9th Week, Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas! How is everyone? I am having a wonderful Christmas here in the MTC. I woke up at 6:30 as usual. Me and my comp, Hna Thompson, opened presents! It was way fun! We even had a tiny Christmas tree! I will send pics next week! We have a TON of candy, basically our own candy store in our room. People are shocked. Three people did the 12 days of Christmas for my comp, so that equals a ton of candy! We were always at the post office picking up her packages! Also, we were very privileged and honored to hear from... Elder L. Tom Perry of the Twelve Apostles! He and his wife came, along with some of his children and grandchildren! What an amazing experience and how blessed am I! It was very informal and he had his kids speak a lot and it was so fun to see the way he interacted with his grandkids. It was neat to see the grandpa side of an apostle! Afterward, he announced that he would be sticking around for lunch, so I got to meet him! That was amazing to shake hands with an apostle of the Lord! I had only done that once before and what an incredible feeling it is that takes over you! We also received a gift from the MTC: a lot of post it notes to write thankyous to people, a awesome like 8-in-1 color pencil for scripture marking, candy, and a cd. Others donated items for us as well: pictures, a Christmas card from the first presidency of the church, and another cd of all sorts of songs in different languages. Since I don't have a cd player, guess who gets them until I get back... Merry Christmas family! This afternoon we have a special workshop, don't know what on, and then a meeting/fireside tonight. Last night we had a two hour fireside with lots of music and singing and sharing stories. It was so fun! I missed singing some of the traditional carols so that was fun to be able to do! So this Christmas was amazing, Christ centered with no commercialism, a nice treat!
The rest of my week was great. I am shocked that I leave next Wednesday, so only one more email from me from the states! That means that you can start emailing me, because I wil lhave more email time. So do, cause I love to hear from you! Also, send me some of your addresses, via dearelder if at possible, that way it's already printed out. I would love to keep in touch with you. I am kind of terrified about leaving the MTC to Ecuador, but mainly it is fear of the unknown. I know it will be great and that I will have amazing experiences. As my friend Annie told me, I am starting a thrilling journey, one of the best of my life!
One fun thing I get to do this week is go shopping! That's right, in a mall outside of the MTC bubble! My comps needed some things and we have permission and someone is taking us shopping! I don't really need anything. With volleyball, I keep tearing holes in pants, so I might get a new pair of exercise shorts. That's the second pair of workout pants I have ruined. If you think the pants are bad, imagine how my legs look! I am just way too hard on my body! But it's my last week of volleyball, so sad day!
I also heard from Leuan, my airplane friend. He had a great experience at the temple, but is still a little skeptical. He said that after he reads some of the Book of Mormon, his views might change. He felt like he needed those experiences though because his father just passed and it has been hard. I pray for him that he might find comfort.
Know tha tI love you all and think fo you often. I know this church is true. If you ever feel alone, turn to your Heavenly Father and to your Savior, Jesus Christ. They love you and care for you.
I hope you have an amazing Christmas! I love all of you and till next week!
Kaylee
aka Hermana Sorensen

8th Week!

Can you believe how time is flying by?! I can't believe that I am already in my 8th week here at the MTC! It is so weird and I am starting to get to the freak out stage because that means I leave so soon! I will be getting my official flight plans soon! I kind of already know when I am leaving because I saw the plan when I went to LA. I guess I forgot to mention that. I leave the MTC on Jan.2 and my flight leaves at like, 6am, so that means I have to leave the MTC like at 3am! I will be so tired, and so will my family if they want to talk to me! But like I said, that is not "official", so I will tell you more when I have the concrete flight plans in my hands!
This week was great! Like usual. Yesterday was amazing! Sundays are always such an amazing lift, something that always helps! First, Brother Wright, 1st counselor in the Branch Presidency was released. I loved Bro. Wright! My eyes got watery with his release! He always gave me compliments on what I was wearing and always joked how I was whipping the branch into shape since I was called as Coordinating Sister. He always spoke with such power. It was great to listen to him one last time.
