Oh my goodness! Can I just say how much I love you guys?! I really have the greatest family and friends ever! The End. Mommy and Tutu, thanks for the package. Don't worry, I shared everything. Haha. Oh, and Mom, the Great Harvest Pumkin Bread was a huge hit! All of us Utahns freaked out over it! It was like the most exciting thing that has happened here! haha. And FYI, Elder Snelson says that he loves you. haha.
Since next Thursday is Thanksgiving, I don't know when I will be writing you next. I don't know what we are going to do about P-day. I get my travel plans tomorrow. Hopefully I will be able to let you know about them and when I will be calling you. If no one is home when I call, maybe I will just leave a message and sing you a song or something. That would be fun! haha.
And also, I'm sorry if my spelling is bad. In the last couple of weeks, I've had the hardest time with spelling in English. Haha
So this week has been so wonderful! Here are some highlights:
Hermana Nelson and I taught our district Sunday school lesson. It was a really great experience. Also, every Sunday we have to prepare a talk in Spanish for sacrament meeting about a certain topic. Then, right after the Sacrament, they call two people up to give their talks. I was called up this week. Luckily, the topic was on the Atonement, and that is where I feel my Spanish is the best- when I'm talking about my Savior. I get really excited when I talk about Him.
Also, our district was in a workshop yesterday. All of the sudden, someone pulled Hermana Nelson and I out, and asked us if we would be willing to contact a referal. We said yes, but we were way confused. So the MTC hires actors, and has them be investigators. They wanted us to teach them for their audition. There was a camera in the room, recording the lesson. Our "referal" spoke Spanish, but the problem was that we hadn't brought any of our Spanish materials. We had no cheat sheets. It was really scary. We've always had time to prepare before lessons. But we hadn't known we would be called out of our workshop to teach! So we just went in their praying for the Spirit, and it actually turned out really well. The huge emphasis of our curriculum is to make sure each lesson is tailor-made for each investigator. They don't want us reciting memorized lessons. Our teachers always say that if you really listen to what the investigator is saying, they will practically tell you what you need to teach them. And that is exactly what happened. The Spirit was talking to us and telling us what we needed to teach her. It was awesome. I'm grateful for that experience, because now I know that even though my Spanish is poor, and even thought I'm just starting to be a missionary, if I am obedient and listen to the Spirit, people's hearts will be opened. It really is the Spirit that does all the work, I just need to make sure I'm focused on Christ, and living worthily of the Spirit. I guess I just realized that I really am a missionary, and that I really am able to recieve revelation for the people I teach. It's a very humbling realization.
Today, since it is the last time we will get to go to the temple, my district all went to a session together. In the celestial room, I found myself, once again, asking how I could leave people I love. Only this time, the people were my district. They are now some of my best friends. It's kind of harder in a way, because I know I will see my family all the time after my mission, but the chances I will have to see these people will be very few in number. I love my district. They would get along perfect with all of my friends at home. It's so weird! Anyway, we went to a session. Then, we ate breakfast at the temple (it's nice to not eat at the MTC cafeteria). We are just the cutest bunch of people! We are seriously best friends. And after we came out of the temple, Elder Dalton gave each of us a penny. He has a weird obsession with throwing pennies into fountains and making wishes. He made us all get in a circle around the fountain in front of the temple. Then he made us think of a wish, and then we all tossed our pennies at the same time. Retarded? Yes. But that really is how our district is. haha
Whoops! I have to go! I love you all! Have a great Thanksgiving!
Saturday, November 19, 2011
MTC #7
Hello! How is everybody?! So I realized that I don't have as much to say this week so I actually have time to respond back to respond back to events in your lives. Lauren and Rae, your missionary week sounds awesome! I wish I had had an experience like that in Mutual. That is so cool! Did it make you excited and want to serve a mission?! Because I'm pretty sure I have been more happy in the last six weeks than I have ever been, and I haven't even left the MTC! Crazy! Brianne, oh my gosh, once again, I am SO EXCITED about your trip next May! It's gonna be amazing! John, congratulations on getting the part of Chip! You are going to be so adorable and I'm a little sad I won't get to see you. Caleb, why haven't I heard from you yet? How are you doing buddy? Dad, I hope you had a good birthday! Mom, I hope you are surviving working so much! I am going to mail you a long list of all the things I need before I go to Argentina, but one thing I will tell you right now is that I need is bandaids for blisters. It's not from my mission shoes, it's from my running shoes. I run 3 miles everyday on the track now, and my blisters are getting pretty bad and there is nothing I can buy here for them.
Btw, I sent a letter to Grandpa and Grandma, and then an hour later I got Mom's dearElder about Grandpa. I will write them again asap! I'm praying for all of my grandparents.
So this week has been great! I have learned so much this week about teaching. It's been awesome! We have had a huge emphasis on listening to the Spirit. It's crazy on how ready the Spirit is to speak to you. You only need to live worthily, listen and obey.
