Called To Serve

I'm sorry I haven't updated this and I know I am very behind but I'm going to try and catch up on her emails.
Tuesday August 10, 2010 11:24 AM

First things first, I MADE IT!! That Wednesday was the longest, stressful and tiresome day in my life. I felt very blessed that I was able to keep calm through all the flight problems. This place is AMAZING!!! You meet the nicest purest people in the world here. I love being able to feel the spirit so strongly everyday. My district is wonderful. We have gotten along so well! There are 11 of us and only 2 sisters (me and my comp) We have fun together and try not to goof off too much. But after a full day of cramming down all the Bulgarian grammar rules and words we have learned its hard to stay focused, so I appreciate the elder's sense of humor at times. We have learned so much about our mission and I am getting more and more excited to get to Bulgaria as the days go on. I think I will have to spare most of the details for mom's sake but I will just say it sounds exciting. For example the Mafia practically rules the country and since they love the missionaries we have them on our side. We just cant take pictures of their cars :) I guess they stole 30 billion dollars from the European Union and got away with it. Also there are a ton of gypses and the love Americans and love to steal our stuff. They taught us some important words for that situation. The Bulgarian is coming very very very very very slowly. I definitely will not be able to do this alone so I pray for the gift of tongues each night, morning, meal, class shift, and second. It's tough stuff but I feel like there is hope for me! :) My teachers are really great, They are all really young so they just recently came back from their mission. One of my teachers, Brother Mattinson is from Spokane. This morning I was able to go ot the temple for the first time! It was such a neat experience and I am glad to say I am feeling more comfortable and learning more and more each time I go. Last week when we were in LA signing our visas we stopped by the LA temple and sat in the waiting room. That is an AMAZING TEMPLE! I will have to share more experiences from that day later because it was awesome and very spiritual! One of the wives in our branch presidency, Sister Gale has been an angel sent from heaven to me! She comes by our rooms each thursday night and just sits on the couches and waits for sisters that need someone to talk to. Last thursday I was writing in my journal and saying my nightly prayer when I remembered what day it was and I hurried out the door to see her. She welcomed me with a huge hug. The kind that can last as long as you need it to and smiled and asked how I was. For someone that I had just met I felt instantly safe with her and poured out all my concerns. My comp, Sister Loss is also an angel to me. She has been struggling with hormone imbalance and had tons of doctors appointments here each day which leaves me waiting in the waiting room for hours. This has gotten better and they are now allowing me to go back to class with the elders but at first it made me frustrated and anxious about missing so much class time. Sister Gale answered all my concerns and has been there for Sister Loss a ton which takes alot of pressure off me, which I appreciate and needed. Well I want to leave some time to read your emails. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR LETTERS AND PACKAGES!!! I love you all! This church is true and I am so grateful for this opportunity to be on the mission.
p.s. I definitely didnt know what to expect while I was packing. HAHA I will be sending a box of stuff I dont need hopefully it will remain safe until i return. I misght need a few things but i will write it in my letter.