2013!!

January 1, 2013

Hello Family and friends!

Well it is 2013. How did that happen? A whole year has passed and I am still here in the MTC. I decided that I am only going to have one New Year's resolution and it will be to be the best missionary I can be in this coming year. I think I can do that one pretty easily.

 New Year’s Eve was just a normal day with classes until 9. It was weird to think our teachers were going to parties later that night. We had to be in bed by 10 30 just like always.

Sadly the flu bug is going around here. It is because in the words of Sister Anderson this is just a big giant day care. So now if you get sick you have to go to the clinic and be quarantined. So 2 of my elders in my zone are there. It is crazy. They have been telling us over and over no handshakes, hugs, or touching your face. They had an emergency meeting with the zone leaders today at 2.  We will find out tonight at district meeting what is going on. I have been perfectly healthy.

 I forgot to tell you two weeks ago I slipped on black ice. I hurt my ankle but it is healing. It should be a 100% better by the time I get to Taiwan.

 So Christmas day was AMAZING! After I emailed you here  are the things that happened.

We had a wonderful turkey lunch. Then we had a district meeting talking about Christ and reading some scriptures. Then we went home and rested. It was nice to have some down time. I wrote in my journal while Sister Anderson took a nap. Then there was a talent show. It was fun to hear Babylon songs as we call them. One of our districts sung " God rest ye Merry Gentlemen". They did a fantastic job. One elder in my district played a song on the ukulele. Lastly Sister Burrows played a version of Joy to the World. There is a lot of talent in my zone.  Then there was a talk by Brother Greg Olsen. The one who does all the paintings! That was an amazing experience. I did not realize how many paintings were his that I have seen so many times. He talked about how when he draws Christ what he thinks and what is he trying to get across. I absolutely enjoyed hearing him. The last treat was to watch "It's a Wonderful Life"!! I was so happy they let us watch that. What a great message that movie has.

 The new missionaries:

Sister Adams- going to Taichung, 22, graduates from UVU in business management,

Sister Merrill- going to London Leeds, 19!, went to 2 years at Provo. She got her papers done 2 weeks after the announcement and only had a month and a half to prepare! She is really sharp. I am excited to get all these younger sisters. They bring an energy to this work

Sister Thomson- going to Taipei, 22, only active member in her family.

Sister Steed- going to Taipei, 21, took 2 years of Chinese at Provo

The elders are really shy! They don't talk to us that much. One elder is 24 and going to the Belgium mission! He is the first one to go to that mission Mandarin speaking. He already knows Swedish. Another Elder went to BYU Hawaii from 2011-2012. We have talked a little about our experiences there.4 of them have lived in China from 3-5 years. A lot of them know a lot of Chinese. Sadly one elder had to go home for family problems.

This week  we are getting a new MTC presidency. It is weird because I have had the chance to meet President Brown and have lunch with him once. That man is amazing. It will be sad to see him go.

 On Sunday we were able to hear from Susan Black, a religion teacher at BYU. She talked about the early years of Joseph Smith. I never knew any information about his early years of his grandparents. It was amazing to hear. It definitely strengthened my testimony in him. He is a prophet of God. I know that to be true. I am so thankful for all he did to bring the gospel to light.

 Yes President Baker does not pick the speakers until that morning. it is definitely nerve wracking waiting to hear your name. However now I can relax because you never get called on twice.

On Sunday for our district meeting the topic was the Book of Mormon. It was a powerful meeting. We all talked about how there is no words we could use to adequately describe how we feel towards this book but we know it is true. I am so glad that I can serve this mission. I am so happy to be here.

President Baker talked about how we really are consecrating our lives during this mission. We are sacrificing work, school, dating and anything else we could be doing to be here. I am doing this to pay the Lord back for all he has done for me, but he still blesses me more than I can repay him.

I know that this church is true. I know that Thomas S Monson is a prophet and he leads this church today. I know that we are all sons and daughters of God. I know that when we are sad he is sad too. He wants to comfort us and help us succeed in life. However, we need to come to him. I know that the Atonement is for everyone. We can all use the atonement to overcome any difficulties or challenges we face. I know that it works. I have felt it every night when I repent of my sins and shortcomings. I know that God wants us to return to live with him. I know that we can all find happiness in this life when we obey God's commands.

 Happy New Year

Love,

Sister Latimer

Christmas at the MTC

Hello Family!

 

Christmas here at the MTC is beautiful! I am loving it. I am not at all homesick which surprises me but I consider it a blessing.

 

We just heard from Elder Russell M Nelson and his wife! It was amazing. She talked about the gifts of the spirit and how we need to access them. There are so many that are available to us if we just ask. It really reminded me of how I can ask for confidence in the language. I am nervous about going to Taiwan but this is what God wants me to do so all will be well.

 

He talked a lot about obedience. He told us how there will be some people who will want to harm us but we need to open our eyes and not just our ears. It reminded me of my setting apart blessing and how it told me that I will be protected. If I heed the promptings of the spirit will come in the time that I need it. The spirit was so strong! He is truly an apostle of God. He spoke with power and authority. Whenever his wife would get up he would stand up to show respect for her. HOW adorable is that!!

 

So this morning we needed to get up to do laundry at 5:45 because it is our p day. So we set our alarm for 5:30. So all of the sudden Sister Anderson says, “Ahh it’s 40 we will be late. I immediately roll over to say prayers. While I am praying the rest of my roommates are having a conversation. Sister Burrows asks Sister Anderson what time is it. In Chinese she responds shi er dian si shi ke. Then it hits her that it is actually 12:45! We were all like I thought I didn't hear the alarm. We all got a good laugh out of it.

 

This week has been quite busy. With the new missionaries coming in it made it go by faster. They are all so precious. They all looked like deer in the headlights the first day.

 

I gave my talk in church on Sunday! That was really nerve-wracking. President Baker hinted it to me though because there are 5 Sundays for our generation to speak and 4 sisters. So all the sisters will speak for sure. So Sister Ganowsky went last week. So President Baker is talking to us before sacrament and Sister Anderson expressed how she was scared it would be her. Then President Baker tells her I can tell you not to worry for sure and I can also tell you that Sister Burrows is saying the closing prayer if that means anything to you (speaking to me). Let’s just say I was nervous the whole time. It went really well at least that is what everyone tells me.

 

I am really starting to gain the confidence I need. I can learn this language. God will help me and I am doing a lot better than I thought I would. So faith really can work miracles.

 

Last night they acted out the nativity story! It was so amazing! Being here really reminds you what Christmas is all about. Then afterwards we watched “A Christmas Carol" the one with George C. Scott I think.

 

Tonight we are watching "It's a wonderful Life" I am so excited! That movie is so good!

 

 

I love you all!

Sister Latimer