Survived the first week of the MTC!

Wow! Where do I begin? this week has been so amazing. I have learned so much!!

Wednesday I got here, had orientation, met our new companions, districts, zones. We are the only district in our zone. There are 4 elders and my companion is going to the Denver South Mission. They leave Monday. Then it is me and another sister companionship going to Tulsa. We leave Wednesday. There are 10 people total going to Tulsa. The other 7 are in a different zone from us. We started by going to class and we jumped right into being a missionary. We create investigators and start role playing on how to teach. It is scary, but I have learned to love to role play. It is great practice and you become so much better at teaching. We have 3+ teachers. The main ones are Brother Mathis (his last day was Monday), Sister Wiser (she is fierce and honest but it helps so much!) and Sister Barton (she just loves the work and makes sure you do too!) We have had other teachers come in and help. They are all so nice and I have grown so much. you always need to rely on prayer and most importantly have faith that He will answer you.  

We have such a nice mission presidency and their wives are amazing. We have had dinner with them a couple of times. Sunday we had church and we just had it with our district/branch so it was great. The wives were in relief society with us and we had a great lesson taught by Sister Parcels and Sister Gerard. Sister parcels is from Hawaii and Sister Gerard is from Idaho Falls. She knows all about Frederickson's chocolates and her family gets them every Christmas for neighbor gifts. We have a in-class investigator which is sister parcels acting as a investigator named Kaitlyn. It was someone she taught on her mission. She is a struggle to teach but pray for love and guidance. Heavenly father is more than happy to give it to you if you have an open heart. We also have TRC investigators who are either really investigating the church or they are a convert and replaying their own story. We think our trc investigator isn't a member yet which is really neat. and she is pretty cool. Her name is Rachel. we taught her yesterday and she explained what she felt was like being at the top of a mountain after a hike and we told her that what she felt is the Holy Ghost. It was an awesome experience. We also teach Ashton. He is cool, moved from Highlands Ranch, CO to here. We really enjoy teaching him and talking to him. 

The MTC has been hard, but definitely worth it. By last Friday we were so tired just from feeling the spirit so often :) I love my companion and the other 2 sisters. I got a cold last Thursday and have been slowly recovering. They take care of me and the elders have been really nice as well. My cold got really bad Saturday so Sister Clarke insisted we talk to the doctor. Got to love companions! We ended up going on a field trip to the Rite Aid pharmacy to get some meds. They have helped and my cold is almost over. Tuesday I felt stomach sick so we just hung at the apartment before our devotional. That was really good as well. I am thankful I felt better so I didn't miss the fireside. We had a mini testimony meeting afterwards with the presidency and their wives. The spirit was so strong.

 I KNOW the church is true. Jesus Christ loves us so much. Never doubt that, and if you do, PRAY! I don't think I have prayed so much in my life. We probably pray 15+ times a day not including praying in your heart every second for help and comfort. The Book of Mormon is a beautiful wonderful gift that we have. Read it and love it. It will bless your lives. I am so happy to be at the MTC. Whoever said that missionary work is work, was right! But it is always worth it. I have had to focus on "teaching people, not lessons" so much but it makes a different in your teaching. It worked with Kaitlyn last night. The spirit was stronger and she connected to us and opened up more than she has before. Missionary work is a wonderful thing and I am so thankful I can be a missionary. I love you all so much and miss you!!!!

Love Always,

Sister Frederickson

Preparing to Serve

Everyone says that serving a mission is the hardest thing to do but also the best. They always talk about during their mission and sometimes even after but nobody talks about those short weeks leading up to the MTC. Sure there are plenty of posts and stories on wardrobe and packing list but what about mental preparation. Those have been the hardest so far. I really can't compare to how a mission is but I definitely feel Satan working against me. These weeks haven't been physically hard like lifting weights but my mind has felt so conflicted I feel like questioning my decision. I know in my heart that this is exactly what I need to do but my mind and thoughts tend to be negative. One of my friends just got back from her mission and she told me how hard it is before you leave, and the closer you are to that date, the harder it is. I never knew how true this is until now. Especially as I am preparing to receive my endowment on Saturday. Satan is going to do everything he can when he knows that you are doing what is right. It hasn't been any big thing or even a couple big things. He is going to get you because he knows you. For me it has just been going back to being kinda lazy. It's watching one more episode on Netflix or spending too much time on Facebook. No, these are not bad things but they definitely take you away from the spirit. Step away from the computer and go pick up you scriptures. It takes strength to do but you are so much happier when you do it. I may feel happy watching one more old movie on Netflix but it is not the pure joy you feel that comes with the Holy Ghost. I am so thankful for those around me who help me to stay on track and focus on what is in front of me. I know life is going to get harder but I am grateful for my Savior and his atonement, it allows me to repent and to become better that I have. Make sure you are doing what will lead you down the right path. A mission is not something for you, it is a gift you are giving to those who don't have the gospel. Forget yourself and go to work.