Singing with Snails

T and one of her instructors,
Sister Hansen

Hey, "y'all!" (can't say "guys" here, it's a weird rule)

**My address in the MTC, for 5 more days is:
Sister Teresa Whitesell
MAY 30 CA-ROS
2005 N 900 E Unit 58
Provo, UT 84602
email teresa.whitesell@myldsmail.net

This week was just as crazy as last week, but as always, there are plenty of super fun things, and spiritual moments, and definitely lots of learning.

T and her MTC companion, Sister King

Temple Walk Sunday: our district
with the district who came the week
after us ("below" us)

To explain the title of this blog, they aren't related but I did participate in choir this week, and the elders (young men missionaries) attempted to freak me out by putting a snail on my classroom desk. Obviously I wasn't phased, and went on to play with it, and scare some of the other sisters with it! Ha.

This past Saturday we also had an MTC-wide blackout! Even the backup generators didn't work, so halfway through our class, everything just went dark. We heard the doors, which are held open by a magnet, just slam shut on each floor, leaving us in almost pitch black, aside from a few windows that were open.

Franklin the Snail

Temple Walk with President Cusick
(he's amazing)

It was kind of cool but we also had some lessons to teach, so we went to our investigators and taught them in the dark. It was a cool experience, and some of the elders in my district had experiences that wouldn't have happened if the lights/electricity had been on. They record all of our lessons on camera. Some people play-acting as 'investigators' (people interested in the gospel, that we get to practice teaching), are actually real investigators. They might not say some things if the camera was rolling, but with no electricity, they were free to speak. There were some very touching stories shared.

District Hot Wheels

Fun thing, if you didn't know, my parents are the best, and sent a creative care package with food, ping pong balls (each with a scripture or motivational phrase on them), and best of all Hot Wheels cars! Obviously I am a 5-year-old at heart, so opening a box of Hot Wheels cars was the best. 9 total, so everyone in the district gets one. We're doing a few races later (today's our P-Day, or Preparation Day, so we do laundry and we can also race cars). Also obstacle courses. Very exciting!

Spiritual Moment: I was able to participate in Choir this week. Since we can't listen to music in the residence halls (too distracting when people are trying to study or sleep), it was amazing to be able to sing, and listen to others sing! Since I joined on Tuesday instead of the Sunday practice, most people already knew what they were doing, and the chorister started in the middle of the song. The first note that the choir sang was just beautiful.

Elder Pitcher & Elder Moon

Then, throughout learning the song ("Nearer My God to Thee"), the chorister taught a lesson about the meaning of the cross. In the physical sense, the cross can literally lift us closer to God. But the cross can also symbolize a trial, and our trials will bring us closer to God as we use His support and love to get through hard times. He also said, "If every day was sunny, the land would be a desert. You need some rain to create an oasis." I thought that was the coolest thing. So learn to appreciate the hard days, because without them, we wouldn't love the good ones as much!

Obviously being out here has been a challenge, but it has also been a blessing. I've been able to grow so much these past few weeks, and can't wait to teach what I've learned! I'm headed out of the MTC in 5 days, which seems crazy! CA isn't ready for my district, though, let's be real, ha! Also my district is the "oldest" now, and we have 2 districts "below" us (just how long we've been here). We got to welcome in the new district last night as the Senior Zone and Sister Training leaders. That was wonderful, and fun to remember how crazy those first few days were.

I miss the district "above" us, that left, a ton, but I know they're doing great things in Canada and Michigan. You learn to love and understand people, here. It's inspiring. And, my district is still the best!

Sister Whitesell

Newbies, Nametags and Nature Pictures

Here is Teresa's MTC address, for the next 2 weeks! She would love letters or emails. (And after you email her, she'll have your email address, too.)

Sister Teresa Whitesell
MAY 30 CA-ROS
2005 N 900 E Unit 58
Provo, UT 84602
email: teresa.whitesell@myldsmail.net

Hey!
So it's about 1 your time, but it will probably be a lot later when I finish the email. It's been a crazy first week! Last Wednesday was super strange, since I've only ever brought friends INTO the MTC, I've never been the one dropped off before. They have the system down.

DAY 1 NAMETAGS. Lots of orientations, and getting to know the district (that's the group that I go to class with, eat meals with, and everything else...my "family away from home" of sorts.) I was so flustered coming in, and confused, that even the nametags were a mystery! I was used to the idea of the Elders' nametags, that hang over their pockets. But they gave me a magnet nametag, that is my real nametag. It's okay, I figured it out! Ha!

Our Pdays ("preparation days," when we can do laundry and run errands, etc.) in the MTC are on Thursday. But that first Thursday was a lot of classroom stuff, getting to know people, eating food. For those who lived in the BYU dorms, it's the Canon Center food, only a tad worse, so I was SO excited! (that's sarcasm. I got over that food after one semester, my freshman year)

CLASSES. We also have class after dinner, which was weird at first, but it fits with everything, and we still learn a lot. I've definitely been challenged more this week than in my entire life, but that's kind of what this experience is for, though. I've grown a lot and learned a lot, regarding all the spiritual aspects, and about Gospel Doctrine, and about how to teach it, which is good. They actually have you start "teaching" investigators a few days after you get here! It's very fast and daunting, but then it's not as bad as you think, once you start.

