Seattle Welcomes Hermana Alley

Alright folks I am here. Here in the very foggy Seattle.  My very first impressions.

1. The clouds are way low, there isn't much sun here and for the few hours there were I was inside.  I better go get some vitamins.  
2. There are so many trees everywhere... my lungs have never felt more alive!  But really.  I feel like i'm in a forest always, expecting to see Bambi shortly. 
3. Everyone here works for Microsoft.  literally.  It's a very techi place and I never know what people are referring to.  wowwww. 

"Welcome to Seattle!"

So yesterday we were picked up from the airport and guess what, there was 37 of us arriving.  apparently that is the largest around they have ever received here in this mission at one time.  The temple is on the boarder of my mission area but i still get to go (hopefully this transfer).  We took pictures ate lunch, and then were interviewed individually by president choi and his wife... this was the longest process ever. I went first and literally 4 hours later I was still waiting for everyone to finish up.  Mean time, all of us are chilling in a room role playing and asking questions.  I literally had to force my eyes to stay awake.  we sung hymns for a half an hour straight.  My vocal cords could go Broadway after this mission, or mute!   We then were assigned companions.  The chances of me getting a Spanish companion was very low.  Only two sets of sisters speak Spanish in this mission... we all know i'm horrible with luck no Spanish.  I've heard that Seattle is one of the most diverse areas out of the USA, so maybe i'll be good.  Who knows, but language study or even speaking my language is near to impossible.  TAKES EXTRA DEDICATION NOW!

Happy pioneer day!!!!

So thinking about what I was going to write throughout the week, I figured it was pretty boring and I had little to say. However when I think about it tons has happened and I could go on for hours.... to bad I don't have hours...  to start out with this is my last p-day in the good old mtc!!  am I going to miss this place, why yes, yes I am.  it is filled with a spirit, I've felt no where else.  a constant continual spirit, but one you still have to seek for.  I see people here with the wrong attitude and it makes all the difference.  My teacher complimented me this week, during  my departing interview.  out of everyone here I've probably struggled the most with the language.  for some out reason it's foreign to me... hhehheheh  anyways he said despite your difficulties, struggles and frustrations you've remained postie. something I really admire about you.  No matter what you keep smiling and making yourself have a good time, nothing brings you down to a place you can't get back up.  I really appreciated this compliment, because sometimes I feel like a complete failure.  His comment reminded me of the quote; "preach the gospel, and when necessary use words." So maybe I can't speak yet.  but I can smile:) and smiling is universal. 

 

Highlight of my week:

TRC (where you teach a member)   on Tuesday was awesome.  Today was via skype.  Hermana Redford and I taught a middle aged woman named Laura who is in mexico. a real live genuine foreigner!!!  We discussed the importance of receiving personal revelation in church.  The reception was awful and with her thick accent and speed I couldn't really understand a word she was saying.  But she was extremely patient with my Spanish and so sincere.  The experience was probably close to the top of my experiences here, why? because it made me excited for the field.  My concern here is that I don't love the investigators enough, but my struggle is my investigators have been my teachers being stubborn. I instantly loved Laura, even though I didn't know her.  This short 20 minute conversation made me motivated to pick up my Spanish and to give all my energy to the work.  So I don't hate lessons anymore, that's good. considering it's all we do in the field.  I think I smiled from here straight to mexico the entire time.  She even cried a little. maybe cause I was slaughtering her language but I prefer to think that is was because the spirit was strong:)  it was the best!!!

 

Another week at the MTC!

FIRST OFF HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!! it sounds like you have quite the day planned and i'm sad I missing it.  The first thing I did this morning was sing to you in spanish!  I hope you received my letter!  I hope today is better than all the birthdays you've had previously!  I love you!:)

 

