Dear
Mom, etc,
As you can see from
the subject line, some pretty interesting and exciting things have happened in
the past week! I learn new things each week about this pilot program
thingamabobber that we're doing and how really incredible it is to even be a
part of it! Last Wednesday, our teacher came in to the room and literally tore
up the paper version of the schedule that we were following and announced that
we (my district and another district in my zone) are the first missionaries in
the history of forever in the world to have the opportunity to plan our own
schedule at the MTC. Normally the teachers and MTC people planned all of the
lessons and activities and all of class time and we just showed up and did what
we were supposed to, but now we get to choose what we do with each minute of
class time and choose which lessons, principles, language, and grammar to focus
on. We planned out the rest of the activities for that week and yesterday we
had another weekly planning session and figured out what we are doing this week
as well. It's really exciting because we get to work at our own pace and
progress. It really is a blessing to be a part of this and I am really excited
to see where it takes us. We have already made so much more progress in the
past week and I am really looking forward to this upcoming week as well!
Now I want to switch
gears for a minute. I wasn't even going to mention that part above, but where's
the fun in making history if you don't record it somewhere? Anyway, the main
topic of our District Home Evening last night was Christlike Attributes and the
question we came up with for this week was "Which Christlike Attribute do
you desire most in your life and why?" and each person in the circle had
to answer the question. I realized that one of the things I admire the most
about the Savior is His selflessness. He never had an ulterior motive and He
did everything He did with genuine intent. He focused His life on serving
others and He truly cared about their thoughts and their feelings and
especially their hearts. I feel like selflessness also encompasses many of His
other wonderful attributes, such as charity, patience, obedience, etc. Another
really cool activity we did yesterday is what we called the "Why I love
you" game. Each member of the district took a turn sitting in a chair in
the middle, and the rest of us had the opportunity to tell that person why we
loved them and the qualities they have that we really admire. It made me
realize how blessed I am to be surrounded by such wonderful people! Each one of
them is an incredible child of God and is working so hard to be the best person
they can be. These two activities combined made me realize that I focus too
much on myself and what I am thinking about and going through instead of
turning outwards like Christ and focusing on others. I made a goal for this
week to focus on serving others and praying for others in my district instead
of always worrying about myself, so I decided to write this week and tell you
about the members of my district and they qualities they have and what I learn
from them. It won't be too long because I don't have a lot of time left, but it
is a blessing in my life to associate with these incredible missionaries on a
daily basis and I want you to have the chance to know a little bit more about
them too.
I'll start with my
companion. Hermana Anderson. Wow! She teaches me so much every day. She is a
natural leader and knows how to take charge and bring a group together. She is
also incredibly hilarious and is always ready to make you smile and laugh, but
the thing I love the most about her is her determination to improve and be the
best person she can be and she's not afraid of hard work. She knows when it's
time to be funny and when it's time to be serious, and she excels at both. She
has taught me not to be overwhelmed by my imperfections, but to work hard to
overcome them and rely on the Savior's help.
Hermana S. Lewis is
also a great leader, and she is our district's Sister Training Leader. She
cares about each girl in our district and genuinely wants to help anyone. One
thing I love about her is whenever she talks about something she doesn't like
or doesn't agree with, she always says right afterward: "But that's
fine." I love it because it shows her commitment to do what the Lord asks
her to, even if it seems unpleasant to her, and she's willing to do what's
necessary.
Hermana A. Burton is
absolutely amazing. She is the most honest person I have ever met and you
always know that whatever she says is sincere and genuine. She is very mature
and responsible, and she understands the doctrines of the church and the
scriptures very well. She loves learning and truly understanding things, and
she is a great example to be of being firm and steadfast in what you believe
in.
Hermana Jenkins is so
fun and sweet. She is also very generous and always willing to help others, and
ever sacrifices her own time and whatever she is doing to help other people.
She is great at doing hair and everyone always asks her to do their hair, and
she does it willingly and without complaining. She is also a really hard worker
and wants to learn.
Hermana K. Lewis is
very spontaneous and fun to be around! She is full of so much energy and
literally runs almost everywhere she goes (including from the door of our room
to the bathroom, about 10 feet) and she is always happy and bubbly. She also
has a strong testimony and you can tell that she loves the Gospel.
Elder Hagen knows
everything. He had studied Spanish for years and he also knows the Gospel and
the scriptures very well, and he can answer almost any question you have. He is
always pushing us to learn more and work harder so we can catch up to him. He
also does a great Napoleon Dynamite impression.
Elder Honey is
literally as sweet as honey. He is a fantastic example of quiet dignity, and I
admire his kindness so much. He is also really funny though and loves to make
people laugh (even if it includes writing a rap about our district and singing
"Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" about two octaves higher than even I
could sing it). He's the kind of person who is genuinely happy for other people
and their success, and he is a very determined worker.
Elder Wixom is our
District Leader and he does a fantastic job. He is always working so hard to
learn Spanish and improve, and he is great with connecting with people and
helping them on a person level. He is also very funny and makes the atmosphere
seem cheerier (is that a word?)
Elder Rossi is a ball
of energy and always makes everyone smile. He has had many experiences in his
life and you can tell that he is serving a mission because he truly loves the
Gospel and the changes it can make in a person's life and he wants to share
that with others. He is a great example to me of working hard and wanting to
make changes for the Savior.
I wish I could have
written more about these marvelous missionaries, but time doesn't allow it.
Even more though, I wish you all had the opportunity to meet them. I respect
and admire each one so much and I learn so much from their examples. I know
that this district is together here at the MTC at this time for a very specific
reason and that God is definitely in the details of our lives. I love you all
very much and I hope everything is going well!
Hermana Burton
PS This happened.
PS this is my zone and I love them
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