Temple Square and DNA.

Week two: check.

Guys... I survived another week of being Sister Slater. It is so true what other missionaries have said: the days feel like weeks and the weeks feel like days. I can't believe that by this time next week, I am going to be a Nebraskan. My mind can't seem to wrap around that idea. But let me tell you all, I could not be more excited to get out to the field. I'M SO PUMPED.

Earlier this week we had to say goodbye to our incredible Elders. It was not okay. I am going to miss their spirit and testimonies more than words can express. But, man, they are going to be All Stars out there in Virginia. VA doesn't know what is coming for them. 

We started Visitors Center training this week! And do you know what that means?... Temple Square, baby! We went up there on Wednesday and were able to take a tour. It was so fun to go up there with Sisters who have never been there before! I definitely take that place for granted. Temple Square is so beautiful and it was awesome to be able to see it with different eyes. We are headed up there tomorrow as well and we actually get to talk to people! To say I'm excited is an understatement. I just want to talk to real live people who aren't teachers or missionaries. (I'm such a terrible person haha.)

We were also able to start "Chat" this week which is when we get to talk with investigators online through mormon.org. So cool, right?! Well, let's just say that our first chat wasn't so cool. An investigator by the name of Jack got on and the first question he asked was "So, how do you explain the DNA of the Lamanites?" What the heck? I was stunned. To make a long story short, he as a PHd in Biology and has been investigating the church. And to me, it sounded like he was trying to find any reason to prove that the Book of Mormon is false. In the end, we invited him to pray and ask God whether or not Book of Mormon is true. He needs to understand that God doesn't work through science. He works through faith. He seemed like a good guy, though! He just needs to feel of God's love. Bless his heart. It bugged me though because I knew that my dad could answer his question! So dad, I'm counting on you. 

But thinking about my dad while that was happening, it made me really miss just being able to go up to my parent's room and have a nice chat with them on their bed. I just miss them. And my bed. 

Also, WELCOME HOME SISTER JENSEN! I am seriously a wreck down here in Provo because I wish that I could give you a hug and be able to welcome you home properly. But I am so proud of you and hope you to see you soon!

I also just wanted to thank everyone for the packages and letters that I've received. I am so freaking spoiled it's ridiculous. So a huge thank you to everyone for bringing a smile to my face everyday!

Overall, it's been a great week! And even though I'm feeling a wee bit homesick, it just makes me so grateful to have such amazing family and friends that make it so hard to leave behind.

I love you all so much! Have an incredible week!

Love,
Sister Slater

 District 43, everyone. We're pretty cool.

 Teacher selfies? Why not? Sister Jones and Sister Evans for dayzz please.

And So It Begins...

Hello there, family and friends!

Well, I did it. I made it through my first week here at the good ol' Missionary Training Center. But let me tell you. I feel like I have honestly been here a month already. One of our teachers put it perfectly. From breakfast to lunch, it feels like one day. Lunch to dinner feels like another day, and then dinner to lights out makes another. Meaning that every day feels like three days in one. So it has definitely been an adjustment. 

But this past week has actually been pretty great. (The food... not so much. But we will get to that later.) My companion is Sister Young. I love her so much! She is actually from Highland and went to Lone Peak. And... she also graduated in 2010, which means we are the same age. And we actually know a lot of the same people. So it's pretty much perfect! And I absolutely ADORE my district. Like, I'm pretty sure that if anybody says they have the best district, they are lying. Because District 43 will have my heart forever. We room with Sister Murphy and Sister Strong and we laugh ALL OF THE TIME. It's so great being with people who make me feel so comfortable. It has definitely helped make the transition easier. And we are all going to the same mission which makes it so fun. The Elders that we have in our District are Elder Bronson, Elder Genduso, Elder Larsen and Elder Kelly. They are all headed to Richmond, VA. My goodness. Each one of them are going to be the most incredible missionaries. I know that this may sound crazy, but I honestly don't believe that I've only known these people for a week. It feels like I've been friends with them for years. It's crazy!

Over the past week, we go to class for six hours a day (I thought I graduated...) but we get to be in there with Sister Evans and Sister Jones. And they are honestly two of the most incredible Sisters I have ever met. Sister Jones served in the Los Angeles Visitors Center and Sister Evans went to our same mission in Omaha and served in the Winter Quarters Trail Center! So that was pretty cool. But really though, what are the odds? But they really are incredible teachers and I have learned more from them then I have in my entire life. Like, I seriously feel like my brain is going to explode from all of the information I have shoved in there. 

But in addition to classes, we have also had the opportunity to teach "Tim" (an investigator played by another MTC teacher, Brother Nielson) and Lisa (who is an actual investigator that we visit at the Training Resource Center). To be honest, teaching kind of terrifies me because I just want to make sure I say the right things. But I've been slowly learning with each lesson to just make sure I do my part and plan, and then let the Spirit the do the rest. It's been an incredible experience to learn how that feels and the effects that it can have on people.

Overall, I have never been more tired, more overwhelmed or have felt so low. But I have I also never felt so motivated, more love or more high on the Spirit than I ever have in my life. I honestly miss my family and friends more than I ever thought that I would. I'm actually getting teary eyed thinking about them. And I would be lying if I said that I didn't want some more sleep, want to listen to some music, or eat some Cafe Rio right at this moment (goodness, the food here is terrible). But I do know that I'm am where I am supposed to be and where the Lord needs me right now. 

I love you all! 

Love,

Sister Slater

 ​Yeah. Our apartment used to be an Elder's apartment. They left us a little present

 ​I'm so thankful that my companion is a photographer.

 ​Part of my Super Hero District. Elder Genduso and Elder Bronson are in the middle

Sister Young and I pointing to Omahaaaaaa