26 February 2015

Hello Everyone!

Yes, I am alive. I'll try to recap everything that's happened in the past week, but it's a lot, so hold on and enjoy the ride!

So our first day, Wednesday, was nuts. There's no other way to explain it. The second we walked into our classroom our teachers started yelling gibberish at us, trying to tell us what we needed to do all in Czech. After some orientation stuff we had our first Czech lesson, and we learned TONS! I don't think I've ever learned so much in one day in my life!

By the next day, just Thursday, we all felt like we had already been at the MTC forever! We learned lots more Czech, met our branch presidency, and had 5 minutes to email our families. SHORTEST 5 MINUTES OF MY LIFE!

Friday we taught our first investigator. IN CZECH. ON OUR SECOND FULL DAY. Gah, it was horrible, both my companion and I cried afterwards. Luckily, it was able to only go up from there. 

Saturday, one of the Elders in our district (Elder Prince) went home. He had been really struggling with the language and he said that there were things at home that he needed to take care of. He wants to come back out in about 6 months to a year, and I really hope the best for him. 

Elder Prince going home was really hard on my companion. She was really close to him and they were both at about the same place in learning the language, so it took her a while to get over that and get her language confidence back. She's doing much better now.

I guess I should tell you about my companions. I say companions because I have two. That's right. I'm in a trio. Sestra Bayley and Sestra Ratcliffe are my companions, they're both from Salt Lake and they're both NUTS. They are so crazy! Sestra Bayley is more my companion than Sestra Ratcliffe because Sestra Ratcliffe is going to Slovakia and she's a solo sister. So when we're not in language classes we're a trio, but Sestra Bayley and I are learning the same language and we teach together.

Speaking of teaching. We have an investigator, her name is Jitka and she's in her twenties. We've been here 7 days and we've taught her 5 times. 5 TIMES! IN ONLY CZECH! The gift of tongues is real people. 

So the MTC. First of all, if you want to know what the food at the MTC is like, read Jeremiah 4:19-20. Believe me, it describes the food here EXACTLY. 

Also about the MTC, foursquare is DA BOMB. Good thing I still have all those foursquare skills I had in 5th grade, cuz they're coming in handy. I can't wait to see how much better I'll be in 8 more weeks. All the elders better watch out! ;)

Sunday was really nice, and at the same time it didn't really feel like Sunday. We got to watch Music and the Spoken Word. 

Sorry I'm skipping days, I'm trying to pick out all of the major events.

Tuesday's devotional was really good. Bishop Gerald Causse', the first councilor in the Presiding Bishopric came and spoke to us with his wife. It was an awesome meeting. He talked about how it's a good thing for missionaries to feel inadequate, because then they learn to lean on the Lord for strength. I wish I could share his whole talk with you, it was awesome!

Our whole district is in the MTC choir, and we got to sing at the devotional. Bro. Eggett, the choir director, is amazing! He's so funny and spiritual, and he always has the best stories. Oh, and he's a great choir director. :)

Yesterday was our ONE WEEK MARK!!! It seems like we've been here forever though. Oh! Yesterday I saw ELDER FAIRBORN!! TWICE!! I got to talk to him for a little bit during dinner and it kind of made me feel homesick. All of my high school friends are coming home from their missions this year and I'm sad I won't be there, but I know I'm better off out serving the Lord. 

Anyway today is P Day and this morning we got to go to the temple and do initiatories. It was nice to have a little break for a while.

I'm out of time but I love you all! The church is true and God loves you!!!!!!

Til next week!

- Sestra Schaerrer