Once again it is P-Day. I have
enjoyed immensely your letters and have treasured them up. I like to show all
the Sisters your letters and they love hearing about you guys. I'm happy
Thanksgiving was awesome for you all! Tell Josh and Emilee to quit it with the
spoilers of Mockingjay, haha.
On Tuesday I had the opportunity to
sing in the MTC choir as an alto. It was an an amazing experience. We sand
"Nearer My God To Thee" and it is now my favorite song. The best part
was we got to sing for Elder Dallin H. Oaks when he came to speak for the
devotional. He gave a great talk and I absolutely loved it. It's interesting
how whenever he looked in my general direction he looked like he was staring
into my soul, haha.
Everything is still going great here
at the MTC. I'm enjoying gym time. We play four square, basketball, and run
laps around the upstairs track. It's helping me lose what I gained from all
that chocolate milk, haha. I'm weaning myself off very slowly. The best part
about here is that the showers always have hot water.
Thanksgiving was awesome! I missed
you all terribly, but managed to count my blessings and our district had a
great time. We had a nice breakfast, but we quickly left so that we could be in
the choir for the devotional. Unfortunately, we were too late to grab a seat so
we sat on the chairs on the floor by the bleachers and listened quietly to them
practice "Come Thou Fount". We were a little bummed, but then were
asked to be ushers. After we did that we were given the seats in the second row
right in front of Elder David A. Bednar! He gave such a great talk and the
Spirit really touched me. (He's just as short as I imagined), After the
devotional we had a service project in which we made casserole packets for the
Utah Food Bank for children who need food on the weekends. It was super fun and
they let us listen to pop LDS music. We then went to a Thanksgiving show thing
in which we listened to music from missionaries and a few short talks. Lunch consisted
of turkey slices, green beans, potatoes and gravy, rolls, pumpkin pie, and
cranberry sauce. I miss the canned cranberry sauce from home ;). We then got to
watch 'Meet the Mormons' which was an awesome movie! Please watch it. I loved
it.
Sister Cox and I have been called as
Sister Training Leaders for the Zone. We've been working with Elder Peck and
Ritchey (The Zone Leaders) in preparation for the new missionaries that are
coming in on Wednesday and the foreign missionaries arriving tomorrow. We're so
excited. I hope that we can work together to be great leaders for the Sisters.
We had a Skype chat with a member of
the church earlier this week for a bit. Her name was Sister Finch and
apparently she lives in Yakima and home teaches with Aunt Erin and has taught
Cole in Seminary! Small world, huh? We had a great lesson and discussion with
her. She is so sweet.
Our temporary investigator, Will,
finally accepted the commitment to pray and read the Book of Mormon. The only
thing that softened his heart was the Atonement. He was a challenge because he
only took the lessons because his Mormon friend said to try it out. The
experience really strengthened my desire to place the Savior at the heart of
every lesson, because He changes hearts. Not me. We are done teaching Will
since Jordan will be back today. We're going to teach him the Plan of
Salvation. More than anything I hope that the Spirit will be there.
On Sunday we got to hear from Sister
Sheri Dew in Relief Society. She is such a wonderful lady and has a spirit of
fire when she bears her testimony. I don't know why she isn't married yet, but
I know whoever the Lord has for her will be rockin'. Her talk was wonderful
especially since it was on the Priesthood. She gave me greater knowledge and
understanding about how it works and I'm glad I'm able to use it in my
life.
We also watched a talk by Elder
Bednar called "Characters of Christ" and after that I felt like I
needed a real change of heart. I'm trying to be less selfish every day and try
to help my companion.
And now, things I'm thankful
for:
A Bed: There are mattresses here! I
have two cuddly teddy bears, two blankets, and I'm always warm.
Food: The food here is free and I'm
never hungry. (Well, sometimes I miss breakfast because of gym time) There's
always chocolate milk, ice cream, and jello.
My Companion: She's a rough riding,
farm-girl, tomboy, and my buddy. She is smart and has an amazing testimony of
the gospel. She takes everyday in stride and never lets her disease get in the
way. For everything that I lack she makes up tenfold.
My District: What a fun bunch! We
are the best of friends and enjoy every minute we have in class and during
doctrinal study.
My Family: I love you!!!
My Friends: And I love you!!
The Gospel: Alma 26:35-37. Need I
say more?
Jesus Christ
The Atonement
The Restoration
The Book of Mormon
The Plan of Salvation
Heavenly Father
The Holy Ghost
The Bible
The Love of God
Missionaries
Kentucky
My District President: President
Gines! Woop!
I could go on and on, but I am very
grateful for everything that is happening in my life and on my mission. We
leave December 8th for Kentucky and I'm nervous, but am so excited to get out
there and bring the world His truth. I'm excited to fall in love with the
people there. Sure it will be hard, but I'm planning on having an awesome time
in the Lord's vineyard. Nothing would make me happier.
All my love from the MTC,
Raye
Go Sister France!
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