Email received 4/27/12

Hi Mom,
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Just thought I would say hi.  Just kidding.  I have a story to tell you.  A few days ago we had another Elder in our district tell us he was going home.  We had kind of known something was up and then he told us the night before.  So he left last night.  Yesterday was just another heartbreaking day.  After he left it felt like saying goodbye to a family member.  But this time we were sad for him because he had come out on a mission with no testimony and he said he was just going through the motions of everything.  But after he had been here awhile, the Spirit hit him really strong.  He said he prayed and it hit him like a brick wall that the church is true.  He said after that, he went and talked to the Branch President and told him there were some things that he hadn't cleared up yet.  And the Branch President had to send him home.  He is already 21 and he has to wait a whole year before he can come back out.  It was hard to watch because we all saw him grow so much and want to be out here.  After he left we all cried.  Not because of us but because of him.
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Yesterday was a real crazy day.  I am going to the temple later so I am really excited for that.  I think today we want to go and do sealings so that should be fun.
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But we have had a real roller coaster of a ride the past week.  With that first elder going home and then another elder going home it is really hard.  I am so glad I am out here.  I have never been so happy in my life.  Yeah the days are long but I know why I am here.
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I had an answer to my prayers yesterday.  I have not been doing well with the language.  I just don't understand the whole vocab thing.  I had prayed really hard on how to come up with a good language study plan and how to study, and that I may be able to understand and feel comforted about everything.  (I have been down and discouraged the past couple days because I couldn't learn the language.)  I realized when I was sitting in class yesterday, it hit me, that was I was being taught.  I was learning and I felt comfortable about it.  And, I learned an awesome way to study the language.
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So I got Mason's and Grandma's emails.  I don't have time to email them.  Will you just tell them I love them, and I thank them so much for the inspiring emails and uplifting words they said to me.  

I am almost out of time.  I have to go get my hair cut.  I will send the family a letter so I can get into more detail about everything.
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Mom, I love you so much.  I know I am here to bring people the Gospel.  I love you so much.
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All of my love,

Elder Michael Hancock

Helaman 5:12

Letter received 4/24/12

This is transcribed from a letter written 4/22/12 and received at home 4/24/12:

Dear Familia,

I am really sorry I have not written you yet.  I can't believe how fast time is going.  I will have been in the MTC for exactly two weeks on Wednesday.  I have to be honest with you, but I am breaking a rule.  I can not write letters any other day besides P-day.  I went and talked with my Branch President and told him I hadn't written my family yet and the email I sent was really short so he said I could write you guys.

So the MTC changed our horario on us.  So my P-day isn't on Tuesday anymore.  I don't know if Hermana Hope has told you this but P-day is now on Friday.  So we have to wait until Friday to do our laundry and stuff.  I have just enough socks to last until then... exactly 10 days worth of socks.  THANK YOU MADRE!!

My companion is Awesome.  His name is Elder McMillan.  He is from Bountiful.  I sleep with 5 other Elders in our room, I mean residence hall.  (We have to call them residence halls because it is a dedicated building.)  But there are 3 other Elders in our district.  We had ten, but one went home.  That was the saddest thing that has happened so far.

Our zone is Awesome!  We have so many awesome talented Elders and Sisters.  Our zone leaders are so awesome.  Everyone here is my new familia!!!  Sorry to tell you that but its true.

My first couple days in here were REALLY HARD!  I don't want you to worry, but I really wanted to go home.  They say the first couple days in the MTC is one of the hardest parts of a mission.  If it wasn't for the package you guys sent and for my companion and my district I would have gone home.  Everyone says stick it out until Sunday.  It is so true!!  After Sunday you get into the rhythm of things and you start to learn.  The first couple of days were like drinking out of a fire hose.  But after that everyone becomes your family.  Like the people I have only known for like a week and a half I love.

I love my teacher, Hermano Hardy.  He just got off his mission in Argentina 6 months ago, so it is so awesome talking with him.  I want to be an outstanding missionary just like him.

