Natalie April 29, 2013

My dear family,

Well I can't believe another week has come and past in the MTC. I absolutely am loving every minute and can't get enough of it.

Loge this one's for you: Bilbo Baggins once said, "If I take one more step, it will be the furthest I've ever been away from home" ( or something like that ) Well folks. It's happened. As of last Tuesday, it's been the longest I've ever been away from home. Me and Elder Stucki were talking about it and it's pretty crazy. He did HT as well and we were talking about it this week. This will be the longest we've ever been away from home. We wouldn't want be anywhere else. 

This week has been incredible. They changed our Pdays to Monday as you can see... and I just got back from the temple.  My companions and I did sealings. (my first time!) and I LOVED IT. And guess what? They were all french families.  The temple sealer told us that we would go find their families that are still living there and make it possible for the chain to be continued. it was a really special experience! I loved it. Also the couple was probably around 112 years old...and you know how I love my oldies. I pretty much almost cried looking at them. Ah I love it.

I don't know if you've noticed but the weather is UNREAL. I've pretty much done all of my personal and language study outside. I can't get enough of it. Vitamin D is my best friend. LOVE

Well loges, today is the month mark. can you believe it? are you feeling ready? I'm so pumped for you and have a package for you the first night you'll be here. I just said goodbye to all the sisters and elders that are a transfer ahead of you! They're all looking out for you. How cool is that? You'll love it here. I'm so excited for you. 

So I can't remember if I told you about our progressing investigator Christopher. So we started teaching him like the second day we were here. We thought he was just a random person but turns out he was our teacher! Which was cool. So we continued to teach him and stuff and we had that neat experience with him. So after we had all taught him. Our teacher Frere Mayne told us the story of Christopher and a lot of neat things.  He told us that some of our companionships taught him the same exact things that he taught him.  And it was testimony to him that the Spirit can work through all of us to know what that individual might need. Then he told us Christopher's story.  He lives outside of Paris and played soccer professionally for France. (cool!) He lived with his girlfriend and they have the sweetest little girl. They have this crazy story about how they found him and his girlfriend who he'd been separated from at the same time in different cities.  They began to teach him and his testimony grew and he wanted to get baptized.  In order to be baptized he had to marry his girlfriend though and things began to come in the way and stuff.  Frere Mayne was in his last transfer and came home before they could get married.  crazy right? So guess what? I'm going to go find him! I'm so excited. I feel like I already know him so well. It's pretty crazy. but a cool story.  I have a testimony of miracles and missionary work. it's so real here!

I loved the packages you sent me! Thank you so much. I DIED when I saw your little puppy mom. So thank you thank you. My comps and roomies died too. And the outfit was perfect and the food! Loved it. and thank you so much Jess! the sock things were much needed and appreciated! I needed them. And the treats and everything.  I feel so loved. So thank you so much.

We had TRC's and the cutest old German man came. (again tears...) He was so sweet and helped us with our french. haha I loved it. Can't wait to meet people like that out in the field.

So every Sunday night you go to a movie/talk.  Last night we went to Characters of Christ by Elder Bednar. I'm sure you've heard it but I never had. It was a Christmas devotional he gave in the MTC a few years ago. If you can go watch it this week. it changed me life. Probably the most powerful talk I've ever heard! I don't want to tell you about it so you can watch it. But let me know what you thought then I'll share you my thoughts. 

I can't believe I only have 2 weeks left. It's pretty crazy to see how time flies out here. I'm so excited though. I'm ready to work hard and finish strong in the MTC.  I am studying diligence this week and it's helped me a lot with staying focused and being willing to give up what I need to in order to have the spirit with me. I love it. 

Here are some funny things that happened in the MTC this week:

• One night we all hurried super quick to be in bed early.  Everyone was in bed, the lights were off and I was saying my prayers when all of a sudden we here this, "KAMA TAY KAMA TAY KA" Or whatever it is...All of the Poly elders decided to have a little cultural celebration outside of our residence. It was SO loud and kinda scary! They did the Haka for like 10 minutes and all the Polynesian sisters did their little screamy thing too. We were all laughing so hard. We'd gotten ready as quick as we could just to lay in bed and listen to them. Oh the joys of the MTC. haha I love it.
• So In class this week we practiced contacting on a bus with our teacher.  So he'd just come up to us randomly and we'd have to start a convo. I was talking with him and stuff and he was a french 22 year old on his way to a concert.  We got talking and he invited me to go to the concert. I told him I couldn't but thanks for asking. He asked why I told him I was a missionary and we got talking about the church.  I was bearing my testimony and meant to say Dieu vous aime. (God loves you) But i said J'taime instead!!! ( I love you). the whole class burst out laughing. My teacher was laughing hysterically. I got all blushy and embarrassed (thanks mom) and we got a good laugh.
• Also my teacher Sister Cutler just graduated from BYU so she doesn't teach us anymore. I miss her! She was a great teacher.  But before she left she was telling us a story about her roommate and said "Do-FREAKING-mage!" We laughed so hard! it reminded me of Holes when the granddaughter is like "grandpa I'm tired of digging holes" and he says, "Well that's just too dang bad!" I thought of Justin saying it and laughed so hard.

Well everything is going just great. I'm getting ready to leave to France this week and I think we'll get our travel plans sometime towards the end of the week. I'm so excited! Can you believe it? I love the MTC. I love this work and I know and testify that the Lord is hastening His work.  He loves us each and He wants us all to return to Him and His father.  What an honor it is to be a part of it. 
Let me know what's up with everyone. Just and Shan moving? Jess and Ammon? Loge AP french yet? you'll be so ready to jump in and speak! Em almost summer time? Dad gardening? mom finishing work and such? Let me know. I think of you all each day:)
I love you all so much and I pray for you every chance I get. I feel your prayers and I feel so blessed to have such an incredible support system. I know I'm so lucky and blessed.  
Let me know how things are going and such! And If I can do anything or say any extra prayers.
Love you all so much
Sister Cameron
100% No regrets. I've promised to give more