(***Note: Like every missionary, she is requesting letters so please use the MTC address on the blog or log on to www.dearelder.com and sent her a letter that way - it's free!***)
My Companion:
Sorella (Sister) Baker is awesome! I know that the Lord knows each of us because he gave me the best companion possible. She is just like me...she is sarcastic, fun, and when we both pulled out our gym shorts to sleep in the first night, we knew we'd get along just great. It's only been 6 days yet we are already great friends. She's from Minnesota and played softball, soccer, and basketball. I've already laughed so hard I've cried.
My District:
The Anziani (Elders) in our district are pretty great. They were a bit quiet at fitst but then they realized that we sisters actually are normal and can have fun. We've now started to bond and all of them are unique with great senses of humor. Sorella Baker and I played basketball with a bunch of them the other day and I took an elbow to the face...it was then we knew that we were accepted.
The Language:
We're one of the first groups for the new pilot program for language. The minute I stepped into the classroom they've spoken Italian and no English. I am amazed by how successful it's been. We already understand almost everything; we can pray, introduce ourselves and give a message, bear testimony, and a few other things. I know that the gift of tongues is real because we've learned almost 6 months of material in a week. The elders and sisters ahead of us were the very first to start the program and they said the difference between the group that left before them and themselves is huge. I love Italian already - sometimes a few German words slip in but it's pretty awesome.
The MTC:
I sometimes feel a bit caged in but overall it's not too bad. They always have really good salads and wraps to eat along with their hot food. We're in class for almost 10 hours a day and then the rest is spent in meetings, devotionals, gym, etc. It's nice to be back in "school" even though the classes are 10 times more accelerated than any class I've taken in college. Every minute of every day is scheduled so there is no such thing as free time, which is probably for the best. The other sisters that live in our room and around us are also way cool. From the get-go the older sisters have been so welcoming and nice that it's been amazing. Apparently they've been waiting for more missionaries for a couple weeks. They had our beds made and keep doing all these nice things for us. It's been like having older brothers and sisters to watch out for us. The Italians as a group are really close, we eat together, sit together, even when we don't have to. Our branch presidency for church is a bit intimidating but it seems to be how they show our love for us. We give our talks in Italian starting this week so that will be interesting. If all else fails we can always just bear a long testimony!
Most Important:
I think I'm starting to understand what Elisa said about it being the hardest but most rewarding experience you'll have. It's been more difficult than I initially imagined, but it's also been even better than I thought. I've only had one rough day and even then it didn't last very long; Sorella Baker was great in just listening and letting me tell her all about my family. It's hard to describe the MTC, it is unlike anything I have or probably will experience. You are lauded for doing as well as you are, but there's always a push to be even better. It's very rigourous but when I look back on everything I've learned in one week already, it's overwhelming.
In Hebrews it says that the Lord chasteneth whom He loveth. I've realized that the MTC, the language, and the classes are so strenuous because it is the Lord's expression of love for His missionaries. He gives us the trials and experiences we need so that we can become the best possible missionaries instead of just young kids on a mission. Trials are but well-disguised opportunites for growth. Only our Heavenly Father can see our potential. He gives us them so He can encourage us - push us a little harder and make us climb a bit higher than we would ourselves. Trough this He strengthens those spiritual muscles that will be vital for us to endure to the end as we run the race of life. And when fatigue or exhaustion or opposition threaten to retard our progress, we can drink fromt he fountain of living water and through Christ's Atonement be renewed. The Lord will never give up on us. We determine the rest.
I know that sometimes my muscles may be a bit sore, but I would never take back the race I'm running in the MTC. It has allowed me to truly experience relying on the Lord as I never have before and I've run faster than ever. It's not about me, it's about gaining love and charity and understanding so I can bring the Italian people to Christ. The good far outweighs the hard and even the hard turns to good. I love you all. Thanks for your love and support. Keep the faith!
Oh I miss Sarah already! This post from Sarah makes me feel better prepared as I get ready to enter the MTC!!
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