welcome to the Empty SEa!! :-)
Here I am still alive!! Crazy to believe I've been in here less than a week, it feels like I was born and raised in this tiny one mile radius. I'll give you the fast forwarded version because I'm brand spankin new at emailing and don't want to bore anyone. I'm talkin to you Davis!!!!!
So, on a rainy humid wednesday I was dropped off with two suitcases and an italian-speaking host. I didn't even have time to dry my eyes before hauling those suitcases up a flight of stairs, and right then I saw cute sister Hale from BHS!! Tender mercy for sure. We got checked in, got our keys, our packets, and our nametags (!!!). I love wearing it so much already. I even pin it on my PJs. Just kidding. kinda. Really funny the entire first day here they put this neon orange sticker on your tag so people know you're new, I joked about keeping it on a few days so they'd go easy on me but I got to really dislike the lil thing because EVERY SINGLE veteran missionary here takes up the opportunity to shout "welcome to the mtc!!!!" which is nice and friendly and all but. So. Many. times.
We figured out smartphones and stuff and went to our district classroom on the 6th floor to meet our district! And I met cute sister Johnson, my very own companion!! She is the sweetest heart, so so patient with me and has a super easy nice laugh. We set little goals together like drinking all of our 40 oz hydroflasks before class ends or taking the 6 flights of stairs up to class instead of elevator. haha! We love a good challenge >:-) We are the only sisters in our district and have 4 pairs of elders so we are very busy setting the prime example and all. Haha we feel like the moms of the group, watching these elders grow up and progress in the spirit so so much just so quickly. But we are reminded each time they dab or say "full send, elder" that they graduated high school a few short months ago. which means only 5 years out of primary. We show them mercy and love haha. We met our sweet teachers and had class time and an experience where we got to meet investigators and share with them. so missionary work haha! I love it already and the spirit is hardcore teaching me to just trust in God and open that mouth of mine!!
first impressions: this mission thing is a ton of walking haha! which I'm fine with, I love it compared to sitting in class all day and my blisters are a thing to be proud of. I'll send pictures mom and dad. I'll spare you everyone else ;-) #Blessedforblisters basically we're sweaty and in pain a lot of the time but somehow always smiling and always wanting to share with you a message about our Lord and Savior ?:-)
fitness: Sister Johnson and I had our first exercise time with our district yesterday. That time is sacred I tell you. we walk a lot all day but it felt so good to RUN I missed it so much. Theres a tiny track above the basketball courts that is about 0.10 of a mile, so I ran it 40 times and did 4 miles and a lil bit then sis Johnson and I did some hardcore hard core work. She is my soul sista I tell you !!
food: I'll probably have more to say in this section when I'm actually in the land of BBQ haha but MTC food is very accommodating!! Theres a room in the cafeteria very similar to what heaven is like probably with sunbutter and fruit and veggies and whole wheat stuff... rabbit food... I can tell Dad just stopped listening haha. But I'm still vegan hey!
funny: Ahhhh just too much... haha we were in a finding workshop and all just standing around afterwards and I saw an elder looking at me from across the room smiling, and then he winked! I think my jaw dropped and I started laughing a little bit and looked away, then turned around and noticed the elder that he was actually winking at. so I intercepted a wink hahaha but I think I'll take it??? The sisters in Elder Winker's district are next door to us and we were laughing soo hard about it that night. "You're the Sestra he winked at!!!!" haha I'm gonna find him and wink back
another funny thing happens everyday when we accidentally introduce ourselves as Elder Newman or say "hi sisters!!!" to a group of elders, or when we say how are you guys-sisters doing!! Juuust still getting the hang of things.
friends!!: ah one of the best things being here has been running into the sweetest best friends of mine who also happen to be missionaries! Namely, Sister Hayden!! Elder Chase Wall, Elder Isaac Galvez, Elder Jackson Petersen, Sister Eleanor Woon, Sister Carli Woods, Sister Lusty, Elder Micah Wimmer, Elder Finklea, Elder Guymon, I know I'm forgetting some but I promise there's nothing cooler than seeing your best friends give two years of their lives to the Lord. I have such a greater love for them even than before because I know how hard it is now! Wowowow.
faith: Theee most important part of all of this. Sis Johnson and I were talking about how this is the ONLY part of our lives that we will be able to devote directly to growing closer to our Savior and bringing others unto Him. and what a huge huge blessing that is! the spiritual highlight so far was when each of our district interviewed with our branch president, President Samuelian, I sat there and he basically told me about me. He is a spiritual GIANT and the sweetest man, and after our interview offered a prayer or a priesthood blessing. he laid his hands on my head and said "this is what your daddy would say if he were here". So that is the point when I lost it, the rest of the blessing was so direct and personal, with blessings and promises for my mission. I don't want to share too much but it was one of the most profound and personal blessings I've ever had. The Lord truly KNOWS me! and He speaks to all of us each and every day.
I have just a lil message for you all, we watched this in class and it is so powerful to hear the Prophet testifying boldly that he knows without a doubt our Savior lives! Such a goodie. Hope the link works
Well this has been extremely long thanks for bearing with me!! I love this mission so much already. Thank you for your prayers, I feel them each and every day. I love you all! God is so so good! Talk to Him today! :-)
Sister Newman
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