March 16, 2010

I cannot believe that I will have been here for 2 weeks tomorrow! It is so great here. This week was a pretty normal week....study, class, study, class, eat. We have all come a really long way in just 2 short weeks. We got to teach again at the TRC this week. We taught a couple from Mexico! Their names were Angelito and Maria Ortiz. They were really nice. We taught partially in Spanish (getting to know them) and then we taught the rest of the lesson in English. First lesson. Not to toot my own horn, but I think my companion and I did a pretty good job! Our teacher told us the same. He said that one thing we could work on was companion unity, aka not looking up notes and scriptures while the other one is talking; but as far as teaching goes, he said we rocked it :) It was a good day. And yes, I am still very fluent in Spanglish and only partially fluent in Spanish, but it's coming along nicely. I love learning it. I have decided, however, that I am cursed with the competitive nature of my brothers. In class we play Spanish games, and it is always the Hermanas v. the Elders. I always tend to lose control. Last night was a particularly bad night; it involved sharp words and trash talking towards the opposing team. Don't worry, I behave the rest of the time I am here. Other than that, I'm a very calm sister missionary with quiet dignity...but just not when winning is on the line.

Tell the ward back home that I miss them and to count their blessings. The pews back home are much more comfortable than the stadium seats we sit in for much more than 3 hours here. But then again we also have General Authorities come speak to us, so I shall not complain. Sundays are the best here!

This week we got to do our service time, and guess what my companion and my service assignment was?! Putting up the flags in front of the MTC! I got to hang Chile, Columbia, and the Philippines, and a few others too! Dad, Scott, and Eric... you can thank me later for representing.

Also, I want you all to know how much I love missionary work. I have read many missionary letters, but there is nothing like actually living it. I can't believe how amazing it is. I never really appreciated missionaries until I was one. I know I have only begun to taste the beauty of this work though. I really can't describe how many miracles happen here. The gift of tongues is only one of the hundreds. I LOVE THIS. I couldn't fall asleep last night because I was smiling so much. Great day yesterday!

May I request that you send me a few things you learned about in Institute every week? I want to learn more about church history, but I don't have tons of time to study it much. Thanks for the updates on Chile! Keep it coming. Our teachers don't really have that much info on it. Oh and tell Julie and the Ladies at Heartland hello for me.

Thanks so much to all the letters, too! I think I have been voted the girl with the most mail in the district. I would like to hold on to that title, too ! I love mail, more than you could imagine !!!