Jenni is learning so much and enjoying the MTC. Here are a couple of things from this weeks email:
"I am still learning so much each day. sometimes i feel like a sponge I'm absorbing so much but if someone were to squeeze me too hard it would all come out. But really it is good. The French is coming, I have already learned more in the last 2 weeks than i did the entire time i was in French class. There are definitely days that are frustrating and I don't get anything. Last Saturday Frere Le Frevre (one of our teachers) was teaching us how to conjugate verbs to passed tense, I was so lost. I didn't understand anything that he said. but everyone else in my district was understanding. I was like oh man! But with some help from the companion and the spirit I'm understanding it more."
"Each Tuesday we have a devotional. This last week Elder Kenneth Johnson from the 70 spoke to us. He talked a lot of our purpose as missionaries. One thing he said was, " our call as missionaries is a Come unto me call, not unto us as missionaries but unto Christ." i hadn't thought of it that way that we are really inviting people not just to this gospel but to come to Christ. I don't think there was one of us in our district that our hearts weren't pricked to change something to be a better missionary."
In a letter we received this week she tells us that she has run into a few missionaries from Morgan and also a few people from Morgan that work there. It always helps to see people that you know.

March 20, 2009

We received our first email from Jenni today. Her p-days are Fridays. She can only email family but anyone can email her. If you are interested in her email address please leave a comment and I will get her address to you.
Here are some comments from her email:
"Tuesday was a big day. I was able to fly to San Francisco with 7 Sisters and 2 Elders to go to the French Consulate. They have this funny rule that anyone getting a visa has to make a personal appearance. So off we went. The sad part was my companion wasn't scheduled to go until Thursday:( It was a long day all around. We left the MTC at 5:00 am and didn't return until 9:30 pm that night. The whole experience was exciting. I was excited to leave the MTC for a day, I didn't realize how different you are as a missionary in the "real" world; everyone looks at you differently. I felt like we were all on a field trip. San Francisco was an interesting place. We were able to go down to the Piers for lunch which was really cool. By the time we got back I was so tired. I was so excited to be back at the MTC."
"I am surprised at how fast we are learning French. We cover so much, I know that the only way we can do that and be able to understand it is through the Holy Ghost. We were learning numbers the other day and played battleship."
"I feel so blessed to be here. It's not easy but it is totally worth it. I know that Heavenly Father has truly prepared me for this experience."

First Update - Finally

We received two letters from Jenni. Her companion is Sister Cordner from Alabama. Jen is friendly and outgoing and she thinks she scared her at first. While unpacking Jen would ask her questions and then only get a one or two word reply. By the end of the second day she said it was getting easier to talk to her.
Jenni flew to San Francisco yesterday morning to appear before the consulate to get her Visa, she was really excited for the trip. We can hardly wait to hear all about it.
She has seen Sister Henk and Elder Wilkinson, both are doing well and it was good to see familiar faces.
So far she is on snail mail but her p-day will be Fridays and they will get to set up an email account so that will be a quicker update.
She has been surprised by how much French she is remembering already.
She loves the MTC!

MTC

Jenni entered the MTC yesterday. There were a few tears but they were tears of joy not sorrow. Jenni is ready to serve her Heavenly Father and has prepared well. She was ready to be finished with the good-byes and move on. Going to the MTC was a special experience and the spirit was so strong; you have no doubts that the missionaries are being watched over and protected there and that angels are truly helping to prepare them for the mission field.
I will update this blog each week with news that Jenni sends.

Sister Mathieu

Sister Aurore Mathieu & Jenni

We went to St. George last weekend and met this sister missionary who is serving in the Visitors Center by the temple. Sister Mathieu is from France, the same mission Jenni is going to. Jenni visited with her and was able to get some information about her family and where they live; if she is ever in their area she will look them up.

How awesome to visit someone from where she is going to serve. Sister Mathieu also took Jenni's information and said she would find her when she returns to France in a year. It was neat for both of them to share some time together.

Sister Mathieu told Kortnee and I to go back and see her again and she would bring pictures to show us of her family and the country where she is from. She is a special sister.

Ready or not here it comes

The time has come. The phrase "ready or not here it comes," has never had more meaning in my life than it does right now. I feel like I have run around all day trying to get a million things done and all i have to show is a huge mess. When I moved home I had this list of things that i wanted to do, things I wanted to get caught up on and just random things. They have all become just things. Have I done all of them? No. But is that ok? oh ya! I am so thankful today for the time I have had to be home, For the relationships I have been able to strengthen and start and for the trials that have come my way. I have learned more than anything that Satan will do everything he can to keep people from serving missions. I have so much on my mind right now but can't seem to put any of it into words. I will leave it with this. The gospel is true. I am so greatful to be able to go and serve my Heavenly Father for the next 18 months. Thanks Mom and Dad for sharing your testimonies with me. I couldn't ask for greater parents. I love you guys!