Sundays are full of meetings, and it was probably the longest day so far. I got assigned as Sister Training Leader along with Sister Vest, so we get to welcome in the new missionaries and we plan Relief Society. Not too bad.

INSPIRATIONAL TALKS. Every week we have to write 2 talks. During Sacrament Meeting, they tell us who is speaking, right before they have to talk. You never know if you have to get up, until RIGHT THEN. It's fun, but also nerve wracking. Each week has 2 assigned topics, so 2 missionaries speak on each topic. It's not as bad as it sounds.

Tuesday devotional was amazing to listen to. Joy Jones (General Primary President) spoke about how we need to learn to recognize miracles. We also need to understand that for the next 18 months, we are the Lord's hands, and he will work through us to help others. Sometimes we won't ever know the outcome of our actions, but if we are prompted by the spirit, we shouldn't ever dismiss it.

Another point I thought was really cool was that she said "Whoever the Lord calls, he qualifies." So even if we feel inadequate in what we're doing, He will give us the knowledge we need for who we teach, and help us teach them in a way they will understand. I'm just really excited to see who I'm supposed to help out in CA, and why I got called there. It's still a mystery to me.

DISTRICT. Our district, according to all of our leaders, is one of the closest districts they've seen. Huge blessings all around for that, and I love it! We are 100% a family away from home. My companion is Sister King and she's the sweetest person. Also, you're with your companion 24/7 here, so sometimes it's hard. But we do get exercise time, and I can run and be by myself for a bit.

The other sisters are Wingate, Rivas, and Vest. They are a "triple," instead of a companionship, which doesn't happen too often. Sister Wingate has the greatest personality and is never hesitant to crack jokes. We love it! Sister Vest is quieter, but knows anything and everything about church stuff, so it's really cool to hear all of her insights. Sister Rivas is the Tennessee version of Sister Wingate, and she's hilarious. We connected through nature pictures, and now I just want to go hike around Tennessee waterfalls.

Elders Moon and Pitcher, are the coolest companions ever, and Elders Pate and Yates are super funny, and have the perfect mix of insightful and sarcastic remarks.

Anyways, hope everyone is doing well! Allison I didn't email you since I didn't have your email, and Lexie update me on the mission call!

Okay it snowed yesterday and that was a little weird.

Mother's Day report of the MTC

Hello! (here's another post from Mom.)

Just FOUR days after Sister Whitesell enters the MTC, it is Mother's Day! The missionaries get to call home on Mother's Day and Christmas Day. This evening we got a call from our missionary :)

She said her District has 9 missionaries in it. 4 Elders and 5 Sisters.
Those missionaries are from Utah, Tennessee, Idaho, and Massachusetts (Teresa). Teresa and her companion are the only 2 going to Roseville. Each one of the group is going to one of 4 different missions in California.

Notes from the first 4 days...
This week her group (after being there 1 week) will welcome the "newbies" into the MTC on Wednesday.

They have a good group that gets along well with each other! They can hang out and talk before class starts, and be spiritual and comical. She likes the group.

She's eating "Canon Center" food again! It seems heavy...lots of carbs, pastas, breaded food.

Sister Whitesell gets an hour of exercise each day. She may run 10 laps, which is 2 miles, with some ab exercises on the side. The whole group plays "Knockout," a basketball elimination competition, and volleyball. Only they don't really play by rules with any skill, so Teresa can only tolerate a little bit of that.

Her schedule for the day goes something like this:
6:30 a.m. wake up, daily planning
7:15-7:45 breakfast
8:30-11:30 classes
12-12:40 Lunch
12:40-3:45 study
practice teaching
4:45 exercise
6:00 dinner
classes until 9
bedtime, journal writing
lights out 10:30

They take a "temple walk" on Sunday, where they can take pictures of the temple and they listen to a spiritual thought by one of the group.

They can read emails and send emails on Thursdays.

The missionaries are to have 2 talks prepared each Sunday, and the leaders announce WHO is speaking in church that day, AFTER the sacrament! So the missionaries are prepared, and don't know if they'll give their talk until the last second. They are told that they should have 6 talks ready to go, to use on their missions, before they leave the MTC. (Sometimes while on their missions, they will be asked to speak in church.)

It was nice to talk to her! Sounds like she's off to a great start :)

And She's Off!

Hello!
(This first post is from Sister Whitesell's mom. Kari)

We take Sister Whitesell to the airport this morning, Dark and Early because it is 5 a.m. in Massachusetts, and her flight leaves at 6:45.

These may be "it's too early
and it's too cold" faces

It's also quite cold, for May. But Teresa will not feel much cold on her mission in California. She does happen to like cold and snow...but we are confident she will learn to survive. :)

She is finally packed

and energetic (well, it's all relative. It IS still 5 a.m.)! We arrive at the airport and go through the necessary steps to get her bag checked and boarding pass in hand.

Our airport tradition includes Dunkin Donuts, of course. We start our breakfast and Teresa gets in the line to walk through security.

We will miss you terribly, Teresa! You are a wonderful person with a big heart. The Lord is happy with your decision to serve a mission, and the people of California will be better for knowing you. We love you, and can't wait to live your mission vicariously, through letters and email. Safe travels :) :) :)