I also listened to an amazing talk by Vickie Pahnke Taylor in Relief Society. She is a composer and she was incredible! It was all about how we need to be transformed. If we choose to put forth the effort and choose to do this work, the Lord will transform us into who we need to be. There were so many great stories she shared and she finished with singing, "I Need Thee Every Hour." She said that as we come to Christ, that is our own personal journey, and that is what our life is about. I also had to teach a lesson to our district. It was about applying Christlike attributes to our lives. We had already discussed this numerous times and so I didn't know what more to say. I studied some other talks and Sister Taylor's talk fit right in, so my lesson went well. It is so important to have those attributes in your life and to be more like Him. Studying the life of Christ has been such a blessing. It has allowed me to better understand who He is and helps me strengthen my relationship to Him. My comp said the lesson went well, so hopefully she is right.
Sunday night we also had a special treat for us. In place of the usual fireside, we were treated to a special concert by the BYU Men's Chorus. All 190 of them came! I made sure that we got great seats, as usual, and it was incredible! They are so talented! They started out with some hymns, and then they sang Christmas songs. I love the Carol of the Bells, probably one of my favorite Christmas songs! They also sang In Yonder Stall, which was beautiful. Songs carry so much power in them and it was wonderful to feel the Spirit in that way.
Let's see... The RC was okay. I did talk to one lady in West Viriginia who had such a thick accent. She was fun to talk to and anxious to hear from the missionaries and recieve the free video about Christmas, Joy to the World. If you haven't seen that yet, do. It is such a great video that helps you remember Christ in your Christmas!
I feel like I am old and seasoned here at the MTC. We have been the oldest district in our zone now for quite some time. All of the other people I know in other zones are now gone, so it is weird to be the old ones! Sister Rancie, my aussie sister friends that lives on my floor, left this morning. I loved her! She was hilarious and so fun! We had lots of eating parties in our room with all of the food and candy that people send to us. The food never lasts too long!
Before I forget, mom, can you dearelder me the story of my great-grandmothers first Christmas in the United States? I want to share it with my district, but I can't do it justice. The way it is written is perfect! I'll also take this time to thank everyone who has been writing me and sending my goodies! You are so thoughtful and it is so fun to hear from you. I feel that support and it is such a lift! Dawn and the Sorensen's, thank you for the fun box of cookies and candy! They are tasty and everyone has been enjoying them! Mom, thanks for the Christmas package! I am practicing amazing self-control! My comp is mad that I haven't opened them! Now is my small moment of chastisement: Nick and Lindsay, write to me! Linds, I've only heard from you twice and Nick, it has been like 3 times, maybe four. I want to hear from you! When I don't, I worry, and that is no bueno. So, write to me so I can focus and not be distracted be things like that!
Fam, I'm sending out your Christmas package hopefully today. Hopefully it gets to you in time!
I love you all. I want you to know that this gospel is amazing! It changes lives! It has changed me! If you have any questions about that, ask for yourself and you will receive an answer!
I hope you have a fun Christmas, I know I will! Fam and Friends, even though I can't call you on Christmas, I can at least email you becuase Tuesday is Pday, so I have that access! Feel Blessed! Till next week! I love you and Feliz Navidad!

7th Week!

So, Hard to believe that I have been here for 7 weeks! I feel so
weird! How is everyone doing at home? I would love to hear from you,
so if you get the chance, drop a line! I heard that Brittany saw Tomas
on campus, I would love to hear from Skye and Tomas! Skye, isn't your
wife due in February? So exciting! And Annie! How is life? I just want
to hear from all of my friends! I guess last week was a slow mail
week, so I just am missing hearing from people!
My week was amazing! As always! Wednesday I left the bubble that was
the MTC and went to LA! Talk about amazing! Taylor, I did give out
your Book of Mormon that you gave to me. On the flight back from LA to
SLC, I sat next to this 47 yr old Englishman. His name was Leaul. He
told me to tell him in one minute what was different about my church.
