Week 3 at the MTC

Hola familia and amigas!

No creo que es semana tres tan rapido! I can't believe how fast this week flew by! I feel like I was just sitting at this computer stressing about my 30 min. email haha. I swear, the most stressful part of my life these days are writing these emails in only 30 mins! I guess that is good though, because that is pretty minimal stress. How are you all? Whats new? I'm glad to hear Kevin wants me to get mugged or held up at gun point so I have a cool story :) Tell him I will do my best. I miss you all a lot but I absolutely love hearing about your lives in letters and dear elders :) keep em coming! Thank you aunt Sheree and the twins for the yummy treats! and thank you to gramps for his letter! My roommates/ companions like sharing in my spoils.

I ran into Elder Kennedy yesterday! Our church is held right next to each other so I will probably get to see him like every Sunday! It seems like he is doing great! We got a new district in our zone last week and one of the boys was really really really homesick. he ended up going home today and it was heartbreaking to see how sad he was. I am glad I don't feel like that and I am glad Sean was feeling good to.

So a week from Saturday, I will be teaching my first lesson is Spanish! crazy huh? I am excited for it. Herama Ellsworth is probably less than excited but I am sure she will do great. She has learned so much Spanish in three weeks but she is still pretty hard on her self. I love that girl. We have so much fun together! And we learn so much from each other. Our companionship inventories are so funny because we just rave about how perfect the other is and we can't think of any criticism for the other at all. I guess that is a good thing that we get along so well. She teaches me so much. My teacher, Hermano Coles, who has worked at the mtc for like 3 years, sat us down this week and told us that Hermana Ellsworth and I are the two hardest working missionaries he has ever had. That is probably the biggest compliment I have ever received. Hermana Ellsworth and I work really hard but it doesn't feel like hard work because of all the blessing we get! I pray every night that we will have a chance to be companions in Chile again!

The mtc is still great! I am starting to get a little tired of the food, but they have lots of variety so I try to switch things up. I have made a goal to only drink soda on weekends. I drink a lot more water now and feel great! But, I know I will go back to my soda drinking ways once I get to Chile :) hah! Every day in gym I play volleyball with a really fun group of people. I am making a lot of great friends! Last night, after the fireside, I finished showering and everything early so I went to bed at like 10. Around 10:20 (I had just fallen asleep) the fire alarm goes off!! Some girl put a pop tart in the silver wrapper in the microwave. ahah. The whole floor smells like smoke still. We had to go to the gym and it me of a huge sleepover with crazy girls running around in their PJ's haha. It was fun though. Also my roommates tell me that I talk in my sleep like every night. They heard me teaching the plan of salvation in my sleep the other night. haha

Also, I have acquired a stalker here at the MTC. hah Ok, its not that bad, but at the temple walk last Sunday, This boy came up and asked to take my picture with him. then, on Tuesday, he found me and gave me a letter, asking for me to write him while on his mission and telling me how much he wants to hear from me. I see him everywhere now. Like he is always behind me.. haha I am sure he means no harm but its kind of funny that I have to hide from a missionary sometimes. Luckily, I have a really really awkward picture with him and I will send it home so you guys can experience the awkwardness. Good times at the MTC...

So, on Tuesday, we had a great fireside from a member of the seventy. He came and shared stories from his personal life about Pres. Monson. Let me just tell you, that man is a prophet of God. He has so much love for people. I think we have all heard stories about how sweet he is with widows, but to hear this man's person stories of the prophet, it is truly evident that Thomas S. Monson truly loves us, individually. Every week, the prophet drives 20 mins to go buy popcorn from a store owned by one of his old returned missionaries. He is a great example to me of how we should love those around us. I know he is a true prophet and I love him so much.

Also, the other day,Hermana Ellsworth shared a scripture with me in the bible. 2 Kings 6:14-17. It tells about how Elisha is preparing for battle and the enemy comes with more men then they could ever have. the servant of Elisha says "Lord, how will we do" obviously feeling daunted by the seemingly impossible task ahead. the lord then "opens his eyes" and he sees numberless chariots and angels from heaven, surrounding the armies of Elisha. This means so much to me. I feel daunted by the task at hand, sometimes feeling inadequate, but I know that the Lord will send angles to be by my side, I can feel your prayers. There is So much support that I can't see.

I LOVE being a missionary. I am so happy, so filled with Joy as I think about being apart of the Lord's work. I am working this week on letting go of all my abilities and to trust the Lord and lean not unto my own understanding. I know he can strengthen me and I know he is blessing all of you! He loves each of you individually!!

I love you all! Keep the letters coming :) oh, also, apparently I'm not allowed to email pictures, but I am developing some to send home, so you can see my beautiful companion and my awkward stalker haha :) I love you guys so much! Be Strong and trust in the Lord! He will be with you!

Hermana Royal