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