Hello all,
I'm going to go ahead and express my thanks at the beginning of the letter since I never get to at the end since I'm usually out of time. Thank you Mike and Shelley and fam for the valentine's package. It was really fun! My comp, Sis Page was happy to get the other treat. Also, thanks to the Utah gang for sending me letters. It made my day so wonderful! Tell Kirsten I'll write her when I get a chance. Promise :) And thanks for everyone else supporting me and being wonderful. I wrote a letter to Katy Lang, but I got a letter from Cris Castellon that would suggest that she didn't get it, but you never know... just throwing that out there. Thanks to the Lee's too! I shared what Bro. Lee wrote with all the sisters in my room. We all appreciated it because we respect the elders we are with very much. We always try to encourage them to be their best and it often ends up that they have to put us in our place or tell us to stop giggling or singing :) Oh, there is an Elder Winters here who is in our zone, going to Norway who is from Pocatello that says that Bro. Lee taught his mission prep class there. Cool! He says it was awesome :) Which reminds me, the Norwegian elders came in this week. There are two of them. Also, all the sisters left from our branch to go to the field (Oregon). We are getting five new sisters today who are going all over the place (English speaking). We are going to break into their room later and make their beds for them and write them a welcome note. Turns out sisters are still girls here and do that kind of thing. The coordinating sisters meetings are interesting. Lots of complaining about other sisters being too loud or airing grievances. Not sure if I wrote about that last time.
So we hit our month mark this last week. On the 20th we had Karleksfest which means love party in Swedish. It's a joke because we sang "Come ye Disconsolate" one day at my prodding and one of the lines says roughly "come to the love party" or karleksfest. Everyone started laughing included Bro. Killian, our teacher. I felt bad about it until it became a joke and now we have karleksfest everyday! Karlek is also the word for charity in the scriptures, so it's all appropriate loving :) So, the language. We love the fun phrases and the elders love making things like, "You are so nice" to sound like insults. They will shout at each other, "You are so nice right now!" and storm out of the room. We try to get them not to shout in the cafeteria since we get in trouble for that, but one of these days I'm afraid there will be a whole scene. We also love the phrase, mumsfilibaba which means roughly, scrumdiddlyumptious. We also were teaching one day going around in a circle each saying one line of a lesson and sister Gotberg, instead of continuing on about Joseph Smith say, "Hur smackar det?" or how does that taste? We cracked up! She was on the wrong page :) Also, when we don't know the Swedish word, we will say them in a Swedish accent so at least we pretend we are still speaking it. Sis Page said something in English the other day when we were out in the hall and then said, "I had to say it in an accent so they wouldn't know what I was saying" (meaning the other Scandinavians). It was funny. Maybe you had to be there.
Also, I got a letter from Karina that said when she was in the mtc the rumor was to stay abour (that’s what she wrote – away?) from the orange juice. I'm pleased to report that is still the rumor today and we heard that on our first day here. She was year a few years ago. I wonder how long people have been passing that down :) Ted, Jeff, Scott? Comments? Oh, and yes, no more "tree of life" in the showers I suppose I should let you all know the miracles that I've been seeing since coming here. I just want to bear testimony that the gift of tongues is real. I feel the blessings of the Lord pouring down upon me every day. I don't feel sad. Ever. Miracle.
Love,
Amy
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Week 4
Hello everyone!
Another week, another breakdown. Just kidding! All is well in Zion... I mean at the MTC. Ack! Missionary humor. It'll kill ya, or at least your social life.
So I loved Brian's news about the Provo Mission split. We actually had the new mission president of the new NM mission come yesterday. His wife spilled the beans in her devotional talk to us. It's Elder Spencer Jones of the 2nd quorum of the 70. Funny.
Oh, happy anniversary Mom & Dad and Jeff and Melissa. Sorry I missed your birthday, Jeff. I thought about you on the 24th! I swear I did!
