Editor's note (AKA Amy intervenes): Some of this email was business oriented, just info that her parents need, so I omitted it. It makes the email a lot shorter, but that is just the way it goes when you have limited email time as a missionary.
Dear Mom and Family,
Today marks the halfway point of my MTC experience. I was going to send pictures today, I brought my camera and everything, and the computer will NOT let me upload them. So I'm sorry, but you might not get any of those until I'm in Missouri.
I'm so proud of you mom. You will give a wonderful lesson on temples. Because nonmembers need to know that everything in our church leads to temples. One reason for that is because the church is all about families. Everything is about families. Yesterday we had a devotional (every Tuesday), and Julie B. Beck spoke. She talked about how everything is about the family - the fall, the atonement, the creation, everything. It was wonderful. You will give a wonderful message. I have faith in you. :) Know that you have a missionary praying for you. :)
I had heard rumor about that pastor saying those things (about Mormons not being Christians), but I'm not worried. The Lord works in mysterious ways, and I really think that there is no such thing as bad publicity for the church (unless someone in it does something bad). This article will get people thinking about the church, and I think it will gain the church some support. I think hundreds of people will be going tomormon.org because of this. What a blessing! And if they believe him, no harm done because they probably believed it anyway. I think this will only do good for the church as people try to find out for themselves.
My district is pretty good. We actually had some district drama this week, but I guess these really are still 19 year old boys. A short version is that some of the elders were breaking rules, so the sisters corrected them (leaving their companion, going back to their room instead of class, etc.). They have been talking bad about us behind our backs ever since, and really ignore us a lot. The Zone Leaders talked to them (one of them was the District Leader), so things are improving. These boys have big hearts, but hard heads, so they will learn to get over that. Exact obedience is important. The DL finally started asking us to pray in class - the first time since our first two days here, so that's improvement. We'll take it. These boys have great potential.
I got a letter from Willie this week and it made my day. What a stud! I look up to him a lot, and these block heads will be lucky if they get him as a companion (I mean that in the nicest way. These boys have great potential, and I love them, it just is difficult sometimes).
We have some progressing investigators that are wonderful. One is Hely Meza, and she is so sweet. She could talk our ears off for hours and hours! The hard thing is getting a word in about the gospel! She asked us about our mothers, and I told her about you, mom. She seemed so impressed to hear us speak kindly of our mothers. She wants her daughter to meet with us. :) (these aren't real investigators, but it is still fun.) Another investigator is Janet, but I don't like her as much. It is frustrating because I am trying everything I know how to do, and I still feel like I am failing. We just can't reach her, even though we are praying our heads off and bearing testimony with our whole hearts. I reached my limit with her on Saturday and when she refused to pray, I said, "Janet, I can't do this for you." almost rudely. I felt awful at first, but it worked! She apparently needed me to be bold, borderline rude to act on anything we said. Anyway, I'm learning a lot.
Another investigator is Ben. We haven't figured out how to tell him he actually wasn't speaking in tongues in his church. We'll get there. He committed to baptism, though.
I'm trying even how to capture this week in an email, and I don't know how. So much has happened, but nothing has happened. It feels like one long day with naps. The days all blend together. I am very happy here. My companions have learned to laugh at my love of milk and how I love to run up stairs, and I am learning to talk less (sometimes I dominate the lessons. They don't mind, but it isn't good for any of us.)
I finally met a sister going to my mission! She is in a district will all Elders going to my mission too!! So we all leave the same day. I won't be flying alone. :) I am the only Visitor's Center sister, and that is why I am alone in my district. The three of us are the only VCs. I'm so excited.
Oh! And we joined the MTC choir! It is amazing. It is 3/4 men, but it sounds good. I'm singing alto. We sang where can I turn for Peace, and I loved it. What a release.
Anyway, I gotta go. I'll send you a letter later today.
I love you all! Thank you for your support! I am very happy here and have learned a lot. :)
Love,
Sister April Atkin
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