week six.

Week 6 – December 29, 2010

Everyone was right, one of the best Christmas's I would ever have would be in the MTC! I think I was a bit homesick the days coming into Christmas, but I have to say on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and every day since then I haven't been homesick. I bet you want to hear all about what goes on here during then. They make it super amazing. I loved every bit, and I would say all in all, the entire holiday was a treat (and just for you dad, I said to some people "Happy winter holiday!" just to get strange looks haha).

First our district acted out the Nativity scene. It was AWESOME! My teacher filmed it and I hope to send that to you soon to watch. I played the part of Joseph (for some reason we thought it would look weird to have a guy and girl be mary and joseph...and i look manly enough so it worked ou). We got a cleaning bucket to be the donkey, a stuffed teddy bear to be Jesus, and thanks to my wonderful collection of beautiful scarves everyone looked incredible. It was so fun. Our teacher read it all and we acted it out for the whole zone. It was just such a nice way to help others keep traditions they had at home here, plus it was so fun. Then at the end we sang silent night in spanish. I have so many favorite songs in spanish now from the Hymn book, some just flow so much more beautifullly in spanish than they do in english. But that was wonderful.

That night, I was convinced that Elder Utchdorf was going to come speak. I had a dream that week I met him, so I also wanted good seats so I could see him, just like in my dream. So for christmas eve dinner, I had a PBJ sandwhich and then raced to be the front of the line. My companion and I waited 2 hours there, just reading scriptures and sweating. Then we got it, sat in amazing seats, and had our CHristmas eve fireside speaker announced to us. It was the MTC presidency. At first I thought "what a waste of time! that was such a let down!!!" But they gave amazing talks. They all had us sing thier own versions of "the 12 days of Christmas, MTC style" and it was super funny. Then at the end, they announced that they were going to give everyone bags of popcorn and we watched Mr. Krugars Christmas. This was a huge hit, because many people also had that as a tradition in their families.

The next day I jumped on everyones bed because it was Christmas morning!!! I saved only my present you asked me to save to open on Christmas morning. Oh. My. Goodness. I don't think you couldve given me anything more wonderful in the entire world. For those who don't know what it was, it was a calender for a picture for everyday for the next year (terrible sentance right there, losiento). I spent all day just looking and marveling at them all!!! They made me SOOOO happy. I cannot even express it. I even wrote down a bunch of my favorites. There were some that I didnt even know existed! But man I come from a good looking family. And your photography is incredible. So amazing. And there were some pictures there that made me absolutely melt. :-) Specifically the trek pictures. Man I loved trek. I think I was born in the wrong era and I should;ve been a pioneer. But the black butte ones too. And hawaii. And all of them. Thank you so so so so so so much.

The proceeding event was a talent show for the missionaires. As some of you may or may not know, we are not allowed to listen to any music here. SOmetimes that gets pretty bland, but the talent show just made me appreciate music so much more. I was like weak at some of the songs. One polynesian elder sang like Chris Brown and played the Ukelaiai (?) and I loved it. There were 2 girls who sang and sounded like Ingrid Michealson. Piano solos galore. I wish they wouldve recorded them and made a CD of it. One of the other best parts was that 5 Elders from Russia got us and sang "Bad Romance"--yes, the song by Lady Gaga--but changed the words to "You Missionary Now". It was so funny, all those crazy Russians dancing to Lady Gaga. I think if the MTC president knew the origional song they would not have been allowed to perform haha.

The special speaker for that day...Elder Russel M. Nelson!!! He might be one of the smartest people I have ever heard speak. I wish I could type all my notes from his talk. It was just incredible. He at the end said "I am going to read Luke 2 and give you my account of what happened through study and research" and he read it nice and slow and told us all the greek translation and such. So cool. He said how english is the only language where we use the word gospel, every other language calls it something like the spanish language calls it--evangelio. Which in translation is "glad tidings from heaven". I like the spanish word for that now.

Also I love Elder Nelsons wife, Wendy Nelson. She spoke to us at Relief society and her best friend, SHeri Dew, came as well. That was awesome! it was cool to hear her talk and she is a hip lady.

Last thing before I sign off (because my time is always limited). I invite EVERYONE (mormon or not mormon) to watch all the mormon messages on Youtube. They are incredible, and some are just so hilarious and cute. Especially the ones on family. I think one is called robotron or something? You all need to watch that one. So cute. So watch the ones on family, then watch one called "Lifting Burdens". My testimonny is so strong in the power of the words said there. So please dont just read this and ignore this invitation, really go there and check them out. Youtube, mormon messages, look for ones on family.

Now I want to share why this was the best christmas. The MTC did so much to make it special, but I still couldve hated it. I didnt, but I couldve. The pictures were AMAZING, i will love and cherish them for forever, the speakers were cool, the food was icky, not going to lie, but this is why I loved it. I really felt the spirit of Christ. I spent many nights in long prayer, longer than I have ever prayed before. I ask that you remember to keep me in your prayers, I still do go through trials here. But I can honestly say, with all of my heart, through all of this, I have come so close to Christ. And having him so close has been so wonderful. I love him so dearly. And he knows me better than ANYONE on this planet. I know that my Redeemer Lives. Oh what joy, what wonderful and beautiful joy, that sentance gives.

Les amo mucho. Siempre. Hermana Collins.