You Live for Moments Like Those

Hey Guys!

Thanks for the letter and the email Mom and Dad. I really loved hearing about everyone and was soo excited, and shocked, to hear that Brooke and Dak have made their plans official and public. That is so crazy to me. 

Happy New year.  (I can't remember if I said that to you guys yet or not.) 

So, sorry about last week's letter. I was kind of in a 7 week slump or something (that is just what I have decided to call it).  Since last Thursday, and up until Tuesday, I was in such a weird mood. I wasn't happy but I wasn't sad, I just wasn't excited to be in the MTC anymore I guess. Things just become normal everyday and it is easy to forget how much of a blessing it is to be here for this time. Finally on Tuesday we had a devotional by Elder Haleck, one of the  Quorum of the Seventy, and one thing he said that really stuck out to me was something like, "The Lord knows your true potential."   I learned that I was not living up to my potential those last couple of days and I only have 2 1/2 weeks to kick it in gear and study so I'm that much more prepared in the field.

Our departure date is the January 23, but I still am not sure exactly about the details. I think we were supposed to get our departure info today but it looks like that might happen next week instead. My district and I are getting excited and nervous for the day to leave, but I think the thing we are most looking forward to is starting to go to work. There is really only so much I can do for a pretend investigator, but it amazes me how difficult missionary work really is. I used to think that I knew a lot about the gospel and how it can bless people's lives, and although I do know this it is difficult to to discover the needs of the investigator and then apply the principles and doctrines to them personally.

Yesterday my companions and I had a really good experience with a practice door greet. We were given 10 minutes to knock the door and get inside and teach one doctrine. I thought it went really well and applied a lot of the things we had learned the day before about getting to know the investigator and "teaching that investigator and not the lesson", if that makes sense. It is kinda difficult to go in with a game plan and teach the investigator and not just spit out the words we had prepared before we came in. All three of us felt really good about it though and were really happy with our progress.  You live for moments like those here.

When you are learning so much and trying to apply it in lessons, there are definitely times when you feel like you have failed, but then there are moments where the spirit is teaching the lesson and everyone feels so peaceful and happy. I LOVE IT!!

I take comfort from teachers as well because some of them have told us that they are impressed with our Spanish. Well, all I can say is I feel I don't know much, and when I get to Chile I will probably not have a clue what anyone is saying to me, even my companion but it doesn't matter. The Lord created the earth out of unorganized matter, he can create a Spanish speaking missionary out of unorganized information. :D This I know and testifiy of. Really the only thing I have to do is be willing to put in the time and willing to open my mouth.

I'm excited that you are sending another box, and I really have no idea what I want you to send me. Oh, I do know, can you send me a couple more pairs of those footy socks, you know that ones that you wear with flats. For some reason I only have one pair. I swore that I packed more than that. And maybe like 2 more shirts from my closet that I could wear with a skirt and not a sweater. I hear that Chile is not going to be as cold as I thought and I packed a lot of sweaters and not as many just nice blouses. I don't know which ones but  trust your judgement Mom. I might be sending back some things though from my suitcase in case my luggage is overweight. (Which I am thinking i will be. But that's ok.) My companions and I decided to start packing a week in advance so we can send things home that wont make the cut.

My companions and I are doing well though. I love them. I don't know why we were put together but I think that I have learned so much more from them than they could have possibly learned from me. I came in here thinking that I had so much to teach. Little did I know that I have soooo much more to learn!!

Oh today was sooo good. We got to go to the temple this morning because my companion Hermana Latham has a doctor appointment. But we went to the 7:00 session and then we went and ate breakfast in the temple. I was soo happy. No more MTC food! :D It was good, just to let you know mom I had quische with  some sausage. But then for my comapions doctor appointment we get to go off the MTC campus and go out into the reall world!! YAY for field. Oh the things you get excited for after being here for so long!

I love you guys and tell everyone hello for me. You have no idea how much support and love I feel from everyone! I am truly blessed by a loving Heavenly Father! IT is so evident to me because of all the wonderful people in my life. Especially my family! I couldn't do it without you guys!  I'm so excited that you're starting to read the Book of Mormon! I can't wait to hear all of your wonderful insights!

Love you guys a ton!

Hermana Thacker!

(Sent Thursday, January 5, 2012)