June 11, 2015
Hi again!
Three missionaries
arrived today which made me extremely happy because I have been alone for a
long time!!! There isn't a lot to do because I already unpacked and did all the
registration and was interviewed by President Collins so they said I can send
another email. One sister and one elder came from Ghana and one elder
came from Tonga. Sister Owusu is my companion and is going to Zambia as well as
Elder Essilife. The elder from Tonga doesn't speak any English so he is here to
learn but I feel really bad for him! I have been trying to talk to him but he
really doesn't understand anything. I can't even imagine what he is feeling or
thinking but keep him in your prayers. Sister Owusu is awesome and I love her
so much! She wanted me to tell you she says hello! Her and Elder Essilife both
have beautiful smiles and are so happy. I asked Sister Owusu about her family
and she said she has an older brother who is 24 and a younger sister who is 16.
She said that we can come visit her in Ghana. I really want to! She also said
that we can go together to Tonga to visit the Elder. hahah she is the best.
When they first got here we ate breakfast. I had already eaten but we had eggs,
toast, and chicken nuggets. There are about 8 ladies from South Africa that
work in the kitchen and laundry and everything else. They are all very sweet.
This one lady named Yvonne came up to me and asked my name and where I was
from. She told me she was a member of this church and with much entusiasm she
told me "I LOVE this gospel. I LOVE this church and I LOVE Heavenly
Father!!!" She told me all about her family and how someday they will be
members of this church too. And then with her toothless smile she said goodbye
and as she walked out the door she said, "I love you." I couldn't
help but cry as I felt so much love from this woman I didn't even know and her
love for this gospel and her simple testimony amazed me. I can't wait to get to
Zambia and find and meet more people like her. I have a feeling I will learn
more from these people than I can teach them. So at breakfast with the other
missionaries I got to know them and man I wish you could meet them! Hopefully I
can send a picture of them to you soon. They smile a lot and laugh too. I only
understand about 75% of what Elder Essilife says because he has a heavy accent
and talks fast and kinda quiet. He told me he is determined to learn how to
speak Swaheli (I'm not sure how to pronounce it). He and Sister Owusu got speak
a native language to Ghana but I forgot what it is called. I want to learn some
words in their language though. They are both so humble and sweet. They are
finishing registration forms and an online questionnaire and then Sister Owusu
is going to unpack her bags. In my interview, President Collins told me that
today we weren't doing much until tonight where him and his wife will
be teaching us. I am very very anxious to start learning though. The rest of
the missionaries, besides the two Americans who are coming tomorrow, will
be here today so I'm excited to meet them and get to know them!! President
Collins told me he has only had 5 American sisters in the MTC so Maren and I
will make 7. Tell Justin Langford that two of the elders that are coming today
are from Uganda and that I am so so so excited he gets to come here! Next
Wednesday we are going to the temple which will be awesome. Sister Owusu
went through the Ghana temple but all the other missionaries who didn't get to
go through before they came will go through for the first time on
Wednesday and then will go again on Thursday. I feel so blessed that
I get to be there when they go through and I am so grateful that I was able to
go through the temple. Last night as I laid in bed trying to fall asleep,
I thought of my temple covenants and how grateful I am for them. I know I will
not be able to go to the temple for the next 18 months but I will keep the feelings
of the temple in my heart.
Well I love you guys! Today President Collins
prayed for our families back at home. I know many people are praying for me,
for which I am very grateful but there are also people here praying for you. I
love being a missionary!!! Talk to you soon!
With love,
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