CHASE'S FIRST EMAIL!!! August 25, 2009

Chase's email address is: CaldwellChaseSP@myldsmail.net
On to the letter:

Hey Mom and Dad, and everyone else. How are things going for you?
I'm doing good here, I really like it and am enjoying myself.
I do miss you all a lot, but i'm not homesick or letting it bother me.
We have pizza every wednesday night and the chocolate, banana and
cheese pizza is amazing. My p-days are on Tuesdays 
while i'm in the CTM. I only get a little bit of time to e-mail
so i can't get much typed. Since it is p-day i can e-mail from here,
and then go across the street to the Cookie internet shop
for more time, its just busy over here at the CTM, so thats the plan.
Do pass this e-mail address on to everyone so that anyone can
e-mail me whenever they'd like. My companion is Elder Oldroyd,
he is from Texas, Fort Worth actually. After i went through security
at the airport it was about thirty minutes before the next Elder showed up
and it was an Elder from Santa Barbara, CA.  We talked for a while then
another Elder and a Sister missionary from Utah showed up so we all went
and ate popeyes at the airport.The flight was really cool, long,
and boring.  It wasn't scary at all, just felt like a mega long
bus ride. We had a lot of Turbulance on our flight once we got 
near Sao Paulo (it was storming) and Elder Warner from Orem,
Utah threw up. Fortunately i didn't get sick. The airport in
Sao Paulo wasn't too bad, they didn't go through any bags so i got
to keep all my candy, gum, and crackers.  
Also excuse the grammer, the keys are a little bit different
on this portuguese computer, so I keep hitting the wrong buttons.
I did feel really sick to my stomach early one morning but i had my
companion give me a blessing and i've felt better since.
Also we don't eat scraps here, it is really good food, i am 
really enjoying it. Meats, Veggies, Soups, Fruits and
such at everymeal. Well the language learning is going really nicely
also, we've learned a bunch of words and grammer, as well as how to pray
in Portuguese. This is a very spiritual place and I can feel
my testimony growing everyday from being here.  I 
am thankful for all the letters i recieved from you all before
the flight so that i was able to have stuff to read on the flight.
It was very nice to read. 
Thanks mom, dad, Emily H., and Emily C.
I've read the note from Keith that night at the party, its a good one.
I will have more time to e-mail next week, it took 
a while to get it set up this week and not much is going on.
We have to prepare talks every week in our Branches here,
last weeks was on Faith, and this weeks on Hope.
They randomly call out the names of the speakers during sacrament 
meeting right before time to give the talk. We went to the Sao Paulo Temple
this morning, and it is a very beautiful Temple.
It is small but a very great Temple.
I bought a Little Portuguese Hymn book at the Distribution Center.
Oh and as typing this i just saw someone walk by with the same back pack
as me, mine is way cooler and better looking though with Elder Caldwell
stitched into it. Well i love all of you guys and hope everything is going great!
I'll e-mail you again next week.
Hopefully you got the letter in the mail with my mailing 
address in case anyone wants to right me a normal letter. Well love you, 
 
Elder Caldwell 

SAFELY IN BRAZIL.....AUGUST 19, 2009!!!!!

I received the email letting me know that Chase made it safely to Brazil! This is one of many prayers answered! We have already been blessed as Chase now begins his two year journey serving the Lord. Thanks for all of your phone calls, messages, and comments! I filled in Chase's address so please feel free to send letters!! I will be updating the blog at least once a week. Please leave us comments so we know you were here!
Thanks, Jeanna

Dear Parents,

We are happy to send the good news that your missionary has arrived safely at the Brazil MTC. What a great joy and privilege it is to greet each missionary as they come through the front door of the MTC for the first time.

They now have companions and are settled into their rooms. They are assigned to a district with capable and caring instructors for language and lesson study. The branch presidents and their wives, who are usually a senior missionary couple or mature Brazilian couple, will soon give them a second greeting. These couples are rewarded in their callings through the love they always develop as they embrace and watch over the missionaries.

The MTC has a full time live-in physician to care for their health needs. He is assisted by his able wife. We are also happy to report that the Cafeteria food is abundant and very good.

Your missionary will be able to e-mail home on Preparation Day after a morning at the Temple. This will be either Tuesday or Wednesday, depending on individual assignments.

We are also parents of children who have served as missionaries. And we have been missionaries who have left family. Please know that we are mindful of you and know of your love for your missionary.

Your very important young person is about to make an eternal difference in the lives of others. We hope you will be encouraged and comforted by this quote by President Lorenzo Snow: “There is no mortal man that is so much interested in the success of an elder [sister] when he is preaching the gospel as the Lord that sent him to preach to the people who are the Lord’s children.”

Please accept our love,

President and Sister Woodward

Important information . . .

We Strongly discourage sending packages to the Brazil Missionary Training Center.
If you have already mailed a package to the Brazil MTC and it arrives after your missionary has left for the field, please understand that the package cannot be forwarded to his or her mission and will be returned to you.

WE Strongly eNCOURAGE sENDING HAND WRITTEN LETTERS.
CHASE'S MAILING ADDRESS:

Elder Emory Chase Caldwell
Brazil Sao Paulo North Mission
District (34-A) Box (2)
Brasil CTM
Rua Padre Antônio D’Angelo, 121
Casa Verde, São Paulo, SP
Brazil 02516-040

DO NOT SEND ANYTHING BY FEDEX, DHL, UPS, or other private carriers. We can only accept mail sent through the U.S. Postal System

Saying goodbye.....AUGUST 18, 2009 DFW Airport

Saying goodbye is never easy.....or at least it's not for me! It was bitter sweet! Tears of sadness and of joy mixed together to make a bitter sweet moment that will forever be in my heart. Chase hugged everyone goodbye one last time and we watched as he went through security and then disappear down the hall of the airport. This is all I can write, for my tears take over, so I will leave you with some pictures. Enjoy.....

One last get together.....

MONDAY- AUGUST 17, 2009

Of course, we had to have one last get together! We had a special Family Home Evening at Nana's house, where we all took turns sharing our love for the Savior and special words to Chase. It was very emotional and I will never forget it! We then wrote out goals that we want to accomplish before Chase gets home in two years and put them all in a time capsule that Chase buried in my mom's flower bed. It will be exciting to dig it up when Chase returns!

Sunday, August 16th - Set apart as a missionary...

Sunday was a very special day, as Chase was officially called to be a missionary. We had 55 people that drove to Gilmer to participate in this wonderful blessing! Chase is going to be an awesome missionary!

Family - August 16, 2009

AUGUST 16TH

We've enjoyed getting to spend so much time with our family the past few days as we prepare for Chase to leave on his mission. Words cannot express the joy and gratitude we feel in our hearts. We spent time with Nene, Pepaw, Connie, Chris, Aunt Sandra, and Mamaw Chaix. Wonderful memories that will not be forgotten.
Thanks Nene and Pepaw for all that you do and have done to help
Chase with his mission!!! We love you!!!!

Family, food, and fun...all for Chase! AUGUST 14th.

We decided to get together so Chase could swim one last time before he left for his mission. We had hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, and yummy desserts! Thanks to Judd and Shelly for letting us have this at their home! We mostly had family attend, but invited a few family friends and one of Chase's friends from high school stopped by. The kids had a good time in the pool and Chase enjoyed getting to visit and talk with everyone. I am grateful that Chase has so many people that have been involved with his mission! My favorite part of the evening was when all the kids lined up at the edge of the pool and counted to three, and they all jumped in together at the same time for Chase! It was an emotional evening and one that I won't forget! Chase is an example to us all and I know he will make a good missionary! Enjoy the pictures from the evening.....