Week 4

It's snowing today! It was waaaaay cold but still I really love snow! So far it's not sticking, but it looks really pretty. I put my scarf on and also my gloves for the first time on the walk to the Temple in the morning. I usually get a little numb on the way up. Though I had forgotten the reason I stopped wearing my scarf, it sheds like crazy! And I was wearing a white blouse! Also on the way to the Temple we walk on a path through the MTC field that is used for gym during the warmer months, and there were sprinklers going out in the field. I thought it was weird that they'd have them going when it was still so cold, but then I noticed another one turn on, and another. Then we hear the group of Elders ahead of us make a racket and start running to the right side of the path. A sprinkler had turned on and the very edge of its spray was over the path. It was hilarious! We all ran to get off the field. My shoes got dirty so I'll need to clean them, but it was worth the laugh. I've been doing a lot of laughing here, and I am grateful for that.

So I've been working hard learning teaching techniques that are focused on those who I am teaching, to help with understanding and comfort. Also the language is coming. I'm still the slowest in the class. We just learned Subjunctives yesterday. That's the last of the grammar. Now it's time to forsake english and speak my guts out in Spanish! Two days ago one of the Elders in my District (class) asked if we were in a Spanish class what year would we be in? Hermano Sheide (one of my teachers) replied that we were out of High School and at a College Level. Not too bad for four weeks, eh? The Elder then commented 'What are they teaching in school for years then?'.

My district started out with ten Missionaries and I was in a Trio, but one of my companions decided to go home (much to my sadness) and that left us with nine. Then just over a week ago the two Elders going to Spain left after three weeks to continue their training in the Spain MTC. I really miss them, they were great. My companion was to go as well but her Visa has not yet come and I'm actually glad, I didn't know what would happen to me without a companion. They have methods for Solo Sisters that involve being escorted by two Elders places but I'm glad I don't have to be Solo, at least not yet. Her Visa could come anytime. So now we have a District of seven, two pairs and one trio of Elders.

Ever week on Tuesday evenings we have a Devotional, which is a short (one hour) worship meeting where we open with song, have a musical number somewhere, and end with a song. (also we sing 3 or so hymns leading up to the Devotional itself which I love!) Every week one of the General Authorities of the Church comes and speaks to us. They have all been REALLY good, but what was super special is that the second Devotional I was here for, we had an Apostle! Quinten L. Cook. He was recently called so I haven't had much of a chance to be familiar with him, but oh how I loved his talk and message for us. Every Devotional is so uplifting, solves concerns and fills me with a Can-Do kind of spirit! And what I also love is that whenever a general authority comes to speak, or in fact most of our speakers on Sundays as well, their wives come and speak to us also. Such spiritual strength and wonderful advice!

Ay carai! Running out of time!

Much thanks to those who have sent me letters, they lift my spirit and remind me that I am loved!

~ Hermana Smart

Another way to write me

Here at the MTC they have a service you can e-mail. It is called dearelder.com

You select on the left where it says free MTC. Make your account (for free). Then just follow the prompts. You can write me anytime, day or night and they will print it off and deliver the next day. It is way cool and so fun to get your mail delivered at lunch time. I cannot respond through this tool, but it makes it easy and quick for you.

Thanks again for staying in touch.

Adios,

Hermana Smart

Letter from the MTC

I have been here for three weeks. THREE WEEKS. TRES SEMANAS! Mind. Blown.

I've tried to explain the phenominon of the MTC before but have been unable to articulate it as well as what I heard a few days ago: "Every day feels like it is an eternity, but the weeks just fly by." What kind of time continum warp flux IS this place?! So there's no way I can tell you all everything that's happened in the last three weeks with only 20 minutes and 11 seconds remaining on my clock. But if it worked this time, then likely I'll be able to lay the smack-down on the email again next wednesday! Agalo!

Soooo... Where to start... hrm..

WELL I can say that I am working harder than I EVER have in my whole entire life! I didn't even work this hard in college when I was getting A's! It is overwhelming. Not quite in a bad way though at times it can feel like that. I let myself get discouraged badly once and that was no fun at all. But this place is amazing. Never before have I felt our Heavely Father's loving Spirit so often, so strongly. And I know that is in part of my efforts to humble myself in order to do his will. But it has been a struggle to give up everything. Oddly enough I got over not having a cellphone in the first few days. Mostly I wanted to shoot a text to someone to ask them a question, or to tell them something. But the urges passed. Even not having the internet 24/7 has been bearable. I keep wanting to Google questions I or others I know have like I'm used to. The one thing that drives me crazy the most is not being able to draw when the mood comes to me. I used to pounce on those opportunities when my Muse was ready and willing. But now I can't just zone out in class, I wont' be able to make it up! Usually drawing helps me concentrate and calms me down, but not while learning Spanish!!

One of the ways I get discouraged is looking at the other missionaries in my District (class) that speak far better than I. Actually I'm the slowest learner in the class. I'm not used to that. I'm used to helpings others in classes, not being the one that is needing individual attention to get what the rest of the class already understands. It's been tough. At first I kept wanting to speak in Japanese, which is where my brain went to whenever I was trying to say something non-english. So I had to deprogram for Japanese before I could better absorb the Spanish. However, when I try to talk to the Japanese Missionaries now it comes out Spanish, so I must be doing something right. But a wise bit of advice I was given was that I should not compare myself to perfection, but instead compare myself to what I was before.

In a Devotional (weekly event on Tuesday nights where one of the General Authorities of the church come and speak to the Missionaries) just yesterday the Speaker gave a wonderful quote: "Success is going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm." Thomas Edison did not get the lightbulb on the first try, nor in a single hundred. It was many times that before he had his discovery. I need to apply that to myself as well. And I am trying hard to. I will be the most effective when I forget myself and get to work. It's harder than you may think to forget one's self though!

Bottom line is that I am doing well, not perfect, but well.

Hasta Proxima Semana
~ Hermana Smart

She made it!

Darcie at the MTC

Lunch with Utah family before going into the MTC

Ran into an old classmate from college in Idaho

My cousin Tanner and Shelby, his wife Chistine and their baby Lilly.

Emily the other big sister I never had! I love her!

Touring around Temple Square

With my cousin, the end to a perfect day.

I am strong in my faith!

View from the top of the Joseph Smith building

Touring the Conference Center

With my cousin Jacob in front of the Saltlake Temple

Visitor's Center