Dear Family,
So I can email everyone in the family. We email at the library, which also has a 30 min time limit, but i guess we can sign back in..grr, it muffs up the works. But today I still have to stick to 30 min because my comp is super sick.
We have a car, but we're not allowed to use it on pday, so we have to get rides from members and that throws a wrench in the works too. So my trainer is Sister Schilling and my first area is Syracuse!! I like both exceedingly well. I live in a ghetto lil apt (think motel 6) but it is fun to have a little place of our own as opposed to living with members. Though it was freezing in Provo, Syracuse is hotter than Hades, and there is no air con so we pull our mattresses into the living room where the swamp cooler is. I am getting a farmer's tan and a shoe tan. It's pretty gross. We have a car but we still tract a lot. We will usually just drive to a neighborhood and tract the streets and talk to everyone, even though most of them are members it is still good for us to be seen out and about so everyone will know there are sisters in the area and give us referrals!! Because that is how we get most of the work done around here. The members are great about missionary work and we have a dinner appointment every night. What we do when we are not teaching or tracting is go visit the auxiliaries and get them pumped about missionary work, which is no small feat because we cover 2 stakes and 18 wards! Whoa dang! I am really starting to despair that I will never remember the names of 18 bishops, young women's and primary presidents, etc etc etc...it's way wild, but everyone is super nice and helpful. Tracting, we meet a lot of members as I said but that is good because we can ask for referrals and service opportunities (or get a drink of water and score a snack). But we also meet a TON of inactives and nonmembers who are wary of the church. It is fun to see what everyone's beliefs are and to testify of what we know to be true. Sometimes people want to bash but Sis Schilling is really good at leading the conversation away from that. A lot of times when people don't want to listen to us we will ask if we can sing them a song, and we sing a couple verses of a hymn, and it bring the spirit so quickly! Sister Schilling has an amazing voice!! (she sings like a black girl, even though she is white. Think Quinn sisters) So I will just sing a soulful rendition of the melody, and Sister S. busts out some beautiful amazing harmony! Everyone loves it, and we are getting to be known as the singing sisters who walk the streets of Syracuse!! I love singing with her, it reminds me of being at home with Nina and the way that when I start singing, she always joins in with a harmony, and then we both start giggling. Sis. Schilling is from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. She is super laid back but we always work hard and have fun while we're at it. She is also waaaaay organized and good at planning down to the last second, which I
am bad at, but she is teaching me! There is so much stuff to remember, it takes a lot of faith to believe that someday I will know all that stuff and Sis S will leave me!! I really don't look forward to that day. But we are always busy visiting, teaching, (but not vistin teachin'), tracting, finding, etc etc etc. There is a lot of paper work that makes my head explode! We are teaching a few eople, we do a lot with part member and non member families. My time is actually about to run out, so I have to go, but I'll write some more in snail mail letters.
Love, me
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Friday, August 21, 2009
Hello everyone!
This is not a letter from Camille, but yesterday we received some pictures in an email from Sister Olson, the Mission President's wife. This is Camille with the group she came into the field with and all of their new companions. The one next to Camille (I assume) is her new companion, and one of the other sisters in the picture must be Sister Graves who was Camille's MTC companion, because I know they went to the same mission.
Camille looks excited and happy! But I will let you judge that for yourself:
Missionary jargon - the "mission field" refers to being out (of the MTC usually) into the mission area, to start doing the work. Usually a missionary has a "trainer" when they first get to the field, being a more experienced missionary who can help them learn, so Camille's trainer is the one in the picture.
Unfortunately, the name of her new companion, area, etc were not included in the letter so we are anxiously awaiting Camille's first letter from the field so we can hear all about it.
<3,
Alaina
This is not a letter from Camille, but yesterday we received some pictures in an email from Sister Olson, the Mission President's wife. This is Camille with the group she came into the field with and all of their new companions. The one next to Camille (I assume) is her new companion, and one of the other sisters in the picture must be Sister Graves who was Camille's MTC companion, because I know they went to the same mission.
Camille looks excited and happy! But I will let you judge that for yourself:
Missionary jargon - the "mission field" refers to being out (of the MTC usually) into the mission area, to start doing the work. Usually a missionary has a "trainer" when they first get to the field, being a more experienced missionary who can help them learn, so Camille's trainer is the one in the picture.
Unfortunately, the name of her new companion, area, etc were not included in the letter so we are anxiously awaiting Camille's first letter from the field so we can hear all about it.
<3,
Alaina
Monday, August 17, 2009
Leaving the MTC
This is my last day at the MTC!!! I should arrive at the mission home tuesday. I don't know what the mail situation will be for the next few weeks, but I doubt I will have time to snail mail peoples any more. I get so many letters, it's awesome, but then I feel bad that I don't have time to write them all back individually, ya know? I just try to include stuff in the group letter.
