Week 9.............

Fam and Friends,
 
This week was definitely one of the hardest thus far in the mtc.  We are starting our 9th week this week, and it is really starting to hit us about how long we have been here.  Don't get me wrong, i really really have loved the mtc and still do.  I never thought i could love it this much and grow this much and learn so much about myself.  But, i really want to go teach real people now haha.  Last night for devotional we had Julie B Beck come which was really awesome, and her and her husband had a lot of wonderful things to say about missionary work and the responsibility we have.  I am still not super confident in my russian, and i had a little bit of a breakdown on saturday.  My amazing teacher Brat. Wilson was talking to sister lewis and i about how we were doing, and i just started crying haha.  It was kinda pathetic, but i just was really stressed on how i am even going to be an effective missionary if i can't say anything. He told me a story of a senior couple that was in russia when he was.  This senior missionary only knew 6 words in russian.  every time he would get on a bus, he would just yell out, "does anyone know english!?" and then he would start sharing the gospel with whoever could understand him.  Brat wilson helped me so much.  It was really funny to watch all of the elders' reactions to how upset i was..they would shoot me awkward looks and ask if i was okay and stuff haha.  elder hopkins seriously is my best elder friend, i think i would die here without him cheering me up so much. it is even more of a plus we are going to the same mission, we are counting down the days til we can get on that plane and head to our real mission.  i am nervous for what's ahead, and i know that i will miss the comfort of the mtc, and especially the people, but i'm ready to dive in and be a greeny.  i am so excited words cannot even express it.  we get our travel plans a week from tomorrow!! boo yeah. 
 
a recap of the week:  sunday in sacrament meeting guess who got called on to speak? yep that's right, me.  i spoke about the apostasy and the restoration so it was a good topic and everyone said i did good and i even got them to laugh a few times, so mission accomplished.  and, our district plus sis. hart and sis. huber, we performed the musical number.  we sang "if you could hie to kolob" all 5 verses.  our dear elders are kind of musically challenged so it was entertaining to say the least.  i'm pretty sure all of us were laughing, and elder brinton told me that he saw president harrison laughing, so that was just great hahaha. it seriously was really awesome/funny though.  it has still been really fun to get to know all of the new people.  my new best friend elder potter (the british one) he seriously is so funny.  he likes to quote movies! and all the movies that i like.  he even is a lord of the rings fan, and all of us are planning a middle earth night, post mission.  but this week we were playing volleyball and me and him were in the back and he missed a ball and he looks at me and says "oh my days" in his accent, and we laughed for the rest of the game.  i will record him saying that and send it to you, it's simply amazing. 
 
Really i wish i had more cool, exciting, juicy stuff to tell but...the mtc is getting a little repetetive.  i just would encourage you all to read the book of mormon everyday.  we have been promised that it will enrich our lives and we will have more spirit with us.  i love you all!
 
cectpa demille