I´ve been given the chance to write you and let you know that I made it to Spain safely. On the flight to Atlanta, I sat by a Christian woman a few years older than mom. She´s lived in Utah before and she says she loves her Mormon friends and the feeling of our gospel. We talked a lot about the importance of families, geneology, and about choosing what we do within our life stories. She was such a good woman, and I loved being able to talk freely about the church. I think being set apart as a missionary has helped me to become more bold on that point.
During the layover in Atlanta, I had the chance to call home and talk to Mom, Kari, Annie, and their little boys. I loved it and was surprised that it didn´t make me homesick, even if it did make me miss them... and yes, that´s possible. (I´ll send pictures on my next preparation day, which is Thursday).
Sister Thompson and I (now it´s just us in the companionship- sister Schaumann has a different companion) had a fun experience after calling home. Our flight was due to leave at 5:50, so we thought that we´d be fine on time so long as we made it to the gate by 5:30. We had dinner in the food court, and because we both wanted different things (and have to stay together) Sister Thompson had finished hers, and I was just starting mine by 5:20 when Elder Vogel and Elder Lush came running into the foodcourt with panicked expressions, Elder Vogel pointing at his watch. When they reached us, they told us that they´d been calling our names over the intercom for over 10 minutes, and that the plane was going to close the doors in 5 minutes. I shut the take out box and threw it in the trash and started running when they said, "You can take that on the plane, you know" "I just threw it in the trash can!" I said. "did you close the lid?"asked Sis. Thompson. I said I had.¨"Then go get it back!" So, I dumpster dived for the meal I´d just paid for and took off running with the three of them.
Sister Thompson and I (now it´s just us in the companionship- sister Schaumann has a different companion) had a fun experience after calling home. Our flight was due to leave at 5:50, so we thought that we´d be fine on time so long as we made it to the gate by 5:30. We had dinner in the food court, and because we both wanted different things (and have to stay together) Sister Thompson had finished hers, and I was just starting mine by 5:20 when Elder Vogel and Elder Lush came running into the foodcourt with panicked expressions, Elder Vogel pointing at his watch. When they reached us, they told us that they´d been calling our names over the intercom for over 10 minutes, and that the plane was going to close the doors in 5 minutes. I shut the take out box and threw it in the trash and started running when they said, "You can take that on the plane, you know" "I just threw it in the trash can!" I said. "did you close the lid?"asked Sis. Thompson. I said I had.¨"Then go get it back!" So, I dumpster dived for the meal I´d just paid for and took off running with the three of them.
As you can surmise, we made it on the plane and I´m in Spain now. The 9 hour flight was a little tortuous, because even with the sleeping pills mom sent, I only got about 3 hours of sleep, so I´m running on just that much sleep as of yesterday morning at 5. Little jet lagged and slap happy right now. Sister Thompson and I are still companions and we´re so grateful for that because we work well together and are good friends already.
What I´ve seen of Madrid is lovely- when we flew in this morning, I noticed the golden sunlight and the red brick buildings first of all. Most of the buildings near the MTC are redbrick apartment buildings with green awnings and flowers in the windowsills. It´s definitely spring here- the trees are starting to fill with leaves and we can hear birds outside the windows. The Madrid temple is lovely- we´re right in the courtyard, which is all white stone- it´s brilliant in the sunlight. The weather is much as it was in Utah- jacket warm. There are only about 60 missionaries in this MTC, but they´re used to having more like 20 missionaries here, so the residences are cramped. And since it´s chaotic, we feel like the sisters at least are taking some liberties with the rules, which is driving me a little crazy- but maybe Sister Thompson and I can show them a better way.
I´m still really sad that I had to leave my district, but I love Spain already and can´t wait to proselyte tomorrow (!) in the streets. I´ll email you on Thursday- I love you all!
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