Family!!!! I love you guys!!! Thank you so much to everyone for writing me!!! They have just made me soo happy :) So the MTC is... AWESOME! I feel like I have been here for a month already, though it has only been one week. There have been so many incredible experiences, I don't even know where to start! My district is amazing! we are all basically best friends now. I love it! It is sad when the elders and sisters leave, but it's a good reality check. Oh really cool news! So as temple Visitors center missionaries we will be at the MTC for 4 weeks. The last week we get to go down to temple square to train at the visitors center there! I can't wait! I am just soo happy to be here! I have decided that I am going to love every single day of my mission no matter what. I am just so grateful to be here! Gosh I just love this gospel! Missionary work is incredible! I still haven't met any other girls going to my mission yet, but it's all good :) K so one thing about the MTC. people sing. ALL THE TIME. Josh Jones described it to me before as being like the Mormon version of high school musical. he was not kidding! haha but it really is great. I can't believe how much I have learned in just one week! It is incredibly humbling! The spirit is so strong here! Also I have loved running into people I worked with in the cafeteria. so fun! So yesterday at dinner President Brown came and sat next to me and my companions. It was really cool and we got to talk to him about what we love about the Book of Mormon, etc. It was really sweet :) So since being here I have had to repeatedly tell my story of why I am here on a mission. I'm sure I have shared it with you all before, but I will tell you again anyways. It all started many years ago. I remember Papa telling us all as kids how amazing his mission was and how he wanted us all to go on missions one day. Well I kept that in the back of my mind over the years, but what really got me to commit to go on a mission- besides the amazing examples of good friends who have chosen to serve, was gaining my own personal testimony of the Book of Mormon. I have grown up believing the Book of Mormon is true, but there was one day last summer when I was praying to know if a mission was right for me- testament that God answers prayers- and I got my answer at institute that night. I don't know exactly what was said, but I do remember how I felt. All of the sudden everything became clear. I didn't have to believe anymore, because I knew. At that precise moment I knew that I was supposed to serve a mission. Gaining a true and personal testimony of the Book of Mormon has changed my life. For those who have not yet had an opportunity to read that amazing book, GO READ IT! Start by reading the introduction page and then just dive in! It doesn't even really matter where you begin. I promise you that if you read the Book of Mormon with true intent and pray to your Father in Heaven to know if it is true, you will receive a confirmation from the spirit testifying to you that it is true. One of my greatest regrets at this time is not having shared this knowledge that has brought me so much happiness in this life with all those I know. I have come so much closer to Christ through reading the Book of Mormon. It is the doctrine of Christ. He loves us and knows our needs.
I love this gospel! I love you all!
Till next week!
Kelsey :)
ps- i haven't been homesick at all! i've been too busy being happy to even consider feeling sad :)