Week One - MTC

Добрий День! 

Me and my comp, Elder Howard

This week has been THE craziest week of my life. I have never been given so much information and things to remember and memorize. It's very very hard but so far, it's been very very worth it.

My companions name is Elder Howard. He is from Bountiful and just graduated from Bountiful High. We are two totally different people but it'll just take some getting used too haha. We have the BEST zone ever. I'm sure everyone thinks we are so weird because we are all so close already but that's why it's the best we all feel included and the older missionaries are super super cool.

Our zone is the all missionaries going to the Eastern European region. More than half of the zone is going Russian-speaking so it kind of stinks that I can't talk with them but English will just have to do for now. There are like 10 districts in our zone! We have one of the biggest, if not the biggest zone in the MTC. On the second day of being here they had to call district leaders for all the new districts and they called Elder Matua as district leader... I don't know what they were thinking. Nah bahaha I love it and I love my district.

Chillin in our classroom

There are nine of us: Me, Elder Howard, Sister Baker, Sister Mckell (Ukrainians); Elder Chappell, Elder Black, Sister Nelson (Estonians); Elder Edwards (Latvian); Elder Dudley (Lithuanian). Yeah my district is pretty crazy. All the other districts are either Russian or going to Ukraine speaking Russian. I got lucky enough to have a variety. It takes a lot more work rounding them up and stuff but totally worth it I love them. In our residence there are four of us. Elder Howard and I, and Elder Peterson who's also from Bountiful and Elder Clark who is from Sweden. I love Elder Clark, he is hilarious.

The Ukrainian language is INSANE. I don't even know where to begin. It feels like I'm back in elementary learning a whole new alphabet and how to even sound letters out. It's a work in progress and thank goodness I am here for nine weeks because if any shorter, I would be in trouble. We had our first lesson, all in Ukrainian our third day being here...It was going well until I started talking about the Book of Mormon and looked at Elder Howard to start saying something, and he started bearing his testimony about how the Holy Ghost has a body of flesh and bones or something. bahahah I had to stop him right away but I'm just glad it was him and I don't blame him at all for it because if it wasn't for that I would've probably said something dumb. Elder Howard and I were asked to lead a discussion for the whole zone the next day.... I don't get why they have used me for everything the day I get here. But it's good I am learning a lot.

Oh just passin the time

We have the best Sunday's ever here! They don't let you skip a beat on Sundays. They keep you soooooooo busy going to devotionals and discussions or whatever you can think of but it was the best. Felt the spirit the entire day. We also got the opportunity to sing in the choir last night! It was awesome. We had a practice before and the conductor was telling the coolest pioneer stories. He is an amazing guy and we hope we can make it to here him every week.

The Estonians and the lone Latvian

At the devotional a member of the Seventy, Elder Cecil O. Samuelson, spoke and he spoke on obedience. He shared a lot from 1 Timothy 4. One quote he shared was that "Obedience is greater than sacrifice." Yes I sacrificed a lot when coming out here but we as missionaries shouldn't be looking at it as just a sacrifice but that we are out here being obedient to the Lord's commandment. We also watched 'Character of Christ' by Elder Bednar and I can say I've never felt the spirit so strong. Very much recommend watching that devotional.

It is safe to say that this is probably the hardest thing iv'e ever done but I know the Lord can help me push through it. Things are awesome here I've never felt the spirit so strong. Everyone here has a very strong testimony and it's strengthened mine a lot.

Still 'bout that selfie life LOL!

I am really struggling with the language. As most people are their first week but it is really really really hard. Learning a new alphabet and just so much that makes it difficult but I know the Lord is definitely on my side. I pray every single night for help and I know I just need to hold up my end of the bargain and it'll all work out.

Funny story - Elder Otterson is in my zone....As in Lisa's (Wilson) nephew! I thought I recognized him and then I had my Cannibals shirt on and he was like "Ayyyyee I knew I knew you from somewhere," and at the same time we were both like "Cuz bailey!" Bahahaha so funny!

I love all of you and miss you tons
бог є небесним батьком