Hello Family and Friends who I love SO much!

 

I am learning so much here! For example, I need to type FAST. So forgive the typos if there are any. I'm also learning to avoid the tatertots in the cafeteria, get to the shower before everyone else, and get to class early to switch my desk to a comfortable one with more desk space to put all my stuff.....etc.

 

I am also learning so much about the Spirit. He is literally a still small voice and I have learned how to better recognize his promptings. He teaches gently, quietly, and I am trying to live more worthy....more intent on having him as a constant companion. I have learned that HE is the real teacher. 1 Corinthians 2:4 hit me like a brick wall last week and I think about it all the time. Powerful teachers don't speak and preach through wisdom of men - but teach by the Spirit and that is what makes the lesson powerful! Without the Spirit, we cannot become truly converted. He is what motivates me and will motivate others to change attitudes and beahvior as we learn simple doctrines.

 

I have had so many experiences already with that! One of our "progressing investigators" name is Sean (he's really our teacher, but we role play with him). After the first two lessons, I was really frustrated because we could not crack him. We couldn't place our finger on what he needed to hear. The entire day before the 3rd lesson, I was thinking about him, praying about him, and studying for him. I knew we would teach him the Plan of Salvation.....but wanted to figure out what to teach so the Spirit could act on him. As we were walking into the room, I still had no idea what we were going to say. But I felt calm. I felt like the Spirit would take care of it. We started to teach, he asked questions, we had answers. The lesson flowed and about half way through the lesson, I knew what we needed to focus on. We talked about the atonement. He was excited, enthusiastic, and attentive to what we were saying. The Spirit screamed in my ear, "INVITE HIM TO BE BAPTIZED!" So I did....I spit out: "Sean! Will you follow the example of Jesus Christ and be baptized by someone holding the Priesthood Authority of God?" Haha....best moment of my life? Yes. He said, "Yes! I do!" Ahhhhhhhh! I wanted to squeal! I squealed in my heart! I had to control myself. I just smiled at him and then at Sister Hill who was looking at me like, "Oh my gosh, Sister Donaldson, did you really just do that?" Yeah....I did. The Spirit made me do it.

 

We also invited a TRC investigator to be baptized half way through the first lesson and she said yes.....that was pretty cool.

 

The point is, I love them all! I have caught a glimpse of the love our Heavenly Father has for each of us and the joy he feels when one of his children chooses to follow the Savior, repent, and be baptized. For example, I was so happy for Sean! I love him.....in the most least awkward way possible....does that make sense? Hahaha....Charity,....the pure love of Christ.

 

Dr. Meyers was the fireside speaker on Sunday. He walked in and I was like, "WOAH! That's my doctor!" Anyways, mom or dad, when you see him next, tell him he did an awesome job! :)

 

Funny moment of the week: Sister Gallacher (going to Latvia, and my pseudocompanion) went on a little sleep walking adventure. Haha....Someones alarm missfired at 1:00 am and she slept walked out of bed, to the door, to the shower (once grabbing all of her shower stuff, clothes, and unlocking the door?)....and woke up in the shower 40 minutes later. Haha....she came in and woke me up and said, "What time is it?" I told her 1:40 and then she started laughing. Too funny. She brightens my day.

 

Elder Holland came to devotional lastnight. SO AWESOME!!!!! Changed my life. He talked on how important it is to have our testimony fill us - get it permanently and forever. I need to come back with this so deep in my soul that it will never ever leave me. He said that we are expected to perform at super human levels....I say, bring it on!

 

Since being in the MTC, my patriarchal blessing has come alive! I listened to a talk by Elder Bednar on the Character of Christ and no joke - he quoted directly from my patriarchal blessing and expounded on it. Not once, not twice, but THREE times. Same thing with elder holland last night! He talked about unassailable testimonies....something that is promised in my blessing....it was amazing. It is amazing how the spirit tailors people's messages to meet our needs.

 

I keep on feeling that these next 18 months are setting me up for the rest of eternity! I will be a better wife, mom, friend, and person because of this mission! It won't be easy! I have to push myself. Heavenly Father will push me. But I know that if I saturate myself in the scriptures, gospel, and the Spirit, I can be a valuable instrument in his hands!

