I have been looking forward to this day ALL week long. It makes me so happy that I am actually crying (that isn't out of the ordinary for me though). there is SO much to tell you that I doubt I will be able to tell you all but I promise to do my best. First things first. Thank you so much for your package and your letters. It meant the world to me. Each one of your letters have given me strength when I needed it. I loved your picture you drew for me Erin, and your testimony. It is so beautiful and so strong, you will make a great missionary one day. Mike I love you. Your letter was sweet and to the point. But you are so right, you better start mental preparing yourself now for this day because it is the hardest thing you will ever do, but I can promise it is the most worth while thing you will ever do. You will love it. Carter, oh my gosh I laughed so hard at your letter hahah especially the second letter in proper english. I miss your stupid puns everyday. Each of you have a great testimony and that is what I could feel the most when I read your letters. Man, I have the best support system ever. Mom and Dad, don't be mad, I haven't read your letters yet, I started reading moms and cried so hard that I decided I better put them away and save them for a different day. I can't wait to read them. Even looking at them I feel of your love. And last thing thank you for all your dear elder letters! It makes me smile so wide when I get to read them, keep them coming!
Okay so the first day was the worst. I cried, hard, walking away from you all. and it didn't stop for about an hour. Everyone just looked at me and instead of saying "welcome" they said "are you okay?" haha truth be told I wasn't. I already ached to hug you all one more time. Then I met my companion. Oh boy. She is a ball of energy and a goof! she is always SO happy and seeing her and her excitement made me so excited myself! The coolest thing is I know that Sister Colton and I wouldn't be friends out of the MTC, we are just so different, but this is what makes us strong. And because of the love you feel in the MTC, I love her with all my heart. I'm still getting use to being with someone all the time, but it will come. So we met the rest of our district and I have grown to love them so much. We have the best district. Everyone is 19 and one Elder is 18 so I feel really old haha but I can testify that these Elders and Sisters in my district were part of the reason the age requirement was changed. They are all so prepared and I learn from them every single day. We have class every day twice a day for 3 hours. That is alot of class but it honestly goes by so fast because you are so caught up in the spirit and the excitement of things! Sister Colton and I have 3 investigators right now. Scott, who we have taught 3 times, and then Chae who we taught for the first time last night. We then teach Lance tomorrow morning. Teaching is harder then I thought it would be. I had a rough lesson with Scott yesterday. It just did not go well. There was no purpose and honestly it felt like it was just Scott and I in the room and I was drowning. But you learn from your mistakes. Teaching is all about the investigator. It has nothing to do with you. It is all about loving them, finding their needs, and then teaching principles of the gospel they need according to their needs. It is important to study because as you go in there to teach you need to be prepared so the spirit can direct you in anyway it needs too. It is beautiful, but can be intimidating. I am working on Faith right now. There is so much more to faith then I ever thought. Having true faith and being converted to this gospel, having true charity, is what makes you a great teacher. It has nothing to do with you and how well you can speak memorize and teach. Missionary work is all about others.
Okay I only have 20 more minutes! ahhh where does the time go? I have had amazing spiritual experiences here. The word I use to describe the MTC is love. It is all about love. Love for the investigator, love for your companion, love for your district and love for your zone. Most importantly though love for your Savior and Heavenly Father. There have been times during class, and during teaching lessons where I have literally felt the Saviors love for the others with me. It was so strong it was like the savior was right by me. It is such a beautiful opportunity to be a missionary. Christ is right by you and he is right by you because he loves all of his children and he wants you to bring his children back to him. It is a big responsibility and i feel honored he trusts me with it.
Alright, I have time for just a few more fun facts. 1. I had to clean 40 toilets the other day so kids, stop complaining about your chores! (It was actually fun haha it was nice to do something else other then sitting) 2. I got sick the second day because of the orange juice. I threw up. 3. the food is actually really good! 4. everyone LOVES your sugar cookies mama.
I miss you all. Today I get to go to the temple and I can't wait to just sit in the celestial room and think of all of you! We are so blessed to know what we know. Oh happy anniversary Mom and Dad! I am thankful for your example to me but more so for your testimonies. You have blessed my life and all of our lives so much, I love you and will forever be thankful. Okay Im going to send some pictures now, boy ending this email is another one of the hardest things I have done. Never forget how much I love you and also stop missing me. I have never been doing better in my whole life and I have never been happier!
I LOVE YOU!!!!!
xoxo
Sister Niedert
(oh thank you for sending me the calling card, I haven't gotten it yet but when I do I will let you know! also next emaill I will let you know my flight schedule and when I will be calling! I CAN"T WAIT!)
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