Week 6

Dear family,

I can´t believe I´ll be leaving the CCM in just one week. It really took some time to adjust to this place, but I know I´ll miss it. It´s been wonderful to live on the temple grounds and to be surrounded by good missionaries. The Madrid temple is lovely- especially inside- so much marble, beautiful painted details, and an incredible celestial room. I´m sad that today was probably the last time I had the chance to do a session there (in Spanish, too), but I am grateful I did get that opportunity, and so grateful for temples and for what they mean.

The language is coming- a little too slowly for my taste, but it is coming. Our teacher, Brother Lopez, told Sister Thompson and I that it takes most people about 6 months to become fluent in the field in his experience, but he feels pretty confident that my companion and I will have it down in maybe a little more than 6 weeks, which is so comforting to hear.

We proselyted at a beautiful park last Saturday, and it was incredible to talk with people on the street about their beliefs and about our gospel, and not only be able to communicate my thoughts and understand theirs, but to truly feel the love the Lord has for each of His children. I was temporarily companions with Sister Grant, who´s going to Malaga as well- she doesn´t know much Spanish still, so I did most of the talking, but she´s a wonderful missionary, and I´m glad I got to know her better.

The Prado last Thursday was lovely- I loved the paintings, and was excited to see Las Meninas since I studied it during my last humanities class, but my favorite were the sculptures by far.

Thank you to Mom and McKale, who have sent me letters here. I´ve been meaning to write back, but I really just don´t have time. Just know that I really appreciate it.

So Tuesday is the day that we leave for our areas, and we find out where we´re assigned on Monday. I´m pretty sure I´ll have time to tell you where I´m going on Monday night, so watch for my email.

I´m so glad to hear that Alisa´s brain MRIs were clear- I can rest easier now.

I feel bad that my letters are so short, but I really have so little to tell right now- I´m sure I´ll have much more to write when I´m actually serving. Thank you for your emails, Mom and Dad- it´s so good to hear news from home.

I would love if you could send pictures of each of my siblings with their families. Letters are always nice too J I have some harder days, but I know that if I do my best, they´ll be for my good. I´m really learning to rely on the Lord, and I´m working on trusting Him more. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. Give my nieces and nephews a hug for me- I miss them more than anything. Let them know I love getting drawings and letters from them.

I love you all!!