Here is Meagan's first e-mail (June 24th) from the MTC, and technically it is probably her last. She leaves for Indiana on Tuesday, June 30 and her P-Day is on Wednesday. Maybe they will give her time on Monday to write and pack her things. We will see!
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Hi everyone,
To start, the MTC is amazing. I can't even really describe the spirit that is here. Someone mentioned the MTC is the only other place, besides the temple, where everyone has a temple recommend. I thought that was interesting.
Wednesday: So crazy. I was stoked to enter. I don't think I even realized what I was doing, until that host missionary was struggling with my three bags up the ramp. I barely remembered to hug my parents (sorry Mom and Dad). We got in and they gave us our name tags, MTC ID (to eat and enter buildings), and a bunch of other stuff. It was a little overwhelming. The Sister took me to my residence hall and then to the building where I would be in class everyday. It's funny, they walk with you basically the whole time until your class building. Then they give you a few directions and send you in alone. Freaky stuff. I got to my classroom and noticed that my companion is a sister I met on Facebook, Sister Harris. She's from Orem, UT. Went to Snow college for 2 years. Super cool! It was a safe thing for me to kind of know her before hand. We did an orientation on the gym/workout rules while the whole district got to the classroom. The district is 4 sisters, 8 elders. Sis Harris and i go to Indiana, Sis Eyre and Sanders go to Colorado Springs with four elders (Funaki - Vegas, Turner - Michigan, Hughes - INDIANA, and Supinger - California), and then four elders going to Honolulu (Shelton - West Jordan, Durfee - Idaho, Allen - Hurricane, and Neil - Cliff, NM). Fun fact: Elder Durfee and I were in the same EFY group the one year I went. We were exhausted by the end of the night. But I couldn't sleep. I didn't cry or anything, but my body was so restless in a new bed and place.
Also, saw Elder Faucette (Sanford, CO) and Elder Mattingley (Isaac from USU).
Thursday: Woke up at the butt crack of dawn. Breakfast. Lesson called "People and My Purpose", almost fell asleep. Also, Sis Harris and I didn't go to planning, by accident, and were chastised by the district for missing. Study time. LUNCH at an early 11:35. Class for three hours. Our afternoon teacher is really cool. His name is Brother Crosby. He's a RM and has been working at the MTC since he returned two years ago. He taught us about the Missionary Purpose. After class, we had gym time, but really, we only sat on the grass outside of the temple. It was a weak workout... Definitely getting a little fat. Dinner was after that at 4:35!!!!! Basically second lunch because it was so early. We met our branch presidency that evening too. It was so fun. We introduced ourselves but as we walked in, all the wives hugged the Sisters in the branch. It was so nice to 1. get a hug, and 2. hug a mom. They are such sweet ladies, but man I started to miss my mom. Not fun. Lucky to have them though.
Friday: The morning was so chill. We had breakfast and did service (cleaned the residence), worked out for real this time, and then ate lunch. best part: NO SKIRTS/DRESSES. We went to class and learned about our first investigators (which are actually our teachers role playing as a person they taught on their mission). We taught George. He's such a good guy, but definitely some struggles. Teaching is really hard at first. You don't know the lessons, and they tell you more information AFTER you've taught, so you get to make a fool of yourself first. It's sort of awful. Sister Harris and I walked out of our first lesson with George so disappointed in ourselves. Lesson learned, though. Don't walk out saying the worst parts of the lesson. Talk about the good. We've taught a few more "investigators" since, and finally had a positive one with Ny from Madagascar! She's so sweet! and even accepted the challenge to be baptized if she comes to know the church is true.
I'm so quickly running out of time. But just know, I love you all! I'm trying to be as obedient as i can be, because "exact obedience brings miracles."
I love you all and I'm so happy to be here! Don't worry about me too much (but feel free to send me letters and packages). it's so great to have read these emails! Thanks for the support! Use Dear Elder while I'm still here! They get here that evening and they're really uplifting on a hard, long day! I LOVE YOU! STAY STRONG! BE GOOD! HAVE COURAGE!
