Happy in My Labors

Hello everyone!

 

I am doing well here in the MTC! I had a wonderful week full of trials and blessings.  (more blessings than trials)

 

#1 Sister Keenan and I performed our piano piece in front of hundreds of new missionaries and the new missionary devotional.  We performed beautifully despite our nerves.  I'm trying to find time to do a recording on my camera so I can send it home, but things are getting kind of complicated here.  The main building with the cafeteria and everything is being closed off tonight because they're training all of the  mission presidents.  This place will be crawling with general authorities.

 

#2 We have committed two of our "investigators" to baptism.  *Exciting* It was kind of slow going with each of them, but Sister Sermans and I learned a lot. 

 

#3 I had to get 4 shots today.  The lady called me "a pin cushion" and that's literally what I felt like.  :(

 

#4 There has been some progress on my visa.  I got called to the travel office here on monday and they told me that I would go to the police station the next day to be finger printed for a background check.  So I asked them to say that I got my visa when they called my classroom looking for me.  So they did.  My district FLIPPED OUT, until I came back and told them that I was just going to be finger printed.  Suckers.  They were really mad at me.  They didn't talk to me for a while and then quoted scriptures to me about how liars will be thrust down to hell and such.  Mormon jokes....

 

#5 I think I have mentioned before that I will most likely reassigned before going to Brazil.  Well I find out next Thursday where I will be going! What!? Time is flying here! I get to call home when I get my reassignment and let you know.  I only get to talk for 5 minutes though, so be prepared!

 

#6 Watch the Sunday night devotional this week if you can! I'm singing and word on the street is there is going to be a cool announcement.  Hopefully it's not a let down after all the build-up!

 

#7 I saw several interesting people this week.  Rachel Townsend- She was able to find me across the cafeteria because "I saw you were doing something weird so I knew it must be Sister McElderry!" (I was practicing the Brazilian finger snap!)  I also met my cousin Mardin Pace.  I was walking and recognized his face from family pictures on G-Ma Pace's wall.  So I approached him and asked his name and then introduced myself.  What a crazy coincidence (there are no coincidences)  The last person I met was a girl from the Rogers singles ward who just arrived here on Wednesday.  I was walking in a different residence hall trying to find Sister Townsend's room when I ran in to this sister.  I asked how she was doing and she broke down and started crying and shared with me how hard the last two days have been for her.  I understand.  So I talked with her and assured her that it definitely gets better.  No doubt those first few days are hard, but we are so blessed in here.  I have seen miracles here.  I never found Sister Townsend, but I know that I was there at that time for a different reason. 

 

Okay, well I need to do some more writing.  I hope everyone is well.  Once again, sorry for not writing specific letters to all those who send them.  Just know that I love and appreciate all of them.

I love ya'll and miss you, but I'm happy in my labors.

 

Sister McElderry