In other news I was called as coordinating sister this week. I get to go to lots of extra meetings and be the high and might enforcer of the rules :) Oh and make people feel happy and good about themselves. The Norwegians left this week, which is why I took Sis Bergren's spot for that. Elder DeCosta, the previous zone leader recommended me for it, he said. He told me once that I should be a school teacher because I looked nice. And he thought I was a genius because I've already graduated. We took pictures with all the scandinavian missionaries and their flags on sunday before they left. It's a lot quieter around here now, but our missionaries focus more, so that's a plus. Another result of their leaving is that we are now friends with the Dutch sisters. We thought they hated us and they thought we didn't like them. The Norwegian elders put a wedge between us because they weren't allowed to talk to them anymore because they had started flirting a lot, but they would talk to us. That's what Elder DeCosta said anyway. He liked the rumor mill.
Last week, I got my mascara stolen while I was in the bathroom. My comp had been out there and said it was probably the short haired sister going to the SL Visitor's center who never smiles because she was the last one there. I asked her about it and she said she didn't have it. A few days later, I saw her bag of stuff and she had two mascaras! Sure enough, a few days later, I found it neatly waiting for me by the sink. Mystery solved! It was quite the scandal :) I ran into Miriam Deaver this week. She is a coordinating sister too. Turns out we are next door neighbors and we had no idea! It was really fun to get to know her a little better. She talked about how Dad put her at ease the night before she left. It's always fun to talk to people who know your parents too. It's also nice to know that people don't find Dad scary ;) So, a little bit about gym. The elders love 4 square. It is their passion and they would come in every day reveling in how long they were king or who got who out. Funny. 4 Square. I also had an elder ask if I was a marathon runner this week. He said it was because I am always running laps when he comes. That is true. I run almost the whole time (I've started memorizing scriptures while I run. It's great!), but it's only about 30 minutes--far from a marathon. I was flattered nonetheless. Also, I ran into an elder the other day on the track. He was standing in the way, I moved, but he moved and we collided. I hit him pretty hard, and was really embarrassed the rest of the time. It's amazing how much more awkward things are here. Any talk or show of anything boy-girl, related and it's a big deal. Oh dear. I feel like I've gone back 10 years. In the TRC me and Sis Page taught two recently returned Elders. That was awkward. Probably the worst lesson we've ever taught because we felt so self conscious.
Also, the other day, there was a cacauphony of hymns being hummed in the shower after gym. Then, out of the chaos someone started singing Beautiful Savior and a three part harmony broke out. Anyone's humming is fair game in the shower and we often get little anonymous choirs going. It's fun.
Ok, times up. I love the gospel. I love the Lord. I'm glad I'm here. I love you all. Don't forget Dear Elder.com :)
Love,
Amy
Another week, another breakdown. Just kidding! All is well in Zion... I mean at the MTC. Ack! Missionary humor. It'll kill ya, or at least your social life.
So I loved Brian's news about the Provo Mission split. We actually had the new mission president of the new NM mission come yesterday. His wife spilled the beans in her devotional talk to us. It's Elder Spencer Jones of the 2nd quorum of the 70. Funny.
Oh, happy anniversary Mom & Dad and Jeff and Melissa. Sorry I missed your birthday, Jeff. I thought about you on the 24th! I swear I did!
In other news I was called as coordinating sister this week. I get to go to lots of extra meetings and be the high and might enforcer of the rules :) Oh and make people feel happy and good about themselves. The Norwegians left this week, which is why I took Sis Bergren's spot for that. Elder DeCosta, the previous zone leader recommended me for it, he said. He told me once that I should be a school teacher because I looked nice. And he thought I was a genius because I've already graduated. We took pictures with all the scandinavian missionaries and their flags on sunday before they left. It's a lot quieter around here now, but our missionaries focus more, so that's a plus. Another result of their leaving is that we are now friends with the Dutch sisters. We thought they hated us and they thought we didn't like them. The Norwegian elders put a wedge between us because they weren't allowed to talk to them anymore because they had started flirting a lot, but they would talk to us. That's what Elder DeCosta said anyway. He liked the rumor mill.