I started to teach him. There were 3 return missionaries sitting in
front of us on their way home from Singapore and one of them joined in
our discussion. He was asking all sorts of questions and we just had
an amazing conversation. He asked about seeing the temple and Salt
Lake, and the missionary in front said that the next day, he and his
family would show Leaul around. He was excited! I then gave him the
Book of Mormon and shared with him my testimony of it. He said he
appreciated the fact that I would give him something so near and dear
to my heart. We talked throughout the entire two hour flight, about
religion, home, family, traveling, and more. I have his card so next
week I might have you add him to my email list mom! It was such an
incredible experience, and I felt AMAZING after! I was on some sort of
high and could not settle down!
This week was also a lot more Spanish! I got to practice a lot at the
Consulate because everyone there was Ecuadorian! I was in that office
for 4 hours, so lots of talking opportunities. I went with 3 other
missionaries that are all on the beginning level, so they were amazed
at my skills! Sis. Larson was my designated companion and she is so
fun! I am so excited to have her in my mission! Now I know some people
that I will be serving with in Ecuador! Anyway, back to Spanish. We
taught at the TRC for the first time in Spanish, and it was easier
than I thought it would be! I knew what to say and how to say it, and
I was shocked! Let's see, I also made my first Spanish phone calls at
the RC. That was terrifying! Giving a lesson is easy because you can
see the person and do gestures to help explain yourself... RC you just
talk and try to understand them when you can't watch their lips!
Surprisingly enough, I got through it just fine! I talked to a couple
of people in Spanish, but most people would answer the phone in
English. Still, a ton of Spanish! Friday we had an "English Fast" and
only spoke in Spanish. That was fun, a little more quiet, but fun!
Chels, I know you'll be disappointed, but I only got your package last
night! It took forever, but don't worry, it was still good! I took it
back to my room and invited some girls from my floor to eat it, a
little more than half of it is gone! We are pigs! One of the girls is
from Australia on our floor and she is hilarious! So much fun! Dad,
she actually knows Johnathan Mecham! Seems like lots of girls I know
know him! Her name is Sis. Ranci, not sure if that is how you spell
it, and she actually has received a couple of letters from him.
One of my favorite parts of the week is Hasta Ver Sunday afternoon on
the temple grounds. We all sing "God be with you till we meet again"
in spanish and all of the missionaries leaving that week bear their
testimonies. It is beautiful and just a wonderful experience. It
brings us together as a zone. While I was up on the grounds, I saw Jen
Schofield! Mom, you can tell her mom that! She seemed great and it is
so weird but fun to see people on the outside.
So I want you all to know that I am doing so well here. I love being
here and I have seen myself grow in ways that I did not believe
possible. I love this church! I can't imagine myself without it! I
love that we have a prophet on the earth today who guides and directs
us. I love that we have a Savior who died for us, and a Father in
Heaven who loves us!
Have a Merry Christmas and talk to you soon!
Kaylee

6th week here

Hello family! I can't believe that I have been here 5 weeks already,
so this will be my 6th! It is going by so fast! I have a lot to catch
you up on! First, I just came back from the temple and I ran into my
friends Kendra and Logan! I was shocked! Logan works at the MTC so he
knows my schedule, so they decided to stalk me and were waiting for
me! It was so fun to see someone from the outside! Plus, I don't feel
guilty because they planned it, not me! It was way fun and Kendra, I
want that picture of us!
So, this week has been full! Saturday was the first day of December,
so of course it snowed for the first time since my stay here at the
MTC! Me and my comp, Hna Thompson, had gotten ready for the day and
when we stepped outside to walk to class, it was snowing! Everyone was
so excited and it was so much fun! Plus, lots of the missionaries here
are from other countries and have not seen snow before, so it was
quite the treat for them. Since then it is still pretty nice weather,
so the snow is melting. I think it's all a blessing for me since the
warmest thing I have is a rain coat! We'll see if it holds up though!
Another thing that happened this week is that I have been called as a
Coordinating Sister. This is a leader ship postition. Basically, every
25-30 missionaries are sorted into groups called zones. There are two
guy missionaries called as zone leaders and they are in charge of all
male missionaries. Then there is the coordinating sister, me, who is
in charge of the sister missionaries in the zone. Right now there is
only me and Hna Thompson and Hna Cottle, but we do get a new sister
tomorrow. She will be in an advanced Spanish district so will only be
here for 3 weeks. So I am excited for the new opportunity to serve as
a leader and I think it will be a great experience!
