You guys!! I’ve been in the Provo MTC for two weeks now and I’m loving missionary life! I had a week and a half of home MTC and it was good but long. Staring at a screen for so many hours gets old. I did love being with the fam though! Bike rides, good meals, and working out at the gym were definitely pros of HMTC. With an early morning and very little sleep, I said bye to my family and that was honestly so hard. My cute grandparents picked me up from the airport and took me to get my last meal before dropping me off here. They are seriously the best!
I am in a trio with two girls from Utah and it has been so fun. Sister Hansen is the most incredible violinist who serenades our whole district multiple times a week. She is a sweetheart and understands Danish like no other. And Sister Castleberry is a singing rockstar and super bubbly. Some of her favorite phrases that we’ve noticed are, “Crazytown USA”, “Mega Yummers”, “Forrealsington”, and she calls everyone “an angel”. I love them both! We have one other elder going to Denmark and he’s from Germany! He is so wholesome and adds the best commentary. Since he is with just us girls, we are in a dual district with a Spanish speaking district and they are the best. They laugh at all my jokes and make me feel like a comedian, and I love it.
Some highlights of the past two weeks:
- Tuesday devotionals. Every Tuesday night, we get to hear from a General Authority and it is so awesome. Being a part of the choir is a really neat experience too!
- Danish immersion. This language is no joke! Our teachers can only speak to us in Danish now and let’s just say that most of it goes right over my head. We are quite literally playing charades most of class. Yesterday we were practicing words with water in our mouth because it essentially sounds like you’re gargling water. All the Scandinavians say that Danes sound like they have a potato in their throat, so it’s a work in progress for sure.
- This weather!! I love love love fall, and Utah is so beautiful this time of year. We go to the field and run or play sports most days and it’s such a fun way to be outside! If you’re in Provo, go drive the Alpine Loop for me!
- About 5 days in, my comps and I got made Sister Training Leaders (STL’s) of our branch, so we are still figuring out what that entails but it shouldn’t be too hard.
- Familiar and unfamiliar faces. It’s such a blessing seeing so many people I know from BYU or high school. I have also loved getting to know so many different types of people going all around the world. Some of our favorite new friends are the Croatian and Russian speaking missionaries. We also loved the Netherland boys who we called the “Dutch Bros” but they just headed to the field last week sadly.
- Packages! My mom and grandma have sent me packages with snacks and other goodies and it always makes my day.
The environment here is so special! I’m learning so much and I’ve been on a spiritual high from all the classes, personal and companionship studies, and testimony meetings.
Spiritual thought:
There have been so many so I’m picking two. Last week, we were able to hear from Elder Gong. When the general authority is entering or exiting the room, everyone stands as a sign of respect. Well, Elder Gong was greeting so many people and taking his time. I couldn’t see much but I was just watching all the missionaries follow him with their eyes like he was a celebrity. Eventually, everyone started humming to the songs and it was something I’ll never forget. I was completely overcome with the spirit and I started crying like a baby. Another thought that’s been on my mind a lot, is the phrase “the natural man is the enemy to God”. It’s been a recurring theme that we should be christlike and act outward, when the natural man would turn inward. I love this and it is something I am constantly trying to work on. I have felt my savior’s love so strongly and I know he loves each and every one of us! I feel this deep in my heart and I know it to be true. When you are struggling, reach out to him! Heavenly Father will guide us every step of the way if we let him!
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Jeg elsker jer alle,
Søster Woolley
