January 10, 2014 "FIRST WEEK"

Dear Family and Friends,

I only have a short time, so I'll be brief. You know me. Trying to get used to the schedule, but I'm doing really well. I've learned to put essentials first.

 

I have two companions, Sister Day from AZ, and Sister Stuart from Tremontan, UT. They are wonderful. We all love eachother. Having companions is not what I expected. It's a lot more fun! :)  Sister Day (19) is headed to Santa Rosa with me, and Sister Stuart (24) is head to AZ. Also, Sister Stuart's brother is serving in our mission. So neat, all these little connections. The two other Sisters in our district (and room) are Sister Clawson (22), who was on the BYU swimteam, and Sister Hair, whose hair is absolutely exquisite. Sister C is from Colorada, Denver. Sister H is from Alpine, and is 19 yes old.

 

The food is wonderful here. I really don't know what everyone was complaining about. I'm hungry a lot, but that's because it's me and I'm busy, but they give us lots of food, and I think it's pretty good. Not as good as homecooked, but it's good.

 

I love going to bed at 10:30.

Takes me a while to fall asleep, but it's good.

Gym was a blast! Our district's schedule's got mixed up the first full day, and we spent a lot of time studying (personal, companion, and then as a district) before anyone even came to the class. We really didn't have a clue what was going on until late last night. I'm not sure they have even fixed the schedule completely yet. Brother Crosby, our teacher, is trying to figure it out. So basically, we spent a lot of time studying yesterday. It was good though. Between the mix up and gym and meals, our district is really close already. (Elders Paris, Montague, and Goudy are going to Billings, Montana, and Elder O'Shia (pronounced O'Shea) is a convert of two years and is going to Tuscon, AZ with Sister Stuart. Elder O is district leader. I just got everyone letters (thank you) and I will read them when I get back to my room. I'm hoping to find some time to write soon :) I did the first night in place of journaling, but I have yet to send it.

 

The Branch presidency came into our district classroom last night. They really seem to like our district. I think we're going to have a lot of fun. I got assigned to be pianist, and Sister Day is music leader. I'm nervous, but willing to try. Our district will sing for the Branch the last Sunday that we're hear.

I think we're heading out Tuesday (the 21st I think it is.. idk. I don't have my phone.)

 

I need my watch. Desperately. 

I got my scriptures :) that was fun.

 

Sister Day is loving the cold :) it made it more bearable when it was snowing to see her reaction.

I get lost because everything looks the same and I can only see the mountains sometime, but Sister Stuart has this unfailing sense of direction. She is also hilarious, and has a similiar sense of humor to me. I know this is dorky, but at gym yesterday, we were trying to guess Elder Paris's first name. He told us it started with an S. When we all got tired of guessing, she goes "I know! Sid. Shid the Shloth."

I've felt bonded to her ever since.

Sister Day is awesome. She has a sweet yet confident spirit. She is also very good-natured and good-tempered.

I really am blessed with my companions. They do what they are supposed to, and they are able to have fun, and also able to be reverent. What a blessing.

 

Happy Birthday to Elder Allred, :) I didn't forget that yesterday.

I love you all. 

I've been so busy that I haven't had time to really get homesick as much. I miss the words "Bednight" though. Everytime someone says "goodnight" I think of "bednight."

I've felt the supporting hand of Divine Love in the form of the Son already. 

There's something that hit me as I walked away from the curb that hasn't really left yet. 

I know that this is where I'm meant to be, and I'm happy.

Always going going going, but I'm happyl.

I was able to talk to three actual non-members the first night here. Blessings there also. OYM is so true. I'm realizing that that's one of my strengths. I'm not afraid to share. I'm working on being patient and waiting for my companeras to open up when in a teaching situation. It's hard to know what to say, but hold it in because you know the other person needs to be the one to say something. But it's good for me. I prayed to have help to be humble and sweet. Today I've felt so much better about it.

 

I love being a Sister missionary. We are treated so good, lemme tell you. There is a love that prevails here. 

I felt like I was going off to Hogwarts the first day; it felt so magical. But now I see that it's the Spirit, and it's Jesus Christ's University. I'm so grateful. He loves us more than we can comprehend.

 

I love you all.

PLEASE SEND MY WATCH!

and yeah. :)

PRAY EVERYNIGHT AS A FAMILY!

MISS YOU ALL!

 

Sister Darby Eleyce Miller