Last week, I got my mascara stolen while I was in the bathroom. My comp had been out there and said it was probably the short haired sister going to the SL Visitor's center who never smiles because she was the last one there. I asked her about it and she said she didn't have it. A few days later, I saw her bag of stuff and she had two mascaras! Sure enough, a few days later, I found it neatly waiting for me by the sink. Mystery solved! It was quite the scandal :) I ran into Miriam Deaver this week. She is a coordinating sister too. Turns out we are next door neighbors and we had no idea! It was really fun to get to know her a little better. She talked about how Dad put her at ease the night before she left. It's always fun to talk to people who know your parents too. It's also nice to know that people don't find Dad scary ;) So, a little bit about gym. The elders love 4 square. It is their passion and they would come in every day reveling in how long they were king or who got who out. Funny. 4 Square. I also had an elder ask if I was a marathon runner this week. He said it was because I am always running laps when he comes. That is true. I run almost the whole time (I've started memorizing scriptures while I run. It's great!), but it's only about 30 minutes--far from a marathon. I was flattered nonetheless. Also, I ran into an elder the other day on the track. He was standing in the way, I moved, but he moved and we collided. I hit him pretty hard, and was really embarrassed the rest of the time. It's amazing how much more awkward things are here. Any talk or show of anything boy-girl, related and it's a big deal. Oh dear. I feel like I've gone back 10 years. In the TRC me and Sis Page taught two recently returned Elders. That was awkward. Probably the worst lesson we've ever taught because we felt so self conscious.
Also, the other day, there was a cacauphony of hymns being hummed in the shower after gym. Then, out of the chaos someone started singing Beautiful Savior and a three part harmony broke out. Anyone's humming is fair game in the shower and we often get little anonymous choirs going. It's fun.
Ok, times up. I love the gospel. I love the Lord. I'm glad I'm here. I love you all. Don't forget Dear Elder.com :)
Love,
Amy
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Week 3 - Tired
Hey all.
I couldn't sleep last night until about midnight, so today I am tired and grumpy. the missionaries sitting here around me as I type are being loud and getting on my nerves. Mostly tired-ness related. I think.
So this last week was fantastic. Don't know where to start.
Alright, I've seen quite a few people this week. Carter Chung came into the mtc on Wed (friend from Berkeley ward). I got to see him on Thurs. and we have meals at the same time, so I get to see him all the time! It's fun. I also saw Jordan Milot in the Bookstore and called out to him. He wasn't as excited to see me as I was to see him and at first I didn't even think he remembered me. Turns out Kendrick Turner was right behind me in line, so it was all three of us chatting for a couple minutes until E. Milot left. Fun! Also, Sis. Jones is Cammi jones from Grandma Win's ward. More about her later. Also, I forgot to mention that there was a meeting about proper dress and grooming the first sunday we were here, and guess who was one of the good examples? Lindsey Meyers, one of my friends from Sophomore at BYU! That was fun.
So I feel bad for Sis. Jones. Last night when I couldn't sleep I found her out in the hall too. She said that her roommates are really good at gettting the lights off at 10:30, but then they laugh for another hour or so. I'm exhausted with my 7 hours of sleep, so I'm grateful for roommates that want sleep too. It's been hard to sleep in the mornings b/c the other sisters will get up early to get ready or go to gym, and they always slam the door when they come in and out. Yuck! So, I've been falling asleep in class. I fell asleep yesterday when Sis Gotberg and Sumner were teaching us in Swedish. Sis Gotberg saw me and said she almost started laughing.
These elders are driving me crazy!!!! Stop shouting across the laundry room!!!!
Oh, I'm grumpy. :) So, I picked hymns this week like "Rock of Ages" and "Come Ye Disconsolate." All the elders started making fun of me saying that I only picked obscure hymns that no one knows. I argued that they needed a musical education, so we compromised that I could pick every 4th hymn. They like the easy songs so we can sing in four parts and out sing the dutch and norwegians (they aren't very good even with an Osmond) I felt this week like I had no one to talk to. How do you get out your angst when the people that are part of the problem are the only people you can talk to (the other sisters). It was great that Mitch came to lunch. I was able to talk to him about some concerns about things that some speakers had said and just release a little. It was great! Thanks Mitch!
So, we love movie quotes. That's how we get our entertainment. We relive movies every day. We also have started making up our own scenes. We have an MTC musical in the works which may or may not include Donny Osmond, John Stamos with an eye patch and peg leg, and a song about P-day and the TRC. We might just have to perform our p-day song in the laundry room before we leave here.
Well, devotional was fantastic yesterday. We heard from Elder Grow. He inspired all of us to get to work and love it! I get more excited every day. I think this will be better than I imagined :)
Much Love,
Amy
P.S. We always slip when we refer to ourselves in the third person. Still don't think of myself as sister maxwell.