Last week at the temple Hermana Nelson and I decided to do sealings because neither of us had done them before. It was absolutely beautiful! Wow. As I was helping daughters be sealed to their parents, I kept thinking about all of my cousins who have been adopted into our family, and how grateful I am for this sealing power so that we can all be together forever. I also thought about little Addison, and had a moment of homesickness. I miss that baby girl! Except now she's 1! Holy cow! It's weird the things that will and won't set off homesickness. But I really am doing great! I miss home a lot less often than most people. That doesn't mean I love you guys any less! I just find peace in knowing that you are being taken care of while I'm gone, and find strength in knowing I'm doing what I'm supposed to.
I said goodbye to Elder Taylor Smith on Sunday. It was a very tender moment. I felt like I was sending my little boy out into the world. He's going to be a great missionary!
Now we are the oldest district in our zone. We said goodbye on Sunday to District E, and it was actually pretty sad. They are going to the New Jersey, Morristown mission also, like Taylor and Nick, so pretty much they will have a party there!
On Sunday, one of the lawyers for the church gave a Fireside. He pretty much spends his days fighting to keep us missionaries in every country to preach. I am amazed how it's a constant battle. I'm so grateful for those who are working so hard to get us out around the world.
My district is awesome. Remember how I have said that every week? It's true. The other day we randomly decided to sing the EFY Medley in our classroom. And it was so cool. I remember how strongly I felt the Spirit each time I went to EFY and we sang that song, but now, since I'm a missionary, it's even more awesome.
I really am so happy that I am here. Everyday, I thank Heavenly Father that I am here and that I have this opportunity. I never would have imagined I'd be a missionary! But I am so glad that I am!
Have a good week! I love you all! Write me! Getting mail really is the greatest thing ever! haha
Love,
Hna. Bretleigh Sandorf
Btw, I sent a letter to Grandpa and Grandma, and then an hour later I got Mom's dearElder about Grandpa. I will write them again asap! I'm praying for all of my grandparents.
So this week has been great! I have learned so much this week about teaching. It's been awesome! We have had a huge emphasis on listening to the Spirit. It's crazy on how ready the Spirit is to speak to you. You only need to live worthily, listen and obey.
Last week at the temple Hermana Nelson and I decided to do sealings because neither of us had done them before. It was absolutely beautiful! Wow. As I was helping daughters be sealed to their parents, I kept thinking about all of my cousins who have been adopted into our family, and how grateful I am for this sealing power so that we can all be together forever. I also thought about little Addison, and had a moment of homesickness. I miss that baby girl! Except now she's 1! Holy cow! It's weird the things that will and won't set off homesickness. But I really am doing great! I miss home a lot less often than most people. That doesn't mean I love you guys any less! I just find peace in knowing that you are being taken care of while I'm gone, and find strength in knowing I'm doing what I'm supposed to.
I said goodbye to Elder Taylor Smith on Sunday. It was a very tender moment. I felt like I was sending my little boy out into the world. He's going to be a great missionary!
Now we are the oldest district in our zone. We said goodbye on Sunday to District E, and it was actually pretty sad. They are going to the New Jersey, Morristown mission also, like Taylor and Nick, so pretty much they will have a party there!
On Sunday, one of the lawyers for the church gave a Fireside. He pretty much spends his days fighting to keep us missionaries in every country to preach. I am amazed how it's a constant battle. I'm so grateful for those who are working so hard to get us out around the world.
My district is awesome. Remember how I have said that every week? It's true. The other day we randomly decided to sing the EFY Medley in our classroom. And it was so cool. I remember how strongly I felt the Spirit each time I went to EFY and we sang that song, but now, since I'm a missionary, it's even more awesome.
I really am so happy that I am here. Everyday, I thank Heavenly Father that I am here and that I have this opportunity. I never would have imagined I'd be a missionary! But I am so glad that I am!
Have a good week! I love you all! Write me! Getting mail really is the greatest thing ever! haha
Love,
Hna. Bretleigh Sandorf
MTC #6
Hola! How is everybody? I recieved a million dearElders this week! And an awesome Halloween package from Tutu! Thank you so much! And yes, Mom, I thought the pull-ups box was way funny. Elder Hoth said, "Is that because it hurts for you to sit on the toilet now?" Haha. This week has been incredible. On Friday, I was in a ton of pain and I was just really upset about my back and how I couldn't do anything by myself. I was teaching a member in TRC, and I was telling her about my back and how I hated that I couldn't even get dressed myself, and she said "Maybe you need to learn how to be served instead of serving others. And maybe the people around you need the blessings of serving others." Except, it was in Spanish, of course. I quit complaining after that. And now that I think about it, it has been awesome seeing how kind everyone has been to me, and how they worry about me and are willing to do anything for me. The zone leaders put my name on the prayer role and rolled me around in a rolly-chair. My roomates helped me get dressed. My companion has had to pick up everything I drop (and that is a lot of stuff since I'm so clumsy). The Elders in my district carry my bag for me and take my meal tray to the garbage for me. I have received so many kind letters. I'm overwhelmed by the love people have shown me.