 

I liove you all! I'm out of time!!! Keep writing me! I need your prayers and support!

 

All my love,

Sister Becca Donaldson

Dear Family and Friends that I love and adore so much,  :)

 

Here it is!!! My first mission email! This last week has been full of "firsts" for me....I have a lot that I'd like to say and not much time to write it.

 

You may be wondering what my first impressions were of the MTC....is it what I expected it to be? Absolutely. It's exactly what I had anticipated, but so much better!!!! Being the Finding Nemo nerd that I am, this quote ran through my head several times the first few days:

 

Bubbles: "So what's it like? The Big Blue?!?" Nemo: "Uhhh....big and blue?!" Bubbles: "I knew it!"

 

This last week has been one of the most challenging and rewarding weeks of my entire life. I have learned so much, grown so much as a missionary, and have gotten to know some people that have already made an impact on my life.

 

Its hard to believe that I've only been at the MTC a week...I'll be honest, the first half of the week went really slow....not because I was miserable or homesick, but I was learning so much and had every moment of my day scheduled for me.  It felt like I was at BYU again....studying and working so hard to understand and learn about everything thats going on around me. I am so grateful that I learned how to wake up early, stay up late, and work all day long to study and succeed at what I'm doing. Not to sound prideful, but while some of the people around me struggle to get through the day without falling asleep during personal or companionship study, I have been able to focus and make good use of my time. I attribute that to pushing myself in high school and BYU classes. I also feel so blessed to have been able to sleep well. That is such an amazing blessing! I have been a little sick the last few days with a cold.....but its nothing too serious.

 

I have seen SO many people I know over the last week! I think I already mentioned a few of them....but the biggest surprise came last night during choir practice just before the devotional. I was sitting next to my companion and I see an older lady and her husband out of the corner of my eye. She starts talking to her husband in German, and I thought, "Oh my heck...I know that voice! How do I know that voice?!?" Yeah....I saw her from behind and thought, "I know her..." So she finally turns around and it was Mrs. Greer! Yeah! Mrs. Greer! For those of you who don't know Mrs. Greer, she was my middle school orchestra teacher. Hahaha...oh I almost died! She hasn't changed a bit! After I gasped and gave her a hug, she said, "Hello Rachel!" Hahaha....oh how awkward. Oh well....I'm used to that. :) My companion corrected her on my first name. Awkward! Oh well. We had a good chat. She and her husband are going on a mission to Cambodia and they leave in a week. She told me that about 6 months ago, they got back from living in Saudi Arabia....for the church....on like some sort of secret mission of sorts. I always knew she worked for the CIA! That woman is insane! Oh my gosh, it made my evening!

 

My goodness, why do I type so slow! I'm out of time! Ugh....I have so much I'd like to say in this email, but it will have to wait for a letter in a few minutes.

 

I have learned that God loves me so much and that he gives us weaknesses so we can humble ourselves.

 

I've learned how crucial the Spirit is as we teach others and invite them to come closer to Christ.

 

I have always loved the Book of Mormon, but I love it more than ever now! It is a powerful tool, a source of truth, a road map that helps us know how to live, and is teaching me so much about how to be a powerful missionary. I love the sons of Mosiah! I've read many of those chapters several times over the last week as I try to pin point what areas I need to improve. My goal this week is to have more faith! I love Alma 32, Moroni 7, and Ether 12!

 

Scripture of the week: Ether 12:27 - (paraphrasing) give unto men weakness that they may be humble....

 

I am a weak teacher! And one by one, heavenly father is showing me my weaknesses! And they are getting stronger! I know it!

 

I love you all! I've gotta go!

 

Love,

Sister Rebecca Donaldson

 

PS.....you all need to write me more letters. Yes! Even you!

Sister Donaldson entering the MTC on 2/15/12

Dearest Family,                                                     Letter dated February 16, 2012

I do not have much time, but the MTC President gave us permission to write a letter to our family.

After you dropped me off and drove away, I cried about 3 more tears and then like night and day, my mood changed.  I was no longer scared or sad -- but was suddenly happy and excited for this new adventure!  The elders that took my suitcase were like, "Wooh ... you got over that really fast." and kept saying, "Wow Sister, thanks for brightening our day."  I immediately ran into Sister Christensen--my friend who is going to Denmark.  How awesome it was to see her smiling face!  She is so nice.  

