan

The Family

The Parents

Friends that use to live in ABQ...Wittwer's and Hatch's

 

Aunt Amanda met us for lunch after. 

Eli shares his mission call with family and friends.

On January 11th, Eli gathered with friends and family in person and virtually to share his call with everyone else (since mom and dad knew the day before-see previous post), we happily pulled our cameras out to capture all of it!). We were especially excited to see his Grandma Lucynthia's reaction since she has a strong Danish heritage. So many people shared in this exciting day with us. We felt so grateful.

Map of the Denmark Copenhagen Mission:

The Mission Call

 Eli received his mission call on Tuesday, January 10th. He wanted to read it to just Derek and me that day and had decided he would share it with family and friends the next day. Eli had been studying Japanese at BYU and has had a great desire to possibly serve a mission in Japan (the country where he was born). We all wondered if this would be where he was sent.  As Eli read his call to both Derek and me, we were overcome with a powerful feeling knowing that his call was exactly what it was suppose to be. If we could share all the experiences we have had since then we would. But, they are too sacred to all 3 of us. Eli read his call: You have been called to labor in the Denmark Copenhagen Mission and will be teaching in the Danish language!!! We were all very emotional. It was such a joy to have that experience with Eli and to have an entire day to ponder on and cherish that experience. (post written by Kristine)  

We were in 3 different places and Eli had a busy day....so we used the blessing of technology and brought the 3 of us together!!!!!!