Day 7

December 10,2008

I don't even know what to say. Has it really been a week? I feel like I've been here for ten years...no seriously. It might have something to do with the 16-hour days jam-packed with meetings, classes, devotionals, study time, more meetings, more classes and a few minutes of relaxation as we chow on MTC cafeteria cuisine which is actually quite delicious (the oatmeal cookies are to die for). Or maybe it's that 12 of the 16-hour days are spent in the same 10 x 10 ft. classroom (#109).

But, despite the feelings of drinking out of a fire hose, this has been the coolest week EVER! Guess what we do here...we study the gospel ALL DAY LONG! All day long. I knew that before I got here, but I didn't feel it. I feel it now, holy moly, do I feel it now.

I spent the first day tripping over my suitcases and wandering wide-eyed through a maze of orange brick, and trying to figure out how everyone I passed knew my name. All the missionaries smirked when they noticed the orange dot on my tag indicating my newby status, (affectionately called the 'dork dot'), and lifted their eyebrows to give me a hearty, 'welcome to the MTC Sister Johnson!'How in the world do you know my name!? Oh yeah...the tag.

My companion, Sis. Powers, has kept me from wandering aimless this past week. I am definitely going to need to get used to be next to the same person 24x7. I accidentally almost escaped her when my easily distracted mind becomes overwhelmed with excitement and I'm forced to dash away in a frolic. The excitement is caused by spotting wonders such as snow, drinking fountains, and chocolate.

Sis. Powers and I were put with groups called districts...the translation? - 12 missionaries with cabin fever who spend 16 hours a day together bearing testimony, making jokes, singing hymns, praying and basically having the time of their lives despite being confined within a premise spanning 3 minutes in diameter.

There are four sisters total in my district. The other three have been fairly sick this past week, but luckily I was able to dodge it. We're all pretty good friends now. They are all super happy and excited and it's inspiring.

Then there are 8 boys...whoops...I mean elders. They are incredible. I don't know who their seminary teachers were, but they deserve a star beacuse these elders know more scriptures than pop song lyrics. Their preparation is inspiring. The dignified respect they show us sisters is touching.

However, They're still 19-year-olds, and boys will be boys...no, I can't excuse it on the male gender...rather, dorks will be dorks. Don't get me wrong, though. I love my blue hard boiled egg that Elder Murphey dyed in his glass of poweraid this morning, so that every member of the district would have, sitting upon the classroom chalkboard ledge, a personal egg representing the missionaries' unique individuality. Precious.

I love all the meetings we go to. At devotional, all the sisters sang the first verse of 'Silent Night' by themselves. Usually I prefer men's voices over women's but not today. Our voices (one fifth of the missionaries) penetrated the auditorium with piercing unity as we testified of the savior of the world. Through the music you could hear our fear, but also our determination to gather His flock with every unique gift we have to offer. Onward with love.

This place is amazing. We spend all day testifying of Christ through study, and prayer, and song, and teaching, and friendship. I feel elated and it's only been one week.

I love you all!

Sis. Johnson