Let's see, oh, volleyball has been a lot of fun! I probably talk about
volleyball too much, but it is way fun and it is the only real release
of the day, besides sleep. It's nice because it keeps you awake, which
is well needed. The time of gym changes every day and when we have it
at night, the day just drags on! Well, both Hnas Thompson and Cottle
played volleyball in high school, so they are really good. None of the
elders in my district play, but we coerced them into playing once this
past week! We were definitely not the best team, but we had a lot of
fun! Also, I think they all gained a lot of respect for us sisters
since they saw we can play, and play well! They now refer to Hna
Thompson and "the bullet" Thompson! You should see her serves! Mine
have gotten pretty mean though, and I end up standing like 6feet
behind the service line, so they are all shocked when after even that,
it still goes out sometimes. What can I say, I just can't control my
strength!
I have forgotten to tell most people, but I am going to LA tomorrow!
That's right, I'm going into the outside world to Los Angeles! I have
to go to the Ecuadorian consulate, and the closest one is in Los
Angeles! I have to go there to pick up my visa. I think they must
interview me or something. So yeah, that could be scary and
intimidating, but will probably be a great experience! Plus, I get
outside food! We are going to stop at In & Out! I am so excited for a
change of food! Five weeks of MTC food, it does something to you! I'm
just sad that I can't bring any back for my district. It will also be
a good opportunity to meet some of the other missionaries that are
going to Ecuador. I only know Elder Montgomery in my district, so now
I can meet some more! Plus, I'll get to talk to some people at the
consulate and maybe learn more about Ecuador and the culture there. I
will be gone from 5:30 in the morning to about 9 at night! Long day,
but I'm also excited for all of the personal study time!
So, I didn't have any great experiences at the RC this week. All I got
was answering machines. There was one call I made though, and he had a
special ring tone. So I got to listen to a good minute of Michael
Jackson's Thriller. I got so excited, it was just funny. My head
started bobbing and I looked at Hna Thompson and I said, "It's
Thriller!" I also got a lot of funny answering machines. This freshman
at BYU, he had a pirate themed answering machine like, ahoy matey, you
have reached the phone of ... and he said it in a funny pirate accent.
The other random one I got was of an old man, and it said, please talk
into the phone and leave a message, and maybe my cat will make a noise
or call you back. SO WEIRD! But yeah, that was a fun night and at
least I still haven't had any negative experiences there yet. Some
people in my district have gotten yelled at over the phone!
So Sunday I was so excited to be able to listen to the Christmas
Devotional. I LOVE the Christmas devotional! It was sad to not hear
from President Faust, but I did enjoy President Eyring's talk. I so do
love hearing President Hinckley. The voice of the prophet carries such
power and it is beautiful to hear. I am exicted for the opportunity I
have to spend Christmas here. It will be hard to be away from home,
but I get to have a truly, Christ-centered Christmas. It will not be
commercialized in the least. I will have time to study the life of
Christ and strengthen my relationship with Him. It will be a great
experience!
My Spanish is definitely coming along, I just have to practice
self-control and speak it more. I have started to read the Book of
Mormon in Spanish and am at about 2 Nephi. I am surprised at how
little I have to look at the English translation! I understand most of
what I read in Spanish, so I am pretty proud of myself as far as that
goes. We also have to practice teaching this week in Spanish, which
will be hard but rewarding. I think we are all doing better than we
actually think we are, and that especially goes for my comps! They
don't have much confidence in themselves, so I have been trying to
build that!
I want to thank you all who have written me. It is really fun to
recieve letters and I do try to write everyone who writes to me, so
just wait a week or so and it should come! If you have emailed me,
please send me your address so that I can write to you! I would love
to send you a little something! If you have not written me, shame on
you! Just kidding! I know how busy everyone is, especially during this
time of year.
Also, everyone always asks me to share some spiritual thoughts that I
have received this past week, but I would love to hear yours as well!
So, if something special happened, let me know!
I love you all, and Happy Holidays!
Kaylee
aka Hna Sorensen