MTC - Semana Tres, Dec. 7, 2009

Hola mi familia!

Angela, mom, and Bob, i got your e-mails and am going to respond to them individually with letters so I can have more time.

The schedule is pretty intense but I think I've basically gotten used to it. You are expected to use every moment of your time effeciently, because as a missionary your time is "sacred and consecrated to the Lord." The MTC really is a well oiled machine and has thought of everything. I am only allowed to write letters on p-days, in case you didn't know, or I probably would have written you even more by now. Even on p-days we only have about five hours to do our laundry and a bunch of other stuff, plus write letters. It is really good though because it keeps you really focused.

In case you were wondering about Christmas, i will not get to call you, because there is no way the MTC can accommodate that many calls. So I hope you weren't expecting and looking forward to that. It is kind of a bummer, but overall I think that Christmas is going to be really nice here. They put up a bunch of Christmas lights along our walkway to the cafeteria which is fun and makes it feel a little more like Christmas. We aren't allowed to listen to any music, but I've been practicing a lot to audition for the Christmas talent show, plus I am going to sing in the MTC choir which is really fun.

This week was my first time going to the proselyting center here at the MTC, where we call real people. Because it was our first time our job was to call people that have ordered things from the church, like Bibles and make sure they got it and then offer them the Book of Mormon and bear our testimony about it. It was kind of scary and yet really exhilerating at the same time talking to real people about the gospel. We do a lot of pretend investigator practice situations, but this is the real deal, and they actually have some completely virtual investigators that missionaries have called and instant message taught them and ended up baptizing them. I only talked to a few people, but it was a really good experience.

The swine flu has beeen going around like crazy here, three people from my district got it last week and had to be in quarentine for six days, and apparently now there are around ninety peole in quarentine. I am so glad I have been healthy. They gave everyone in our district the swine flu shot, which is good. I think I have also been healthy because I'm still going strong on the no sugar thing. I am getting in way good shape.

Something funny that happened the other night is apparently I was talking in my sleep in Spanish. One of the hermanas was teasing me about it the other day. I guess it just shows how much my mind has been focused on it. I really am loving it though. I have been learning and growing so much.

I know that this truly is the work of the Lord. There is such incredible power behind it. The spirit is so incredibly strong here. I know that this is where I need to be, and that because of all of this learning and preparation the Lord is going to be able to use me to do great things. This church really is true. God loves us so much. I love all of you so much. :) I wish I could explain even half of what this experience is like to you. You really have no idea until you are here. I have so much more appreciation for everyone I know that has served a mission, because it really is hard. But at the same time it is a one of a kind thing. I can see how it helped shape mom and dad into such great people.

My time is running out, so I've got to go, but i love you and miss you and hope you are doing well and having fun getting ready for Christmas. :) Don't be sad that i'm not there, I am where i am supposed to be, and I'll be back home again before you know it.

Love, Hermana Dansie