Funny stories: did i tell you I make lessons plans in my sleep? well I do. It both annoys and amuses my roomates. I will yell out scripture passages and explanations..Also, the other day at the RC [referral center], I saw a finger-sized hole in the desk, so i proceeded to stick all of my fingers in it one by one, they all fit delightfully well except my ring finger which got stuck, and wouldn't come out until 30 muinutes later with the help of my companion, hand sanitizer and lotion, my teacher, and 3 other missionaries as the entire RC looked on. It was really funny, but also mortifying...things like that seem to happen a lot to me.
Dubs!
Sister Jordan
Funny stories: did i tell you I make lessons plans in my sleep? well I do. It both annoys and amuses my roomates. I will yell out scripture passages and explanations..Also, the other day at the RC [referral center], I saw a finger-sized hole in the desk, so i proceeded to stick all of my fingers in it one by one, they all fit delightfully well except my ring finger which got stuck, and wouldn't come out until 30 muinutes later with the help of my companion, hand sanitizer and lotion, my teacher, and 3 other missionaries as the entire RC looked on. It was really funny, but also mortifying...things like that seem to happen a lot to me.
Dubs!
Sister Jordan
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Ay Yo
Like whoa! Thanks so much for the awesome packages and letters! I am the envy of my district, I get more stuff than anybody! Of course I always share :) but seriously the package was awesome, just like always! Me and sister Graves are tearin' that candy up. All the letters help so much, yall will never know how much. It's so uplifting to know that so many people care about me/are excited for me. You rock!!! All of ya!!!
Sooo my district......they're freaking sweet. Elder Peirce is our district leader, he's from Baltimore. Super funny-weird but very spiritual and a leader. Goofy, Napoleon Dynamite Elder Wilde from Shelley (going to Houston), Idaho. Shy but sweet, strong testimony and slightly mischeivous. Elder Clayton (Ogden) tries so hard to participate in everything, idr where he's from. Sister Hallet (also going to Ogden) is the mother-hen type, solid testimony, likes to serve others, dry sense
of humor. Sister Fuller (from UT, going to Houston) seems quiet and shy, but actually a well of strength, a strong teacher, and quite witty in a delightfully quirky way. My dear sister Graves (from CA) is a lot like me, but she's way more awesome! We giggle a lot, probably too much. She is so strong and in tune with the spirit, when we teach it pretty much rocks! We always have great unity and we are both very in tune when we teach. Cool story about that: We teach volunteers some of the time (with a prescribed scenario) and the other day we taught this family from
England with 3 beautiful little daughters. They were my favorites so far, such a special family, and the spirit was really strong as we taught them. The lesson flowed beautifully, and the parents were really emotional, esp. the dad. We knew there was something very special about that family, and we found out later that day that he is an area Seventy visiting from England! Way cool. But anyways, I am gonna miss my district so much! They are like a family to me, and I'm glad most of
them are going to Ogden.
Yeah, I saw Shane quite a few times! It was cool, and we got some pictures. I also have seen a lot of my friend sister (Melissalyn) Zentner from the singles ward, which was really fun as well. We got pictures too. It's so cool to see people you know here.
Oh yeah, Utah is freezing.
Sooo my district......they're freaking sweet. Elder Peirce is our district leader, he's from Baltimore. Super funny-weird but very spiritual and a leader. Goofy, Napoleon Dynamite Elder Wilde from Shelley (going to Houston), Idaho. Shy but sweet, strong testimony and slightly mischeivous. Elder Clayton (Ogden) tries so hard to participate in everything, idr where he's from. Sister Hallet (also going to Ogden) is the mother-hen type, solid testimony, likes to serve others, dry sense
of humor. Sister Fuller (from UT, going to Houston) seems quiet and shy, but actually a well of strength, a strong teacher, and quite witty in a delightfully quirky way. My dear sister Graves (from CA) is a lot like me, but she's way more awesome! We giggle a lot, probably too much. She is so strong and in tune with the spirit, when we teach it pretty much rocks! We always have great unity and we are both very in tune when we teach. Cool story about that: We teach volunteers some of the time (with a prescribed scenario) and the other day we taught this family from
England with 3 beautiful little daughters. They were my favorites so far, such a special family, and the spirit was really strong as we taught them. The lesson flowed beautifully, and the parents were really emotional, esp. the dad. We knew there was something very special about that family, and we found out later that day that he is an area Seventy visiting from England! Way cool. But anyways, I am gonna miss my district so much! They are like a family to me, and I'm glad most of
them are going to Ogden.
Yeah, I saw Shane quite a few times! It was cool, and we got some pictures. I also have seen a lot of my friend sister (Melissalyn) Zentner from the singles ward, which was really fun as well. We got pictures too. It's so cool to see people you know here.
Oh yeah, Utah is freezing.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
MTC Adjustment
One thing I have definitely found out is that there is nary a spare second to be had in the MTC. I wake up at 6:30 and I don't see my room again until 9:30. During that time I have meetings, personal study, companion study, meetings, devotionals, service projects, a ton of class, like a couple 4 hour classes a day.