Just 77 more weeks (;
Sister Mondragon <3
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Hi everyone,
To start, the MTC is amazing. I can't even really describe the spirit that is here. Someone mentioned the MTC is the only other place, besides the temple, where everyone has a temple recommend. I thought that was interesting.
Wednesday: So crazy. I was stoked to enter. I don't think I even realized what I was doing, until that host missionary was struggling with my three bags up the ramp. I barely remembered to hug my parents (sorry Mom and Dad). We got in and they gave us our name tags, MTC ID (to eat and enter buildings), and a bunch of other stuff. It was a little overwhelming. The Sister took me to my residence hall and then to the building where I would be in class everyday. It's funny, they walk with you basically the whole time until your class building. Then they give you a few directions and send you in alone. Freaky stuff. I got to my classroom and noticed that my companion is a sister I met on Facebook, Sister Harris. She's from Orem, UT. Went to Snow college for 2 years. Super cool! It was a safe thing for me to kind of know her before hand. We did an orientation on the gym/workout rules while the whole district got to the classroom. The district is 4 sisters, 8 elders. Sis Harris and i go to Indiana, Sis Eyre and Sanders go to Colorado Springs with four elders (Funaki - Vegas, Turner - Michigan, Hughes - INDIANA, and Supinger - California), and then four elders going to Honolulu (Shelton - West Jordan, Durfee - Idaho, Allen - Hurricane, and Neil - Cliff, NM). Fun fact: Elder Durfee and I were in the same EFY group the one year I went. We were exhausted by the end of the night. But I couldn't sleep. I didn't cry or anything, but my body was so restless in a new bed and place.
Also, saw Elder Faucette (Sanford, CO) and Elder Mattingley (Isaac from USU).
Thursday: Woke up at the butt crack of dawn. Breakfast. Lesson called "People and My Purpose", almost fell asleep. Also, Sis Harris and I didn't go to planning, by accident, and were chastised by the district for missing. Study time. LUNCH at an early 11:35. Class for three hours. Our afternoon teacher is really cool. His name is Brother Crosby. He's a RM and has been working at the MTC since he returned two years ago. He taught us about the Missionary Purpose. After class, we had gym time, but really, we only sat on the grass outside of the temple. It was a weak workout... Definitely getting a little fat. Dinner was after that at 4:35!!!!! Basically second lunch because it was so early. We met our branch presidency that evening too. It was so fun. We introduced ourselves but as we walked in, all the wives hugged the Sisters in the branch. It was so nice to 1. get a hug, and 2. hug a mom. They are such sweet ladies, but man I started to miss my mom. Not fun. Lucky to have them though.
Friday: The morning was so chill. We had breakfast and did service (cleaned the residence), worked out for real this time, and then ate lunch. best part: NO SKIRTS/DRESSES. We went to class and learned about our first investigators (which are actually our teachers role playing as a person they taught on their mission). We taught George. He's such a good guy, but definitely some struggles. Teaching is really hard at first. You don't know the lessons, and they tell you more information AFTER you've taught, so you get to make a fool of yourself first. It's sort of awful. Sister Harris and I walked out of our first lesson with George so disappointed in ourselves. Lesson learned, though. Don't walk out saying the worst parts of the lesson. Talk about the good. We've taught a few more "investigators" since, and finally had a positive one with Ny from Madagascar! She's so sweet! and even accepted the challenge to be baptized if she comes to know the church is true.
I'm so quickly running out of time. But just know, I love you all! I'm trying to be as obedient as i can be, because "exact obedience brings miracles."
I love you all and I'm so happy to be here! Don't worry about me too much (but feel free to send me letters and packages). it's so great to have read these emails! Thanks for the support! Use Dear Elder while I'm still here! They get here that evening and they're really uplifting on a hard, long day! I LOVE YOU! STAY STRONG! BE GOOD! HAVE COURAGE!
Just 77 more weeks (;
Sister Mondragon <3