MTC So Far

Hey hey hey guys!

So today is my fourth day at the MTC and it feels like I have been here for a month. This is the first time that I have been able to sit down without reading, taking notes, or being taught. The schedule is tough, and I am still not used to the constant going and doing, but I am sure i'll be soon!

So my companion is Sister Blankenship. She is from Concord, California, 21 years old, has done 3 years at BYUI, and is great. We get along really well even though we do not have much in common. We had our first real- life discussion yesterday and it flowed pretty well. We definitely realize that we need to love the people we teach, more so than just trying to get our whole lesson taught. Our district has 4 sisters and 3 Elders. There was another Elder in our district but he went home the second day due to family issues. I was really sad because we had the most in common, he being from Louisiana and knowing all about the good ol' south. 

On Thursday I was called as Sister Training Leader over all the sisters in our zone. I conduct interviews each week to see how each of the sisters are doing emotionally and spiritually and report back to my Branch President in Sunday Branch Council. I held these interviews yesterday and really felt immense love for each of them. It is interesting how when you are put in a leadership position, the love the savior has for them is streamed through you to them. Each one of the sisters I am over are great and we are so diverse, but the one thing that ties us all together, the MOST important thing, are our mutual testimonies of the love the Savior has for His children.

The food here is WAY good! I don't understand why anyone would say otherwise, we have every option under the stars! I've been eating wraps every lunch and dinner and my oh my are they delicious. Healthy eating has not been a problem whatsoever. Also, we have gym time every other day for 50 minutes. Thursday we did not have scheduled gym time so Sister Hervoivich, in my district, woke up early and I went for a run. Yesterday when we went to the gym I ran two miles, did the machines, and then played four square. Guess who works at the MTC gym? Sister Muncy who served in our ward in Alabama! She got a picture with me so I don't know if she sent it to you or not, but that was pretty crazy. I have also seen so many friends from BYUH. Elder Poulsen helped me with my bags when I arrived at the MTC and we talked for a bit. He is doing well and got his temp assignment to California, can't remember which part.

Sister Muncy

What has been stressed the most to us is our purpose: "Invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end." What we are here to do is physically take the steps to conversion with others. Yet how are we to teach and help without doing it ourselves and without having a testimony of it ourselves already. This is very VERY key. Charity, the pure love of Christ is the other key factor in missionary work that has been stressed. I understand why, because how are we to represent Christ unless we are like Christ. I have felt, just through role play, charity for the investigators we have taught. Through love, all things can be felt through the spirit. Though I am really sick right now(eyes swollen, runny nose, sneezing, and groggy) I would rather be here learning to help others than somewhere else taking care of myself. I know that if I stay focused and do not let outside problems get me down, the Lord will help me through. I know that I have already learned a tremendous amount of information, but not doctrinal information, it's information that will help me love others. My purpose is clear, and I will keep doing my best to fulfill it.

Love you all!
Sister Fredrick

P.S. I took the wrong name badge at the gym yesterday and was walking around for 30 minutes with an elders badge pinned to my shirt. Funny, embarrassing, and made my day, it's whatever.