HI FAMILY AND FRIENDS!!! I'm alive!! GAH. I'm just gonna answer a few questions and stuff from the letters I've gotten before I start on my time here at the MTC.
So I'm glad I was able to see Barbara and Diane before I got to the MTC. It was really nice and awesome to see them. Unfortunately they kinda saw me as an emotional wreck but hey it happens.
Mom, it is HOT. At least 90's or above. And I'm actually outside fairly often! I walk the campus fairly often and between classes and meals we walk outside. We also have 'gym time' almost everyday and I don't like to work out inside the gyms that they have. I go out to the field just below the temple! So I'm out in the hot sun working out! They have volleyball, soccer, softball, four-square and other stuff. I usually just run around the field. The field is right below the temple so its awesome to be able to see it while I run. ITS HOT.
Glad Tanner got the computer set up and figured out. I was worried he wouldn't because I was so rushed and didn't have time for anything!
Ok so my P-day is friday. In case you haven't figured that out. We get 1 hour to email and basically all day to do the rest of our stuff. I'm gonna be handwriting letters I think so maybe expect a handwritten one soon? I'm not sure how much time I'll have. If not this week I'll write next week! I'm glad you got my letter I was worried about it! I have my companion the whole time I'm here by the way mom. Unless one of us get our visas then we get new ones!
That's so cool for Mikenna!!!!! I never expected her to get called to somewhere so far away! Congrats to her! It's awesome to hear about DJ too! I'm so excited to hear about how his mission prep is going! I'm super proud of him and stoked to hear where he goes!
Thank you for the note Grandma Merkley! It was awesome to hear the scripture you have and your words of encouragement. I love em! I love you so much! Thank you for the note Tanner! I hope you're doing ok all by yourself in the house! I imagine it's really quiet there now. I hope that I become a pro at futibol (Portuguese for football!)! That'd be awesome. And the Portuguese is coming. It's slow and hard, but its coming along. It's cool you got to talk to Tristan! He's a cool guy. One of my best friends. And sorry you have to redownload all the games......that must be taking forever. Sorry!! Later and congrats on all your inherited ties and other toys!
Shoutout to Grandma and Grandpa Skinner! Thank you so much for the journal! I will put it to good use! I loved the note I got from you guys. I loved hearing your testimony and words of love for me. Thank you so much. I got your address from my mom so expect a letter sometime when I have time to! I'm so busy!
Thank you Dad for the letter. It means so much to me to hear that from you. I'm glad you guys enjoyed the letter I sent the day after I got in the MTC. The MTC president suggested we send a letter to our parents to let em know how the first day went so I figured I'd do that! And the Spirit has made a huge difference in my life. More on that later though. I'll never forget that first day. Thank you so much for your words of encouragement and advice to just "be myself". I've really struggled since I've been here with trusting in myself and the Lord and I really needed those words. Sorry for the quiet house! I love you so much!
Shoutout to Carlynn! It was awesome getting a letter from you! Thank you so much! Ill try to handwrite a letter to you and Gregg when I get some time! Probably next week. I will attest to your words on humbling. I've been seriously humbled while here and focused on the work. I've been working harder than I ever have before but I've been seeing God work in my life more and more. The work is definitely about being an instrument in His hands. I've realized that while here. I can't do it alone. Thanks for the words and I love both you and Gregg! Say hi and thanks to him!
OK SO. I don't even know where to start. This whole week (and some) has flown by it seems.One of the sisters in my branch said "the weeks feel like days, and the days feel like weeks". That has been so true. Well Ill just kinda detail my whole first week I guess! So getting on the plane. That was so wrong that we were so rushed. I got all of like one minute to say goodbye to my family for two years. It was wrong. But hey it's life I guess. I was so nervous getting to the MTC.
And then when I finally got to the MTC it let up a little. We immediately dove into the MTC training and the classes. The first, and all Portuguese classes have been entirely in Portuguese! No english! It's hard but it's awesome!
It's hard here. Especially the first couple of days. I felt hopeless and like I couldn't do it. I felt like I was drowning and I was way unqualified for this. But after some good talks with friends in our district and the branch president, things are starting to improve.
Theres no where else I'd rather be and I know there's no where else I should be. The Spirit is so strong here. The lessons are amazing. The people are amazing! Teaching is so hard...but so amazing. We've taught three lessons........ONLY IN PORTUGUESE. YEAH. For real. It's so difficult. But I'm learning so much. I've learned more about myself int he MTC than I have the past few years. I've grown closer to my Father in Heaven and my Savior than I ever have! I'm finally coming to realize that doing this sort of work by myself is impossible. I have to put all my trust in the Lord and have faith that He can help me achieve my potential. I cannot do this work without His help. I am so loved. By my family, by my friends, and by my heavenly family.
Thank you so much for the support and all the love you give me. I wish I had more time to tell of all my experiences here. It's both the hardest and easiest thing I've done here. It's the most fun and most miserable I've been. But I'm not alone. I sang in the Choir too!!!! WOOHOO! Was so much fun. I'm loving singing. The scriptures and the gospel have become my new best friend. I've been devouring them. They are my best friend and my comforter. I love you all so much. Thank you. If you have any questions concerns than shoot! I would love to hear them. BYE!
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