I didn't get the second week e-mail so I'm not sure what happened there, but here is the one she sent last week!
Hola!!
Wow, I can't believe I've been here three weeks. I have learned so much that I feel like it must have been at least three months. It's amazing and I so wish I had more time that I could write you about it. But, I don't, so I'll just get on with what I do have time to write. Haha.
So I finally got a letter from my mission president! It was just like a generic typed up one, saying they're excited to have me, etc. But I was still really excited to get mail from CHILE! Okay remember President Brady? He was the mission president when I got baptized, well he's a District president here which is basically like a stake president in the MTC. I saw his wife in Relief Society last Sunday and I stopped by his office and got to chat with him last week. It was fun. Who knew when he came to my baptism 4 years ago that we would meet again, here in the MTC? :) My baptism anniversary was great! Thanks to all who sent me dear elders and packages and love! Mom, the roses were beautiful and I loved them!! They are still in my room but I think they are on their way out by now. But I took a picture with them and will send it to you soon!! Oh yeah, I ordered pictures so within like a week you should be getting them! Hermana McKay told her mom about my baptisma-versary and she sent cookies and white stuff. She figured white would be good for a baptism celebration. Haha she sent a white scarf and gloves, which is just handy because I've been really liking scarves lately! It was sweet.
Hermana McKay is seriously so great. She is helping me to be a better person. I am working on being humble and being able to take correction... Not that she says mean things to me or anything, not at all, but if we have a disagreement she's really good about sharing her feelings and I tend to put up a wall cause I hate to be wrong. Hah. Well that doesn't work so well on a mission because you and your companion have to ALWAYS be okay. Otherwise there will be contention and the Spirit won't be there, and we need the Spirit all the time! So we work through everything and I am working on being more humble to accept correction. It will only help me to be better! So I appreciate it.
Happy birthday to Megan!! Thanks to you and Scotty for visiting my mama the other day! That was nice :) Hope you had a great day Megs and I'm excited for your mission to begin. PS write me back :)
Mom, I just love your coat you gave me. I wear it every day cause it's cold and I get so many compliments on it! I'm kinda not wanting to leave it in Chile anymore, because I really like it. Haha. But I have enough coats. So I really don't need it. We'll see. Two of our Elders are leaving today. Elder Moorhouse and Elder Winter. They're going to the Guatemala MTC before they serve in El Salvador. I'm gonna miss them! They're pretty much my closest friends here, except for Hna. McKay and Hna. Probert. I don't know if I've mentioned Hermana Probert before, but she is so great. She's 23 and so fun and in our zone. There are 6 of us hermanas total in our zone, and we all room together which I love. We have gym together too and Hermana P and I work out together usually. We are helping each other stay healthy!
It snowed here on Saturday!!!! And it stuck! It was sooo pretty. But it melted by the end of the day. And then it rained Monday. And it's sunny and blue skies today. The weather can't make up its mind. But the sun sure made me happy today!
Annie, thank you for finally remembering I exist and sending me an email! And thanks for getting Crystal's info for me. Dear elders are better than emails cause I only have 30 mins on the email and I have to spend time reading it so that means less time to write. But dear elders are great cause I get those daily and have more time to read. But thanks and I will look forward to that package :) You can send me tights if you want. But if you don't want to I will be happy with anything. Erica you're getting a super long letter this week, be excited!
MOM that package was the BEST!!!!!!! Oh, my district loves you. One of the Elders called you a saint. That toffee was sooo yummy but this time it wasn't as crunchy as it normally was. Did you do something different? But it was still soo good. And this morning I had the granola with milk as my breakfast! Yum! Usually we go to the Cafeteria for every meal but we have the option of getting sack breakfast or lunch if we don't want to do a sit down dinner or if we don't want to get dressed up. Cause you have to be dressed to be in the Caf. So on P-days and days we have gym in the morning and days we have service in the morning we do sack breakfasts. We have service at 6 every Friday morning. It's just cleaning one of the buildings. Smart idea on their part, they don't have to hire so many janitors if they just make the missionaries do it! Haha. And yeah, we have PE every day except PDay and Sunday. We get 50 minutes. The annoying part is that gym is always right after meals for us so that's not so much fun to go running on a full stomach. But I've been running more, like 3 miles. So that's good. And they have an early morning (6am) workout class for the sisters. They have step, yoga, and other stuff. So I've gone to that a couple times too.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!! It does not feel like Thanksgiving at all. It's weird. But they are putting up Christmas lights all over so that makes me excited! I was wondering if they were going to decorate for us and yes they are, so yay. I'm happy.
