Hey everyone!
It's finally Friday (my P-day). I was able to send a short letter my first night here and the MTC, after that I have to wait until my P-days to reply (I can read the letters you send whenever). Where to start.... The first day was pretty fast pace and very informative. Got a cool intro into how a lesson with a investigator goes. The had 3 rooms set up to look like living rooms and such. In each room was an "investigator", who we (40+ elders and sister) proceded to ask questions and figure out who each of them was and how we could bring them to the gospel. I get why there are only two missionaries at a time now, any more and the opinions and thoughts of everyone pull the investigator into too many directions. Speaking of two missionaries, my companion is Sis. Anderson, and she is great! We have pretty simliar personalities and go with the flow most of the time. Last night she was called to be the Sister Trainer (pretty much the person in charge of watching over all the Sisters in our District). Like me she loves reading books (woot! not that we can really read books here) and we have gotten along splededly, often spliting our personal study time into compainion study for at least 10 minutes.
Our district consists of 6 sisters and 6 elders.
Sis Reid (from Gerogia) and Bracoe (from Montanta) are serving in the Provo Misison
Sis Rosseau and Griffen (both from small Utah towns I believe) are serving in the Milwaukee Misison like us.
Myself and Sis Anderson (from Texas)
Elder Rese and Johnson serving the Texas Misison
E. Night and Macleroy serving the Provo Misison
E. Smith (from WISCONSIN) and Kalen; one is serving in Provo the other in Texas
My compainion and I have rotated between our district trying to eat lunch with different members, it's been a blast, the Elders are pretty random and funny. It'll be interesting to see how much they grow and mature just in the 2 weeks we are here in the MTC.
They are amazing! I have to say we do have the best distric here at the MTC, our Zone leaders are pretty amazing too, though they change on sunday to E. Rese and Johnson. We also have an great Branch Pres Born, who we were able to meet last night. He brought a Brother with him (I'm not even going to atempt to spell his name) who was born in Germany origionally. He got really excited about my name (and probably pronounced it as it was suppose to be said) and explained it's meaning to the class, I love his German accent!
The weirdest thing to get use to is introducing myself as Sis. Kern. One of our teachers, Bro Jibson ( J not G) is pretty cool, but mainly goofy which makes class lively. We haven't met our other teacher Bro Mocke yet, we will today. I think the funniest thing that has happened so far are as follows:
Learning the 3 Es of flirting at the MTC
1. NO Embraces
2. NO Engagements
3. NO Eye contact
AND
When my compainion and I were leaving our classroom (where we have to study most of the time) a group of Elders starting singing a "welcome" song. They did a pretty good job I must say. We want to learn it so we can sing it to all the newbies next Wednesday.
Anyways, I was able to go through the endowment session this morning (6:30 am) at the Provo Temple. I will admit I almost fell asleep druing the first half. The chadeliers they have are gorgeous, and like all temples the staff was pretty amazing. After the session we got to eat there as well (it seems we are always eating at the MTC, until after 5pm that is). We get 50mins everyday to go to the gym or fitness center. The gym is pretty amazing with basketball, volley ball, running track and pretty much any gym exquipment you could think of. Because it's our P-day we are only allowed to work out in the fitness center - haven't been inside but from what I've heard its like any normal gym. The weather here is beautiful with a great view of the mountains in the background. For the past couple days the focus of our lessons have been on "Our Purpose" which we were required to memorize. One of my favorite quotes (from Preach My Gospel) goes something like - "When an investigator doesn't read the Book of Mormon, you should be devistated! This is their eternal salvation at stake!" I guess I always knew it was important, but not the extreme gravity behind it. The main thing that has been drilled into us is to teach with "power and authority" which goes along with my favorite quote, we can't simply be nice and friendly we have to get across what is truely at stake. I'm truely loving it here! The spirit is so strong, it isn't uncommen for a misisonary to tear up over the most normal things. Another thing - we can't say dudes, guys or the like. It's pretty fun to have everyone correct eachother, it's kind of like a game I guess). Just wanted to let you know I'm doing great! I will reply next Friday! I hope you are all doing great! Tell everyone I say hi and keep me updated on everything that is happening! Oh and if you would, I need O&O's email so I can write to them too! I had it, but lost it somewhere :b
Love you all!
-Sister Kern
