Can I just say that its weird to think that I've only
been gone for 2 weeks ish? I'm living in such a time warp, it feel like MUCH
longer!! I've been thinking about the MTC and the best explanation/analogy that
I can come up with is that it reminds me of Hogwarts. We each got an awesome
letter in the mail and were called to a specific mission, or house at Hogwarts.
We spend HOURS preparing and buying our magic wands/owl and then arrive via
plane/boat across a lake with Hagrid until we arrive at the famous castle.
We are taught by teachers who genuinely want us to succeed and try to teach us
all they know to help us speak the language, or spells. Also each meal time is
like a feast at the big assembly hall in Hogwarts. Basically I live with a
bunch of wizards. I swear the staircases keep changing on us! jajaja.
Since my very first day, I have been thinking of how others
will perceive the MTC (Clark, Kyra, Megan). To be honest-the first few days
were ROUGH. But now, I've grown to genuinely love and really enjoy being here.
I've seen TONS of people I know; Alyssa Cox, Nick Moffit, Heather Farnsworth,
Keri Ralls, Jennifer Allred, Daphne Munafo, Sally Franz, and a bunch of
students from my mission prep class at BYUI. How wonderful! I've gotten really close
with Sister Franz, we usually spend a few minutes at night talking and laughing
about funny missionary things/the MTC. LOVE her!!! We've been a great source of
comfort, encouragement, and strength to each other.
On
Monday, after I emailed-my companion and I taught Eduardo. We
both made it a goal to ONLY speak in spanish, but I had doubt weather we could
really do it or not...especially with knowing such a limited amount of
words/phrases/conjugation. We prayed before and had faith that we would be
helped and know what to say. WOAH. It went really well and I KNOW that the
Holy Ghost was vital with our discussion. I felt the spirit and I know Eduardo
did too. After closing our lesson with a prayer, we literally jumped for joy and
screamed with excitement that our goal was accomplished with His help. That was
seriously a miracle. At one part during the discussion, he basically asked what
if he didn't repent/what was the point of repentance? Something lit up within
me and I became so animated. I explained that repentance is how we utilize the
atonement. The Savior gave His life and suffered everything so we can become
clean. If we do not repent/do it vainly, then it would be mocking the Savior's
ultimate sacrifice that He made for us. I was so happy. It was the first time
that I really felt like a missionary. THIS is what its all about, bringing
people to the atonement of Jesus Christ and developing faith in His plan for us
to return to His presence. It was such an INCREDIBLE feeling:) SO
HAPPY!!!!
My district has 4 hermanas and 8 elders. We've made some
goals to strengthen our unity and improve our diligence and work as disciples
of the Savior. Sometimes I feel like we're babysitting the elders...haha 18
year-old young men sure teach pacience. I love them!! A family away from my
family:) Our poor District Leader, Elder Fitzen is always sneezing and
coughing. Trust me by saying that we ALL want him to get better. haha I gave
him some of my medicine for cold/decongestant and people in my district already
know I have a good stash of drugs. haha.
Also earlier in the week at the
beginning of one of our classes, my comp and I shared why we decided to serve.
It was great to remember why I'm here and how important this work really is.
Our zone only has 2 districts now that some missionaries are leaving this week.
Our branch presidency is super nice and their wives stop by our room sometimes
just to say hi/see how we're doing. So sweet. Also yesterday I wrote my first
talk in spanish, just in case I was called. Thankfully, they picked on some of
the missionaries that are leaving to give the talks. I've already been to 2
departing district's testimony meetings and its awesome to hear how much they
love the missionaries in their district and how close they've become. I already
know that I will miss all of the missionaries in my 41A district very much, but
it'll be bittersweet to leave. At 9:30
when we return to our residence, each Elder shakes our hand and I say nochey
noche. jajaja. Kinda like nighty night in spanish? idk. I think its funny.
For Tuesday
devotional, Elder Russell M. Nelson came and spoke to us. It was awesome to be
reminded of why family history work is so important and that our ancestry is
praying for us to help them with doing their work. I was in the choir that sang
before he and his wife spoke. LOVE being in the choir!!! He also talked about
how its important to stay connected with our converts and I thought of Hunter
and the Evans family. I know it means the WORLD to them that you were there for
their sealing and marriage:) You go, Hunter!! We've also learned a lot about
the differences between having a testimony and being TRULY converted.
From Bednar's "character of Christ" talk, whenever
the mission gets tough-remember this is NOT about you. Its meant to be a hard
change and adjustment. Like a refiner's fire.
A BIG thank you to the Oakton ward YW for the awesome
package, that was so nice!!!! Also muchos gracias for the dried mangoes-haha
still a favorite snack of mine:)
And thank you dear eldering me the talk:)
Aaaand thank you pappa bear for the very kind card for Mother's Day, I really
appreciate it:) If its alright with you all, I'll probably use snail mail to
reply to the dear elders, since I already have TONS I want to email you about:)
The Language-I've been trying to help others in my district
with understanding different verbs/sentence structure/conjugation/
Sundays are my FAVORITE day of the week!!!! I've never quite
understood the purpose and importance of Relief Society until now. I'm SO
grateful to be apart of it and be a member of the Church. How blessed and lucky
we are!! Now spread it to the world:) We sang the new "Sisters of
Zion" song by Janice Kapp Perry and it was a nice reminder of last week
when she visited and some of my thoughts on mother's day/my first Sunday
away:)
A few random highlights of the week....
-Strawberries in the cafeteria. Ahhh made me so happy:)
-I put hello kitty stickers on everyone's name badge in my
district. haha the Elders love it.
-Every Friday,
we do service at the MTC. This week, Hna. Downs
and I were assigned to clean the cleaning closets in 7M again. Except this time
when we were cleaning the sink in the closet, about half of the mop bucket
water dumped out when we were trying to dump it out, so the floor was SUPER
soapy. we just cracked up. It was such a ridiculously hilarious situation. We
just used a BUNCH of rags to clean it up and the floor was mighty clean after
we were done. too good. service with a smile
I KNOW this is where I need and want to be at this time in
my life. Everyday, I learn more and more of what it really means to be a
disciple of the Savior Jesus Christ. Missionary work is so incredible and I
consider it such a blessing and privilege to be out here serving. What a
wonderful opportunity! I know that God lives and loves us so much. He sent His
son to die and atone for our sins. Through the atonement, we can repent and
become clean again. I am so grateful for my family and think of you all very
often. Thank you for everything, I have so much love in my heart for all those
around me. I genuinely CANNOT WAIT to be an instrument in HIS hands and share
the restored gospel that we have on the earth today.
MUCHO AMOR,
Hermana Rachel Anne Boody
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