His first "Study Desk", will you look at the breakfast bag!

 Looks like Elder Anderson is relaxing after the Thanksgiving dinner they had!

First Day in Kentucky!!

There he is! Ready to take Kentucky on!  He just has the glow of a missionary (I will sooo get into trouble with him when he reads this!)  HA!

 

 Greenies ready for planting and growing!!!

President and Sister Woodbury

Here he is with his trainer...Elder Anderson!  Doesn't he look great!!

Andrews Destination--Kentucky Louisville Mission!

Dear Brother and Sister Dursteler,

Thanks so much for your letters about Elder Dursteler. It was wonderful to hear from both of you. He arrived here safe and sound last Monday, virtually beaming from ear to ear.

After leaving the airport we drove a short distance to the Mission Home where he had his interview with the President and I did Orientation. A home -cooked dinner followed and a wonderful Testimony Meeting.

After a hot breakfast the next morning, the missionaries had Companionship Study conducted by the Assistants to the President and an orientation regarding mission finances. Moving on to the Church next to the Mission Office about ten minutes away, we had Transfer Meeting where the departing Elders and Sisters give their "Words of Wisdom" and the new missionaries meet their Trainers. Afterward a meeting was directed by President Woodbury with the Trainers and new arrivals, we had lunch there at the church, and pictures in front of the Mission Office next door. After handling a few matters at the office it was time to go off to their first areas as real missionaries!

I'm attaching four pictures of Elder Dursteler's first twenty hours or so in the GKLM, the Great Kentucky Louisville Mission. The first is the shot that will be on the picture boards at the Mission Office and Mission Home for the duration of the mission. The second is with President Woodbury and I, the third, a group shot in front of the Mission Home, and the fourth, a shot with us again and his Trainer, Elder Anderson, in front of the Mission Office. I hope you enjoy them.

P-day is on Monday in our mission so you can expect to get an e-mail that day. When Monday is a holiday, libraries are generally closed, so it will come the next day.

We already love your son and are looking forward to great things from him.

Yours truly,
Sister Becky Woodbury

Kentucky here he comes!

Well, I have to add my thoughts this morning, we woke up to the phone ringing with non other than our very own Elder Dursteler!  It was so great hearing from him!!!  He sounds wonderful and we couldn't get in enough talk time with him!  His flight leaves at 7:20 this morning and will arrive in Kentucky in 9 HOURS!!!  He loved the MTC (not like you couldn't tell from his letters!), we all talked so fast that I can't remember much of what was said!  His mission president has given them permission to view their blog, so if any of you who would like to comment, he will be able to view it! We are so excited for him, and very, very proud too.  He will rock the socks off of Kentucky!

More MTC Pictures!

Here is the beautiful Provo Temple!

This is one of the guys from Kuna, Idaho, Shane.  He was in choir with Andrew in High School.  Andrew said he got to see elders and sisters from every where we have lived! How awesome is that!!! 

 Here is one of his teachers looking like the kid from Home Alone!  Leave it to Andrew to get that shot!

Here is the good ole MTC basement laundry room! It hasn't changed much since Eric and I were there....only now they have computers! Technology, you gotta love it!!

Another MTC letter...so awesome!!

Now that's a nice view!

PICTURES, PICTURES, PICTURES!

 Hey! This is where Kentucky is!!!

 My district is the best!

 Me and my awesome companion!! 

Great minds think alike!

 Elder from England that Andrew has gotten to know...more later on this one.

This is Elder Wilson from Tonga, I play volleyball with him!

 Study time, ya gotta love it!

 One of the lovely ladies who happens to be one of my teachers!

The lovely magnetic name tag, ready to serve the good people of the Kentucky Louisville Mission!

Letter from MTC -- LOV'IN LIFE STILL!

MTC Departure Date!

For all of you who want to keep in touch with Elder Andrew Dursteler.....he will be flying out to Louisville, Kentucky next Monday, the 19th of November...On his parents wedding ANNIVERSARY!!!! 

Couldn't have a better gift! 

Remember before then, use the dearelder.com site to shoot him a letter, he would love it!!!

Andrews first day at the MTC!

 

What a wonderful time he is having!  We all enjoyed these letters very much!  I think he has written more in this past week than I have ever seen.  I just want to say thank you to all of you out there who had a part in Andrews life.  Always remember he loves you!