I love my Branch Presidency, President Bowman, Bro. Wright, and Bro. Doman.  Bro. Doman is like my new Dad. (in the MTC)  Sorry, Dad.  Even though I really only met him yesterday, I love him so much.

To answer your pregunta, Abby, the MTC isn't prison.  Yes it does feel like prison sometimes.  But in prison you can call your family and write them letters ever day and get hours of Rec. time every day.  Here you can't call home or visit family.  Only get like an hour of gym time.  But I love it.  It is so amazing here.  The toughest thing for me is sitting in a classroom and learning how to study.  But now getting in the groove is so awesome.

The food here is uh.........ok?  Yeah, it's better than I thought it would be, but it is alright.  It's really hard eating healthy but I try to get as much fruit and vegetables as I can.

My Horario

6:15  get ready for the day
7:00  breakfast
7:35  personal study
8:30  class instruction
9:30  companion study
10:30  class instruction
12:30  lunch
1:00  gym
2:15  get ready for next class
3:00  class instruction
5:30  dinner
6:30  class instruction
9:15  personal study
9:30  go back to residence

My schedule has changed a little bit but its basically the same thing.  And sometimes or like once or twice a week, we have workshops.

I am so happy right now.  I have never felt like this before.  I have my good days and my bad days just like everyone else but I had no idea I would love being here like I do right now.  Yeah, it is really hard sitting in a classroom all day, but its alright.  I just got back from a workshop and it was so amazing.  The teacher played "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing" and asked us what we thought of the song.  I cried.  Of course.  That is my all-time favorite hymn.  I cry every time.  But I love it so much because... [I relate to the lyric so personally].

Family, I would be nowhere without Jesus Christ and the Atonement.  All of us would be nowhere without Him.  I know I am here for the right reasons.  ... I want to bring people to the fold of God.  I want people to feel the love the Gospel has made me feel.  I know the people of Mexico are waiting for me to bring them the Gospel of Truth.  I need them to know that because of Jesus Christ and the Atonement it is never too late.

Family, Always Remember,
"It is upon the Rock of our Redeemer who is Christ the Son of God that ye must uild your foundation; a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall."  Helaman 5:12

Always and forever,
Your beloved son and brother,
Elder Michael Boyd Hancock

I LOVE YOU ALL

Don't forget to write me!!!

Email received 4/17/12

Hi Mom. 

I just got back from the temple. The best temple session yet. I put names on the prayer role. After that, tears started streaming down my face. I am still crying. Everyone has been asking me what was wrong.

Yeah I only have 30 minutes, so my time is almost up, because I had a hard time getting on today. So I will try to send a letter tonight.

Yeah, I want to go see Sister Hope because she is awesome.

The time here is so Amazing. I know without a doubt that this is where I am supposed to be. The Elders and Sisters in my Zone and District have become my new family. I got home sick Thursday and Friday. But after the letters and package I felt better. I know for a fact that this church is true. I have never been so happy in my life.

So, M. Russell Ballard spoke on Sunday and was so amazing. And Elder Archuletta sang the Spirit of God. So amazing. He is an amazing person. We all try to treat him like an Elder not a Super Star. He is really humble, too.

I printed your emails out, so don't worry. Send as many letters as you want; they never get old.

Mom, I miss you so much, but I am where I am supposed to be. I love you so much. I will try to write a letter to you guys tonight.

Helaman 5:12

Elder Michael Hancock

Elder Michael Hancock entered the MTC April 11, 2012. He was greeted at the MTC by two missionaries who hosted him throughout his first day. He is happy and doing well according to Sis. Hope. She is a nurse in the MTC Medical Office and is acquainted with Mike's friend, Sarah. Sis. Hope called Thursday evening, spoke with Dad Hancock, and let us know he was thriving. It was certainly good news, and a blessing to hear about him so soon after his entry.

Elder Hancock's departure date to Mexico City from the MTC is June 11, 2012. Any change will be posted here. He may be contacted via http://www.dearelder.com/ or by mail at:

Elder Michael Hancock

Box 256

Provo MTC

2005 N 900 E

Provo, UT 84604-1793

Good Byes