MTC - Week 6

For those of you who are not familiar with The Lord of the Rings characters, our Katie, again this week, begins her letter with a quote from her favorite book series.

"Home is behind, the world ahead, and there are many paths to tread."

-Pippin 

 

Everyone,
I am going to Chile...on Monday! Hahaha. That is so funny to me. We went around as a district, discussing the things that we've learned, how we feel we are going to do in Chile, etc. When it was my turn to talk, I sat in silence, thinking about my MTC experiences. The only quote I could think of that applies to me personally (in regards to my español), was in reference to Elder Nelson's talk last conference.  I said,

"DON'T ask the missionaries. They CAN'T help you!"

The thought of me walking up to someone, introducing myself as a missionary and sharing a message with them is not even a real thing. Sure, I've learned quite a bit of Spanish. But to simply talk and have a normal conversation with someone in Spanish is really quite a humorous thought. Aaaaand this is where I bear my testimony on faith. I think half of the reason I laugh is because of how freaking awesome the gift of tongues is. Heavenly Father is totally going to bless me and help me in so many different ways. Why should I have to worry and be stressed when I know I have 100% faith that he's going to help me. Sure. These next 3-4 months are going to be a bit frustrating. At times I might get a bit upset that I might not be able to fully get my point across.........let alone even understand what they are saying...... But I know it'll come. I've never seen a missionary come home and not know their mission language. The Big Guy knows what's up, always. So Becca, I won't stress about Spanish, if you promise to stop stressing about your AP tests. K, cool. Kiss ya twice.

Go and watch the new mormon message called "Mountains to Climb". 
Dad and Jeremy, go watch the mormon message called "Earthly Father, Heavenly Father". 
I thought of you two when I watched it :)

Mother. You never cease to amaze me. Thank you so much for the wonderful Valentine's package! Hermana Smith and I were so grateful for your love and treats and goodies and all that you do. And then to get a dearelder last night saying you're sending me another package, asking me for all the things that I need. (I'll respond in a diferente email acerca de las cosas necesito....the things i need. I just wanted everyone that I sent this to, to see how wonderful and supportive and amazing you are ;) I love you) 

Mom, just like how you never cease to amaze me...neither does my dyslexia. :/  Yesterday we had the opportunity to host all the new missionaries! The Elders are in chage of escorting the missionary from the curb to the main building and then the Hermana's take them to their residency, drop off their luggage, take them to the bookstore to pick up their books and then drop them off at their classrooms. We were asked to host about 4-6 Hermanas. Well. I gave up after two. The first Hermana was so cute. Really nervous and a bit freaked out. She asked to use the bathroom after we dropped off her luggage and was in their for about 10 minutes. I thought for sure she booked it out the backdoor and was halfway home. I completely forgot to take her to the bookstore, dropped her off at her class and was like, "Well bueno suerte! Good luck, Hermana!" she looks at me all confused and asks, "Do I need any books or anything?"
Ugh! Idiot. So I took her to the bookstore, picked up her books and somewhere during that time, I lost her schedule and room key. Prime. Pretty sure that pushed her right over the edge. I felt so bad. I hope I don't have to see her again.

I shook it off and knew the next girl would be better. ........yeah. Let's just say I hope I never see her again either. When you first pick up the new Hermana, she gives you a little envelope that has her residency room 351/building number 17M and classroom 476/building number 18M. Well, thanks to the dyslexia, I took her to the CORRECT residency building 17M but the room I took her to was her classroom number 476. There were already girls in that room so we weren't able to realize that her key wouldn't work. When I took her to her classroom, I took her to building 18M but class room 531 (her residency number is 351, so not only didn't I get her residency/classroom  number mixed up, I also mixed up 351 to 531.)

If you're not following anything I just wrote, you now understand how I felt when I realized I had just dropped this cute Spanish speaking Hermana off in a classroom going to South Korea, Korean speaking.

I have had quite a bit of fun here in the MTC. I am not sure why people hate it so badly. Oh wait, yeah, I do. The food sucks, you have no freedom ever, and it's inevitable that you're going to gain 10+ pounds. But really, I've enjoyed my time.

Three things I'm really going to miss are:

1. Mi Compañera. Oh My GOSH. The thought about not being with Hermana Smith is literally the worst feeling ever. We have become so close, so fast. (P.S. She started choking during the most spiritual lesson we've had so far. The spirit was so strong and JUST as she's about to ask our investigator if she wants to get baptized, she inhales weird, starts coughing, choking, turning purple, crying...I literally thought she was dying.  In the moment we were scared to death. She had to run to the bathroom and drink out of the sink. But, every time we think about it, we die laughing. ah gees, I just love her.) 

What a blessing. She has helped me so much and taught me so many things that will help me throughout my mission.    

2. My district. It's sad because most of the districts I know all go to the same missions. In our district, only Hermana Smithy and I are going to Viña del Mar. Everyone else is going to Santiago or Concepcion. They are my family here. It's the same love that I had for the cross country kids. It was so easy to find the good in them and to love them all with my whole entire heart. Amazing people! I guess I'll just need to go find some more amazing (darker) people to love.

3. I'm really going to miss service. I don't know if it's because we are in charge of vacuuming and we get to wear the awesome Ghost Buster vacuums on our backs...or if it's because I have such a love for vacuuming...or if it's because I get to be alone for an hour, lost in my vacuuming thoughts. I just for some reason am going to miss service. Haha. I like that time. Vacuum prayers. I'll miss my vacuum prayers.

I know this email hasn't been 'as spiritual' as my other ones, but I need to stay sane somehow. I feel like humor and laughing is what people need more of. When you can laugh at yourself, not be afraid to make stupid mistakes and find happiness in the things that surround you, life is muy bien. I do have such a stronger testimony after this nice MTC experience. I am loving the whole 'the Holy Ghost is your constant companion' thing. He really has become my best friend.

I kept track of how many prayers I said the other day. 21. TWENTY-ONE! Who says 21 prayers in one day? I thought I was doing great when I got 2 in back at home. The best part is, after 21 prayers, I felt like I could have prayed more. I am learning so many cool things here. About myself, about this gospel, about how good God is. Seriously, this life is amazing. We just need to let ourselves figure it out and stop making it so difficult. Yes, life is hard. Yes, missions are hard. But that doesn't mean we can't be happy along the way!  

I love you all so much and am so grateful for your constant love and support. You don't know how much I appreciate the dearelders, letters, packages, candy, gifts, love, etc. I am so blessed and pumped to get to Chile! GAH!!! Life is golden! 
Stay gr8. Tay Tay, I am sending your BDAY package on Saturday. But you have to wait to open it on your BIRTHDAY. WAHOO 17!!!!  :/ ew. 17?  No, you're still 10!

K. I love you all!