Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Letter Number 2


Hey Everybody!
So this week has been AMAZING! I can't believe it's already been a week but at the same time I feel like I have been here so long, and that I am growing tremendously fast.  It's the strangest sense of time I have ever experienced.  The days seem so long, but the week seems so short. 
So my companion is great.  She is the perfect fit.  Her name is Sister Hall and she is from Kaysville, UT.  She's so sweet and kind, and incredibly outgoing which is so awesome because with my quietness we teach so well together.  I feel like she is the best companion I could have starting out, and learning and growing to where I am more comfortable with my teaching.
My district is truly like family.  There are 6 sisters, including me, and 8 elders, so it is large, but every one of them has such an amazing spirit, and I have grown so much just knowing them.  I truly feel that the Lord has sent me here at this time because it is where I needed to be, with the people I needed to be with. 
Happy Birthday Andrew! I hope you had an amazing day and that Golden Corral was everything you hoped it would be.  It really sort of hit me I was really on a mission on that day because I realized it was weird to not be there for someones birthday, but, I don't want to say this in a mean way, I have been trying to forget how much I miss you so that I can truly focus on my mission and the work the Lord wants me to do. 
The last two days have been two of the greatest days of my life!  I am growing stronger everyday that I am here, because I am able to have so many experiences to do so.  This morning at 6:30 am, which weirdly sleep isn't a problem for me, we were able to go to the temple, and I had never felt the spirit more at the temple then when I was there this morning.  When I left the celestial room I really felt like I had left the presence of God, and had been sent forth to do his work, and help his children come unto Christ.
If that wasn't enough experience for this week last night we had a Tuesday devotional and guess who spoke....JEFFREY R. HOLLAND.  I have never seen him so powerful, but at the same time I had never seen him joke around so much.  He talked about missionary work, and how we as missionaries now need to be the best missionaries the world has ever known.  He said "you have to be better than me, you have to be better then Ammon, and Alma."  When he said that it freaked me out, how am I supposed to be better then some of the greatest missionaries the world has known, and yet he said we have to.  Though that thought scared me at first, it then changed to where it motivated me to be my best. 
Another thing he said was that he commanded us to have at least one convert on our mission then he said, pounding his fist as he does, "AND IT BETTER BE YOU!"  Then he joked and said, if you come back and you're inactive you won't want to meet me in a dark alley.  It was extremely funny, but I think he was completely serious.  He also dedicated some buildings that had been renevated at the MTC and in the prayer he said that the angels of heaven were guarding the gates of the MTC.  He also said that no weapons of any kind, and no mass destructions of any kind will ever happen in the MTC.  And he said it with SUCH power that I knew that I am in the safest place on earth.  God is watching over me, and he won't let harm come to me, so don't worry about me, but I'd appreciate prayers still :)
So how is the house coming along? Any progress? Is Andrew still in the Family Room or does he have somewhere else? Well I hope all is good!  Does Avery miss me? :) Just kidding just tell me she does so it makes me feel better.  Anyway have a great week! I love hearing from you, write me as much as you want!
Oh before I forget to ask, yes my retainer would be awesome, also if you could send me a photo album with pictures of the family, and some from facebook with my friends, and some of Avery, and just any really, people keep asking and I don't have any pictures to show them.  Well I only have 3 minutes, but my district wanted me to ask you mom if you could send some brownines with marshmallows and chocolate, I'm always talking about them, and their mouths water, if not that's fine, but it would be much appreciated. 
Well I love you and miss you so much, but I am so happy to be where I am and to be learning, and growing, and becoming the woman I have always wanted to become.  I owe it all to you and your support, and examples.  I love you all so Much!! I will write again next week!
 
Your Missionary,
Sister Brittany Thomas

Monday, January 14, 2013

Letter Number One

Here's Brittany's first letter she sent!
Addressed to Mommy, Daddy, and Family
     How are you guys holding up?  I'm doing awesome!  The last couple days, which looking back seem so long, have been absolutely AMAZING!  I've been a little stressed, well honestly a lot, but I'm holding up for sure.
     My companion, Sister Hall, is super AWESOME!  She's from Kaysville and is super kind and outgoing.  It's good because it makes up for my shyness, except funny thing, today she said she thought I was outgoing.  I have seriously come a LONG way.... I never thought I'd see the day! (Ha I rhymed :) )
Along with my awesome companion, I am also in a great district.  There are 12 missionaries, 6 Elders and 6 Sisters.  It's crazy, but we already are such good friends.
     Today we met our district pres. and counselors, which Max Pinegar's brother is 1st or 2nd counselor of, so that's pretty cool.  Anyway, at this meeting, we were each asked to stand, say our name, where we were going, schooling/work, family, and why we were serving, and then we bore our testimony.  The spirit was so strong, lets just say I was almost bawling and I went 2nd.  By the end it was pretty much a weep fest all around.
     So tomorrow we teach our first "investigators" so that will be fun and exciting.  Hopefully it will go good.  Sis. Hall and I feel pretty good with our plan.  I'll let you know how it goes.  So, Wednesday's are my P-days, just so you are aware.
     Well, I just want to tell you how much I love you, and how grateful I am for your examples.  I'm so grateful to have this opportunity to preach the gospel.  I love you with all my heart, and I miss you a lot.  You're in my prayers.  Stay safe!
Love,
Sister Brittany Thomas