Hermana Becca Elton and Elder Richens (Morgan Utah)
Hermana Cisalee Oldham
Elder Richens (Morgan Utah)
Hermana Olivia Carter
Group from the MTC
I never sent an e-mail last week because my companion and I basically totally forgot about e-mail. Don't ask me how that happened...we were just so emotionally spent. The first three days here in the CCM were super exhausting and probably the longest 3 days of my entire life. One of my roommates, Hermana Wankier (yes, the Wankiers in our ward are her cousins) said it best, "The first few days here is like drinking from a fire hydrant."
Ok, Spanish is improving slowly, but steadily. I can now say a simple prayer, bear a very short testimony, and can carry a fairly decent conversation. We had to teach a lesson our third day here. Talk about nerve-wracking. Since then we have taught three more times and committed our investigator to baptism. Granted, we were teaching our soon-to-be teacher, but we were still able to feel the Spirit. My companion's name is Hermana Syphus. She is from St. George and she is going to Buenos Aires North. She is a quiet little thing but secretly funny. I love her to death! Though, parts of her personality are definitely testing my patience, which isn't much. So I've been developing my patience here :) I was originally put in a trio when I first arrived because one of the girls in our district never showed up (I'm convinced she got engaged the night before). My other comp was Hermana Boothe. She is from Orem going to Fresno and her dad actually works here in the kitchen so that's who you got the picture from dad :) Last Friday we got a new Hermana in our district named Hermana Boomhower, who we fondly refer to as Boom. She was originally going to Las Vagas West English Speaking, but she broke her foot in the first gym class she had. Well, her whole district left after two weeks and her branch president didn't want her to keep learning the same things over and over again so he gave her the option to either go home and heal or learn a language, so she's learning to speak Spanish now. There are 8 people in my district: the four girls, Elder Moss (from Arizona going to Buenos Aires North), Elder Evans (from Los Angeles going to Beunos Aires North), Elder Morrow (from Virginia going to Fresno), and Elder Bang (from Maine going to Sacramento). So we have Elder Bang and Hermana Boom in our district! It's pretty awesome :) Apparently there were two bombs that went off at the Boston Marathon (we are totally cut off from any outside news) and Elder Bang's family was there because his parents were running in it. Thankfullly no one was hurt, but it was still pretty scary to hear about.
Erm...oh! Every Tuesday we have a devotional here and gues who we got this week? Richard G. Scott! Yeah...I just said Richard G. Scott. Can I just tell you how awesome that was? He talked about how we need to better communicate with our Heavenly Father. He also talked about recognizing the Spirit in our lives. He talked about the three ways that the Lord answers our prayers 1) He gives us a feeling of peace and comfort 2) an unsettling feeling that we may not be doing the right thing or 3) not at all (basically, He has something better in mind that we need to wait for OR He trusts us to make the right decision). After we sand a closing hymn he stopped the girl coming up to say the prayer and started talking again. He said something that really made an impression on me: The Lord has called us to succeed, not to fail and He will fit the tasks to our abilities. WOW!
For Relief Society the sisters get to watch Music and the Spoken word, which is a BEAUTIFUL thing because we aren't allowed to listen to any music here :( A lady named Mary Edmunds came and spoke to us. She is so amazing! One thing she said that I really liked was that, of all of the millions of missions that have been served since the church began, my mission has never been served and never will be served. I am the only one that can serve it. Nifty huh? She is also hysterically funny. She said, and I quote, "DO NOT touch the Elders...but keep track of the ones you want to touch (insert devilish grin here)." The entire audience busted a gut.
I am really starting to like it here. The food messes with your insides like you would not imagine, but it's alright. I live for gym time every day. My arms are actually really sore right now from lifting yesterday (don't worry Mom, I run too). The dorms are really cramped because there are six people to a room that is roughly the same size as mine sans bathroom. I have to wear flip flops in the bathroom because that many girls in one bathroom equals lots of nasty! I just have to do my best to ignore all of the hair...yummy. We spend most of the day sitting in a classroom and eating. I was able to go to the temple this morning, which was so nice! It's not fair having to look at it every day but not being able to go. It literally feels like I am living in a compound. We are surrounded by a fence and security gaurds are all over the entrance. You also have to have a swipe card to get into every building. But really, it's not that bad :)
Well family/friends, I love getting your letters and DearElders so please keep them cooming! Mom and Dad, did you get my last letter?
Love always, Hermana Freeston
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