Last MTC Letter

8/19/2006

Hi There. So this letter is going to be really boring because I didn't have much to say because all the days are the same and we are leaving in like 0 days. This week has gone by really slow because we are anticipating leaving. We have gone to a lot of extra meetings to help us know what foods are safe etc and how to study your language while you are out. You should study your language every day of your mission and every day for the rest of your life.

So, I think it is funny, my nylons are by far holding up the best over everyone else's. Either I just take care of them or they are really hard on them, I have no idea.

Congrat's to LeAnne! Thanks for the pictures that was awesome to be able to see Grace before it was weeks before I could see her pic's (Grace Kathleen was born on Aug 15 weighing in at 8 lbs 6 oz and 20 1/2 inches long). They both look good LeAnne didn't even look like she had just had a baby! It's awesome.

I hope the boys have a great time starting school and with football. I can't believe they are starting so stinkin early. It is way early. They had no summer at all.

That is awesome you took Nelson and Di to see the Sacramento Temple. Thanks Mom for you conversion story. I didn't remember alot of what you wrote so it was alot of fun to hear about it. It was way fun!

So this letter is going to be super short because I have alot to do and will talk to you on the phone in 2 days. I can't believe it has been almost 8 weeks since I have talked to anyone. I got my haircut today and cut it 2 inches! It feels really good.

I will sum up my last week at the MTC. Ever since I have been called as the co ordinating sister I have changed for the better. I usually like to just stay behind the scenes. I like to just watch and observe. When I have a "leadership" calling it makes me talk. Being a missionary should make me talk anyway but I haven't. I'm alot better at taking control and making things happen. The Elders make fun of me because I always steal their notes and not let them teach with them so they have to do all their Spanish from memory. I've gotten to know the Elders really well. The other Sisters have all been disappointed in our district because the Elders are slackers. BLAH BLAH, Blah All but like one of the Elders or 2 had a hard decision if they were coming and didn't' know if they ever were going to too. It is amazing they are here and the strong Spirit they carry with them. They are almost 19 year old boys who goof around alot and are really im mature. I just decided to take a different approach with them. I decided I was going to lift and build them up as much as I could. Since then all the Elders totally like me and will totally start telling me family problems is funny things that happened. I have a lot of fun with them and try to help them as much as I can.

I said goodbye to my favorite teacher last night. Hermana Lee. She is so awesome I think she is, which is always a little awkward and uncomfortable but such is life. This mission is all about stepping out of my box.

It's been a really fun last couple of days as we are packing and everyone getting excited to leave.

We had 4 new sisters come in this week. I got to orientate them, show them around answer their questions etc. I know what those first few days are like. I have just wanted to help them as much as I possibly could. It is such a crazy few days, you need all the help you can get. I've really tried to be there for them, motivate them, encourage and comfort them. They are going to be so good too. We are sad we won't be here longer with them but not sad enough to stay. That is for sure.

The MTC has been an amazing experience. The temple has been the highlight. Watching the new sisters comes in makes me realize how far I have come in such a short time. How much Spanish I have learned! It is incredible how much I have learned! How much my faith has grown, how much more I rely on the Lord and remember Him. It's amazing. I was talking to the new sisters and helping them and I was surprised at what I was saying. I realized my faith in the Lord is so much stronger. I know the Lord blesses me as I work hard as I can. I know the Lord has blessed me. If it wasn't for the Lord I could have never learned all my vocab so quickly and still remember it. I know the Lord is opening my mind and allowing me to learn the language. WSe taught the 1st lesson in Spanish again. It was so awesome because I can explain myself so much better than before. I can express my feeling better. I can fell the Spirit stronger because I am able to focus more on the Spirit then the words that we are saying. It is getting easier and easier to speak Spanish. I'm not always speaking correctly but I know the Spirit will help the people understand. My teachers have told me that my Spanish is very good and the people wont have problems with it. My problem is going to come with not being able to understand other people because they speak so fast and the Chieans will have a different accent. I've accepted the fact that I won't understand.

I'm nervous to go. I know it is going to be really hard. I know my trainer is going to have to have a lot of patience with me. I hope she is a native so I will learn quicker. I'm going to work as hard at it as I can. I know if I do that the Lord will bless me with the gift of tonues. I know missionaries can learn lauguages quicker than anyone else because we are doing the Lords work and have the spirit with us. Now I just have to make sure and have the Spirit with me.

I know Jesus Christ is our Savior and God sent him because He loves us so much. He wants everyone to return toHIm. I know I am going to have alot of trials coming up. I know my pride needs humbled. I need to not fear to talk to people. The real tests are on now. I don't just talk to people and now I need to buck up. I need to talk to people and learn to love them. Strangers need to know of Christ as much as the people we know already. I can't fear man more than God. That is hard for me. I try to remember- their salvation is on the line! After all Christ has done for me-Stepping out of my bos is the least I can do! And then He is still going to bless me! Crazy how that works. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is perfect and so amazing. I don't know when you will hear from me next but I'm sure it won't be too long!

Thanks for everything! God Bless!
Love, Hermana Jamie