Snail Mail Letter:
8 December 2013 (I’m trying to get used to their way of writing dates)
Dear Family
It’s odd to imagine that I’ve only been at the MTC in New Zealand for 4 days. We are always busy and always working. Mom, you once asked me if they give the sisters extra time to get ready. The answer is - No. No, they don’t. By the time you need to go to bed at night you hardly have enough time to change, wash your face, and get into bed. You want more time? Get up earlier, or move faster.
There is so much I want to say but to be honest I don’t remember everything. We’re lucky to get 5 min of journal writing in at night and everything is just so new, it’s hard to begin.
Oh, here’s one thing. I forgot to pack shampoo, towels, stationery, face lotion & any kind of hair product. Luckily the President’s wife found some extra towels but she was shocked I wouldn’t have any… I was too scared to tell her I needed shampoo, too, but I eventually got around to asking her a few days later.
You would all be shocked and completely excited to hear that I, Sister Moore, have eaten ALMOST EVERYTHING they offer, Including: fish & chips (gag), poached eggs (barf), beefy stew (not bad), porridge (YUM), green Jello tri-fold*(what?!), ham (pretty sure it was really Spam), and much, much more! Sometimes I feel like all we do is eat, but I’m always hungry, so it’s great! I think that’s why all the people are so happy here, because they love and appreciate food—all day, every day.
I taught some Sisters on my first day how to use a vending machine. They were from some Island and didn’t understand the concept. My Roommate, Sister Tafa, and I taught them. And now every time we go past the vending machine the sisters are literally swarmed around it, like ducks around crumbs of bread in a duck pond. President’s wife had to make an announcement because it was becoming a problem. “What you eat in private, stays with you in public”.
Curious about my accent progression??? It’s the darndest thing, sometimes I’ll just be talking and an accent will jump out of my mouth, without any intention on my part. The worst part?? lol People always stop and ask me why I’m using an accent. Shoot! BUT, I have had several people tell me that I have the best accent they’ve heard. Apparently it’s an Auzie accent (probably because my companion (Sister Ryan) & our Roommate are both from Australia). We have one more American in our room, Sister Miggin, from Utah. So there are 4 of us in total. (It’s kind of gross but they don’t supply you with hand soap here so literally no on is really washing their hands. (They do have soap by the classrooms just not in the bedroom bathrooms) In some ways this is good because then I won’t get grossed out when someone doesn’t wash their hands because none of us are!!
Two more things about bathrooms: their toilets have 2 buttons: 1 or #1, and another for #2. More water comes out with #2. I think it’s pretty smart. And my last bit about bathrooms (hahaha) is that ALL of their outlets have a switch to turn on or off when you’re not using it. People were laughing at me actually because I didn’t turn the switch on before turning on a light. …silly Americans!
But really, I’m having a wonderful time. I’ve never felt more comfortable with myself among a group of people. The thought of going home makes me sick because there is SO MUCH to learn and do here. In fact, I don’t think anyone is very homesick. We haven’t the time for that sort of thing. lol But really, everyone has done such a great job of making us feel so comfortable and loved.
I feel lie I have a lot of friends but I can’t remember any of their names because they’re all foreign names. I am literally a minority here and it’s wonderful. But the sisters are always smiling and saying hello to me. It may be because I tend to make a fool of myself wherever I go. Everyone tells me they love my facial expressions and my mad basketball skills. What?!! That’s right family: yo girl’s got b.b. game!!!
What cool about being here is that everyday I wake up I feel so much closer to everyone here. Imagine feeling like you’ve met everyone previously before, but you can’t quite pin-point where. It’s strange but wonderful.
Well, I’m sure you’d love to hear about the actual work I’m doing here, eh? So when I first got here I think I was on an MTC high. Everything was wonderful ad perfect and I wanted to stay in here forever and ever. I wouldn’t say that that feeling is gone but my eyes have definitely been opened to a few things:
- Teenage boys are so painfully teenage boys (I’ll leave that open for interpretation)
- Words are hard. Teaching is hard.
- Making friends is easy.
- There is strength that comes from STRICT and EXACT obedience!
- Strict and exact obedience is hard.
- The Lord calls young people for a reason. Sometimes you just have to look a bit deeper into some people to see their special gifts.
- Love is everything!
- Pride is a sneaky little booger that jumps at every opportunity it can.
I wish I had the time to share with you every lesson I’ve learned and could tell you how I’ve adopted improved versions of definitions for things like: Faith, Endurance, Love, and the Gospel. It may seem pretty basic and I suppose it is but there is power in the basics and a lot to remember that I think we have all forgotten to some degree. Asking questions like: WHAT is it? WHY do we do it? HOW do we do it? will go a long way.
Love you all! Miss You!
Sister Moore
* - pretty sure she’s talking about “Trifle”, the popular NZ dessert ;)
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