So, this week I realized that my English is getting worse. Lately I have been trying to tell stories and I forget how to say certain words. At the same time, when people speak English to me I translate certain words to Spanish in my head subconsciously. It's slightly frustrating so I apologize ahead of time for my sentence structure or lack of wide ranged vocabulary!
Well I've officially been here for 4 P-days but I am currently in my 5th week in the MTC. I only have 12 days left until I am in Costa Rica. That's insane! Its true that in the MTC the days are like weeks and the weeks are like days. I have lost all sense of time! Last night's devotional, Elder Echo Hawk of the Seventy spoke to us. Aside from talking about his American Indian Heritage, which was super rad, he spoke about the lasting impact that missionaries have on those they teach. He is a convert to the church and I thought it was really cool that he is still in contact with the missionaries that baptized him when he was little. His talk made me really excited to go to Costa Rica. When I realized just how little time I have left here, I became slightly stressed out. I felt like I haven't learned nearly enough to be thrown out there. Truth is, I have learned so much and I feel ready. I know that there are people in Costa Rica that are prepared specifically for me and that I am supposed to be one of the "swift messengers" that Isaiah talks about who will bring them to Christ.
Last week was quite an adventure emotionally. Having a companion that I don't always see eye to eye with has been my biggest trial on my mission. Also, just being around other Hermanas who aren't always the nicest. I have made good friends here and I am so grateful for that, but learning to love those who are hurtful is a struggle. I've always had a strong desire to feel accepted by people because I honestly just love people. I love talking to them, getting to know their stories, befriending them. When it's not returned, yeah that's not fun. However, this mission isn't about me. I didn't come here to feel loved myself (even though that's be nice), I came to love others and to see them as God and Christ see them. I don't ever want to feel like a victim because I am so blessed to be here! This gospel brings me happiness and for that I'm grateful. I can't control what others do or say to me but I can control my actions and reactions. I am continuing to be positive, happy and forward moving. Each day I jump out of bed at 6:30 (seriously, I'm the first one up) and smile because every day is a new day with new opportunities. I know that the Lord will bless my efforts and relationships with my companion and that in the end I will be stronger.
On that note, this past Saturday my companion and I went off MTC campus, down the street to the BYU emergency room. She had thought that she had an ear infection because her ear had been bothering her for a while and it could have come from her cold. Unfortunatey, it turned out that the vessel in her ear that allows it to breath is not opening. Nothing can go in and nothing can come out. She explained the pain similar to when water gets in your ear, except in her circumstance it wont come out. The doctor prescribed her with some medication that should fix the problem within 5 days. If it doesn't, she may need surgery. Since the pharmacy was closed, a shuttle had to come pick us up and take us to Rite Aid. The outside world!! It was crazy! We had fun looking around while we waited. Everything looked so new and exciting since the coolest thing we have in the MTC is new colors of scripture highlighters. Going back to the MTC was like going back to our prison cell. All white walls, all day long. Only difference is that in prison you get visitors and television. HAHA no I love the MTC but I am glad that my time here is coming to an end. It seriously is another world out there.
So this past Sunday I had the most incredible experience. Guess who came to the MTC? The Nashville Tribute Band! Guess who got to sing with them? The choir...so ME! We actually had two mandatory practices last week to prepare for performing with the band. The devotional was just the Nashville Tribute Band sharing thoughts and singing their songs. It was so amazing. The choir got to sing "I Was Born", "John's Song" and the "The Greatest Thing I've Ever Loved To Do" with the band. That last song always makes me cry but even more now that I feel like I'm living it. Mom, I wish you could've been here since you were the one who introduced us to them and played them all the time! You would've loved it! The first song they sang was "Children Go Where I send Thee" and I felt so many emotions! First I was thrilled because I love that song but then I was a little heart broken because It made me think of Trev and Anthony singing it in the car at the top of their lungs and it made me miss them so much more. I just pictured anthony saying "down in BethlaHEMM". The guys in the band were so talented and funny. The Lord knows the desires of our hearts and I think he knew that I was missing country music and concerts. He found a way to make both happen in the MTC. What a time to be here!
A lot has happened in our zone lately. We just lost another district of 6 Elders which is a bummer. I was good friends with them but I'm excited for them to be in their various missions. Them leaving makes my district the oldest. WHATTT?! Didn't I just get here 3 days ago??! The district of 10 Elders that came last Wednesday is awesome! They are all so cool and outgoing. My district and their district are super close already. A lot of them are going to BYU too so I might see them post mission. Today we are getting 2 new districts in my zone! 22 new missionaries!!! Crazy right?! The zone leaders and the sister training leaders (now all in my district) usually do orientation with the new district every wednesday night. Tonight, we are going to have to do it twice. I'm so excited to meet them though especially the 4 new Hermanas! Finally more girls! These new districts are going to have to catch on to the craziness of our zone fast. The latest thing we have going on is "spooning". So the goal is to get the spoon in someone's pocket without them knowing. If someone gets spooned 3 times, they are out for the rest of the day. Our zone is going nuts. Even the teachers are playing along. Elders are such an easy target with all of their pockets but Hermanas sometimes don't have them. This game is becoming very serious and Im pretty sure the kitchen is going to start searching for the crooks that keep taking their spoons...ha ha uh oh.
I want to thank you sooooo much for the packages that I have received!! I have sooo many snacks in the room now and Parker sent me a box of mountain dew so I think I'm set! I love the packages and the dear elders that I get. I feel so blessed to have such supportive family and friends. It makes this not so hard. Please don't forget about me! I love you all so so much and pray for you always.💛💛💛
Amor, Hermana Zerilli
In the shuttle going to Rite Aid!
Hermana Gividen and Hermana Stevens!
Love them! Temple walk #4
Pardon my "long day, post gym, 9:30 pm" fun bun. Ew.
But Hermana Hill and I with Elder Richards and Elder Oebring their last night here.
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