I write this email from 19,000 feet over the state of Utah and climbing. We have just taken off and will be landing in Phoenix, Arizona in a little over an hour. 

It’s been quite the week! Similar to my first 7 days at the Provo MTC, it was mostly filled with classes and hanging out with my district although there were definitely some highlights.

I finally got my hair cut at the end of last week! You have to set up an appointment, so Elder Smith and I signed up to go to the barber shop Saturday afternoon and they did a wonderful job of cutting our hair. It’s a little shorter than I expected, but it looks good and it’s easy to manage. 

After a wonderful testimony meeting on Sunday, we coordinated outfit colors with our sisters and took some district photos. The photos haven’t been shared yet, but I’ll try and send them with the next email. 

We had what’s called the “Go and Do” experience that afternoon (it’s pretty much a dedicated personal study time for Sunday’s) and a review afterward which gave us the chance to talk and take a picture with a couple from our Branch’s Presidency. They were really great and I’ll miss them both. 

Speaking of missing people, this past week has been full of goodbyes. I’ll admit I am eager to get to the field and glad to be off the MTC campus, but I will miss my district, teachers, and other friends I made along the way. If any of them are reading this email, I miss you already and it was a pleasure learning along side you! 

On that note, I’ll end my email with a short testimony that God is real. The amount of difficult moments and tiring days followed by blessings and reminders of His love has made this last week something I will never forget. To those of you who doubt his existence, I add my testimony to the many that have been given. He is real and he loves us all!

Sincerely,
Elder Whitchurch
D&C 12:8

Fun Story:
There were so many fun and iconic moments this week, but my favorite and the most heartwarming was last night after lights out. The 6 of us elders were laying in bed cracking some of the funniest jokes I’ve heard in a long time. The reason it was so funny may have been because of how tired we were, but regardless it was a hilarious and we all went to bed with sore sides and a smile.