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