I couldn't sleep last night until about midnight, so today I am tired and grumpy. the missionaries sitting here around me as I type are being loud and getting on my nerves. Mostly tired-ness related. I think.
So this last week was fantastic. Don't know where to start.
Alright, I've seen quite a few people this week. Carter Chung came into the mtc on Wed (friend from Berkeley ward). I got to see him on Thurs. and we have meals at the same time, so I get to see him all the time! It's fun. I also saw Jordan Milot in the Bookstore and called out to him. He wasn't as excited to see me as I was to see him and at first I didn't even think he remembered me. Turns out Kendrick Turner was right behind me in line, so it was all three of us chatting for a couple minutes until E. Milot left. Fun! Also, Sis. Jones is Cammi jones from Grandma Win's ward. More about her later. Also, I forgot to mention that there was a meeting about proper dress and grooming the first sunday we were here, and guess who was one of the good examples? Lindsey Meyers, one of my friends from Sophomore at BYU! That was fun.
So I feel bad for Sis. Jones. Last night when I couldn't sleep I found her out in the hall too. She said that her roommates are really good at gettting the lights off at 10:30, but then they laugh for another hour or so. I'm exhausted with my 7 hours of sleep, so I'm grateful for roommates that want sleep too. It's been hard to sleep in the mornings b/c the other sisters will get up early to get ready or go to gym, and they always slam the door when they come in and out. Yuck! So, I've been falling asleep in class. I fell asleep yesterday when Sis Gotberg and Sumner were teaching us in Swedish. Sis Gotberg saw me and said she almost started laughing.
These elders are driving me crazy!!!! Stop shouting across the laundry room!!!!
Oh, I'm grumpy. :) So, I picked hymns this week like "Rock of Ages" and "Come Ye Disconsolate." All the elders started making fun of me saying that I only picked obscure hymns that no one knows. I argued that they needed a musical education, so we compromised that I could pick every 4th hymn. They like the easy songs so we can sing in four parts and out sing the dutch and norwegians (they aren't very good even with an Osmond) I felt this week like I had no one to talk to. How do you get out your angst when the people that are part of the problem are the only people you can talk to (the other sisters). It was great that Mitch came to lunch. I was able to talk to him about some concerns about things that some speakers had said and just release a little. It was great! Thanks Mitch!
So, we love movie quotes. That's how we get our entertainment. We relive movies every day. We also have started making up our own scenes. We have an MTC musical in the works which may or may not include Donny Osmond, John Stamos with an eye patch and peg leg, and a song about P-day and the TRC. We might just have to perform our p-day song in the laundry room before we leave here.
Well, devotional was fantastic yesterday. We heard from Elder Grow. He inspired all of us to get to work and love it! I get more excited every day. I think this will be better than I imagined :)
Much Love,
Amy
P.S. We always slip when we refer to ourselves in the third person. Still don't think of myself as sister maxwell.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Week 2
2/3/10
Hello all!
It took me a full minute to remember my password, and then I had to read emails, so I'm down to 20 minutes to type my guts out about the exciting happenings of week 2!
In no particular order:
We have had a few run-ins with "famous" people. First of all, the wife of my branch president, Sister Ahlander is Neal A. Maxwell's daughter. She's awesome. Next, there was an elder whose last name was Archuletta at the temple last sunday who acted strangely and asked if he looked familiar. Sis. Page said it didn't look like david archuletta, so I wonder if he's related or just likes to keep people guessing. Last, in the classroom next to ours, the very next door, going to the Netherlands is Elder Osmond, son of Donny. We like to act all giggly and try to get pictures of him on the sly just for fun.
Which leads me to my next topic: embarrassing situations for the week. First of all, we think Elder Osmond noticed us trying to take pictures with him in the background b/c he hid behind his companion and I accidentally made knowing eye contact with him when Sis Sumner said, "let's take a picture here!" Next, we think our teacher Bro. Killian thinks we like him or something because every time we say anything about him, there he is! I guess you had to be there for that one. The last embarrassing thing was that someone's hand was resting on top of a divider we were sitting by in the Teaching Resource Center (TRC)[and Sis Sumner touched it] with her pen at the goading of Sis. Gotberg. It turned out to be an attractive teacher that teaches on our floor. Bro. Killian said, "Sis Sumner, don't flirt wtih Bro.... He's engaged! And then told him that he had permission to come down on us for flirting with any of the teachers. Sis Sumner was more embarrassed than I was and had a dream the next night she was getting sent home for flirting. We had a good laugh about it :) At devotional yesterday Elder Hinckley came. He gave a great talk and told some fun stories about President Hinckley.
