Semana Dos

After a week in the MTC, I can finally announce..Hermana Tibbits is heading out of the MTC to Guatemala on February 26th!!!

Sunday:  

My first Sunday was good.  So at the MTC, they don't assign talks so everyone prepares one and hopes they don't have to speak, because it has to be in the mission language(:  I didn't get called on, thankfully.  The devotional was amazing.  I forgot my spiritual journal to tell you exactly what wen on, lo siento.  After the devotional, we watch a Sunday "film" (Devotionals at the MTC in the past).  We watched the Character of Christ and I LOVED IT!!  My companera and I decided to do a Turn Outwards project.  we do a small act of service for our district a day and so far it's been good.  It really does make you happy to serve others.

Monday:

So somehow mi companera and I convinced the Elders to play basketball with us and they haven't stopped yet(:  We played knockout, and we didn't win one round.  They're kind f good and tall.  We have been teaching an "investigator and our lessons have been going really well.  I know Espiritu Santo (Holy Ghost) definitely is the teacher and we just guide them and create an environment where they can feel the Spirit.  I miss my family and friends but know I am at the right place at the right time.

Tuesday:

Everyday in the MTC feels like a year.  The days blend together.  I have to check my calendar to know what day it is...I have a love for the MTC and it's environment, but not its walls.  (yellow and white walls=prison)  My companion chipped her tooth, so we got out of the MTC and broke free.  Also, it is now super weird to not have someone by me all the time.

Wednesday:

The missionary daily schedule has been changed.  We now go to our residence at 9pm and can go to bed between 9:30-10:30.  Mi companera and I surprised our district with treats and small "You're Awesome" notes before their 3-4 lesson with their investigator.  I don't really remember what happened this day tbh...lo siento

Thursday:

This is the day when we found out our departure date.  We may have screamed a little, because they never told us a date when we would be leaving the MTC.  While at the front desk, we saw an Elder leaving with his mom and before he even got in the car he teared up and hugged her.  I was so jealous. I want to hug my mom...but I am happy here and know I am doing what I needed to be doing.  "Bear with thine afflictions with patience and I will give you success" (I think that's the scripture Alma 26:27)  Also, writing in English is getting hard.  I have had two dreams in Spanish.  I got to see Jace Jr. a couple times which was fun to see a familiar face.  I also saw one of Kedryn Peregoy's friends.  He approached me and I was super confused until I realized I met him in Japan.  That was cool, the world is small.  Also, we played 3v3 with the elders which was super fun.  Exercise time is so crucial to distressing.

Friday:

My companion dragged me out of bed to go to a 6 am aerobics class.  Everyone here is so special and talented.  I love the MTC  Our lesson with our investigator went well. We committed her to baptism in May, so great but not what we wanted.  (We asked for February 10th) Life is good!  I love my companion.  We have so much fun together, but can also focus together really well.  

Remember to turn outwards this week and serve someone, no matter how small(:

I love you all!  Have a good week!

Hermana Tibbits

Week 1 in the MTC

Well, I made it into the Provo MTC on January 18th. It's been a whirlwind. The first 30 minutes I was ushered from station to station receiving things. SO MANY BOOKS. Thankful for JoAnne and Elizabeth for taking me to Chick-fil-A before I went in or I would've been hungry. The food is okay. It's definitely made for 19 year old boys, I mean Elders. Mi companera (my companion) is Hermana DeRosier and going to the Guatemala Guatemala City Central mission!! Everyone is so nice and happy at the MTC, especially if you're wearing the "dork dot" (the first day orange dot on your name tag.) It makes me happy that there are so many people here and are happy about being here. Funny story from Wednesday, my companion and I were getting ice cream when an Elder came up and started talking to my companion and I. He introduced himself as "Elder..." and then my companion's thought process was to say Hermana but he was English so she thought just sa

y what he said... My companion introduced herself as Elder DeRosier. I just stood there and laughed as she corrected herself. She's a great companion. Keeps me laughing as well as studying hard. One thing I really learned about being a missionary on Wednesday is you become the investigators friend before you teach them a lesson or doctrine. Those relationships are so important. 

Thursday...

Today was hard. There was Spanish I knew and Spanish that just flew over my head. I have started praying in Spanish and although I can't say everything I want to say in Spanish I can say what I need to and some in English (: Something I learned is the most important relationship is between missionaries and the godhead, but the one we focus on the most is the relationship with others and the Godhead as we are trying to bring them unto Christ.Our district is pretty good. There's an Elder that knows so much Spanish that I just look at him and wonder where it all comes from. Another Elder I could talk to all day in English, because he knows so much about the gospel and I learn something every time he talks. Funny story of the day includes my companion again as an older lady spilled orange juice all over her and then continued to just hold my companions arm as she repeated how sorry she was. Luckily, she was wearing a black skirt. (:

Friday...

It was a good day. We spent a lot of the day studying for our first lesson in Spanish that night with an "investigator." My companion and I were the last ones to teach so we sort of "investigated" the Elders and got to know them a little better. I was so excited to teach, I couldn't stop smiling. It was a good feeling. My spanish may not have been perfect, but the spirit was there and we will hope to do better next time. 

I love this gospel. I am so thankful to be at the MTC and learning about the gospel as well as Spanish. 

I would love to hear from you guys. If you go to DearElder.com I can read y'all's letters throughout the week and it's free (: 

Adios amigos,

Hermana Tibbits

My address:

Sister Tibbits 

Gua-Guac

2005 N 900 E Unit #139

Provo, Utah 84602

A Week: 7 days

1 week left to enjoy time with my family.  1 week left to talk with my friends everyday.  1 week left to eat as much Chick-fil-a a firl could ask for.  I week left to stress about actually leaving.  1 week till one of the greatest adventures of my life begins.

I have loved my time with my family as I am transitioning from college life to missionary life.  I love the laughs I share with Shelby and seeing how much she's grown up since I have been gone at college.  For heaven's sake she's turning 16 this year.  I don't think that should be allowed. I love the "fights" between Karley as she lets me invade her room and call her my "peasant."  She will always know how to push my buttons, but I can push hers just as easily.  I love the sweetness Sydney shares, even though she may or may not be transitioning to the awful teenage years. :)  She is already taller than me; she got the tall genes, I got the redhead genes.  Who really won?  I love how Thomas can use his imagination and make a game for Benjamin, Kensley and him to play.  I love how genuinely happy Benjamin is.  He is such a sweet kid, that has some cool dance moves on the basketball court.  I love my little Kensley and all the sass that comes with her.  She has perfected the talent in teasing until it's time to act innocent in front of mom and dad.  She knows how to keep her siblings in check.  (she's pretty much got everybody wrapped around her little finger)  I love how my mom puts up with me and plays with my hair, even when she's tired.  I love how my dad lets me drive his fancy new car (and doesn't freak out as much as mom.)  All I am trying to say is my family is pretty great!  I don't want to leave them for 18 months, but we have the eternities, right?

These next 18 months wouldn't be possible without my family, friends, YW leaders, this gospel and my Savior.  I love this gospel dearly and can't wait to share it.  I know my Savior loves me and wants me to share His love with the people of Guatemala.  I CAN'T WAIT!!(: My next post will be from Guatemala.  I love you all!  Guatemala City, here I come!!  See you in 18 months;)

**Little did I know that I would be switched to the Provo MTC shortly after making this post.  Provo MTC, here I come!