July 25, 2011

Hi Everyone!

 

This was another great week in the MTC. We had lots of teaching opportunities, and learned more than I could ever explain in 30 minutes. I received my traval plans this week. I leave August 1 around 12:30. I'll be able to call home when I'm in the airport, prior to my flight leaving, I guess I'll try the house phone first, so hopefully someone will be there to pick up the phone. Then I travel to texas, where I'll get on my plane for Guatemala. I have 3 others in my travel group. I can't believe my time here in Provo is almost up. I do have to get 2 more immunizations that I wasn't able to get before entering the MTC.  I'm just sitting in the basement doing laundry right now. We went to the temple this morning, which was amazing as always. Afterwards we had breakfast in the temple cafeteria, which was so amazing compared to the food here. Although I must admit the food here is pretty good. During our class time we do a lot of Spanish practices through games, reading, memorizing, playing games, and having conversations. I'm in a pretty good district with great teachers. We also are teaching two people, Gaston and Gabriellina, about the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. There truly is no better feeling than feeling the presence of the Holy Ghost while teaching someone.

Praying in Spanish has been interesting. One Sunday I was praying with my companion and I tried saying that we're thankful for the sacrament. I didn't know the word for sacrament (which I now know is santa cena), so i just said said sacramento. But then I could only think of being in sacramento california, which isn't what I was trying to say at all, and then I just lost it laughing. We probably experience that at least once a day.

 

Yesterday I had my first nurse training class all day, and I have to go back for a few more hours later today. We were taught by Dr. Bruce Woolley, who is amazing, and a relative to Spencer Woolley Kimble. Lets just say that I'm terrified to get bed bugs now, and a million other diseases. My assignment will basically be up to the needs of my mission president, and his wife. I think I will just be monitoring Elder's health and transferring information to the Area Medical Advisor. I think alot of the monitoring will be through the phone, and triage type care.

 

This week I watched the talk "Characters of Christ" by Elder Bednar. It was amazing. He taught that the character is Christ is that he turns outward, and is constantly thinking of others, when any other natural man would turn inwards and think of themself, and feel self pity and selfishness. He continued to basically say, get over yourself, quit worrying about yourself, its not about you. Everything is about Christ and doing his will. I love the way Elder Bednar is so straight forward and blunt, in a loving way.

 

I continue to love my companion Hermana Folland. She is amazing and impresses me every single day. I'll be sad that we most likely won't be companions in Guatemala, but I'm glad that I'll probably still get to see her alot. She studied abroad in England, and can immitate the British so well. It cracks me up.

 

I'm glad that Grandpa is back home now, and sounds like he is doing better. Hopefully things continue to go this way.

 

During my gym time I have been playing a lot of volleyball. We get to play outside in the sand, which almost makes it feel like i'm at lake tahoe on the beach. Its funny because people always ask if I played in highschool. Thanks Lauren for being such a good coach and teaching me your amazing ways.  

 

I Love you all so much! Thanks for all of the love, support, prayers, and letters.

Love,

Hermana Whitaker

 

Dad- I love you!! You should write me a dear elder before I leave the MTC.

 

Mom- I still have to get 2 more immunizations that I wasn't able to get before I came. I think they are going to be around $180 total. Do you think you could help me out? Also if you're getting Elder Graziano's emails do you think you can email them to me?

 

Jeramy- How's bejeweled blitz? lol

 

Millie- Thanks for your diligence in writing me daily. Its so nice to count on hearing from someone everyday. I'll get a letter out to you today, now that I have your address.

 

Kiri- Congrats on the promotion at work. I have a letter written for you, but don't have your address. Can you dearelder it to me today so I can put it in the mail?

 

Lauren- Did that email ever come from the state with my bioterrorism certificate, if so did you print it out and put it in the safe? Umm also, what's new in your life, besides you and Jon just being best friends now?

 

July 18, 2012

HELLO FAMILY!!!!!!!

 

Its so nice to be able to write you. Thank you all so much for the fun packages, and for making my birthday special. The cupcakes were delicious. And I can't wait to try my new sock bun. Thanks for the DearElders, its great to get a little note with updates each week.

 

I couldn't have asked for a better first week in the MTC. First off I have an amazing companion, Hermana Lucy Folland from West Bountiful, UT. We get along so well. She is 21, a hard worker, smart, and has a great personality. There are four girls in my room, and we will all be going to the Guatemala MTC together at the end of the month, probably 7/31 or 8/1. Elder Faught is in my district, so we have all of our classes together. He is doing great, and I see him learn and grow everyday, and think of how proud his family would be if they could see him. I also have seen Elder Adams at meal times. Spanish is coming along quickly, and I'm grateful for the classes that I took in highschool to help me. I have learned how to pray, bare my testimony, memorized the purpose statement, the first vision, verbs, vocabulary, conjugating present, future, and a lot more spanish. I haven't had and nursing training yet, but I think i might have a video conference later this week or next. From the sound of it, most of the training will come either in the guatemala MTC or just when I get there and find out what the mission president has in store for me in 9 weeks.

 

I feel like I grow spiritually exponentially daily, and its the greatest feeling in the world. The hardest part about my mission thus far, is knowing that this will only be for 18 months. Having my birthday on the sabbath day was so amazing. Church here reminds me of a fantasy football team. If you could pick the most amazing sunday program with the best speakers, songs, prayers, topics, and feelings, and then make it real life that would be the MTC. We had a devotional speaker where Jenny Oaks-Baker came and played the violin, and related songs to spiritual experiences. She is Elder Oaks' daughter. She gave up her spot on the National Symphany to raise her family. We also heard from Vaughn J. Featherstone at a fireside. A quote from him that I liked was "I lived for myself, I faught for myself, as if Christ had never lived, as if Christ had never died." I know its important to fight to follow God every day, as if we are the only ones who can help ourself. I know by living this way daily my love and appreciate for the attonement and the Savior will increase. I know that my very best will never be enough in comparison to the greatest act of love and charity that the Savior performed.

 

I wish I could share all the amazing things I learn and feel every day, but I simply don't have enough time. I am keeping a journal though, and know I'll be able to share more in 18 months.

 

The only hard trial I had this week was when I heard about Grandpa. I know that he is strong and was doing what he loves to do, when he developed his blood clot. Through his example of hard work I have decided to work hard through all tough situations, until I find joy in them, just like how grandpa's favorite hobby is working.

 

Dad- That's too bad you weren't able to get those coyotes off of the highway. Hopefully you'll get more this summer. How is everything going with the hay ranch?

Mom- Thanks for the little notes and updates. I'm glad your calling is going well. 

Ian and Michelle- Do you think you could send me a picture of your family with the kids?

Jeramy and Hailey- I would love to get the letters you write to Elder Gunter... maybe you could just copy and paste them. I hope you're having fun in Island Park.

Millie- I love hearing about the kids and all of the cute little things they do!! Thank for your dedication to writing me.

Kiri- You crack me up, and do you think you could drop off some fabreeze and odor eaters to go in shoes?? Lets just say our room smells like sticky feet :)

Lauren- Good luck with your job and move and everything. Tell Ike and Kayla congratulations for me, I'm excited for them.

 

I'll try to respond to you today more with letters, because I'm almost out of time.

Just know that I am having the best time of my life here, and that I love you all very much.

 

Love,

Hermana Whitaker

Millie whats your address?

Saying Goodbye

Goodbye America! 

                                                                Not even nervous!

                                                             Walking into the MTC