The FIRST letter!

Hello!!!!

This is the first time I'm getting to email or really even write letters. We've just been extremely busy all the time. Everything here is great! My companion, Elder Cooper, is awesome. My district is awesome. My zone is awesome. This whole place is just so great! The food is really good, but it screws with my stomach. Today is my first P-day since I've been here, so it's the first time I've gotten to do laundry. With General Conference being this past weekend, it messed up our schedule so we couldn't do certain things. But Conference was awesome! I can't wait to see all the new missionaries that can go a year or even two years earlier!! Since it's so much closer for them now, they need to decide RIGHT NOW whether they are going.  This entire experience is just so great and I want them to feel the same way I do. The language is coming a lot better than I had expected. I can mostly understand what my teachers are saying and can somewhat come up with an intelligent answer. Hahaha We are the guinea pigs of the MTC. Before, everyone learning a new language had to teach a mock investigator in that language. We got to teach in English. Mainly to focus on what we were teaching and how we could better teach the investigator rather than focusing on the language.We also had the awesome opportunity on Tuesday to have Elder Bednar come and speak to us for our devotional! It was a really special experience for everyone. It's not often that a member of the twelve or first presidency come to talk to the missionaries. I see Graham every once in a while. I'm sure you've heard that he's doing really well. I've also seen Dillon and a buuuuuunch of the guys from my BYU ward. It's so awesome coming here and seeing all my friends and being able to make new ones. Hope everything is going well back in good ole Augusta, Georgia!!

Much love,

Elder Vogel

my roomates! the dark haired one is elder cooper, my companion

the native american is Elder sam

the blonde is elder gibson.

they are both going to el salvador

P.S. Remind everyone that they can send me letters FOR FREE on dearelder.com

Elder Alexander Vogel
Provo MTC Box #248
2005 N 900 E
Provo, UT 84604

A letter from the mama.

I will never forget the proud feeling I had when Sascha announced the fact that he was even going to go on a mission many m-a-n-y many months ago. Much has happened since then. 

I was very surprised about the call to Nicaragua and the spanish speaking part. And thrilled. Especially for him. I know he will do great things while serving the people there and teaching the Gospel by example. 

These past few months have been an emotional roller coaster ride for me. Good thing I love coasters! I am soo glad the shopping is almost done, and hopefully he will have everything he needs before leaving the MTC. Even though I detest shopping, I have really enjoyed that time with Sascha and Graham Lowry and his mom. Also am thrilled to have gotten to spend some time with just Sascha and his brother and I will really miss listening to the two play rockband or have a conversation even if it is about a video game. 

Looking at my Missionary last night, it took me back a ways... to when he went for his first day at Pre-K. He was so small and I wanted to hold him, keep him, protect him, so the mean kids couldn't hurt him. Keep him safe by my side. And Sascha just barreled in there and took everyones hearts by storm. I know he will do the same in Nicaragua with the people there! Sascha has charisma - that is his special gift. It makes him a natural leader, and hopefully he will use that gift wisely. He is a joy to be around and he always has a song in his heart. Love that about him! And I guess sometimes his heart is so full of music it flows out his mouth. Hehehe. He even has me thinking in lyrics 

Sascha/Elder Vogel
...you just left this morning and I love you so much it is beyond even my comprehension. I am sooooo proud of you. You are an amazing young man and I am so proud to be your mom. 
So here, in your honor is a mildly modified Disney lyric... fitted for the occasion... and yes.. I know it needs work but hey - it's my first time! 

Let's get down to business 
To teach Nicaraguans. 
Did they send me daughters 
When I asked for sons? 
You're the saddest bunch I've ever met, 
But you can bet before they're through, 
Elder they'll make a man out of you. 

Tranquil as a forest, 
But be on fire within. 
Once you make Christ your center, 
You are sure to win. 
You're a stumbling, lost and wretched lot 
And you haven't got a clue. 
Somehow He'll make an Elder out of you. 



Really, you are an Elder already! You are the gospel storm about to take Nicaragua 
Never forget...we love you bunches and - of course - pray for you 


Love, Mom

Final preparations before departure!

Before leaving for the experience of a lifetime, Elder Vogel packed in as many memories as possible. 

 Including none other than a Kayaking trip with the Mama and the Brother bear. 

 Families are forever.

 Then he got dressed up like a real missionary and was set apart on Tuesday, October 2nd by a brand new (week old) Stake President, President Squires. Joining with him in the priesthood circle were Mark Lowry, Ray Criswell, President Squires and Jared Anderson.

Siblings. Pretty much.

 Family. Pretty much.

 The Augusta Stake's newest missionary, and 2nd missionary set apart by Pres. Squires, Elder Vogel. 

Then it was time to make sure everything fit in the suitcase, which it did, even his 60 something ties! Quite an impressive collection, thank you to all those who contributed to the cause!

And come early morning, it was time to be leaving on a jet plane... 

And hit the MTC. Hit it so hard, it won't know what hit him. We're so proud and can't wait to hear of all his adventures. Return with honor, Elder Vogel! 

{Wait, how did these make it into the suitcase... hehe... what a mama}

Preparations being made...

Don't judge. Getting ready for a mission is enough to make a guy sleepy, ok?