Hey Mom! ..and fam
Wow. Where do I even
begin. So much has happened. First off, thank you so much for the
package Ashley! I loved everyone's little letters and everything. Loved
the chocolate mom and the 9 ways to tie scarves. Changed my life. I also
got a package from Tami Davies! Isn't she the sweetest! She sent orange
rolls and red velvet pie cookies--yeah, I know. I shared them with my
district and the sisters in my room. They all kinda went crazy. I was
happy to share. I feel like there is too much food here. Too many
choices--I can't handle it. We all know I can't make decisions very
well. I am trying to eat well though! (Sometimes... it depends if there
are chocolate chip cookies or not). I can''t wait to buy my own foods
and be super healthy and skinny. ;) So thanks for all the "reduced fat"
snacks, Ash. haha... kinda made me laugh outloud. I felt healthy. I also
got a package from Aunt Janine! She gave me two of everything. Which,
I'm guessing the second was meant for my comp Sis Meeks. So thoughtful.
It warmed our hearts. She gave us some zuchinni (sp?) bread, raisin
(sp??) oatmeal and nut cookies, crackers, and propels... I think thats
it. She's the best! It MADE my day!
Also, thanks for the dearelder mail. Those are good if
you want to reach me sooner than wednesday... which I guess this is my
last Prep day here! Weird! I don't feel ready... but I'm obviously
excited.
Mom, I dont need a housecoat--trust me. I''m already
pullin off the grandma look with my zebra towel head wrap and my floral
print gramma robe.
So, the Lord is so good to me
and my comp. Our teaching has gotten a lot better. Our lesson yesterday
to our teacher... or our investigator, Becca, was kind of life-changing.
The spirit was so strong. Everything ''flowed'' and we were able to say
what she needed and what made sense to her. I really felt like a
missionary then. I used to really stress out about what I needed to say
and I always wanted an outline. I wanted things planned. But I decided
that really, I needed to put my trust in the Lord. Put both feet in. I
did my part and I knew that He would do His. As we were teaching, I
focused on her and what she was saying... not what I would say next...
and when she finished telling us her concerns, I started to talk (wow,
right??) and teach her by the Holy Ghost. Is this making sense? Anyway, I
was being taught as I was speaking. Because of that experience, I have
felt so much closer to heavenly Father. I definitely cant do this alone!
We were challenged by Elder Bednar (in a movie clip) to get a new, cheaper Book of Mormon and dedicate it to one topic in the gospel. I got one the other day and decided to color code and only mark the verses that talked about the doctrine of christ--which is really 5 topics. Faith--blue, Repentance--red, baptism--etc... It has been such a neat experience! I have already learned so much and I look at the scriptures differently. I love it. Try it!
We got a new sister in our room--Motra Hoover. She's
going to Albania. I'm so glad I''m staying in the states and speaking
english!! She''s from midway utah. I love all the sisters in my room.
I''m totally going to miss them!
So, I saw Reannon King the other day! (Mom, I played
softball with her.. and her sister Raven--the picher. spell? sorry!) As
she was saying "hello sister gottfredson!" an asian elder in front of me
turned and pointed to my name tag and said, "sister gottfredson...''
and then pointed to his nametag and said, ''elder gottfredson''. yeah,
what?? I didnt know how to react! This elder gottfredson is from las
vegas. he looks asain, but has an american accent. Pretty funny, huh? It
made my day. I want to try to grab a picture with the kid.
I don''t know if I already told you this, but I had a
neat experience last week. Sis meeks and I studied about christ and his
atonement for our personal and comp study. It changed my whole attitude
about everything. It wasnt bad, I just realized again of why I''m here.
Christ is the reason! (for the season). Seriously, once my focus was on
him and who he is, my heart changed. I remembered why I''m here. I feel
the spirit more and my teaching is better. Things just kinda fall into
place.
I love it here. I feel the spirit when I''m just
walking around ''campus.'' I think it's so beautiful. Sometimes I forget
that there's an outside world. There is more out there other than the
MTC! I love the devotionals here. I love the music. I love my district. I
love my companion! The Lord knows and puts people into our lives that
we're supposed to be with. I love my teachers! They''re teaching me so
much. I love the scriptures and the comfort I get from them when I read.
The Lord really does answer prayers through them!
I love you all SO much and miss you terribly! But I know this is where I need to me. I'm reminded of that everyday!
Love,
Sista Gottfredson :)
Write me!!!!!!!
