FIRST EMAIL

5/2/2013:

On Thursday, we got an email from Jordan.  She sounds GREAT!!  She leaves bright and early Monday morning for Spokane, Washington.  

So the MTC is so great! I absolutely love it here. I've been having so much fun!

Since I've been here, I've seen Elder Green (Jordan's friend from our stake), Sis Fullerton (a friend from our ward), and Elder Butler (Easton Walker and Elder Bigler's friend). There are so many people here. But we're all on different schedules so you never see everyone at one time. 

My district is awesome! I love my companion! She makes sure I'm always on time and using my study time wisely. haha. She's such a great companion. She keeps me sane. She is so funny. My district is made up of 8 people,  4 sisters and 4 elders. All the sisters are going to Spokane and the Elders are going to Riverside, California. We've all grown so close and the spirit in the room is always so comforting.

In the first week, one of the sisters got really sick. The elders in my district offered to give her a priesthood blessing. It was incredible. In the blessing, he promised her she would be able to serve her full 18 month mission. the next day, she was completely fine. It was such a miracle. The first two days she was sick, she couldn't get out of bed. We later found out she had strep.  And luckily none of us got it! :) I count that as a blessing too. 

Its super busy here all the time. We're always in class or at a meal or in a devotional. On Sunday, Sis. Oscarson (the new General YW president) came to speak to us for Relief Society. It was so cool.  I'll bet she'll talk about it at General Conference. She said it was her first official assignment since she's only been called for a few weeks. It was so great to hear from someone so in tune with the spirit.

I know that being here is so important. I love everything about it. I feel like I got dropped off months ago. I miss everyone like crazy. I don't have time to think about missing everyone, but I miss you all so much in my heart. I think of you always.

The spirit is so strong and I have learned so much since I've been here. I have had lessons being taught through the spirit. I have gone into a lesson planning on teaching one thing, and it ended up going so well that we ended up getting him to commit to baptism! I wish I had time to tell you everything. but just know that I have been incredibly blessed and I have learned to teach through the spirit. I love you all like crazy! Stay safe! Write me lots! I love letters and I ALWAYS have time to write back. 

Pray often and try to see others through the Lord's eyes. God loves you more than I can even explain and more than you will ever know.

I love you. I'll see you soon!

Sister Gardanier