I get flight plans tomorrow!!!

Dear Family,

I can't believe I have been in the MTC for seven weeks. The time is going by so fast. We get our flight plans tomorrow. It's just absolutely crazy! We will fly to Sweden not this Monday, but the following Monday. We think we will leave sometime in the morning, but I will let you know for sure in my email next week.

This week has been challenging for me. I think I have just been a little homesick, and overwhelmed by the responsibility of being a missionary. It's kind of surreal that I am actually here, and that I am leaving the country in a week to preach the gospel in a foreign land. I am so excited though, and the Lord really has helped me through this week.

We have had some AWESOME Relief Society meetings the last couple weeks that I want to share with you guys. Two weeks ago, Sheri Dew came and taught all the sisters at the MTC for Relief Society. She talked about how important we are in God's plan. She stressed that Satan knows how absolutely necessary we are in the work going forward, and he also knows how to make us doubt ourselves and feel down. It was awesome to hear her speak, and then we were able to meet her after the meeting.

Then, this last Sunday, we heard from Sister Mary N. Cook, Counselor in the General YW Presidency. She talked all about virtue and that we need to all be virtuous. She brought all of us the new pamphlet that has the experiences to complete in order to fulfill the value of Virtue. I am going to start completing the Virtue experiences, and if you can...Mom, Steph, Melissa, and any other sisters who read this, I invite you to locate the new pamphlet from the church and do it with me. The world is less virtuous every day, and we can all improve our virtue. I would love to do it with all of you!!!!

I am spiritually uplifted every day here at the MTC. The other day we watched the Restoration Video the church has put out, and it was wonderful. I have a strong testimony of Joseph Smith, and without the truthfulness of him, and what he did, our church would cease to be the true church of Christ on the earth. I have thought about that a lot this week. We all need to have an unwavering testimony in the Restorartion through Joseph Smith.

Mom, thank you so much for the letter. I haven't been hearing much from anybody the last couple weeks. I know you are all very busy, and it's ok. I didn't know just how much I needed letters until I didn't get any for several days. It's just nice to know how everybody is doing, and have some connection with the outside world.

I haven't received the package today, but I think I will probably receive it today. Thank you in advance Mom, and Steph...and whoever else might have helped put it together for me. The only things I would want from my closet are my bergundy/pink short sleeve shirt that has the gather in the front, and my black and white print travel knit skirt with the flower print. I think they would both be good summer things, and I will have room for them in my suitcase. Other than that, we are going to start thinking about getting ourselves organized to pack everything up. Sis. Coleman might have to send some things home. She has MANY things. :)

I am so glad that everything in San Diego went well. It sounds like it was a great weekend. I'm sorry Steph and Liza were sick when they got to Cedar. I hope everybody is in good health now. I miss you all, and love you so much. I am grateful to all of you for your examples and willingness to teach me...no matter how long it has taken me to learn.

As far as my language skills go, I'm doing pretty well. Sis. Coleman and I taught the 2nd Lesson (Plan of Salvation) in Swedish on Monday and the TRC (The Teaching Resource Center) where we teach pretend investigators every week to practice teaching and the language. It went very well. We are starting to feel pretty good about our language skills. I know I still have a ton to learn, and that when I actually get into Sweden I will have no idea what language they are speaking, but I have learned an incredible amount and feel ok about how I am doing.

Then, yesterday, we taught one of our teachers in Swedish, and when Sis. Coleman and I had finished, he told us we were doing very well with Swedish. He told us we were starting to pick up some of the smaller more picky grammer principles and use them when we speak. He said that is a very good sign. Of course, he also told us we have a lot to learn. But it was a much needed confidence boost for us.

Other than that, I think I am about ready to leave the MTC. The food is now old, and we are just getting excited about leaving here and starting to teach "real people."

I know this is the true gospel of Jesus Christ on the earth. I know that God loves us, and wants us to be happy. I love you, and pray for all of you daily.

