The MTC is like a fire hydrant... you get some water but it mostly just hurts your face." I have never heard something so true in my life. I got here to the Missionary Training Center last Wednesday but it feels like I've been here so much longer than that! 

The first day I got my name tag, a room key, and an ID card. An older missionary took me to drop my luggage off at my room, then I went straight to class. Soooooo, I get to class and my teacher starts speaking Ukrainian to me right away. HE NEVER SPEAKS ENGLISH!!!! It's a lot different than Spanish in high school... The first couple days I thought there is no way that I'm going to learn a language without knowing anything my teacher speaking any English... But then slowly (through much repetition and making songs about Ukrainian words) I have started to understand what he is saying to me! THE GIFT OF TONGUES IS REAL! There is know way I could know how much I've learned already without it.. In Doctrine and Covenants 90:11 it says, "For it shall come to pass in that day, that every man shall her the fullness of the gospel in his own tongue, and in his own language, through those who are ordained unto this power, by the administration of the Comforter, shed forth upon them for the revelation of Jesus Christ.
So my companions name is Elder Cluff and he is amazing!! He's such a good example to me. Every morning we wake up at 6:30 am or earlier. We roll out of bed, pray, then do as many push ups as we can so we don't fall back asleep. 

I have never felt the spirit as strongly and as consistently as I have here. I don't know how I ever lived differently in all honesty... THIS IS THE LIFE. I don't miss my phone at all. In fact I love not having it. It made me realize how often I wasted time on it. The days here are long but this week flew by... 

My district and zone are amazing. In my district there are 5 different languages! There's Russian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Estonian, and my companion and I speaking Ukrainian. Our Branch President: President Clark, said he's never had a district with so many different languages. Elder Cluff, Sister Memani, and I are the only 3 in the MTC speaking Ukrainian. And there's A LOT of missionaries here. 

I've met so many awesome people. Each one is someone I've never met before but it's like we already know each other! I talk to everyone! 

Anyways the first night here the older missionaries in out zone came into Elder Cluff, Elder Vanbuskurk, Elder Patterson, and my room singing some song and they brought us this little basketball thing and a bunch of food! It was so hilarious. We're going to keep the tradition going once they leave. 

There are so many cool accents in our district and zone. Our zone which has about 30 something missionaries, is just like a giant family! We have so much fun but we also work so hard. Elder Romer (pictured below) is so hilarious! He's from Switzerland! He served in the military before he came on his mission! There also missionaries from England with sweet English accents!

There has been so many incredible devotionals! I have learned so much in my time here already. If you haven't watched the Characteristics of Christ by Elder Bednar, I would exhort you to watch it! It has changed my life. I think it was the best talk I've ever heard in my life. 

If any of you have questions read the Book of Mormon specifically looking for an answer to that question. Write it down in the beginning and look for answers. Then do it again with a new question, and again and again and again. I promise you that you will be blessed.

I love you all so much. The gospel is true and on the Earth today. Doubt your doubt before you doubt your faith. I miss you so much but as I've learned here, "The blessings you receive are greater than anything you ever give up." And once again, watch the Characteristics of Christ by Elder Bednar. It's long, but it will change you.