On sundays the missionaries get to walk up to the temple. I saw Cami Jones there. She got here this week. She didn't remember me, but was excited to find out who I was. She didn't like the temple walk b/c it seemed to her like a ward party on temple grounds. Very true, but it's our only chance to be social and take pictures.
I gave a talk on Sunday. It was good. On following the propet. Got to use Prop 8 experience. It's not as overused here :) I also sat by Sis Jones at Choir on Tues. We have choir practice on sunday with a younger guy that sounds like Brian Reagan and on Tues with an older gentleman that sounds like Prof. Harold Hill. The choir is a quarter of the missionaries here I swear. It's fun!
On Monday I was despairing that Mitch hadn't come to eat lunch with me. I figured I just had to stop hoping he'd come and then he would :) Then there he was a lunch! It was so great to see him and get some inside perspective on the teaching at the MTC.
So a little about MTC culture. One thing for this week. We all call each other by our nationalities. Those sisters over there aren't going to Germany, they are the German sisters. Our elders have rivalries with the German and Spanish elders. We were told not to speak to them which we promptly disregarded :) On Sunday Pres. Smith told us it was up to us to keep the Elders in check. They do silly things to impress the sisters most of the time he said. Let them know they are being immature, he said. At lunch that day, Elder Bloomfield was talking to me about a silly thing he had done in high school which is fairly inappropriate in nature, but not unheard of, so I was just treating him like I would when Brian would tell me the silly things he and his friends did. Another sister next to us chided him and told him that wasn't appropriate to talk about on his mission. The spirit is not in the conversation she said. He replied that it was for the sisters in his district to keep him in check, not her. I agreed but didn't say anything. I don't want to be one of those sisters.
Ack! out of time. Thanks aunt lisa for the weather and grandma for your letters and everyone else! You are all wonderful and I love you. I'm doing great and learning tons. My testimony is strengthened every day and I'm coming closer to the Spirit and getting better at teaching every day (and probably swedish too, but that's debatable). Hope this all makes sense. Until next week! Love, love, love!
Syster Maxwell
Hello all!
It took me a full minute to remember my password, and then I had to read emails, so I'm down to 20 minutes to type my guts out about the exciting happenings of week 2!
In no particular order:
We have had a few run-ins with "famous" people. First of all, the wife of my branch president, Sister Ahlander is Neal A. Maxwell's daughter. She's awesome. Next, there was an elder whose last name was Archuletta at the temple last sunday who acted strangely and asked if he looked familiar. Sis. Page said it didn't look like david archuletta, so I wonder if he's related or just likes to keep people guessing. Last, in the classroom next to ours, the very next door, going to the Netherlands is Elder Osmond, son of Donny. We like to act all giggly and try to get pictures of him on the sly just for fun.
Which leads me to my next topic: embarrassing situations for the week. First of all, we think Elder Osmond noticed us trying to take pictures with him in the background b/c he hid behind his companion and I accidentally made knowing eye contact with him when Sis Sumner said, "let's take a picture here!" Next, we think our teacher Bro. Killian thinks we like him or something because every time we say anything about him, there he is! I guess you had to be there for that one. The last embarrassing thing was that someone's hand was resting on top of a divider we were sitting by in the Teaching Resource Center (TRC)[and Sis Sumner touched it] with her pen at the goading of Sis. Gotberg. It turned out to be an attractive teacher that teaches on our floor. Bro. Killian said, "Sis Sumner, don't flirt wtih Bro.... He's engaged! And then told him that he had permission to come down on us for flirting with any of the teachers. Sis Sumner was more embarrassed than I was and had a dream the next night she was getting sent home for flirting. We had a good laugh about it :) At devotional yesterday Elder Hinckley came. He gave a great talk and told some fun stories about President Hinckley.
On sundays the missionaries get to walk up to the temple. I saw Cami Jones there. She got here this week. She didn't remember me, but was excited to find out who I was. She didn't like the temple walk b/c it seemed to her like a ward party on temple grounds. Very true, but it's our only chance to be social and take pictures.