But, guess what?! I'm healed! I was in severe pain until Sunday. When I woke up Monday, I did everything myself. I felt no pain at all. I went to to the Athletic Trainer's office (I've had to go there at least once a day), and told them how I felt. They said that it was a miracle. I still have to apply heat to my back 10 minutes a day, and I can't use the bikes or elypticals or any weight lifting machines, but other than that, I'm back to normal! Now at gym time, I have to run on the track instead of the elyptical, but that is probably a really good thing even thought I hate it. I have been so blessed in this experience.
On Sunday, I sang in a quartet for Sacrament Meeting. We sand "A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief" Acapella. I sang with Hna. Collett, Elder Eldredge and Elder Packer. Elder Packer reminds me a lot of Grant Gibbons. He's a bit on the small side but he is so kind to everyone, and his music talent astounds everybody. It was really fun to sing again. I miss it. Also, on Sunday I was assigned to be the Branch's new Music coordinator. I am in charge of assigning hymns, pianists, and conductors for sacrament meeting and Priesthood meeting. And, now Elder King and Elder Snelson are our Zone Leaders. On Monday, we will be the oldest district in our Zone. WHAT?! It weirded me out when I realized this.
On Monday our investigator, "Carolina" decided to be baptized! Yay! And we started teaching "Valentino". He drinks like crazy. We found him on the side of the road, crying. It's weird to think that these investigators are being played by our teachers, but they were actually people our teacher taught on their missions.
So, on Halloween, Hna Nelson dressed up as Snow White while still in mission appropriate clothes. It was adorable. Elder Kimball and Elder Hudgins dressed up as each other. I was just myself. No fun haha. Someone mailed Elder Snelson a 42 pound pumpkin and he put it in our classroom and we drew our teacher, Hno. Grua, on the pumpkin. And we had Lofthouse cookies that were orange with black sprinkles. That is about it.
Yesterday I was reading "Jesus the Christ", and my teacher, Hno. Ridge, came up and asked me what I was reading. I showed him, and he said, "Oh that's a good one! Just so you know, he dies. But don't worry, it has a great ending!" He acted like he was totally serious. It was sooooo funny.
I have way more to say, but I have run out of time. I love you all so much! I hope you are doing well. I pray for all of you!
Love,
Bretleigh
But, guess what?! I'm healed! I was in severe pain until Sunday. When I woke up Monday, I did everything myself. I felt no pain at all. I went to to the Athletic Trainer's office (I've had to go there at least once a day), and told them how I felt. They said that it was a miracle. I still have to apply heat to my back 10 minutes a day, and I can't use the bikes or elypticals or any weight lifting machines, but other than that, I'm back to normal! Now at gym time, I have to run on the track instead of the elyptical, but that is probably a really good thing even thought I hate it. I have been so blessed in this experience.
On Sunday, I sang in a quartet for Sacrament Meeting. We sand "A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief" Acapella. I sang with Hna. Collett, Elder Eldredge and Elder Packer. Elder Packer reminds me a lot of Grant Gibbons. He's a bit on the small side but he is so kind to everyone, and his music talent astounds everybody. It was really fun to sing again. I miss it. Also, on Sunday I was assigned to be the Branch's new Music coordinator. I am in charge of assigning hymns, pianists, and conductors for sacrament meeting and Priesthood meeting. And, now Elder King and Elder Snelson are our Zone Leaders. On Monday, we will be the oldest district in our Zone. WHAT?! It weirded me out when I realized this.
On Monday our investigator, "Carolina" decided to be baptized! Yay! And we started teaching "Valentino". He drinks like crazy. We found him on the side of the road, crying. It's weird to think that these investigators are being played by our teachers, but they were actually people our teacher taught on their missions.
So, on Halloween, Hna Nelson dressed up as Snow White while still in mission appropriate clothes. It was adorable. Elder Kimball and Elder Hudgins dressed up as each other. I was just myself. No fun haha. Someone mailed Elder Snelson a 42 pound pumpkin and he put it in our classroom and we drew our teacher, Hno. Grua, on the pumpkin. And we had Lofthouse cookies that were orange with black sprinkles. That is about it.
Yesterday I was reading "Jesus the Christ", and my teacher, Hno. Ridge, came up and asked me what I was reading. I showed him, and he said, "Oh that's a good one! Just so you know, he dies. But don't worry, it has a great ending!" He acted like he was totally serious. It was sooooo funny.
I have way more to say, but I have run out of time. I love you all so much! I hope you are doing well. I pray for all of you!
Love,
Bretleigh
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