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!