The Happenings of a Heather: MTC Week 2

Oi familia!!

Email time stresses me out because there is a clock ticking in the corner telling you how much time you have left! I always have way more to say than the time allows, so hopefully I can get all of my thoughts out real quick!! This week went by so much faster!! It was so nice to be more in a routine and know what is going on. The days are long but the weeks are short. There is so much truth to that.

Dad! Thanks for the packages!! The same man that gave me a pep talk about working out, has also sent me dearelder brownies, a package with my debit card and skittles and M&Ms, and a dearelder munchie package...which is all candy!! Plus, the candy mom sent me...I have candy for days!! I am going to gain all sorts of MTC fluff. Just what I need. hahaha. But I love packages! So thanks!! I feel loved!!

So, I don't know where to start...last week we were given the bio of our "new investigator." Basically, we teach people that our teacher actually taught on his mission, but we treat them like a real investigator, and really address their needs. The funny part though is that we are "teaching" a woman...but really we are teaching our teacher...who is a guy. So that's funny, but you role with it. But, we were kind of nervous about teaching her because she has a really heavy situation. But we taught her on Tuesday, and it went really well. We talked about God's love and the Atonement, and that miracles really can happen in her life. We felt really good about the lesson, and the spirit was present, and our teacher even told us that we did a good job...so that's always encouraging. Thursday we had decided to teach her about the importance of faith and works, and that it is one thing to have faith, but that she needs to act on that faith. We realized that we had committed her to pray on the first lesson, but the second lesson we realized that she didn't know how to pray. So, we taught her how to pray and that pray is one way that she can exercise her faith. We also asked her to "go" to church on Sunday. Our teacher told us that in real life he saw miracles happen in her life, so it will be interesting to see how things will play out.

Teaching investigators is definitely a learning experience. I am also learning better how to work with my companion. I tend to be more of a talker, and she is more quiet and talks when she has something to say. Tuesday our lesson went well, and I thought I was doing better at talking less, but after our Thursday lesson, I new I didn't do as well. We did a role play in class and my companion, Sis. Peterson, was companions, with Sis. Dunn, and then I was the investigator and Sis. Hymas observed. Sis. Dunn was talking most of the time, and she felt bad for not letting Sis. Peterson talk. Sis. Dunn said that she knows how it is to be the one not talking at much and not sure what her companion is saying. That kind of hit Sis. Hymas and I hard, because we are naturally both more talkative. I felt really bad because I don't want my companion to feel overshadowed or that I am taking over. But our lessons are usually pretty planned out...I am just more the one that will stray from what we have planned and say stuff. I need to learn to just let there be some silence and not always be so anxious to ask or answer questions. I tend to start talking and figure out what I am saying as I am talking, but she thinks it out completely before she says it. It's something I need to work on. But once I am out in the field, I will be so clueless to what is going on that I am pretty sure it won't be a problem. hahaha.

Sunday's are always awesome!! I had so much time to just read the Book of Mormon, and catch up on my reading. Our branch president challenged us to start and finish the Book of Mormon while we are here. I am a slower reader, but I am making way, I am a good way into Mosiah right now, so that's fun. I love reading the Book of Mormon, it is one of my favorite times of the day!! Plus, it is such a relief from studying Portuguese. I just am learning so much more as I read so consistently, and intently. It's the best!! I'm so excited for everyone that seminary is the Book of Mormon!! Really take advantage of the time to study and gain a testimony of the book!! On Sunday, we had Mission Conference and District Meeting (it's like Sunday school) and Sacrament Meeting and a Devotional. haha. Lots of meetings!! Our Devotional on Sunday night, we heard from Jenny Oaks Baker, who is Dallin H. Oaks daughter. She is an AMAZING violinist!! Like she went to Julliard and has major skills!! It was way good! She spoke and played. She even had her kids play and they were little muscial prodigies. What have I been doing with my life?! hahaha. Then we got to listen to a talk from Bednar called Character of Christ that he gave to the MTC a while back. I love that he said, "It's more important who we are than what we say." I love that!! He talked about Christ and how all he does is look outward, and that when you look outward, you improve yourself inward, without even trying. I was great! I came out of it thinking, "Man, I am such a natural man! I have so much to work on!" But it's definitely a lifetime of improving...

On Wednesday we had an all Portuguese day!! It was hard!! We have only been here for 2 weeks, so our vocab is very minimal. That's why Hannah told you that I would only speak Portuguese to her, because I was trying to be good...and I didn't want my district to judge me! hahaha. I spoke to her in English too, don't even worry!! It was a long day...and it was exhausting...it was comparable to normal fasting...similar feelings, giving something up. We definitely talked less, or just used whatever words we knew. Basically, we know a lot of gospel terms though, so that doesn't super help with everyday conversation!! Sometimes I would start saying something and then realize that I didn't know how to finish my thought, so I would just say..."Nao importante" and move on...or I would just drift off...or we would say that we would tell each other tomorrow. hahaha. Sis. Peterson and I are getting to the point where we could figure out what the other one was thinking, so that really helped! It was so happy when we could speak English again!! I am scared for the day when it will be Portuguese all day everyday...I am not ready for that!! But our dictionaries were our best friends that day, and we definitely learned more Portuguese.

Gym is one of the best times of the day! It is such a nice break from studying and classes. We love going to the gym in 2M because it is more of a gym set up...with elypticals and bikes. AND they have different screens with the Restoration movie, or conference talks or mormon messages. But you have to have ear phones...which I didn't bring, because we were told not to...apparently I was supposed to know secret things like bringing ear phones for the gym. But a few days ago, I brought my little speaker and plugged it into the machine, and it was the best thing ever!! Most people don't have earphones, so people around me enjoyed it too!! The past couple of days that gym has been closed, and it is so sad...we just want to watch mormon messages. Gosh dangit! hahaha. But I ran around the track and talked to Sis. Hymas, so I guess that is cool too.

I don't know what else to say. Things are good! The food is already getting boring...lots of comfort food...which is tasty, but I don't always want burgers and fried chicken and mashed potatoes. The sisters in my district are awesome!! I love them!! I love the times that we are just in our room together at night and we just talk to each other about life and really get to know each other!! They are awesome!!

Sis. Peterson and I started "You know you are a missionary when..." last night...here are some of the entries....

You know you are a missionary when:

-You are excited to go to bed at 10:30

-You feel guilty reading the Book of Mormon during language study

-You are excited to go to gym to watch mormon messages

-Everyone says "thank you" in a different language. (Portuguese is obrigada)

-The hardest habit to break is not calling people "guys"

-Everyone is harmonizing to hyms in the shower

-Receiving letters of packages is like gold

I love you all!! Keep the letters coming!! I love hearing about anything and everything!!

Tchau!!

Sister Heather Van Wagenen