Hello family!
So just so you know, don't send dear elders because they are really inconsistent. Also, I print off my emails around 6 am my time. Thank you for all the letters though! This week has been pretty crazy. It rained twice last week during gym time and it was the funnest thing ever. We all just played volleyball in the pouring rain. My companion slipped and twisted her ankle though so that was kind of a bummer. on Sunday sister Joseph was sick so she slept all day and one of us had to stay with her the whole time. My first shift I studied but my second shift I took a really great nap. Sister Joseph slept about 5 hours a night and when she wasn't sleeping she was "making exercises , taking a shower, or sitting in her bed really loudly with the lights on. So that nap was really needed. I have come to really love her though. She is really caring but quiet. At the end she warmed up a lot and we laughed and had a lot of good times. Also, I found out that after she was confirmed a member her bishop asked her to be the young women's president. Isn't that crazy?
In the cmm there were two districts going to Puerto Rico, one to the west indies and our two, going to Santo Domingo east and west. On Wednesday they all left:( We had all become really close friends so it was really, really sad. But it was especially sad to see sister Joseph go. So sister Joseph had to be out front with her suitcases at 4 am Wednesday morning ready to go. She had to pack so we didn't get to bed until one. Then she asked us to get her up at 2:30 so we did, but she really had meant 3:30. So we all got up at 3:30 to walk her out and for some reason we didn't realize that puerto rico was leaving at the same time, we thought it would just be her. Not knowing that, we all went down in our pajamas and glasses and crazy hair and no shoes. We get in the elevator and in walks president Freestone, in a suit and two elders also in suits. He just laughed and said he wished he had a camera but it was definitely embarrassing because I was in my nightgown. Then we go downstairs and ALL the missionaries going to puerto rico were there. Yikes. At least we had our names tags on. It was good though, because we got to say goodbye to all the girls again and give them hugs. Then we said goodbye to sister Joseph which was really sad. The new missionaries didn't come until last night so we had about a day where it was just our two districts, 17 girls. Then one elder showed up by himself so that was pretty funny. 17 girls and one elder.
Yesterday we moved rooms! HOORAY. we moved upstairs to what used to be the mission presidents apartment so its pretty nice. But instead of one room it is two rooms that are conjoined. Four girls moved into our conjoining room yesterday and they speak solomente espanol. I love them SO much, though. They are seriously the cutest ever. We already laugh all the time and they help us with Spanish.
So when we first got here we heard we would be watching a devotional near the end of our stay that "changed president freestones life". We watched it on Tuesday and it was AMAZING. It was an mtc devotional by elder Bednar on Christmas day 2011. I really think it has changed my life. I wish I could tell you to watch it but the quorum of the 12 decided that it was so special that you have to request it, and only mtc presidents can request it. But, he did give a recent conference address pretty similar to it- something about being converted. I think it was 2 Octobers ago. Anyway it was all about the character of Christ and how to become converted. He first talked about Christ in the garden of Gethsemane Christ had just suffered for the sins and sorrows of the whole world and then came to find his apostles sleeping. He was then betrayed by another apostle. In the midst of all of this he stopped to heal the guards ear. Then, on the cross, when feeling completely alone, forsaken by both his apostles and many others, he made sure his mother was taken are of, he was preaching to the thieves and then took the time to say "father forgive them". Bednar said, "Christ turned outward when the rest of us would turn in." He gave many examples that were really powerful. He said to have faith we must... 1. accept that God exists 2. Have a correct understanding of the attributes and perfection of God 3. Know that our course is in accordance with Gods will. He said, to have a testimony is not enough. We must be converted. We must turn outward and put off the natural man. As we come to know of Christ we can better do this. "Knowing it's true and being true to what you know"... the devotional really opened my eyes. We can utilize the atonement every day because we cannot be perfect on our own. He also challenged us to read the book of Mormon with a purpose. Read it looking for one thing, such as the character of Christ or charity or humility. Each time get a brand new paper back book of Mormon and mark it up. Then put them on a book shelf and by the end of your life you should have a bookshelf full of books of Mormons. I think this is amazing and our whole district started the book of Mormon over, in paperback, with this in mind. He said "lose yourself in the service of others. Something I have been thinking about lately... if we know that in order to become closer to Christ and obtain salvation, why don't we do it?
Good news, we have hot showers now!! And the view out our window is amazing. On Monday we went to the university and we talked to a guy whom we talk to every week. Long story short he is a creep and the only reason he talked to us was because he wants to date after my mission. Keep in mind, he is like 45. Anyway, we will not be talking to him anymore.
Our classes are now solomente spanish. It's really hard and sometimes I cry a little bit but esta bien. I know that it will help me progress a lot. They banned sandals in the ccm this week, so sad. But I think it's because the atmosphere around here was getting a little too casual.
Did you get my letter? I sent a letter home last week with an sd card. I am pretty sure I said that in my letter last week but I cant remember.
mom- I don't know if you are done with your test yet but GOOD LUCK! I have been praying for you all day long. (It worked-i passed) That's so exciting that you are done! I have not gotten to leave other then going to the university twice a week. I still have some snacks left though which is good because they put a lock on the snack cabinet. I think its because of the peanut butter craze. I wish I could get some of that sugar bread! I am pretty sure I can see that bakery from my window. I seriously cannot believe I only have less than two weeks left. Everyone pray that I get a native companion because my Spanish needs a lot of help. I can't wait to talk to you! Soo excited!! I don't know the details yet but when I do I will let you know! So a girl that got here today is from Peoria and is good friends with Mckenna Anderson (from MVT). She volunteered at the phoenix marathon with her and said she met you! She was there Friday night!
dad- I am soo sorry about you ear! I don't think I could deal with that. I am so glad you got to be missionary for a little bit! That's so awesome. How's work/Charlotte/everything else? Are you training for anything??
Syd- HOW ARE YOU?? send me a picture of your teeth! (sans braces) how's tennis?
Davis- thank you for the letter! that's scary about the marathon! hows first base? are you getting to pitch at all? I hear you had an awesome game yesterday! Spanish is great! you should start learning it with that program we have!
savanna- have fun at prom and send me lots of pictures! How are you doing your hair? What are you doing for your night activity? How are classes and preparing for the ap exams?? Did you do your schedule for summer??
I love you all and have an awesome week! next time I write you will be the last time in the ccm! I cant believe it's been a whole month! 17 to go. it is seriously flying by. cant wait to talk to you guys soon!!
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