Ok- before I get to Thailand... I found a few more pictures from the MTC that I thought were kind of fun, so I thought I'd share!
My desk in our room
Me and my comps being silly. I so loved these two beautiful gals. They were totally cool.
The MATRIX pictures!!
Oh and more pillow room pictures. I'm telling you it was FUN!
The MTC is an amazing experience. A constant source of spiritual nourishment that really prepared me for Thailand. On top of that, we learned Thai super fast- it could only have been through blessings of a higher power. But it was fun too. I was one of the lucky ones to have had two companions in the MTC... Sister Grimmius and Sister Craner. Gosh I love them! I learned so much from each of them and we shared some amazing memories together. We practiced Thai together, sang in harmony as we did our cleaning duties...
I loved my district too... although I found out waaay later in my mission that some of the Elders hid my mail from Adam!! The nerve...
It's amazing how close you get to people you meet at the MTC. We were like brothers and sisters... and to this day we still try and keep up with each other's lives. I loved that about our group!
Adam sent me a LOT of letters. Sometimes I would get twice in one day. He also sent me cassettes (yeah, and that wasn't too long ago!) and packages. He sent me a sweatshirt of his, a new Fossil watch (which I wore all throughout my mission) and kind of embarassing at the MTC... roses.
I think after the roses a lot of people wondered what I was doing on a mission and not in a wedding dress. But by now you know the story!
A friend of mine from Kentucky, Amanda, was in the MTC at the same time I was. She was going to Texas. She had access to the Pillow room. The coolest place EVER!
We also took some cool "Matrix" photos which is a tradition at the MTC. How we did this you will never know, ha ha... and I know I have a picture of all three of us somewhere but I couldn't find it.
A typical day at the MTC included pretty much all day studying scriptures and the language, listening to some awesome speakers, praying, waiting for letters and a few breaks a week for exercise, letter writing and laundry. And cleaning. Talking about it I kind of miss it. Not much to worry about except for what's most important.
I'll have to dig out my scrapbook tomorrow to get more pictures. I think I have a few more I want to share. Next up- the fun in Thailand begins! It's definitely not something I could write about in a day. So much I want to write about! So I will write as I get the chance, maybe include a few journal entries and lots of pictures. I'm actually kind of excited to re-live my mission a little bit because it was such a monumental part of my life that I miss so much. It changed me for the better and opened my eyes. There were moments of heartche too... the worst I've ever felt and some of the hardest challenges I have ever faced. And then there were the miracles. I can't wait to write about those! And last but not least, just the amazing place that Thailand is. The elephants, the history, the people. I miss it so much! By the time I get back there, I'm afraid my Thai will be as bad as when I was fresh out of the MTC. Or worse.
When I was dating Adam, my older sister Amaree was on her mission in Japan. There is no doubt about it- our family was being blessed as she served. But like I said before, a mission wasn't for me. So it really was kind of annoying when my mom brought up the idea of a mission. Seriously? Just as I was getting serious with this incredible man who finally wanted to marry me? No way. But my mom knew something I didn't... and it was the same thing that God knew. I just didn't know yet. I don't think my mother and I have ever fought so much in my life and it's a time I don't really like to remember. She wanted me to go on a mission sooo badly. It got to a point where we hardly ever spoke. I told her to leave me alone- I didn't want to hear another word about it. I was disrespectful to her. I was marrying someone incredible- and there was nothing wrong with what I was doing anyway. I had even prayed about Adam and felt right about him. So my mom never brought it up again and I know it broke her heart. And we were distant. Besides... if I were to go on a mission, it would not be for my mother. I would go for myself- and for the Lord.
Adam and I continued to plan a life together... I even saw a letter from a jeweler on his countertop one day. But there was something nagging me that wouldn't go away. A mission. My mom hadn't bugged me about it in weeks... so why was I feeling this way? I did a lot of soul searching. I prayed a lot. And the answers started coming. First it was meeting a sister missionary from Italy. My dad's real father was from Italy, and so when I met her I saw myself in her. Maybe I would be sent to Italy? Then other things starting happening. Very specific messages from God telling me he wanted me to be a missionary. I fought it sooo hard. I was so afraid of losing Adam if I left. But one night after I couldn't deny any signs anymore, I brought it up to Adam. I braced myself for the worst. It was obvious his heart was broken, but the strange thing was this: he had been having the same feelings. That I should go on a mission. We made a promise to each other to not give up- but to support each other as I started to prepare for a mission. Even Adam's mom knew that's what I was going to do.
The next day, I called my mom and told her I had some news... and I knew what she was thinking. She was thinking I was going to tell her I was engaged. Our relatioship was still shaky- and I don't think I could have called her and expected excitement over that kind of news. She sounded nervous. I started telling her my experiences and that she was right- a mission is what God wanted for me. She cried. I think mothers just know some things.
Adam never once asked me to stay- and yet he was so supportive. He helped me prepare for what was going to be a major life event for me. He studied scriptures with me. HE told me stories about his mission.
When my mission call came, he was there as I opened and read "You are hereby called to serve in the Thailand Bangkok mission" I seriously WAS expecting Italy... but the moment I read those words, an amazing feeling of love that I can't describe came over me for the people of Thailand. And I didn't even know anything about Thailand except my parents tried to get me to try Thai food and I wouldn't touch it.
My dad teased me. He thought I was being sent there to be humbled... so I wouldn't care so much about my hair being perfect (very humid there- gonna make my hair frizzy!!) and so I would be more open to tasting strange foods. I HATED seafood and wouldn't try strange ethnic foods. That was a little annoying... but in the end, my hair never looked better than it did in Thailand and my heart DID grow fond of the Thai food. (and I was blessed to be able to eat seafood while I was there too... something I can't really do again now that I am back from my mission)
Adam and I spent lots of time together before I left. We went to the bookstore and spent hours looking through books of Thailand and looking at the language wondering how in the heck I would ever learn to read it. It was really really hard to leave someone I loved so much. I was determined to make things work though! We would write eachother... I told him to date other girls if he felt he needed to. I wouldn't be upset. I told him to spend lots of time with my family too.
The night before I got set apart as a missionary
We both knew this is what God wanted me to do... and that made leaving a little bit easier. I think if Adam would have begged me to stay I would have. So it was so important and meaningful that he supported me so much and encouraged me. Adam and I both cried when I left. It was a lot harder than I thought it would be. I spent a few days in Utah with my Grandparents(where they have a condo) before entering the MTC.
Gosh, I can remember I was soooo nervous! I had been to France by myself but it didn't compare to how scared I felt going into the MTC. (The Missionary Training Center) This was all new territory for me!
