I can't believe how fast time is going by here! We've been in the MTC for two weeks now. Time is weird in the MTC because the days feel like weeks, but the weeks feel like days.
It's so much fun.
Saturdays are by far the longest, most difficult days to focus, but then Sunday comes & everything about Sunday is lovely. The devotional on Sunday was by Jenny Oaks Baker (+ her family)--she's an amazing violinist, and also is the daughter of Elder Oaks. It was exactly the thing I needed that I had no idea I needed. To hear her play the violin brought me so much comfort and so much peace. She is so talented, and she told about so many experiences that taught her to trust the Lord's timing and to use her talents to bless others, not to put herself above others. The spirit was so strong. There's something about music that speaks to the soul so much better than words ever can. It's so cool to be able to listen to such uplifting music all the time and to be so open to the spirit all the time. I love being a missionary!
We got our new investigators this week! They're just our teachers, Broeder Wells and Zuster Rosema, acting as investigators they had on their missions, but during the lessons, it's so real. It's so cool to feel of the love that Heavenly Father has for these people that they are portraying. Kind of a weird, but cool experience.
We're teaching Sherry, who is an Atheist. She's willing to learn, but doesn't see how she can have faith in God when she hasn't seen him. It's a really big challenge, but we're having a lot of fun practicing our teaching skills. It's hard because I know exactly what I'd say in English, but I have no idea how to convey those thoughts in Dutch. haha it'll come with time.
Our other investigator is Pip. He doesn't belong to a church, but believes in God and has a lot of questions about Jesus Christ. We were able to teach both of them how to pray, and hopefully that will help them. Zuster Bush is so good at teaching how to pray, and she always bears her testimony so sincerely.
We're speaking Dutch, and even though it's very simple, it's amazing how much we've learned. I try not to think about how much we don't know, because it's definitely a lot..... ^_^ haha The most difficult thing is the grammar. It's nowhere near as difficult as Korean, but it's pretty weird.... So weird, but so fun. Zr Bush and I came up with a motto:
"Dit is moelijk, maar dit is mogelijk!"
(This is difficult, but this is possible!)
We are having so much fun together, and I'm definitely grateful that I have a companion. I don't know what I'd do without her. She is so thoughtful and selfless and wonderful & I just adore her!
We see Sestra Abbott (going to Slovakia) 1000000 times a day because she is in our same building on the same floor and it's so much fun! She and her companion are both redheads and are basically the same person. We wave to her every time we pass her classroom which is probably a lot haha We love her so much!
We've been going to choir practice, and this week we sang an arrangement of "Precious Savior, Dear Redeemer" for Tuesday devotional that was so beautiful! I wish I could remember who arranged it so you could look it up, but I can't! I'll try to look at my notes and figure that out. Our choir director, Brother Eggett, is SO amazing! He is such a gifted instructor and the spirit is so strong when we sing. I love it.
Sister Bonnie L Oscarson was the speaker! She is the current YW general President. I loved it! She talked about five things that we should learn on our missions. I'll write my notes out next week if I have time. My favorite thing she talked about was just to expect miracles! We have to do our part and work hard, but it's important to remember that Heavenly Father is in charge of this work and that if we just trust Him, He will make MIRACLES happen! Sister Oscarson is so cute and so sweet. I was thinking of Marley a lot. :)
It's so comforting to know that I'm not in this alone. I will always have my family and I will always have my Heavenly Father to lead me and to help me.
I love being a missionary!
Doei,
Zuster Aubrey Watts
ps. I love writing hand-written letters whenever I can, so send me your address if you want me to write to you while I'm still in the US :)