First E-mail...so excited!

Ok...well I only have a couple minutes...but here it goes! It has been so awesome! I love everything out here! My record is 10 cereal bowls in a sitting.....and I love the Spirit! My companion is Elder King! He is from Pleasant Grove Utah, and reminds me alot of Clay...we get along well! We have been teaching an investigator Maria, all in Spanish, and it has been quite the experience! We taught her to pray, and we got her to read the Book of Mormon! Also, letters and Dear Elders get here faster! If you want me to write back at least while in MTC!  Anyway, Maria has a couple kids, and has had some problems in life, but we love teaching her. She has been really into it and she asked us why it was so important to us. I was able to explain, all in spanish, how the Gospel has helped me, and how much I love it, and it was amazing! All the Spirit of course! Anyway, we taught her about the Plan of Salvation, and things like that, and we are going to commit her to baptism soon! It has been a challenge, doing it in Spanish, but I picked up a lot from Soccer....hahahaahahaahaha! Anyway, we have been working hard! We wake up at 5:00 or 6:00 and work at classes, with investigators and personal study until 10:00am! It has been some good stuff! Every Tuesday, we go to a devotional, and this last one was with Elder Neil L. Andersen! It was amazing! He taught about how we "Sacrifice for those we love, and love those we Sacrifice for." It was amazing! I've loved the entire thing! The Spirit helps so much. It is amazing how much of a difference it makes. I'm always excited to do things and share about what the Gospel is all about! Anyway, I know it is short, but I'm running low on time! Also, after the devotional, it rained, and I fell down the stairs and ripped my suit pants...so I'm getting them fixed...that was a bummer....I'm just letting you know! I'm really sorry! I couldn't really stop it....but yeah....Anyway, thanks for everything! I miss you guys! love you tons! days really are slow and weeks are fast for me! Tell everyone I love them! Thanks! Love you!!!!!

your loving son,

Lincoln Goodman!:)

P.S. 
Also...it would be so cool to get a package or mail instead of email! It feels so good :) hahahahaha! TELL EVERYONE THANKS FOR THE LETTERS!  I LOVE THEM ALL!!

He made it...Provo MTC!

He has officially started...safely at the MTC in Provo, UT!

At the airport!

Probably the hardest thing we have ever done...at least on our hearts!  Never knew the meaning of 'bittersweet' until this moment.  Lincoln will be an amazing missionary to say the least and there is no other place we would want him to be, teaching others about his faith and beliefs...but oh, how we will miss this kid!  Lots of tears shed, lots of hugs, but never enough!!  So grateful for our amazing little family.

 Best big brother for 'D' and Liz

 ...with Faye

...with Ash

 Liz won't let go...

 Dailynd can't hold the tears back.

 Pride of joy of this happy dad!!

 Always a mom's little boy...hard to let him go.

 Last good-bye...maybe?

Elder Goodman was almost to the check-point, turned back  and walked toward us with his arms open for one last 'group hug'...he is most definitely loved by the entire family.  Excited for this next great adventure- you will do great things, Elder Goodman!!

A new 'Elder'

Elder Lincoln Elllis Goodman was set apart as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  He will serve in Lord for 2years in Guadalajara, Mexico.  Thank you President Smith for the OWL principle...(O)Obey the rules of the mission, (W)Work hard, (L)Love the people, ingredients for a successful mission!  Our family is amazing and always there to support us in everything.  This is at 9pm Tuesday night, the night before Lincoln leaves.

 Elder Goodman with President Clint Smith and Bishop James Whetten

 All the wonderful men in our family...or most of them :)

 Grampy and Grandpa!

 Cousins that make the best kind of friends!

His family that can't get enough hugs before he leaves, hearts are definitely full!

Last Hurrah!!

Lincoln's last hurrah with family and friends to say 'good-bye' before leaving for the MTC.  He will be missed by many!  Notice the typical faces of Lincoln Goodman... We are so grateful for all of you, your  friendship and love that you have shown for this cute Elder!

Standing in Holy Places

Lincoln was asked to speak on "Standing in Holy Places." He talked about how no matter where we are, we can always be standing in a holy place if we are keeping the Lord's commandments and if we always have His spirit to be with us...for where His spirit dwells, there also is a holy place.  So grateful for Lincoln and his testimony of his Savior.  That he knows the healing power of the atonement and now he can share that peace and joy with the people of Guadalajara.

 Thank you family and friends who came to support our family...you have all had a part in who Lincoln has become today!

Mission Call to Guadalajara, Mexico

April 26, 2013 - Lincoln Ellis Goodman opened his call to the Guadalajara, Mexico Mission

Lincoln reports to the Provo MTC on Wednesday, August 21st 2013