Alaska Alaska Alaska: October 9, 2013

Happy Hump Day!

Today is my P-day!!! Finally! haha

So right when Brooke and the Barnes dropped me off I was immediately put on a bus and shipped to West Campus, so I am not at the main MTC. I hear West Campus is way better though. Between me and three other sisters we have a whole apartment to ourselves. We have a full kitchen, living room and two rooms. It's way nice. Our classroom is also in an apartment. We are in the back room. Sadly, the air conditioning does not work and our classroom is sweltering hot. Literally, everyone is dripping by about three in the afternoon.

So.... My district is so awesome. The first day I recommended that we all match everyday, because ya know it is pretty fun!!! And.... since the first day we have matched everyday!!! It's way awesome. Every district pretty much wants to be just like us :) My whole district is going to Louisville, Kentucky except for my companion and I. I am going to miss them a ton. Everyone is very excited to be out on missions. I am grateful everyone is super enthusiastic about learning! We all love each other :) There are four elders and four sisters in our district. Fun fact of the day... I am older than all of them.

The food....Like I mentioned in the last letter everything, I mean everything is covered in gravy and is so good. If we compare it to Weight Watchers points I would not be surprised if every plate was a good 18 points. Don't worry though, I have been eating lots of fruits and veggies.

Everyday we get up at 630 and are to our classrooms by 700. We literally have class for 16 hours a day. It is intense, but I love it so much. My teachers are awesome. They really challenge us to do hard things. The MTC is way hard!!!!!! Since conference was going on we have to cram two extra days of learning in. I thought coming in that I knew a lot about the gospel. I was totally wrong. I have been learning so much. It has been tough though. Most everyday at one point or another our whole district just burst into tears, but then we laugh it off and say, "We can do hard things". I think it is interesting that they teach us that we have to be our first converts, but not to focus on ourselves and turn outward, but pray for others. It's kinda a huge spiderweb effect. We are all trying to learn how to be better servants of Jesus Christ.

We have had our first fake investigators. I am grateful for the opportunity to be able to practice with them. It seems so real when we are in lessons. We already committed on of our investigators to baptism which is pretty exciting. The spirit here is just so strong! I love it. Everyone is so nice and I love talking to all of the missionaries.

For gym time I usually play four square. They didn't call me the queen of four square for nothing in elementary school... I pretty much own the game everyday! It's way fun!!!!

Were you all able to watch conference? I love it so much!! I feel like they were talking all about missionary work and how we can do hard things if we trust in the Lord. There were a few times I thought of you family! When there was a fly that kept swarming around Terence M. Vinson's face. I just pictured you all sitting on the couch dying laughing. I also thought of you when Kevin Hamilton talked about how we need to attend all three meetings at church. I was like, Oh MAN!!! Good thing we went to all three hours for my farewell. I don't know if you heard or not, but Elder Ballard committed everyone to bring someone to church with them before Christmas. You better find someone and do that. The Lord will bless you if you do. I loved how he also said... It is impossible to fail when we do our best. I just loved that!

Well, my flight leaves Monday morning around 830, so you can expect a call from me sometime before that!

I miss you so much. Missionary work is HARD! I know that if I keep trying to do my best the Lord will help me!!! I love the MTC so much, but I can't wait to get to Alaska!

I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!!! I know this is exactly where I need to me in life. You all rock. You can do hard things. Exact obedience truly does bring miracles. Love you love you love you. I can feel God's love for me and know that He loves you too.