February 8, 2014

GUESS WHAT.

YES. THIS IS REAL LIFE. This morning I got my call to. . . . . . .  THE NEW YORK UTICA MISSION!!!

Anyway, we woke up at 6:30 and went to check right away! I was and still am SO happy/excited! I thought I wouldn't be and had been praying for excitement/ a love for my "new mission" well I got it! I had literally rolled out of bed to go find out. Afterwards we were in line to get a sack breakfast (still repping the sleepy head look. . .) and I swear we saw everyone we knew. I was just excited I was bursting and just telling everyone! It was the best 6:30 of my entire life! I'll be getting my travel itinerary on Thursday and will be able to e-mail again then so we can set up a time to talk. YES I GET TO CALL AND TALK TO YOU LOVELY PEOPLE!  I'm so stinkin excited! I'll let  you know:) Also mom, I'll probably send you a letter with a couple of things I'd like to have before Saturday since that's when I'll be packing, hand written though:) 

Even you can even calm down enough to read about the rest of my week here it is:) Oh Also, thanks for the letters everyone! You all helped me fulfill my goal of getting mail everyday ( this is a pretty one sided goal for you all so good work) There's only been one day here that I haven't gotten mail I believe! #luckiestmissionaryintheworld!

KK. If you can't tell I'm still totally geeking out!

 Could someone get a hold of Kelsey Billat and tell her to write me?? I want to tell her about this whole N.Y thing, she doesn't live in my mission but still:)

Tuesday: Not really a big deal or anything but guess who said the closing prayer for the MTC devotional? Yours truly. Yes parents be proud.  I literally had to practice in my mind before hand because I haven't said a prayer out loud in English for 5 weeks! I made it through without a word of Portuguese slipped in there though:)   I wanted it to be Elder Holland so I could talk to him afterwards buuut it wasn't .. . Instead it was a 70 (Elder Evans) who had lunch with Elder Holland that same day! So, I shook the hand that shook the hand of Elder Holland! I"ll take what I can get:) I was basically a celebrity for like 48 hours.  More like an excuse for Elder to talk to me hahah. "Nice job on the prayer!" " Hey thanks, I've been doing it since I was 2."  And while we're on this note, It's hilarious what Elders will do to make conversation! During gym EVERY day: "Hey Ventura, fresh sneaks!" "Hey thanks, my Mom gave them to me."   3rd e-mail request out of the blue " Hey. Can I have your e-mail?" "Hey sure, we've known each other for 2 weeks and we'll never see each other again!" Of course I always give it though Mom, don't worry! Hahah anyway, the MTC is full of delightful little times similar to the above, I seriously love it!

Thursday: We got to skype two girls from Brazil for our TRC experience! I did a lot of smiling and nodding, they were so nice though! One of them was my age! It's amazing what the Church can do with technology!

Friday: We had to go to the health clinic to get Sister B some pills. I was sitting there waiting for her and just kept thinking how I was a real life missionary no longer in the MTC and how wearing my name tag automatically gave me so much responsibility! I could just feel it! I knew I could not leave that building without acting like a missionary and talking to someone.  They could all see that we were missionaries but you know they were all absorbed to their phones. That feeling when you get forced out of your seat to bear your testimony? Yeah that basically happened. Kali and Coltran: there was a little boy with his dad that was your age Kali and reminded me of you Coltran! I really wanted to talk to him! So I did:) I went and talked to him and his dad, turns our he has an older sister on a mission too! I told him I  knew he always wrote his sister (hint to all you siblings out there) and he said he liked to draw her pictures. He was so stinkin' cute, it was so nice to see a little kid again! It was really nice to have a real little missionary experience if that makes sense, and I was so happy! When  we were leaving I told Parker (the little boy) to write his sister again. haha ( I got your back Sister!) Then I saw sister Ewell (sp?) on the way back. She hopped out of her car and we took a selfie for you Mom! Hopefully you got it?  It was a lovely day:)

A couple of things: I want you all to know that I know that the dawn always comes. Whether it be a couple of hours later, a day or a week, or 5 months it always comes.  I'm so grateful for the gifts of happiness that Heavenly Father gives me. Happiness is a gift and it's beautiful. It comes as we strive to be as close as we can to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I read some interesting scripture somewhere, sometime about how obedience is directly linked to happiness. Heavenly Father WANTS to bless us and He can the more we follow Him! Speaking of scriptures, they are a gold mine people! Seriously, I love them, and have been amazed over and over again at the things I keep finding! They are amazing.

Lastly: I don't want to be anywhere else right now, I feel so lucky every day to be working to closely with my Savior. Family I miss you and think of you everyday and am SO grateful for you. I have the best family in the world:) This week we taught a lesson about families being forever and I used a picture I brought of you all, it was lovely:)

I love you all so much! Talk to you again on Thursday!! 

Love,

Sis V.