Hello Everyone!
Wednesday April 19th I woke up bright and early to get to the airport for my 6am flight. I was able to see one of the ladies I helped a lot with Physical Therapy which was fun and she was so sweet. I hugged Mom and Dad goodbye which wasn't as big of a deal as I thought it would be. I think I was too excited and my mom was too tired to get emotional. I also saw a couple from one of our old wards so it was fun to talk to them. Then I headed to my gate and saw Kathy Martin at the desk so I went over and completely surprised her. She had the great idea to call Kendra and wake her up so I could talk to her and I was amazed that she actually woke up. We had a nice long conversation especially because we didn't want to say goodbye. Then Sister Tingey was boarding the same flight as me so we talked for a while until she had to board. Sister Morgan came and talked to me which was really fun and she walked me up to the airplane. Kathy also upgraded my seat so I was in comfort economy which was nice. I didn't sit by anyone which was fine because I was able to close my eyes for a bit. I arrived in Salt Lake and was on my way to baggage claim and Sister Tingey was waiting for me to say bye again. She is so sweet! I got my bags, checked in and waited for my shuttle.
I rode the shuttle to the MTC with 2 other Elders. They weren't very talkative so I closed my eyes for a little while which was nice. Then when I got to the MTC there were Elders and Sisters waiting to take our bags but I told them I wasn't checking in yet because Kaylee was going to pick me up. They were super confused but they ended up taking my bags so I didn't have to take them and luckily Kaylee drove up right after that. I am super grateful for Kaylee and her willingness to bring Charlotte to come pick me up because it was a pain in the neck for her to get into the MTC entrance but she did it! I gave her a hug and Charlotte is even cuter than I remember and she wasn't even scared of me! We got in the car and Charlotte and I had a great time playing and she was in such a good mood. We played peek-a-boo and she was so cute trying to cover her eyes and her giggles. We got to Kneaders and Branden was already there. I am also super grateful that Branden and his sacrifices to spend time with me before I left. I had delicious French Toast and stuffed myself to the limit. One because I didn't want to starve later and two because Branden challenged me to see who could eat the most and I didn't want to lose. I only ate like 3 pieces but they were so thick! It was super cute to see Charlotte walk around especially with her cute piggy tails. We talked for a little bit and Branden gave me some great scriptures and stickers to mark them for lessons and whatnot which will be super helpful. Then Kaylee had to leave so Branden dropped me off at the MTC. It was funny because the welcoming Elders and Sisters were really confused because I didn't have any luggage. But I told them I dropped it off earlier. Branden and I hugged and took a picture next to the new missionary sign and said our goodbyes.
I went into the MTC main building and waited on the couches for other Elders and Sisters to arrive. Then a Sister took my luggage and showed me where to go. I got my name tag which was super cool. Then I got other essentials: ID card, room key, Ipad, and my welcome packet. We dropped everything off in my room. Then we went to my classroom and I met one of my teachers Sister Archbold. She is really smiley and cute. I was the first one there so she took my to the computer lab to do some orientation stuff and write that I made it safely to the MTC. Then as I waited in the classroom I was told to do some reflection questions. Eventually the other Elders and Sisters arrived and I soon learned that they would be my district. We got to know a little bit about everyone. There are eight of us. My companion is Sister Bowen, then we have Sister Lomax who is from Arizona, Sister Johnson who is from South Carolina, Elder Owens who is from Idaho, Elder Maxwell who is from Alabama, Elder Hatch is from Alabama, Elder Ridgwell is from California. My companion is super great and we get along really well and have so many things in common. We had a welcome meeting where we sang Called to Serve and it was cool because the lyrics were changed a little bit because we are missionaries. There was also a really beautiful musical number on the piano. Then we had dinner at 4:15 which was super weird especially because I am used to eating a lot later at night. So I was starving that night but I only wanted something healthy to eat and that wasn't really an option so I just decided not to eat anything.
We have a busy schedule of class and studying but it's been good. Our other teacher Brother Walters acts as an investigator so we could practice our teaching. We would prep for a lesson with prayer and think about what their needs are and what commitments will help them. Then we have personal and companion study. The first day we did this I felt the spirit really strong and we knew what we should teach "Sam". But the next day was a different story because I felt like we had skipped over a lot of things that we should have taught in the first lesson. So we took forever to decide what to teach. It was pretty stressful and we didn't have time to get our other assignments done. But we did well and after a great lesson by another teacher Brother Jolley where he kind of taught us that you never know when someone is ready for baptism so just invite them. So we decided to do that with our second lesson and "Sam" said he would get baptized. It definitely took some getting used to with the schedule, the buffet and controlling what I eat, having a companion and not having free reign to do what you want.