Okay parents, well I'll be honest I miss you already. I am honestly busy all the time here so I don't have too much time to think about it. And I wish I could write more often. But I think about you all the time and I pray for you every day! I am hoping that you feel my love and feel God's love for you, because that is what I am praying for :) Also I love hearing the miracles you are having Mom! Dad, notice anything special happening since I've been gone? I love you both so much and I can't tell you enough how much it means to me that you are both so supportive of me and all I'm doing. Honestly, I would have been baptized and gone on a mission either way, but since you two are my best friends I am SO happy that you are so loving and supportive. It makes everything so wonderful. I couldn't do all I do without you guys. I want to make you proud! I love you sooo much and have a great week and a great Thanksgiving!!! Have fun and don't miss me too much.
Con mucho amor,
Hermana Anderton
PS. the sock bun has changed my life. I'll tell you more about it next time. haha bye!
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Tuesday November 8th: First Week!
Hi everyone, this is Annie I'll be running Danielle's mission blog, so posting her letters basically :) Sorry this one is from Tuesday November 8th, sorry it took so long to get it up here! So read it fast because we will have another one tomorrow! Enjoy-
Hi family!!!
Oh I am so excited to get to write you finally. The MTC is great. Crazy. But so great. The first few days were pretty hard, to be honest. Jumping head first into studying 12 hours a day and having little time to get between all my classes and activities is super crazy and stressful. Also, our teachers only speak to us in Spanish haha. I understand almost everything, it's really amazing. I'm surprised at how much I remember and at how quickly I am learning. I am working hard, but I know that the Lord is helping me so much. I guess something kind of cool, one of my teachers recommended me to move up to the intermediate Spanish class. I thought about it and prayed about it, and I feel good about staying where I am. My companion struggles with the language and so do a few others in my District, so I'm able to help. Also if I were to move up I'd have to change dorms, districts, zones, everything. And I know it's only been 6 days but I seriously LOVE the people I'm with. My companion is from Salt Lake. Her name is Hermana McKay and she's a vocal performance major at BYU. She knows Holly Starr! She is super sweet and funny. I really like her. At the beginning I was a bit worried that we weren't going to get along super well, but we have really gotten into the groove of our companionship and are doing great together. We pray all the time and that has helped us so much to be united and on the same page. I love it. So there are ten of us in our disctrict. 4 Hermanas and 6 Elders. We have sooo much fun together. We spend just about 14 hours a day together with class, language study, companion study, personal study, gym, and eating three meals a day together. Not to mention temple walks, devotionals, and church.... Haha yeah, we're pretty tight. Love them.
I looove getting the DearElders. They seriously make my day!!! Thank you to Mom, Dad, Erica, Megan, and Alison for sending me some this week!! I want to apologize in advance if you don't hear back from me ASAP. We are super duper busy here at the MTC and even on P-Day we don't have tons of time with all the other stuff we need to get done. But I really do appreciate you thinking of me and I will write back as soon as I can! The Moneys sent me a package too, with some cookies and notes from little Caroline and the fam, and a little shoulder purse and some travel-sized toiletries for the plane. They are awesome. Mom, thanks for your package as well. The vitamin C was a good call... I've been sick almost every day since I've been here. The first couple days I had really bad headaches and shoulder/ neck pain. I think just from the stress. Then I was good Friday and Saturday except for a bit of a runny nose. Oh and I got a bad bloody nose Friday :( Sunday I was okay but it was fast Sunday and I got a bit of a headache... Then Sun night I got yet another bloody nose... This time I got a Priesthood Blessing and I have not had any problems since! I have the faith that I will not have any more bloody noses. I've had some congestion and yesterday an upset stomach, haha this sounds awful when I write it all out. But really I am okay. I have been eating healthy. They have really delicious salads and soups. And with being in class all the time, there's no time to snack (we're not allowed to have food in class). We get an hour for gym every day and I run a mile or two on the indoor track every day. Yeah I know, a mile is pretty weak. But it takes 10 laps to do a mile so it's just so boring! I also do some weight lifting stuff and stretching... A lot of people gain weight at the MTC... but guess what? I've already LOST 6 pounds!! In 6 days! I'm so stoked. And kinda surprised cause I haven't been working out as much but it's probably the tons of concentrating that's making my brain burn calories, also it's cold here so I'm sure that helps.