I gave a talk on Sunday. It was good. On following the propet. Got to use Prop 8 experience. It's not as overused here :) I also sat by Sis Jones at Choir on Tues. We have choir practice on sunday with a younger guy that sounds like Brian Reagan and on Tues with an older gentleman that sounds like Prof. Harold Hill. The choir is a quarter of the missionaries here I swear. It's fun!
On Monday I was despairing that Mitch hadn't come to eat lunch with me. I figured I just had to stop hoping he'd come and then he would :) Then there he was a lunch! It was so great to see him and get some inside perspective on the teaching at the MTC.
So a little about MTC culture. One thing for this week. We all call each other by our nationalities. Those sisters over there aren't going to Germany, they are the German sisters. Our elders have rivalries with the German and Spanish elders. We were told not to speak to them which we promptly disregarded :) On Sunday Pres. Smith told us it was up to us to keep the Elders in check. They do silly things to impress the sisters most of the time he said. Let them know they are being immature, he said. At lunch that day, Elder Bloomfield was talking to me about a silly thing he had done in high school which is fairly inappropriate in nature, but not unheard of, so I was just treating him like I would when Brian would tell me the silly things he and his friends did. Another sister next to us chided him and told him that wasn't appropriate to talk about on his mission. The spirit is not in the conversation she said. He replied that it was for the sisters in his district to keep him in check, not her. I agreed but didn't say anything. I don't want to be one of those sisters.
Ack! out of time. Thanks aunt lisa for the weather and grandma for your letters and everyone else! You are all wonderful and I love you. I'm doing great and learning tons. My testimony is strengthened every day and I'm coming closer to the Spirit and getting better at teaching every day (and probably swedish too, but that's debatable). Hope this all makes sense. Until next week! Love, love, love!
Syster Maxwell
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
1st Week
27 January 2010
Heysan, min familj!
So, it's been a week. This computer keyboard is no good. I'll do my best to type like a maniac. I'm in the laundry room. Turns out the guys always wrote from down here because they tell you to stay with your laundry.
It's been an interesting week. I don't actually feel like a missionary yet and have called myself Amy out loud twice this week. It's also strange to be surrounded by Elders when talking to them very much has always been taboo. My district is great. There are 7 elders and 4 sisters (including myself) going to sweden in this group. The group before us had only 3 elders. They were studs apparently. Everytime anyone sees us, they say, "Wow! 4 Sisters! You guys are so lucky!" I suppose we are. Except that we do a lot of things as a possey, and it's hard to convince 3 instead of just 1. We also hear all the time about how talented the sisters that are already in Sweden are. The branch president asked me if I could play hymns in church on Sunday and then proceeded to tell me how good one of the elders that had just left had been. He could play anything! Imagine my chagrin when I messed up throughout all three hymns on Sunday.
The Elders in my district are a lot of fun, love to laugh, and are all so sincere. They seem to really want to be here and improve in their Swedish. Their testimonies are a great strength to mine and they make class time fun. The sisters in my district are all so funny! I'm like the old, crochety one compared to them :) It's been a challenge because I get really into my studying when it's important to me or I feel like I'm falling behind, and it takes 10 minutes to get everyone quiet. My companion and I have different learning methods, so we are still working that out. I struggle speaking languages, so I'm the worst in my group. Give me a grammar test, and I'd be just fine, but that's not the method emphasized for learning here. So I go on struggling. We learned how to pray and bear testimony in Swedish this week. The first time we went to the Teaching Resource Center was on Monday and I forgot everything I had practiced! All I could think of was a weird mix of Swedish, Spanish and K'iche'. Surprisingly, I think of a k'iche' word instead of the Swedish all the time. My teacher encouraged me to keep up with my Spanish while I'm here because there are so many immigrants that need to be taught in Spanish in Sweden, which I knew, but it made me feel justified and hopeful.
The food here is killer. I'm still adjusting to it. Everything for lunch and dinner is so heavy unless you just get a salad. It's going to get old. I also need to learn to slow down when eating again because I keep eating when the Elders are eating. it reminds me of being 12 again when I'd take multiple portions of spaghetti, but I don't have Ted here to tell me to stop because I'm getting fat :) Having gym every day is helpful, and they have a half hour class at 6 am for the sisters every day but sunday. Sadly, I need the sleep. I fell asleep in devotional yesterday.
