We (mom and dad) received a written letter from Paige in the mail yesterday with much more information contained in it then the email we had received earlier in the week. I'll keep out the more personal items and post the remainder. (I'll share information within parentheses unless it's in quotes, then it would be Paige's parenthetical comment). This whole blog thing is new for me and so as soon as I have my good friend Dana help me figure it out then it should be much more attractive to see and more interesting to read. Be patient. The current content is awesome enough but it should look better soon! Keep reading.
Dear Mom and Dad,
So yesterday was my first day in the MTC. I stepped out of the car and heard, "SISTER CHATTERTON!!" I turn around & Elder McKay Allman is standing there. It was nice to see a friendly face when I got there. I take my stuff to my room and get my tag, and as I'm walking to meet my district I ran into Elder Andrew Gravelle and Elder Dustin Hicken. I met my district and my companion, Sister Bosshardt. She's a total sweetheart and I love her. She reminds me a little bit of Jennifer, McKenna's friend. Then we all went to an orientation thing. We sang a lot. That made my happy, then we went to dinner. The food here is gross and hurts my stomach so I think I'll stick with the salad bar for the rest of the time. After dinner we had a teaching experience. Converts came in and told their story like they were current investigators (people learning about the church from missionaries). They asked us questions. One man, George, had an amputated leg from serving during a war. I actually got up and bore my testimony about how God can help us understand the reasons for our trials if we pray. After that we went back to the room and unpacked.
This morning my companion and I woke up at 5:30 to work out and get ready. Surprisingly enough, I was ready by 6:50. That's only impressive because I blow-dried & and straightened my hair. After that we had personal study time. I read Alma 5-10. There was alot in there that could help me with teaching this gospel. Then I went to the bookstore and bought shampoo and conditioner (cause she left hers in Kirsten's car). Oops. Went to breakfast and got a bowl of fruit (safe food). Went and did a few assessments online and then had companion study (scripture study with companion). We got in some really interesting conversations about effective study habits (I would love to have heard those!) Then we had classroom instruction. We talked about how important it is to really learn to love those you serve. While I am here my companion and I will be giving lessons to Everett, a 22-year old agnostic man whose friend is serving a mission. Then I went to lunch. I got a chicken something salad. The chicken was gross alone but other than that it was good. So I'm sitting my tray down and across the table next to me I see Elder Packer (Justin!). So naturally, I ran over and shook hands with his companion! I met his entire district by the end of lunch. Apparently they all knew about me. He got moved up to the advanced Spanish class ("Shocker"). I'm already awkward around him. It's great. After lunch we had a workshop on how to love those we will be serving. I guess that's pretty important. Then we had an MTC orientation. It was cool. Then dinner. They have wraps that are really good. After dinner we had a meeting with our branch president. I was asked to be the musical director. Super cool. Then we went on a tour of the MTC and went to bed.
This morning we did a service project. Sister Bosshardt and I mopped and swept closets. The guy in charge was WAY funny and we talked a lot of the time. Then we got dressed and went to breakfast and guess who I ran into? Elder Packer. He and his companion sat with us. He told me that he missed me and I said "nope". It totally freaked him out. He asked if I still liked him and I said, "yes, but that's not what either of us should focus on, so tell me about your experience here." (I ONLY share that because many of you knew that they would overlap and you have wondered, as have I, how that would go and if it would be a distraction so that should be the only significant Elder Packer information I share on her blog!!) I liked hearing about his classes and his companion and everything. I really think this will be good, as long as we stay focused on what is important. The work. Sister Bosshardt and I planned our lesson for Everett. We are going to teach him about how to pray and how to exercise faith.
Love, Sister Chatterton
P.S. I RAN INTO SATAN THE OTHER DAY!! (Family joke)
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