We also met our Branch Presidency: President and Sister Redding, Brother and Sister Hawkins (who were actually in Hawaii because Brother Hawkins served as mission president there), and Brother and Sister Bird (who are neighbors with Kaylee and Branden. What a small world!)
Saturday we got to do our Book of Mormon reading as a district outside. It was great! We each wrote a question down, prayed before we started reading and looked for our answer as we read. The spirit was really strong and I got my answer pretty quick. In order for me to be a better teacher I need to testify. I also found many other great things while we were reading. I know that if you have a specific question and ask God to answer it, listen to the spirit and read your scriptures you will receive an answer.
We were also told that two people are called on during sacrament to give a talk so we need to prepare a talk on the subject assigned each week. The subject this week was on the Atonement and I wish I would have brought my talk that I gave at my farewell but I was able to remember a small portion of that talk with the help of Heavenly Father. But luckily I didn't have to give it. A sister from our zone was called on Sister Charles and she did such a good job. The rest of the meeting was great but I was having the hardest time staying awake. I was even trying to take notes and draw to keep me awake but I still could not keep myself awake... We had relief society a little later and Sister Charles and Wilstead did a great job on the lesson. They started out with a great scripture D&C 6:14 that says you are where you are supposed to be. Then we talked about the plan on salvation and they drew it really cute on the board with clouds and love in bubble letters. We also talked about Adam and Eve and why God commanded them to not partake of the fruit of the tree of good and evil if that's what he wanted them to do. And that's something I never really understood and then I new the answer. It is because they needed the chance to use their agency. It was super cool. And my companion Sister Bowen said something really cool too. That God doesn't command us to do things that are wrong so he wouldn't have commanded them to do such a thing. We also talked about how we should focus outward and not inward. It will bring so much more happiness in our lives.
We had lunch and got to have BYU Creamery ice cream and it was delicious. We went to choir that night and man I have never seen that many people in a choir especially men! My favorite part was listening to the Elders sing. We had devotional which was good but I struggled to stay awake sadly. But there was one point where they played a Principle of Peace video and it was an interview of Dallin's cousins who put on the Hero Up race in Oregon. So that woke me up and got me excited. It even showed the video of the race so I was able to see some familiar faces and I told my companion I know them and that's my sister! Afterward we watched a recorded devotional from Elder Bednar called the Character of Christ and it was so good. It talked about how in any situation especially when it would be so easy to focus on Himself. Christ focused on those around Him. So we should try and do the same. He used the reference that we shouldn't be like the Cookie Monster who says I want cookie...me...me ..me!
Yesterday we taught our first TRC I was trying not freak out about but we got some practice in before we taught with the Elders so that was good. TRCs are when we teach people that work at the MTC to play investigators they can be members or non-members. But you don't focus on that, you just teach them to the best of your ability. The first girl we taught was good but it didn't really seem like she was too interested but I felt the Spirit very strong. There was even a point in the lesson where Sister Bowen said something great and neither of us can remember what it was! Frustrating but awesome. The Spirit is real and does guide you. I also felt the spirit strongly as I was teaching about the restoration and Book of Mormon. I know that the gospel was restored by Joseph Smith and that the Book of Mormon is true and testifies of Christ and can help us come closer to Him.
Things have not been easy but I have been enjoying the MTC even with how tired I am. But hopefully I'm sure it will get better. Oh and I can't forget. Friday was the first day we got to exercise and all of us Sisters were so excited and it was great to run and workout. Other days we have played volleyball and shot the basketball and its really great! Thanks for all your love, support, and prayers!
Love,
Sister Heath
Here are some of the pictures Sister Johnson took on her tablet. We thought we couldn't get pictures from our cameras to the computer because of the restrictions. But we will try in the actual missionary lab.
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| Sunday walk to the temple |
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| Our district: Elder Hatch, Elder Owens, Elder Ridgwell, Elder Maxwell, Sister Lomax, Sister Johnson, me and Sister Bowen |
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| Sister Bowen, me, Sister Lomax, and Sister Johnson |
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