I have two teachers. Brother Williams I really like, he helps me a lot and is very gentle and encouraging and I feel I benefit a lot from his teaching. My other teacher Brother Melton is a bit more challenging. But it's ok, because he has been called to be a teacher here I know he is inspired and there must be something I have to learn from him.
So my companion Sister Graves is way awesome I love her to death!! We are so much alike. It really has been a blessing to have a companion like her...the mtc is pretty much the most spiritual environment I have ever been in, but it is definitely waaay hard and frustrating, and she has helped me so much.
The food is interesting, I definitely get a lot of rumblings in my tumblings but the good news is I eat a lot more fruits and veggies than I did at home because they are already fixed and all I have to do is grab them and put em on me tray. Also we get all the soda and dessert we want.
I don't mind being obedient, and I have already felt myself felt myself grow so much spiritually. I love this place and I love being Sister Jordan! There is so much more I want to tell you but I don't have time. Sorry I couldn't answer more questions or be funny...
Love,
Sister Jordan
PS: Use dear elder or my official mtc address - please write lots and lots!!!
I have two teachers. Brother Williams I really like, he helps me a lot and is very gentle and encouraging and I feel I benefit a lot from his teaching. My other teacher Brother Melton is a bit more challenging. But it's ok, because he has been called to be a teacher here I know he is inspired and there must be something I have to learn from him.
So my companion Sister Graves is way awesome I love her to death!! We are so much alike. It really has been a blessing to have a companion like her...the mtc is pretty much the most spiritual environment I have ever been in, but it is definitely waaay hard and frustrating, and she has helped me so much.
The food is interesting, I definitely get a lot of rumblings in my tumblings but the good news is I eat a lot more fruits and veggies than I did at home because they are already fixed and all I have to do is grab them and put em on me tray. Also we get all the soda and dessert we want.
I don't mind being obedient, and I have already felt myself felt myself grow so much spiritually. I love this place and I love being Sister Jordan! There is so much more I want to tell you but I don't have time. Sorry I couldn't answer more questions or be funny...
Love,
Sister Jordan
PS: Use dear elder or my official mtc address - please write lots and lots!!!
Monday, August 3, 2009
First Letter
Dear Famble-Bee,
Just a quick note to let you know that I arrived safely to the MTC! Aunt Shirley was so helpful and sweet to me, I don't know what I would have done without her.
The MTC is way awesome! So huge and structured but crazy-busy and / or confusing. There are always tons of elders rushing past and whizzing all about, I fear I shall be bowled over at any moment! Especially in the cafeteria. Well, I saw Shane and he seems to be doing very well! We had decided we were going to hug but wussed out at the last moment, haha! [Editor's note: Shane is Camille's cousin, also in the MTC right now. His mission will be Provo, UT]
I have 5 roommates, 2 of whom are in the Ogden Misssion, including my comp Sis. Groves. She is from Southern California and is so sweet! I am lucky to have her. We have a pretty small district, just 4 sisters and 3 elders. I was called to be the Coordinating Sister (kind of like RS president) in our branch, which consists of about 3 districts. I love my district already! They are awesome. The MTC is pretty much the best place ever. There is so much to learn and in all honesty, I have not had a spare second since I arrived and yet I am somehow always running late and falling behind. But I know that I will learn everything I need to if I continue to try my hardest and trust in the promises of my Heavenly Father. I love being Sister Jordan! Sorry I can't write more but I definitely have ZERO spare time so there ain't alot I can do about it! Love you all!
Sister Jordan : )
Just a quick note to let you know that I arrived safely to the MTC! Aunt Shirley was so helpful and sweet to me, I don't know what I would have done without her.
The MTC is way awesome! So huge and structured but crazy-busy and / or confusing. There are always tons of elders rushing past and whizzing all about, I fear I shall be bowled over at any moment! Especially in the cafeteria. Well, I saw Shane and he seems to be doing very well! We had decided we were going to hug but wussed out at the last moment, haha! [Editor's note: Shane is Camille's cousin, also in the MTC right now. His mission will be Provo, UT]
I have 5 roommates, 2 of whom are in the Ogden Misssion, including my comp Sis. Groves. She is from Southern California and is so sweet! I am lucky to have her. We have a pretty small district, just 4 sisters and 3 elders. I was called to be the Coordinating Sister (kind of like RS president) in our branch, which consists of about 3 districts. I love my district already! They are awesome. The MTC is pretty much the best place ever. There is so much to learn and in all honesty, I have not had a spare second since I arrived and yet I am somehow always running late and falling behind. But I know that I will learn everything I need to if I continue to try my hardest and trust in the promises of my Heavenly Father. I love being Sister Jordan! Sorry I can't write more but I definitely have ZERO spare time so there ain't alot I can do about it! Love you all!
Sister Jordan : )
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)