Anyway, what else? We've been teaching our first investigator. Her name is Kimmy and the first time we taught her (en Espanol) was Friday! Our third day here! It was hard because we don't know much Spanish. But we prepare as best as we can and the Spirit helps us so much. Honestly there's no way we could teach a 20 minute gospel lesson without the help of the Lord. It's amazing. When we work hard and pray we can accomplish soo much more than we could on our own. Okay so I left my journal in my room so I don't remember everything I wanted to write about! But I will tell you more about my companion. Hermana McKay is super fun. She had some problems earlier in the week with anxiety and feeling overwhelmed. She was having a hard time with the language and trying to do everything that is required of us. It really is a lot. But she has some anxiety problems so that was pretty difficult for her. I was a tiny bit nervous that she would be overcome by it and have to go home or something. But she is doing SOO much better. She's taking it easier on herself and doing her best. I have seen so quickly how her Spanish and confidence have improved. Oh, something funny... She reminds me so much of Caroline Mulvihill! Her voice and the way she talks and laughs and stuff. It's so funny.
Parents, I'm sorry I didn't turn around after being dropped off Wednesday! I honestly didn't even realize that was the last time I'd see you for 18 months :( I think as soon as I walked away from the car I just didn't even think about turning around to say bye one last time. I so hope you're doing okay and feeling my prayers for you and recognizing the Lord's blessings in your lives. Mom already told me of some little miracles but keep telling me about them! I love to hear that you are doing well. Dad, I'm glad your truck is doing okay. I love you both so much. I can never tell you how much. I appreciate you and all you do for me more than you will ever know. And supporting me doing this? Being on a mission? It's just amazing. You guys are incredible. I pray for you all the time.
I am learning so much here. And having a great time. It is hard work. Very hard work. But I know this is the Lord's work and He helps His missionaries accomplish what He expects of them. I love being here and being a missionary. I definitely cried the first time they put my missionary tag on. It is such a blessing to be a representative of the Lord and to wear His name over my heart each day.
Well, I have only one minute left so I should probably wrap up. But know that I am doing well and I love you so much. I know that the Church is true and that the Gospel blesses our lives so much. More than we can even imagine. Heavenly Father loves us more than we know. Mom if you could send a few more of those MTC return address stickers that would be awesome :)
I LOVE YOU I LOVE YOU I LOVE YOU I LOVE YOU I LOVE YOU!!!
Until next Tuesday,
xoxoxo
Hermana Anderton
Hi family!!!
Oh I am so excited to get to write you finally. The MTC is great. Crazy. But so great. The first few days were pretty hard, to be honest. Jumping head first into studying 12 hours a day and having little time to get between all my classes and activities is super crazy and stressful. Also, our teachers only speak to us in Spanish haha. I understand almost everything, it's really amazing. I'm surprised at how much I remember and at how quickly I am learning. I am working hard, but I know that the Lord is helping me so much. I guess something kind of cool, one of my teachers recommended me to move up to the intermediate Spanish class. I thought about it and prayed about it, and I feel good about staying where I am. My companion struggles with the language and so do a few others in my District, so I'm able to help. Also if I were to move up I'd have to change dorms, districts, zones, everything. And I know it's only been 6 days but I seriously LOVE the people I'm with. My companion is from Salt Lake. Her name is Hermana McKay and she's a vocal performance major at BYU. She knows Holly Starr! She is super sweet and funny. I really like her. At the beginning I was a bit worried that we weren't going to get along super well, but we have really gotten into the groove of our companionship and are doing great together. We pray all the time and that has helped us so much to be united and on the same page. I love it. So there are ten of us in our disctrict. 4 Hermanas and 6 Elders. We have sooo much fun together. We spend just about 14 hours a day together with class, language study, companion study, personal study, gym, and eating three meals a day together. Not to mention temple walks, devotionals, and church.... Haha yeah, we're pretty tight. Love them.
