Sarah's first email from the MTC was a memorable one. I was able to email back and forth with her for a few seconds after she sent this, this made my whole week! Here it is:
Hello, family!!!
I'm going to be honest right now, I am very nervous about this whole emailing thing. I want them to be funny, but at the same time I want you guys to see how much I have already grown. I'll try to even it out. I also feel like my emails need to be as long as Joshua's. Man, that kid was impressive. I'm going to strive to be as impressive as he was, but no promises.
Well, folks, it was great to read all your emails. I was definitely blessed with the best family in the whole world. Mom, thank you so much for your dear elders and package. It really does make days ten times better when you get a letter from the best mom on the planet. You are the best. Dad, your dear elder literally made me pee pants. Oh my word, what you said about Little Ceasars, I couldn't even handle it. Emily, why the heck didn't you get roller skates, ya nut? Have fun paying off those sandals, and take advantage of Mom and Dad getting you anything you want. Just fake cry every once and a while. Who knows, you could have your own car by the time I get home. Love and miss you too, little mexi.
Well, this week has been one of the greatest, hardest, happiest weeks of my whole life. I'm going to be honest with you, that first day as hard for me. When I wrote that first email, I was just saying happy things so you guys wouldn't freak out. Saying goodbye to you guys sucked some major butt...sorry, that language isn't missionary like, but it accurately describes how I was feeling. But now, I can honestly say THAT I LOVE BEING ON A MISSION! I have never felt closer to Jesus Christ, and I have never loved working so hard. My companion...All I am going to say is that I have prayed for patience a lot this week, but I love her. Luckily, I got put in the best district ever. Mom, I am a missionary, so I am not going to say if the Elders are attractive, but I will tell you that Elder Allen has a beautiful face. The food here has made my tummy feel super sick. I had to go on what I like to call a "lady diet". I named this diet after my favorite lady, Josh Reddish. My diet is now veggies, fruit, and cereal. Mom, I promise I am eating and drinking enough. The MTC is a pretty remarkable place. It's crazy how strong the spirit is everywhere. Right now my days include studying for about 4 hours, and then teaching "investigators", but really they're just members pretending to be atheist. The days seem long, but this week felt short. I really do love it here. I have been "Disneyland happy" all week.
I want to share something with you guys that I thought was a great thought for everybody. On Sunday I got to watch a devotional from a few years ago called "Characteristics of Christ" by Bednar. On Sunday I was having a rough day with my companion and being a little pansy. But in it he was talking about Christ and said something along the lines of "when we would turn in, Christ would turn out".These days might be hard, and I might not get along with everybody that I come in contact with, but I need to turn out like Christ. I need to love the people around me because Christ loves them as much as He loves me. This mission isn't about me or how well I get along with people, it's about bringing people to Christ, and I can't do that if I don't love them. That is the greatest lesson I have learned this week.
But, it appears I need to go do some laundry, but I love all you more than I could say. You guys are great. Have great weeks. Stay cool. Lol. Jk.
