My first week in the CCM was interesting to say the least. I have honestly never learned so much in such a short amount of time in my life. My teachers name is Hermano Welch and he is pretty pro at teaching gringo Spanish. I have been enjoying class quite a bit and haven't had trouble focusing really.
My Companions name is Hermana Newbold from Riverton, Utah. She is majoring in art and clothing design (or something to that effect). She is pretty tall, like 5'11 and pretty quiet. She likes basketball and before the mission worked as an usher on the floor for the Utah Jazz, which is pretty cool. I had to inform her that it isn't normal to see you ushers in Arizona, mainly old people. We are getting along pretty well and she will probably be my only companion in the CCM. She is also going to Kennewick spanish speaking. So are the other three Hermanas in my district. Hermana Villalobos (chandler, az went to Corona), Hermana Patton (Spanish fork, UT), and Hermana Robison (Lehi, UT). Hermana Robison's dad is actually in our Branch Presidency. It's pretty crazy. There are 4 elders in my district and i know 2 of them, Elder Hardman will be joining the Hermanas in Kennewick, but the other three elders should be headed to Lima, Peru granting they get their visas. They are Elder Schagel(said schedule from tucson, AZ), Elder Corbin McCalister(from MVT, was my seminary partner one year), and my District leader Elder Kendell Brown (Swimmer for MVT, the year between me and Dan). Not going to lie, it is strange having him be in charge, but he is doing a great job.
My branch Presidents name is Elder Swenson, he is pretty cool, he teaches in english learning classes for children i believe. One of his counselors is Brother Jameson, who just happens to be Daniel Free's uncle. I just happened to be finding connections all over the place.
I live with 5 other sisters. My companion and the for Sorellas going to Rome, Italy. They are all pretty nice. I feeel bad cause wake up time is 6:30 but we have something that starts at 6:30 almost everyday and so we try to get ready in the dark and make the least amount of sound as possible. This morning i made my bed in the dark on a top bunk and got a commendable on my clean check, so that was pretty skilled. I also got to go to the Provo Temple today and it was a good experience but i had to fight not to fall asleep cause our temple time is really early, we have to be at the temple by 6:30. But is was good, we ate at the temple cafeteria for breakfast and the food was good.
Speaking of food everyone complains about the food at the MTC, but even though it is messing with everyones digestive systems mine is doing perfectly fine. Better than it was at home. I guess i will count that as a blessing of being on a mission. The food is alright except for the fact that they always give me three servings worth. I feel bad not eating it all but at the same time i really really don't want to get fat. SO i eat portioned meals. I mean honestly i sit all day how much food do i need. I am proud to say my first week i actually lost 1 pound at the MTC.
They say if you survive til sunday your good. It must be true. SUnday was amazing. Mary Edmunds gave our relief society lesson and she reminded me of a mix between mom and Sis. Chlarson (the bug ladyfrom camp) in our stake. It was so funny. Sundays are just great. Then i also heard tuesdays were great because of devotionals. Well, lets just say they must be spoiling me cause my first week are tuesday devotional was Richard G. Scott one of the 12 apostles. and his talk was amazing. It was about prayer and relying on the Lord, he hit me and helped me in every place i needed. 2 things happened that i will never forget. First he bestowed on us a Apostalic blessing: If you are struggling to learn a language, you will be helped to master that language. Man i wanna work hard for that i have been promised not only that i would learn the language but that i would master it! Then after he got done giving his talk, the girl came up to pray, and he races back up to the podium (well as fast as those old guys can move) and he said oh sorry i am not done i need to say something else and he left us with this statement "the Lord has called you to succeed not fail... He will not abandon you." It was definately a day to remember.
Our first teaching didn't go so great, but the fact that we could have a conversation after 4 days of spanish, not too Shabby.
My schedule has me working out in the morning/afternoon everyother day and other than that i do a whole lot of sitting followed by a whole lot of sitting.
I will try to send pictures next week, we can only send pictures from certain computers... and those were all busy.
I love you all and want to thank everyone for their love and support. Remember that you are never alone. Your brother Jesus Christ always has your back.
Con Amor, Hermana Ray
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