Hola Familia!!
Today is My P-Day (Preparation Day...day to do laundry, shop, prepare, nap, etc..) and I am so
excited because I got to read all of the emails! It has been so great these
past few days! The first couple of days went by SO slow but it's starting to go
by faster! I miss you guys so much but I am constantly busy here so I don't
have too much time to think about it. The MTC (Missionary Training Center) is insane! There are so many
people in one place and it's great! We are being trained every second of the
day. My flight to Salt Lake had about 7 other sisters on it and probably the
same amount of elders. One elder that flew with me is in my district as well. I
couldn't find Julie (her friend and ride from Salt Lake
to Provo) after I got off of my flight and without a cell phone I was
running around like a crazy person but I eventually found her. My last supper
before entering the MTC was at Cafe Rio and it was so good! I was also able to pick up my pictures that
I sent to the Provo Walgreens. Anyways, so these last few days have been super
overwhelming but they say if you make it through Sunday you have the hang of it.
I got my name tag "Hermana Barrett" the second I walked into the MTC!
Then I got, no kidding, 20 pounds of
books at the bookstore. Hermana Link is my Teacher and she is so great but now
we are getting a new Maestra and it's so sad to say goodbye to Hermana Link! I'll send a picture of her next
week! I LOVE my district! I am in a trio companion ship with Hermana Sleight
and Hermana Rust. The other Hermanas are Hermana Rupe and Hermana Crump. All
super sweet girls and I can tell that we will all get along! We have four 18
year old Elders that are just a riot! My whole district is going to Posadas,
Argentina except for me! How lucky for them!! I was just called to be a Sister
Training Leader which is the equivalent of a Zone Leader but in sister form! I
am so excited and we will be getting a new district next week so I will train
them and be with them a lot of the time. This calling is really pushing me to
be my best and try my hardest which is exactly what I need! Being in a trio
companionship is really tough because we all have different personalities and
opinions about everything! But it hasn't been too bad, we work through the bad
times and whenever we get stressed we say to each other "feliz y paz"
which means peace and happiness in Spanish. By the way, we started learning
Spanish the day that we entered!! It was so frustrating but I know that it will
just take time. I can now pray, recite the missionary purpose, hold a tiny
conversation and testify in Spanish. It's amazing how I will come back in a
year and a half knowing the language so well!! The feeling of overwhelming love
that I have for these people is amazing. These people have been so easy to
love. I know that that is a blessing of mine to be able to love people
unconditionally. No matter what happens I just remember that this mission is
not for me, it wasn't meant to be easy and that the people need me and that I
need to want to serve. I love being able to think that way. All of the
devotionals and lessons have been great! I am so exhausted emotionally and mentally
it's ridiculous. Today being P-day I got to take a power nap. HALLELUJAH!!! I
am missing naps!!
We have started teaching our first
investigator Raphael. He is from Chile and is very interested in the church. It
is so nerve racking and hard to teach in Spanish but they weren't kidding when
they say you jump right into the work! He has committed to read the Book of Mormon
and pray to know that it is true. Of course this is just practice but it feels
real!
Gym
time!!! So we had gym time and I run two
miles around the track and play 4 square! It's so fun!! haha We also have
personal fitness time where I took the girls of the district out and I guided
them through Ab Ripper X and then we went on a jog!
Visa- I might be getting a travel Visa to go right away to Buenos Aires instead
of Visa-waiting stateside! I know they are starting to do that with some missionaries
so we will see what happens in 5 weeks! haha
Lon
Price... do you know the name?? He is my
branch presidents counselor and he kind of looks like David and Grandpa! I
don't know though he is a convert. Just thought I'd let grandma know that I'm
always looking for it!! haha I love my branch president! He is so sweet along
with his counselors and their wives! I have seen miracles since being
here, I have been super-stretched with my abilities and pulled out of my comfort
zone but this place has a spirit about it that I love! Here's to another week
at the MTC!
I have had so many great experiences
that have outweighed the bad for sure! I wish I had hours to write it all down
but that's what every week is for! Ask me questions in all your "Dear
Elder" letters because I try to write up my emails before I can email so
that I know what to say!
Love you all so much and can't wait
to hear from you! Keep writing me on "Dear Elder" and I will talk to
you next week!!
Con Amor,
Hermana Barrett
President and Sister Wing |
Two Districts |
Argentina! |
Study Trio |
So great. I can't wait to read all your posts and hear about all the great miracles that will happen on this wonderful journey. You are loved!!! Keep up the wonderful work.
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