Hey Parents/Family! :D
ALRIGHT. So. P-Day is Friday. Who knew? Bet you didn't think you would hear from me this early, huh? Well here I am. :P And trying to summarize two zany crazy days as quickly as possible, because my time to email is limited.
First off, MOM! Thanks for your letter! For anyone that wishes to contact me/uplift a poor lonely missionary's day with a little news from the outside world, DearElder is by far the best way to do it. They print it off day of, and I get it right away. It rocks. Cath, or anyone who doesn't know how to do it, it's free, just google 'DearElder' (there really should be a Dear Sister component ;) ), select Provo MTC and enter my information, which is below:
Sister Bronwen Hale
Provo MTC Mission MTC Box 263 (most important bit)
Washington Everett
2005 N 900E
Provo UT 94604
You shouldn't need all of that, just the Provo MTC and the PO Box (263), but I'd love to hear from any and all of you, along with an address (either email or snail mail) that I can reply to. I have time at night to write hand-written stuff, but only an hour a week to email...but whatever way I get back to you, I'll do my best to reply.
ALRIGHT! Brief summary of my experience thus far, a picture or two, and then (unfortunately) I'm off to send a few other things. Time thus far has been quite crazy. We've only been working a day and a half, and it feels like we've been here a week. P Day was MUCH needed, but has been lovely. Exercise, food, companionship (a given of the missionary thing)...and the temple! Everything necessary to make it a good day. Also some time and space to breathe, which I've loved. We hear the MTC gets a little easier (with the adjustment and such) a few more days down the road, so I'm looking forward to that. I've had some excellent study time thus far though, and some awesome manifestations of the spirit. Also, I have not slept 8 hours in a night since...middle school, maybe, so the fact that that's expected of everyone and strongly enforced...? Very lovely. I've got lots of energy (thanks to the sleep AND the abundant food) which is awesome. Both me and my companion (Sister Sinclair, who in my head I keep calling Sister Sirloin) are eager to get into the field and start implementing the things that we've learned.
One experience, then I'll share a quote and GO! (sorry for the limited time) My favorite experience of the week we the Teaching experience we did on the first night. A group of 50 elders and sisters (there are SO many sisters here. 375 to 350 entered on Wednesday! :D) went into a room with an investigator. And if these investigators were actors, they were GOOD. They were DANG good, they...freaked us out and put us in our place when we started using churchy language on them. It was something I was not prepared to see at the MTC: Investigators abusing missionaries (ever so slightly). This was most notable in our first investigator, a girl names Lawanna. She was a black girl with some 'tude, and she was not interested in what we had to say. All our missionary talk--whoosh, right past the head. This was in large part because we as a group were so eager to share, to convince in a way, that we hadn't gotten to really know her, to show her that we cared as a true diciple of Christ would. That's what I'm most pumped about; seeing these people as God sees them, loving them and showing them that we're really there to serve in uplift, in any capacity (including teaching the Gospel). That's what got me so pumped about this experience, the idea that I would be teaching real people, getting into their lives, and hopefully improving them by making them aware of God's hand and place in their lives.
Another fun thing: my companion, Sister Sinclair. She is wonderful. So down to earth, not high-strung...genuine and humble, honest and cool...we are having a great time. I'm so pleased that she puts up with me. I am currently senior companion (a stroke of 'alphabetical inspiration' from our Branch Presidency), but we'll be switching next week. The only threat is that I'm tempted to steamroll her sometimes (because she's quite gentle and I just love to get my thoughts out there), but as I grow in confidence of her spirit and teaching, we're able to balance things quite nicely.
Which brings me to a QUOTE I want to share, then a brief testimony and I'm off. ;)
Dangit, it won't let me copy-paste. BASICALLY it's an excerpt from President Monson's most recent conference address about Obedience and Truth. He says: (and this is highly condensed and Bronwen-ized, as I can't copy it)
There is no need for us in this enlightened age to sail uncharted waters or walk in unmarked paths in search of truth. Our loving Heavenly Father has laid the path for us and provided an unfailing guide, even obedience. A knowledge of truth and answers to our greatest questions come as we are obedient to the commandments of God.
I testify that that is true, that God will not trust us with the true and full answers to our questions, seekings and longings unless we demonstrate that we are trustworthy--through obedience. Trust me, I've had to deal with the obedience a lot in the last few days, but I can feel that as I am humbling myself to strive to follow mission rules more closely, that I am enabling my mind to recieve the uplift and information I need to teach in full. I know that life in the Gospel brings us more peace, fulfillment and joy, a more active and open mind, and a more humble and servicable spirit to us than would otherwise be possible. I've got a lot to learn, but hopefully I'm on the way.
Love you guys! Sorry this was rushed. Again, I'd love to hear from you, even if it's just a few lines.
Sister Hale
