Dear Mom (and family)
The MTC is nothing like everyone said it would be!!! I got here and they told I am a solo sister and that I do not have a companion, and then they took me to my class, ALL NATIVES!!! Apparently I am in the advanced spanish class and go into the field in 3 weeks. Being a solo sister means I have to be with my district, or the hermanas in my room at all times. It is so hard because everybody has to escort me and i have to go with them everywhere. I miss out on any extra time because I cant be alone so instead I get dragged everywhere. I am soooo not ready to go into the field. My district set a goal to help me learn spanish. I keep trying to tell everyone that I dont belong in this class, including my branch president and they all just say that this is where I am supposed to be. I beg to differ, I broke down in tears because on top of being completely overwhelmed just trying to speak and listen to only native elders all day (there are 8 elders, and myself in the district) I also dont have a companion to work with. one of the teachers told me I will be blessed for my hard work here because as a solo sister we have to work harder than everybody anyway. awesome.
Tomorrow, I have to give a talk, teach a 30 minute lesson, and on monday I have to teach an investigator. It's beyond frustrating because I understand 90% of what goes on in class, and I can read aloud better than a few of the natives, but when it comes to speaking, I get so nervous and I cant remember how to say anything!!! I know the language will come but I have never been so busy in my entire life and I have never had more to do, and never been less qualified for the Lord has asked me to do. I know that the lord pushes us, but I feel like He is humbling me, and breaking me down to build me back up. The building up hopefully is more fun than the breaking down.
A few things about my district - they are like I said Native, except for one elder named Elder Johnson. He's from bountiful but he's studied spanish more recently than I have so he remembers conjugations better than I do. (Not that we practice spanish in class ever, it's assumed we know it) My district is completely tone deaf also, but they sing with all of their hearts. they like to call me Hermanita, even though I am older than all but one of them. I work with elder Luevano and elder Johnson as a companionship in class. i feel bad because elder luevano got the two gringos in the class haha. I really do love my district, they are great. I find that I have a hard time turning off my brain at night and not thinking. Last night I heard the white noise of latino elders talking- or just random spanish words, or conjugations of verbs.
Rachel - that is soooo funny about what happened with the repair guy!!! I love it! thank you so much mom and rachel for writing me. I really do love it here for the most part... I have never felt the spirit so strong, but I was put into a really difficult situation with the combination of no time, no companion to talk to and the advanced spanish class that I have no time to study for. I just pray everyday that I wont break down again in class - super awkward especially since they are all elders who dont know what to do about it hahaha. The food is good, but most of the time I eat salad. also we do have time to work out. I'll write a letter soon, I just bought envelopes so now I can do that.
I really need the garments and shirt that I forgot, so as soon as you can send that, that would be great. Also, the banana cookies would be much appreciated. :) umm... so yeah I'll let you know if i can convince them to put me in the intermediate class, but its not looking like it. I love you guys soooo much!! see you in a year and half!!!!