Hey my beautiful family!  How are you this fine second to last P-DAY!! seriously though how are you? stephen, I hear you quick your job.  summer time steve huh, sounds like a hoot.  And Richard Tammy and Graham, I loved the pics of the Flight over, Graham apparently isn't happy with you cutting his hair off and he is getting revenge by taking back tammy's.  Welcome to the great wonderful state of Utah!  pull up a chair and stay awhile, it's nice and warm here.  You see us "Foreign Missionaries" here at the mtc are more prepared for the field than the english speakers.  Our study buildings and dorms are very different. Its a running joke, in the "real world" we'd consider ourselves 3rd world countries compared to them.  We work by fan only considering our AC is out in the building.  It gets nice and sweaty in the room with no windows and ventilation.  But don't fret, I love feeling at home.  See the family is at home sweating without a swamp, i'm sweating here, it's like we are connected.  They're only here for a week and a half so this place switches up quite frequently. This week we had over 900 leave, almost 1/3 of the mtc.  Today we get about the same amount.  In and out just like that.   The district two above me left and I wanted to cry (oh wait I did)  We got new Branch presidents this week. The Cosgraves left for there own mission in Uganda.  I adore the new ones just as much, he is a major scriptorian.  and was a member of the 70 for about 5 years.  He has the biggest and most welcoming laugh, and really cares about our work and progress. All the Hermanas above me are not out, some to texas, mexico, and chile.  I already miss them so much.  I got up at 2:00 this morning to see one off, we went outside and there was a very large line waiting to get on the bus and head out.  man oh man it made it real for me, my time here is almost up! I haven't received my travel plans I should know if i'm getting reassigned tomorrow or Friday and than the actual call will be the beginning of next week.  however I talked to some sisters going to Argentina and their visas didn't arrive, so I kindof expect to go state side (WHICH MAKES ME SO EXCITED!!)  I don't know about you guys back home, but serving a mini mission would be sweet.  If anything I've learned it doesn't matter where you go, it's the people you're serving.  I honestly can believe that and if I end up serving a salt lake city mission, I will be just as content.  Although I'm hoping for someplace I've never been before. Particularly the southern or eastern states. We will see... I cannot wait to find out.  

 

Happy hump "CCM" day everyone!!!‏

oh my good golly miss molly it is my mtc hump day today! can you believe it? yes? ok that makes one of us.  Just yesterday I waved goodbye to my family and ventured into the cave of wonders. now abboo(my small companion) and I (Aladin) are half way done.  take a seat folks cause that is big news.  I don't think i'm prepared for the big things ahead, but will I ever be... meh probably not!   The end of next week I should get my travel plans, so we will see if my visa is here or not!  

 

Sunday, the day of Sabbath, where you put all your cares away and enjoy a blissful day of rich and enlightening thoughts.  NAH not here they like to mix it up and play what I call "Russian Roulette."  see we are assigned to write a talk every week than in sacrament meeting they random pick two missionaries from the zone to come up and give them IN SPANISH!!! bam, it's like a game... a horrible one that makes you sweat! no longer am I chillin like a villin in sacrament meeting. now I'm nervous nelly praying that I either switch brains with a latino or that I don't get picked until next week.  This week another district is off, :( I love them so much... with them goes 4 hermanas, which will make my district the second oldest district in the zone and the oldest sisters.  That's right i'm an example now to the youngins.  It will be funny when they ask me to say something in Spanish and I'll just smile a sheepish smile.   speaking of the language i'm getting more confident which means i'm throwing our random words and attempting to make sentences.  baby baby steps!  Graham and I, we are sortof on the same playing ground.  speaking of the language my companion was praying and said something.  I swear she said "las Lasagnas"  like the food.... I laughed and asked her what she was praying for... not even close la ensenanzas (which means teachings).... it was a hoot and we both died laughing.., she makes fun of me for it and I tease her for passing out for a three hour nap on p-day.  Our relationship is fantastic. 

Week Two!

FAMILY,

 

i don't even know where to begin...  since I have little email time I printed out your letters and will read them after. That way i can tell you everthing in detail and than respond to your letters and emails by hand.  So I don't know if i mentioned last pday We were able to go to the temple for the last time.  it is being closed for cleaning and opens up after we are already gone.  we ate breafast there and it was amazingly delicious!!!  yummmmm!!  but than again i'm not very picky and most of the food here is in my tummy before I even taste it!  we did a session after which was so great.  the first time we got to relax all week!  however once the movie started playing it became near impossible for anyof us sisters to stay awake.  going into the celestial room brought tears to my eyes as i remembered my loving family waiting for me the first time.  man i love this temple.  it was really special and really made me miss your hugs and warmth!  needless to say i loved the opportunity and am bummed it won't happen again until argentina.  every p-day I sing "p-day is my favorite day it's the day I get to write my family, you don't have to get ready, you don't have to worry, la la la la la' if you don't recognize the tune keep trying and think primary.  i have many verses.... my roomates are always entertained!  almost every day we have some kind of work out, i would like you all to know that i'm not lazy here, and i am running, and doing push ups, and abs and getting buff!!  ok so maybe with the food i'm still getting a little extra chub but that's fine right. as long as under that chub i have nice abs... :)   i've very proud of myself for running at 6 am and not completely killing over just particially. i also received amazing packages this week!!!! ok so i can't remember which days exacltly so bare with me... first from mom, CINNAMON BURST!