WeeK One of the MTC

Hello to the other side! I don't even know where to begin, my first week at the Missionary Training Center has been such a crazy one. I've laughed, I've cried, I've had little sleep, but most of all I have felt the spirit the whole way through. I am so happy to be here, I am so happy to have this gospel, and I am proud to call myself Sister Parry, a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The only true church on the face of this earth. Wednesday, the 28th was a crazy one! I don't think I've ever been so nervous in my entire life. But the moment I stepped into the MTC I was filled with peace and a willingness to start working immediately. When you first get your name tag they put an orange sticker on it so other people can distinguish you as a newbie. We call it your dork dot. When people see that they are so willing to help with your bags, where to go, and EVERYONE says "welcome to the MTC!". Everyone. But it's really nice, makes you feel right at home. As everything settles down you meet your companion and district. Sister Holt is my companion. She is a short sister of Jewish descent with a very sweet spirit. We are definitely alike in some ways, but our many differences make us a good companionship. After that, you go to a meeting and meet the heads of the MTC. We sang songs like called to serve and army of heleman and I cried like a baby. Music always gets to me. We also had a meeting that evening called "people and my purpose" where we taught a new investigator, who could be a member or not. That was scary, getting thrown to the wolves the first night, but it was a great meeting. Thursday was another mad rush day in the MTC, packed with classes galore. On average, I spend easily about 10 to 11 hours studying and in the classroom a day. It's so easy to get overwhelmed and stressed, but surprisingly I haven't felt too stressed. The Holy Ghost has helped me so much to just know this is where I am supposed to be and I can learn everything I need to with him. We met our teacher ,brother koutu (kuh-to), and he is so spunky and fun. He teaches so strongly with the spirit and has such a passion for the work that it motivates me to do my best. It's weird to think just abut every teacher here is about the same age as me, just fresh out of the mission field some of them. Gives me hope of how much I'll change. Sister Holt and I gave our first mock lesson to our investigator John and it went better than I thought it would, but needs much improvement. We met our branch presidency, who we go to church with on Sundays and they are AWESOME! President Metcalf is the nicest guy you'll ever meet. Sister bird and sister Metcalf are so awesome, and love us so much it hurts. They want to help as much as possible. Friday was a very tough day. I found myself getting really mad all the time and I can't explain it. I just feel angry. But after a lot of praying and reading the scriptures, I realized that it was a sign I was really stressed, and I was taking my stress and getting angry at those around me. The MTC is no walk in the park. I am not going to lie to you. Some days it is so tempting to just jump out the window and run away, and sometimes you will not be able to stand your companion, but it gets better. When we strive to be christ like and love others even when it's hard, we are blessed. Friday we had our first exercise time and it is by far my favorite part of the day. It's fun to just relax and hang out, and helps to relieve stress a ton. Sister Robison, a sister in my district, loves volleyball just as much as I do and we have some killer games with other missionaries, even though we can't keep score lol. The only think I remember about Saturday was that Sister Heiders mom sent the sisters in our district a box of sparkling apple cider, cookies, and poppers and it was the best. We had our own little new year celebration and it was so comforting to get something from home, even if it wasn't my own. If you have ever heard the phrase "make it to sunday" as it pertains to missionary work, it is soooo true. Sunday was an awesome day! We had fast and testimony meeting and that night we had a fireside by a brother who is in charge of church proselytizing. It was a great message, and later that night we watched a devotional by David Bednar which I quite honestly tell you what was about because I fell asleep haha. we also walked to the temple and took pictures and that was really nice, to not be inside for once lol. Yesterday Sister Holt and I received our first two real investigators to teach. It is really satisfying to know that your message, and your words could change someone's life. It's really big shoes to fill, but the knowledge that I am set apart and that god trusts me with the salvation of his children is a huge comfort to me. I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY! This morning we got to go as a district to the temple and that was much needed. I love the temple and the blessings we receive from going, and it's even more fun to go as a missionary. I am going to tell you one very important truth about the MTC. Most of the food is pretty much like what I imagine prison food is. If your mother ever cooked even remotely decent for you, the food is not very good to you haha. To get my point across, I have a scripture to share with you and it's Jeremiah 4:19-20. I know you'll get a crack out of that because I almost died laughing when someone shared it with me. Overall, I am loving the MTC. It's hard, but this has been the most fulfilling week I have ever had. All the hard times are worth it because I know if I work hard I will know how to help so many other people when I am finally in Pittsburgh. My other teacher, brother Griffiths, shared this quote and it goes "in a comfort zone, there is little growth, and in a growth zone, there is little comfort." How true that is. But I am so grateful for all the things I have learned so for and will continue to learn as a missionary. I love all of you so much, and I know God loves you ever more! Love, Sister Parry PS. I can read your emails through out the week whenever I want to, I just can't respond until Tuesday. Also, there is this really cool site called dearelder.com where you can respond to my emails on or send packages and it gets hand delivered to me every day :)