One more week

Dear Family,

 

Thank you so much for writing me and keeping me updated on stuff.  I love hearing from everyone.  This has been another terrific week.  Sorry in advance for the unorganized condition of the letter.  So, yes!  I am here for one more week.  I confess I was a little bummed to get one letter that said, "Hey, we have a reassignment coming for you this week, will keep you posted" to "Actually sorry about that...we need you to stay one more week and eat our ice cream and learn more Spanish."  It's all for a reason, but Thursday was a little long as I kept letting myself fantasize what next week will be like....and I must not have a very good imagination.  There are 3 missionaries leaving from our district next week.  On Monday we have one going to Paraguay and one going to Chile, and one more going to Eugene Oregon.  There is one missionary staying for visitors center training, and then there are us 6 Rosarioites who  have been chosen to stay one more week. I got rid of the original disappointment and am ready to take on this next week.  It is going to be soooo fun and I get to learn cool stuff for one more week. 

 

On Friday, the MTC has what is called In-Field Orientation, which is like a last hurrah meeting thing for all of the missionaries getting ready to leave the following week.  Everyone  in there was leaving except for like 12 of us (as far as I could tell).  I kept getting asked when and where I was going...and I was just like "Oh, hey yep...so there were too many of you who are leaving, that they had to pick some of us to stay and party without you...I don't know when I am leaving, but Bye!"  Truthfully I felt like an idiot telling people I didn't know when I was leaving...it looked as though I was a new missionary who didn't know anything and ended up in the wrong place at the wrong time.  So that made yesterday long and hard too.  Over 450 missionaries leaving, and all I heard about all day was every one's flight plans.  Ahhh....life never goes like you think it will.  Even when you think you have everything figured out, there is never a guarantee and often the Lord has a bigger and better plan, we just have to let Him give it to us, and then follow it faithfully. 

 

I hosted again this last Wednesday, and it was crazy.  Over 850 missionaries entered that day, and I'm willing to bet that way more than 1/2 were Elders.  THERE WERE SO MANY ELDERS.  It was AWESOME!  But it also meant that I only got to host one Sister (who was going to France) because there just weren't that many Sisters entering this week.  I think the graduation effect is in full swing, and all of the Elders who just got out of High School are starting to come in at full speed. 

 

I keep hearing people say this line, "Are you going to make excuses, or are you going to make it happen?"  I LOVE THAT QUOTE.  It can be really easy to justify laziness.  And laziness is not the way of the Lord.  The more time I have spent serving my mission the more I have learned... that time is going to pass no matter how you serve, so it might as well be done right.  Not everything is going to be sunshine and rainbows...but having faith that the work can get done, instead of making excuses to not do it will result in so many blessings. 

 

Last Monday morning, we were getting ready to start class and our teacher said, "Lets have a power walking contest around this floor."  So we did!  And it was so fun!  I'm sure we all looked ridiculous with our grandma arms going as fast as we could swing them, but it was so fun.  And of course the 6 foot Elders won...but we should all just agree that they cheated with their genetic advantage because they have much longer legs.   

And the other night (not sure which specifically) my companion and I and the other Hermanas built a blanket fort with extra blankets and the two unoccupied beds.  We shoved all the junk food from packages in their and at the end of each day, we spend roughly 10 minutes just eating, talking and decompressing from the day.  It is so much fun and I love to go from that to writing in my journal, to prayers, to bedtime...to starting fresh the next day.  It is an excellent system :)

 

Last Saturday, I learned what missionary work is all about.  There is a HUGE painting of Christ, teaching the disciples in the main building.  And the whole time, all I could do was stare at Jesus feet.  Thinking about what He did, where He went, who He taught...and the thought hit me like a bus, I AM FILLING CHRISTS SHOES.  I wear his  name on my heart along with mine, and together we are serving.  I am doing what He would do if He were here, and quite literally filling his shoes.  I don't know, it is just a cool thought for me to think about, and now every time I see paintings of Christ here I can't help but look at His feet, smile, and get super excited to be in the field finding and teaching real people.

 

On Sunday, we had a devotional...and the speaker was JENNY OAKS BAKER.  My MTC experience has been incredible, but that really but the cherry on top of the whole deal.  She would talk for like 3 or 4 minutes, and then play beautiful arrangements of hymns (I know that My Redeemer Lives, Amazing Grace, A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief, and more).  It was the best devotional yet.  Her kids also played I am a Child of God together and it was so good and super cute.   

 

I just think it should be documented that the Elders in my district are such gentleman.  They have always held the doors open and offer seats all the time, but lately they have been taking our trays after meals for us, so that we don't have to go into the disgusting dish room that smells SO BAD.  The cafeteria people can never be paid enough money, because it smells awful in there, and lately we haven't had to go in!  It's so awesome!

 

Another thing I keep hearing around here at the MTC is, "autograph your work with excellence."  Good one, huh?  I love it.  At the MTC we are all serving and doing the Lord's work full time, but there is something to be said of doing right, and "autographing it with excellence."  And also I hear "Your future is as bright as your faith."  Which has been so awesome for me to hear so often.  Sometimes I let myself freak out about potentially difficult companions, areas, etc...and I have learned that thinking that way is garbage.  Everything will be just fine, THE HARD PART IS HAVING FAITH. 

 

On Friday, we got to talk to the real Luis, investigator that our teacher has been acting as.  It was so cool!  He is from Puerto Rico, and I couldn't understand anything he was saying, but it was still cool to listen to him. 

 

Thanks for ordering the pills for me.  A definite advantage to the small town package, thanks!

 

Also, I have already taken apart an empty deodorant container and will use that to put hidden money in a buried part of my luggage. 

 

They sell passport holders that can attach to your person at the bookstore, do you think I need one?  I have the one we already got that I use as a wallet, and its awesome, but if you think I need the other one for traveling I can go get it no problem.  Let me know. 

 

I actually do need 2 things.  I didn't bring any sports bras, which is fine but it would make gym time much better if I had a couple.  And also, my watch is the enemy.  The little strap thing has scratched my wrist and I can't get it to stay situated or comfortable.  I have resorted to just keeping it in my bag, because I can't stand to wear it.  I think the reason is because it has cute little stitching things and the thread isn't sewed good.  I hate to ask for another watch, but could you take the girls to KMart or somewhere and see if you can find one?  A $10 one would be perfect.  The perfect one would be a simple, and non black/gray/blue/any color that isn't white actually.  A white, non ceramic, even athletic looking watch would be the best thing ever.  It doesn't need to look super professional, I just need reliability and comfort.  I know you can all pick out a good one.  Thank you so much!  Sorry the first one was such a bust :(

 

Thanks for the pictures of Chad, they are awesome!

 

Thanks for the letters from the cousins, it is good to hear from them.  they all sound good!  I love hearing about the Mexico MTC and comparing it to here!

 

Good luck with the bracelet adventure, it sounds exciting and you can totally do it, hopefully it works out!

 

So is Cody's family in a tight spot with no job?  Were they able to sell their house?

 

Sorry to hear about Ginger, that is so sad :(

 

My passport should be in your email and Dad's email too.  Keep looking?  Sorry, not much help.

 

Thanks for all of your love and support, I love you more than all of the sand in the seas,

 

Hermana Withers