My first day at the MTC was fantastic.  In about the first 30 minutes, I probably saw 15 people that I knew.  What a blessing it was to have Sister Starley [She is in my home ward and was my Sunday School Teacher as a youth but currently is assigned to my student ward!]  put on my missionary badge.  There it was... "Sister Donaldson" on top of the badge. She cried, I cried..it was so wonderful to share that with her -- one of the many women who has made such a powerful impact on my life.  I adore her!  So dang cool.  I am a missionary!  I met my teacher and district -- all of our district except for one sister companionship is going to Indiana.  ROCK ON!  And there are more elders not in our district that are going to Indiana.  My teacher Brother Marlowe is really great.  He's the only teacher I have met so far.  He's very nice, has a sense of humor (as all good teachers should) and kept commenting on how my smile made him feel like someone was listening.  Whatever... I just couldn't stop smiling!  I was just so HAPPY!

We went to a meeting with the MTC Presidency and sang "We'll Bring the World His Truth!"  They altered the words to say "We are as the army of Helaman.  We have been taught in our youth.  We ARE NOW the LORD's Missionaries to bring the world his truth.  It sent chills up and down my spine.  I loved it.  I am a missionary!

My district kept on commenting on how happy I was -- but it was so true!  I have been so happy the last 24 hours since getting here.  My companion's name is Sister Hill -- She's from West Valley, Utah and she's really nice -- we get along great.  She's nice and chatty - which makes for good conversation.  I live with her and 3 other sisters.  Two sisters are going to Armenia -- they will be here for 12 weeks.  Oh my gosh!  12 weeks?! I am so glad I'm speaking English.  The other sister is going to the Baltic State Mission, speaking Latvian.  She's a solo missionary.  So she comes with Sister Hill and I everywhere.  She is also so wonderful -- she's so personable and happy and cute.  I'll have to send you a picture of our unofficial tri-partnership.. When we walk between meals and classes we are always laughing and talking.  It has been such a blessing to have 2 awesome sisters with me almost all the time.  

Sister Hill (my companion) is really great.  She likes top bunks, I like bottom bunks.  She has a hair dryer, I do not!  I have envelopes, she does not!  It has been great.  I was just made the senior companion.  I don't think that will change anything.  I ran into Elder Stuart McGraw who was set apart just before me.  I has been fun to see him around.

Last night (Wednesday night) we did a "teaching experience" seminar - when a group of 20-30 missionaries go into a room with real investigators and try to teach them.  Let me tell you...it was an eye opening, but frustrating experience!  Eye opening?  Because answering some people's questions and concerns is really hard.  Like for example, Jose wanted to fix all of society in one great event and we were trying to tell him that we can make a difference as individuals... and that through coming to Christ, we can help ourselves and our families make covenants that will bless our mortal lives and the lives of those around us.  One Elder, bless his heart, decided to change the subject to welfare and the Bishop's Storehouse.  Arghh!  We were on a roll and then it was gone - just like that.  One sister had just told him that Christ just one man, made a difference in SO many people's lives and we can have a similar impact.  And then, for the rest of the 10 minutes, Jose was distracted by a tangent on the Bishop's Storehouse.  Grrr... That's why it was frustrating!  Now I know why we teach by 2's .. so we can stay focused and stay on the topic!  That is why companionship unity is so crucial!  Sister Hill, me and Sister Gallacher (the solo missionary going to Latvia) are already so close.  I am out of time again.  Lights out in 10 minutes.  So I would just like to say that I love my Savior with all of my heart.  Just as it says in Moses 6, He is walking with me.  I feel so blessed to be surrounded by so many amazing people and have the companion that I do not only the great companionship of Sister Hill, but perhaps the most crucial companionship -- the companionship of the Holy Ghost.  My heart is filled with love - who knew I would fall in love with so many people in the 36 hours that I've been here?!  I love everybody!!!

Keep calm and carry on ... with a smile!!   I feel your prayers!  Keep them coming!!   Isaiah 49:5 - My God shall be my strength!

All of my love (which is a lot!!...),

Sister Rebecca Donaldson