1st day in the MTC!

Well hello there family :), i miss you all soooo dearly. I have been thinking about all of you each moment of every day. My prayers and thoughts are pretty much about all of you so that's good. French is so hard but so fun!!! Weird right.... But you have no idea how rewarding it is once you've said the right word OR PRONOUNCED IT RIGHT 😄 ( we I have these emojis) anyways. I'm loving it here, and the days are so long but I know I meant to be here. Alsooooo the food, I knew y'all were curious, it's actually not that bad so far, I have a salad wrap yesterday and waffles for dinner so it kind of sounds like my kind of day, my comp does not like working out so that's fun lol, but luckily I've got masons paper. Alright mason, I've had everyone in my district praying for you and your surgery. It has me on edge thinking bout it but I know you'll be protected. I'm so glad y'all went to sweet tooth fairy that is so fun :) mom there is a LIST of things I still need lol.... So i will get on you about that later, but I love you all so dearly. EACH AND EVERYONE of you. The Lord knows us. And Loves us. 

OK! First off, just got back from the temple, so amazing, so peaceful, WHAT AN ESCAPE, yes connor we went at 5:30 am, but it was worth it and the breakfast was delish. OK FIRST DAY WOW, I had the cutest host, her name was hermana Jensen ( that's for you jens). She carried my big suitcase and guys it was so funny we were both struggling so badly up the stairs but we made it. I was then shuffled around from room to room to get my schedule, keys, etc. Once I got to the elevator, three blonde sisters walked out screaming because they were my sister training leaders!!! THEY ARE PRECIOUS. Anyways, got settled in, and met my new companion, soeur Larsen:) she and I have a lot in common, we both get SUPER COLD so we always prepare. She likes to paint too which is fun. The second day was so long (color you were right), but I had random bursts of energy all the time. For example, we were in a mock interview with an investigator, and this amazing elder from Australia named elder Richards and I were SO INSPIRED, our ideas were In sync, and the 'investigator 'was so touched, seriously, never met someone so motivating ( don't worry our companions were there too and they're awesome). French is super fun, my teacher is the cutest, Elle est trés mignonne! I've said my first prayer in French. Starting to say them at night it's awesome. BUT WE HAVE SO MANY ASSIGNMENTS ALREADY zoot! We have to memorize 270 phrases by next week, right a talk in French, give a lesson TODAY, memorize 4 scriptures en français and 100000 reading assignments. But my comp and I were talking and we honestly have so much adrenalin (like that shot mom) that we must keep going. Were doing good and reaching our goals. Jensen were using that goals list that we made. And Ashlyn I tell every Helsinki missionary that you went to Finland and they are like HOW DID SHE SURVIVE IS SHE OK and I just say are you kidding? It's Ashlyn yes ofc. Anyways, the spirit is so strong here. I've already been assigned senior companion... lol so I'm in charge of planning. I hope I continue to progress. Honestly I can only grow from here. As for a spiritual thought, we were talking about how we can conquer stress, my comp and I; and I read 1st Nephi 4, where Nephi finds courage through a stressful and fearful time to fulfill the Lord's commandments. Once he has slayed Laban, he finds his own strength through Christ, being reassured that if he does as the lord commands, he will be blessed. After finding that closure, he comforts the servant, and Because of his growth in knowing his purpose and blessings of obedience, he (verses 31-37) is able to pry out that same courage and that same assurance from Zora during his stressful time. If we know the reasoning behind what we are doing, if we understand the purpose of our hard times, the trials and shortcomings we encounter are far less steep than we anticipated. And with the help of the ONE who knows ALL your feelings (Christ), you will be lifted until you can stand on your two feet. I love this gospel so very much. I am meant to be here. I love my savoir. Á nom de Jesus-Christ, amen.  Soeur  Dunkley

My Companion Sister Larsen!