I looove getting the DearElders. They seriously make my day!!! Thank you to Mom, Dad, Erica, Megan, and Alison for sending me some this week!! I want to apologize in advance if you don't hear back from me ASAP. We are super duper busy here at the MTC and even on P-Day we don't have tons of time with all the other stuff we need to get done. But I really do appreciate you thinking of me and I will write back as soon as I can! The Moneys sent me a package too, with some cookies and notes from little Caroline and the fam, and a little shoulder purse and some travel-sized toiletries for the plane. They are awesome. Mom, thanks for your package as well. The vitamin C was a good call... I've been sick almost every day since I've been here. The first couple days I had really bad headaches and shoulder/ neck pain. I think just from the stress. Then I was good Friday and Saturday except for a bit of a runny nose. Oh and I got a bad bloody nose Friday :( Sunday I was okay but it was fast Sunday and I got a bit of a headache... Then Sun night I got yet another bloody nose... This time I got a Priesthood Blessing and I have not had any problems since! I have the faith that I will not have any more bloody noses. I've had some congestion and yesterday an upset stomach, haha this sounds awful when I write it all out. But really I am okay. I have been eating healthy. They have really delicious salads and soups. And with being in class all the time, there's no time to snack (we're not allowed to have food in class). We get an hour for gym every day and I run a mile or two on the indoor track every day. Yeah I know, a mile is pretty weak. But it takes 10 laps to do a mile so it's just so boring! I also do some weight lifting stuff and stretching... A lot of people gain weight at the MTC... but guess what? I've already LOST 6 pounds!! In 6 days! I'm so stoked. And kinda surprised cause I haven't been working out as much but it's probably the tons of concentrating that's making my brain burn calories, also it's cold here so I'm sure that helps.
Anyway, what else? We've been teaching our first investigator. Her name is Kimmy and the first time we taught her (en Espanol) was Friday! Our third day here! It was hard because we don't know much Spanish. But we prepare as best as we can and the Spirit helps us so much. Honestly there's no way we could teach a 20 minute gospel lesson without the help of the Lord. It's amazing. When we work hard and pray we can accomplish soo much more than we could on our own. Okay so I left my journal in my room so I don't remember everything I wanted to write about! But I will tell you more about my companion. Hermana McKay is super fun. She had some problems earlier in the week with anxiety and feeling overwhelmed. She was having a hard time with the language and trying to do everything that is required of us. It really is a lot. But she has some anxiety problems so that was pretty difficult for her. I was a tiny bit nervous that she would be overcome by it and have to go home or something. But she is doing SOO much better. She's taking it easier on herself and doing her best. I have seen so quickly how her Spanish and confidence have improved. Oh, something funny... She reminds me so much of Caroline Mulvihill! Her voice and the way she talks and laughs and stuff. It's so funny.
Parents, I'm sorry I didn't turn around after being dropped off Wednesday! I honestly didn't even realize that was the last time I'd see you for 18 months :( I think as soon as I walked away from the car I just didn't even think about turning around to say bye one last time. I so hope you're doing okay and feeling my prayers for you and recognizing the Lord's blessings in your lives. Mom already told me of some little miracles but keep telling me about them! I love to hear that you are doing well. Dad, I'm glad your truck is doing okay. I love you both so much. I can never tell you how much. I appreciate you and all you do for me more than you will ever know. And supporting me doing this? Being on a mission? It's just amazing. You guys are incredible. I pray for you all the time.
I am learning so much here. And having a great time. It is hard work. Very hard work. But I know this is the Lord's work and He helps His missionaries accomplish what He expects of them. I love being here and being a missionary. I definitely cried the first time they put my missionary tag on. It is such a blessing to be a representative of the Lord and to wear His name over my heart each day.
Well, I have only one minute left so I should probably wrap up. But know that I am doing well and I love you so much. I know that the Church is true and that the Gospel blesses our lives so much. More than we can even imagine. Heavenly Father loves us more than we know. Mom if you could send a few more of those MTC return address stickers that would be awesome :)
I LOVE YOU I LOVE YOU I LOVE YOU I LOVE YOU I LOVE YOU!!!
Until next Tuesday,
xoxoxo
Hermana Anderton
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)