Week 5! (February 14-20)

TEMPLE WALK!

With the 4 of us (#1 and 2) : Sister Hammer, Me, Sister Voigtleander, Sister Darton

Some of the Sisters in our zone...

Hallo Mother!!! Did you get the letter I sent? It was so scatter-brained. I sent it on Thursday, so if you don't get it today, it'll probably come Monday.

Soooo... On the devotional on Tuesday,  Elder Ronald A. Rasband came. It was pretty cool. He gave us a talk of his called "The Divine Call of A Missionary" and we studied it beforehand, and then he walked around and talked to people, and they could ask him questions. It was not what I expected, but it was still pretty cool. I thought some of the questions were bizarre/random (just not what I would have asked an apostle of the Lord if I could ask him anything), but I learned something from every answer he gave. It was pretty incredible. My favorite thing about Tuesday devotionals is discussing them afterward in our district, because I learn a lot from what they learned. He talked about how our mission calls are specifically for us and come directly from the Lord. We sang "Nearer, My God to Thee." In case you were wondering, I did not hit the high F or G. There were 5 parts, so I just sang something loudly and in a choir of hundreds of missionaries, I don't think my awful notes made that much of a difference. I mean, I was probably close to something, right? I hate not singing, especially in such a powerful part. Oh by the way, I don't think the church posts MTC devotionals. They broadcast the whole devotional to all the MTCs in the world, so that was cool that I got to be there, and I was on the screen while a girl was talking (behind her) for like 5 minutes. I mostly just thought, "ACK! Don't do anything embarrassing" because thousands of people could see me. I don't think I did. 

We had an AWFUL lesson with Bruder Nielson (Austin). It was so scattered and at the end he talked to us, and we both (sister hammer and I) both cried. Haha, I could see it in the moment from the outside and thought it was so funny (because this poor 21 year old teacher had to deal with 2 crying sister missionaries), but I was mostly just frustrated and I just felt alone during the lesson, like I was doing it on my own. So I'm probably doing something wrong because I'm not alone, and God will help me. That was the first real time I'd cried since being dropped off, and I think it all just came out. Haha. We decided to try just talking to him (austin) in the next lesson, and to try to work on things as we go, so he can "pause" and give us feedback and whatever. It's been helpful.

Apparently, I am the oil lady. Haha. Elder Passey was sick, and so I offered all of the sisters on-guard one night, and it was funny to watch their reactions. Also, I took some peppermint the next day and they all wanted to try it and that was also funny to watch. I like oils. Not a crazy amount, just a normal amount. 

The other day, Sister Voitglaender asked Sister Hammer to pass her a napkin, and she gave her 6. Sister V said, "What does this mean? You think I'm a messy eater?" and then Elder Hughes said, "You're a 6 napkin missionary/sister/woman." I didn't catch the last part because I was drinking and inhaled my water because laughed because I knew where he was going with that. Johnny Lingo for the win. 

I ran 3 miles on both Wednesday and Thursday.. That is 30 laps. My heel has been hurting so I rested it this weekend and I might go to the doctor next week.. I'd rather take care of it now than it getting worse in Germany when I don't understand the doctor. However, The record for the mile in the gym is 6:44, so you better believe I'm going to break that before I go. I can finally set some record. Ok, actually, if my heel hurts, I won't because I'd rather be healthy for my mission than mess it up because of my stupid pride. 

We were writing out practice german sentences for separable prefixes and the verb was "to reject" and Elder Passey said, "We reject the prophets." We laughed and joked about it, and then Bruder Nielson read 2 Kings 2:23-24 with us and it was funny. Not really spiritual at all, sorry.

Last night, I guess I was snoring at midnight, and Sister McCrary couldn't sleep, and so she said a prayer that I would stop and I took a weird breath and then stopped. She told me that was her miracle this morning... Haha. Oops.

We got out flight plans last night!! We meet the the MTC travel office at 3:50 AM on Tuesday, March 1, and our flight leaves SLC at 8:30. We fly to Chicago, to Frankfurt, to Dresden. Crazy. It is going to be a LONG day. We'll get to Dresden around 11 am German time (I think) on March 02. And the Berlin/Frankfurt missionaries have different schedules. Sad day. I'm bummed we aren't going to Paris. I was going to write in a French BOM and give it away. I actually made a lot of plans for that airport. Oh well. 

I love the Book of Mormon. I love studying it every day. I've always read it, but I've never completely realized how applicable the stories can be in our lives. It's amazing. I learn so much every time I read it. I really really love the scriptures, the Book of Mormon and the Bible. I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God. 

Sorry about the weird, random email. This week was good. I miss you. I love you. I will write Benjamin and Nate a letter if I have time today. I love hearing from you as often as you write. I hope your ski trip was good, Mom. I miss you! 

Tell all the Arco people "Hi." Aunt Teresa and Uncle Dave both wrote me. Was Mike and Nicki's wedding this weekend? That's exciting for them. I hope it was good. 

I love you!

Sister Simpson