[2] Hello from California & a little more of Life at the MTC!

Our second letter from our Missionary :)  It was a bit tough not hearing from Sister K last week in a letter form. (We did get a phone call from the airport, and it was good to hear that she was so happy and ready to fly to her Mission area.)   Hope you are all doing well and enjoying your summer!  If you get a chance send a post card or letter Sister K's way, I know she'd be very happy to hear from you.

Subject:  [#2]  Hello from California and a little more of life at the MTC

Hello everyone!

I'm sorry there was no email last week. We flew out on Monday, which was our P-day.  (Prepare and preparation day.) We were really busy all day as they filled us in on everything. But before I get into California, I will begin with a little more about the MTC.

DEVOTIONALS

We had some awesome devotionals while I was at the Mission Training Center. I wanted to mention three of my favorites.

On the 17th we had the Apostle Elder M. Russell Ballard come and speak to us. He gave an inspiring talk on how we should not be ashamed to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. He also gave us a promise that we can always look to our Prophet and Apostles of our Church, because they will never lead us astray. It was so powerful. The Spirit was so strong as he spoke. When Elder M. Russell Ballard was done my companions and I got a surprise. As we were leaving we went out the wrong door and ended up outside. When we looked over we saw Elder Ballard get into his car. As he drove away the three of us waved at him and he waved and smiled back. I felt like Violet in Incredibles "He looked at me!"  

We also had Sister Sheri Dew come and speak to us. She is in charge of Deseret Book Industries (The CEO.) I heard her speak at BYUH too so it was a special bonus to hear her again. Her message was on how the Spirit is the true teacher when we invite others to come unto Christ. When people can feel for themselves that the message is true, then they can understand our message.

Our last devotional before I left was an extra special one. My companions and I were trying to guess who it could be, since all the new mission presidents were being trained that week and the Prophet and all the Apostles were at the MTC too! Sister Beatty and I kept joking that the prophet would speak to us, but alas we were wrong. Instead we heard from the church song writer, Sister Janice Kapp Perry.  Which was totally wonderful.  It was one of the most excellent devotionals I have ever attended. Her husband spoke first and he is the sweetest little old man. You can tell how much he loves his wife.

Sister Perry's message was about how all types of beautiful music can bring the Spirit and help you during hard times. Since she has written several church songs, we had a Sing-A-Long and sang them together as a congregation.  The feeling was beautiful. She then told us how she met her husband. Sister Perry said they were in a music class together where they had to pass off different instruments. Right before their clarinet performance she was wetting her reed and getting everything ready. Suddenly somebody nudged her. So she said to him, "What do you want? It's my turn next" The man that would later be her husband said "I was just looking at your lips and thinking they could do better things than play the clarinet" Everyone burst out laughing and then to make it better, her husband got up right then and KISSED her on the stand! All the missionaries went a little crazy. Cheering etc... When she got everyone settled Sister Perry added, "Well, I'm never telling that story again... or maybe I will." :)  She was so funny as well as uplifting throughout the whole thing. At the end she gave us a special treat. She played her 'Family Song' that she wrote herself. The recording had all of her children and grandchildren singing along with her husband. She sang her part as the recording played. It was so good! - "Sing a little song with me in harmony. Sing a little song to make me smile."   It was a history of their family and it was adorable. I'm glad I got to hear her inspiring message before I left the next day.  It was the perfect ending to my MTC life and a  wonderful beginning to start off to Ventura. :)

TEACHING 

In my last email I didn't really explain how we teach at the MTC. The best way to explain it is to think of it like Disney’s Monsters University.  In the movie the students have to read an assessment of a child and then decide which scare would be best for the child. Well instead of scaring we are sharing the happiness of the gospel! They give us a little background on our investigator and then we have to decide what is best to teach them based on that. My companions and I taught two people, Tali and Carol. They were both dear people and I feel they ended up teaching us a lot as we were teaching them. Which is the best. 

LAST DAYS AT THE MTC

The last week of the MTC flew by! And so many wonderful things happened. On Wednesday the new missionaries arrived! It was fun to say, "Welcome to the MTC!" just like everyone did when I arrived the week before. 

I want to say a big thank you to those who sent me the Krispie Kremes doughnuts! I was so surprised! I had no idea you could send them to Missionaries in the MTC. It was signed "The Skinners,” so I know it must be from my caring family in Montana, and I want to thank them so much, it really made our day! My whole District thanks you also because I shared with all of them :)

I received another surprise at the MTC, which also involves food. Since the new Mission Presidents were there being taught, they started giving us different types of food. Some were from restaurants in the Provo area. I have to admit I was excited when I saw what they had on Friday – ‘Teriyaki Stix.’  (My family knows my favorite place to eat in Utah was always there, sadly they have closed more and more.)  It felt like a special prize, like someone was thinking about me, by having me get to enjoy a food that I have liked since living in Provo when I was little. I feel we are always being looked after, even with small things. 

VENTURA CALIFORNIA

After the wonderful experience of the MTC I am now in California!! I met President Castro and his wonderful wife. Sadly, I won't to get to know him very well though because we are getting a new Mission President this week. Hopefully we will meet our new president and wife soon and we are looking forward to it.

It was also sad to leave my ‘trio’ at the Transfer Meeting. After only 12 days we have become close friends as well as companions. We would quote movies all the time to each other. And we learned a lot in our classes/lessons and during our teaching experiences. I know they will both do great wherever and whichever area they serve.  And I hope to see Sister Beatty and Sister Evans again soon. 

Even though I will miss them a lot, I am happy to meet my new companion and I love her already.  Her name is Sister Xayadeth! She is so sweet and we have already discovered that we have a lot in common as well. I am excited to work with her and share in this missionary experience and share our love we have for our Savoir Jesus Christ with others who are seeking truth.

I am out of time and will write more about California next week. I will end with two scriptures. 2 Cor. 5:7 ‘For we walk by faith, not by sight.’ John 14:6 ‘Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

I love you all and pray for you each and everyday!

Sister Skinner - Karatassos