Wow, what a crazy week full of stretching out of our comfort zone, learning, loving, and being tired.   At the beginning of the week, we didn't know if we'd survive but we did and it was great! We were so nervous at first, but within a couple of days we felt more calm and were able to really drink in the experiences here.


We have spent the week learnings how to fulfill our calling as missionaries to INVITE people to become closer to Jesus Christ.  We talk about Jesus Christ a lot.  We have spent lots of time learning how to ask questions to get to know people and what their needs might be and what relationship they have with the Savior.  We have also spent lots of time learning how to prepare a lesson based on what we found out.  We have a companionship couple that we asked questions, then we gave them a lesson while our teachers observed on camera, then we got critiqued.  Then the next day we did it again.  The last day a stranger from the community came in.  We had 20 minutes to visit with her, then 10 minutes to prepare a lesson we thought would help her draw closer to Jesus Christ and would help her in some way, then 20 minutes to give the lesson.  Whew! 


We have had some app training on how to use the Gospel Library App.  It was very remedial, but hey, we learned some new things we couldn't do before.


Today we had training on the Church's missionary information system. We were able to bring up pictures of all the missionaries in our mission. We think we love them already.




MTC
It's beautiful here.  The Spirit is strong.  The grounds are beautiful.  Our teachers are amazing.


BEING A SENIOR MISSIONARY
They treat us like royalty here.  The young missionaries are trained to open doors for us and let us in front of lines. I texted our kids quite regularly during the first week so they'd know what we were doing.  We don't have to abide by the rules the young missionaries have. 


We have quite a few single sister senior missionaries here.  We have 3 in our small district of 2 couples and 3 sisters.  I really admire them.  They arrive alone.  They stay alone.  They are warriors.  Chris and I can boost each other up, but these sisters are already so strong they just carry on and do what they are asked. 


SURPRISES
Who knew we could learn to love people so quickly.  We have become close to and learned to love our other district members, our teachers, our companionship couple, and really, all of the senior missionaries.  We spend so much time together that we get to know each other quickly. 


It's really interesting how often we meet someone here that we have a connection with. We're always asking, "Where are you from?" and "Where are you giong?" Many times we have a connection.


CAFETERIA
The cafeteria here is a blast.  We are surrounded by it seems like thousands of missionaries.  It is packed at mealtime.  Watching them eat is beyond fun.  There are all kinds of different foods to choose from.  Most of it is very good.  You can eat cereal anytime of the day.  Some missionaries fill up the tall glasses with cereal.  We saw one with 3 glasses full.  One missionary had a plate full of food for breakfast and 3 bagels and 3 doughnuts.  There's a leftover station where they serve leftovers from all the other meals.  One missionary had 4 bananas and 2 large bowls of mandarin oranges.  Seriously, it's so fun!

Top picture: our district

The two sisters on the right are teachers.

Bottom picture: our companionship