I'm surprisingly pleased with being a missionary. The regime here takes some adjusting to, but I feel like I was able to step back into being perfectly obedient easier than I expected. I've already learned (or relearned, rather) so much about my own faith and testimony. It's been refreshing to get back to basics.
I've only cried twice; which is good. Turns out I'm the weepy sister in the group, dang it! Not surprising to the Boys, I'm sure :) I'm not homesick though, and am very happy.
Thanks everybody for all your letters. Turns out that dear elder sends a letter for each page, so when you sent all those missionary letters, mom, I got like 5 letters! It made everybody so jealous. Thanks everybody for the support. It's nice to know my friends haven't forgotten me :) I'll write to whom I can. I love you all! The Church really is true, turns out.
Love,
Syster Maxwell
P.S. Excuse the spelling. No time to proofread.
Heysan, min familj!
So, it's been a week. This computer keyboard is no good. I'll do my best to type like a maniac. I'm in the laundry room. Turns out the guys always wrote from down here because they tell you to stay with your laundry.
It's been an interesting week. I don't actually feel like a missionary yet and have called myself Amy out loud twice this week. It's also strange to be surrounded by Elders when talking to them very much has always been taboo. My district is great. There are 7 elders and 4 sisters (including myself) going to sweden in this group. The group before us had only 3 elders. They were studs apparently. Everytime anyone sees us, they say, "Wow! 4 Sisters! You guys are so lucky!" I suppose we are. Except that we do a lot of things as a possey, and it's hard to convince 3 instead of just 1. We also hear all the time about how talented the sisters that are already in Sweden are. The branch president asked me if I could play hymns in church on Sunday and then proceeded to tell me how good one of the elders that had just left had been. He could play anything! Imagine my chagrin when I messed up throughout all three hymns on Sunday.
The Elders in my district are a lot of fun, love to laugh, and are all so sincere. They seem to really want to be here and improve in their Swedish. Their testimonies are a great strength to mine and they make class time fun. The sisters in my district are all so funny! I'm like the old, crochety one compared to them :) It's been a challenge because I get really into my studying when it's important to me or I feel like I'm falling behind, and it takes 10 minutes to get everyone quiet. My companion and I have different learning methods, so we are still working that out. I struggle speaking languages, so I'm the worst in my group. Give me a grammar test, and I'd be just fine, but that's not the method emphasized for learning here. So I go on struggling. We learned how to pray and bear testimony in Swedish this week. The first time we went to the Teaching Resource Center was on Monday and I forgot everything I had practiced! All I could think of was a weird mix of Swedish, Spanish and K'iche'. Surprisingly, I think of a k'iche' word instead of the Swedish all the time. My teacher encouraged me to keep up with my Spanish while I'm here because there are so many immigrants that need to be taught in Spanish in Sweden, which I knew, but it made me feel justified and hopeful.
The food here is killer. I'm still adjusting to it. Everything for lunch and dinner is so heavy unless you just get a salad. It's going to get old. I also need to learn to slow down when eating again because I keep eating when the Elders are eating. it reminds me of being 12 again when I'd take multiple portions of spaghetti, but I don't have Ted here to tell me to stop because I'm getting fat :) Having gym every day is helpful, and they have a half hour class at 6 am for the sisters every day but sunday. Sadly, I need the sleep. I fell asleep in devotional yesterday.
I'm surprisingly pleased with being a missionary. The regime here takes some adjusting to, but I feel like I was able to step back into being perfectly obedient easier than I expected. I've already learned (or relearned, rather) so much about my own faith and testimony. It's been refreshing to get back to basics.
I've only cried twice; which is good. Turns out I'm the weepy sister in the group, dang it! Not surprising to the Boys, I'm sure :) I'm not homesick though, and am very happy.
Thanks everybody for all your letters. Turns out that dear elder sends a letter for each page, so when you sent all those missionary letters, mom, I got like 5 letters! It made everybody so jealous. Thanks everybody for the support. It's nice to know my friends haven't forgotten me :) I'll write to whom I can. I love you all! The Church really is true, turns out.
Love,
Syster Maxwell
P.S. Excuse the spelling. No time to proofread.
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