Love,
Sister Suzanne (Suzanny Bananny, Aunt Nanny, Suz, Suzy-Q, etc.,) Wood

6 weeks done!! (Wed., April 22)

Dear Family,

I can't believe that I have been here for a month and a half. We get our flight plans to Sweden in a week. The time really is going by quickly. I'm sure I'm not learning near enough, and that I will be completely confused when I hear "Swedish" as compared to my "MTC Swedish."

I am still learning the language pretty well. I can't even explain how much the Lord is helping me to learn the language. The gift of tongues is an incredible gift that can only be given through the Holy Ghost. I know that I am nothing without the Lord and His guidance. I still have much to learn, and I am starting to feel the pressure of the fact that I only have a couple more weeks to prepare myself for Sweden.

We have had excellent firesides this week, and I feel the Spirit strongly everyday. Last week, Sister Coleman and I both auditioned to do special musical numbers at one of the firesides, or Relief Society meeting, or something else. We haven't heard yet when or if either of us will sing, but I will let you know when I have a chance. I sang Consider the Lilies, and Sis. Coleman sang Be Still My Soul. It's so awesome that we can accompany each other.

This week, I have really been trying to realize the promptings of the Spirit. It has been something that has been on my mind a lot the last several weeks, because it is SO important to have the Spirit in finding people to teach, in teaching them, and I know that without the Spirit, they will not be converted. So, I have been studying about the Spirit, and I am learning to realize it's promptings. I am so grateful fo the Holy Ghost. Now that I am learning to listen, I realize that it promts me regularly...to give me comfort, direction, and a confirmation of the truthfulness of the gospel.

I love you all so very much. I miss you, and I am sad that I couldn't be with all of you in San Diego. Please know that I am healthy. I am enjoying myself here. I have such a great purpose, and I am trying to learn and grow so that I can accomplish the things the Lord has in store for me. Take care of yourselves. Stay close to eachother and to the gospel. I can promise you that it will continue to bless your lives as you live in obedience to its teachings.

I will check my email again later on today before I go to the temple. If any of you have time, email me sometime today and I will be able to write you tonight. Or, you can DearElder.com so I will get it tomorrow.

Dad, will you add one person to my list to send my email to? susie.bird@nebo.edu. It's my good friend Susie who I taught with at Brookside. Thanks! I love you!

I love you all so much, and miss you. You are in my prayers daily. I worry about you, and I am so grateful to you.

Love,
Sister Suzanne Wood

5 Weeks Down!!

Dear family, (and friends)

This week has been another great time at the MTC. I have been thinking about what I could write to all of you about my week that would be fun or cool to hear.

The thing that is first and foremost on my mind right now is that we had the opportunity to hear an apostle speak to us last night. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland from the quorum of the 12 was here. His message was bold, and straightforward, but full of love. I can tell all of you that I know he is an apostle of Christ. His main message was to work as hard as we can, and to understand just a little fraction of what we are doing on our missions. I wrote tons of notes, and felt the Spirit so strongly throughout the meeting. I am so grateful for experiences like that one that have strengthened my testimony SO much.

I can't believe how quickly this week has flown by. On Monday, Sister Coleman and I taught the 1st lesson in Swedish together at the TRC...which is where there are volunteers who speak the language who we practice on once a week. Our lesson went pretty well. I am feeling much better about the language. I still have a lot to learn, and realize that I will get into Sweden and wonder what language they taught me in the MTC...but I am feeling more confident and my vocabulary is growing and we are trying to speak the language as much as possible.

Mom, I got the package!! Thank you so much for the treats, and for the card. My flip-flops are much appreciated. You are wonderful...thank you again.

I appreciate all the letters of support and encouragement. I know all of you are busy, and I know it is probably hard to find the time to write, but I am always so thankful when I get to hear from any of you. I like to know what's going on in your lives, and to still be "in the loop" without actually being there.

Have Taylor read this part:

Taylor,
I am so proud of your decision to serve in the Marine Corps. I know you will be a vital asset to the nation in these hard times. I love you and will always be so glad you are my little brother. Continue to take care of yourself. Be good to Jenny. Always know that you have a big sister who misses you and loves you. I wish I could be at your graduation!!! I know you have changed a lot, and I am so glad that you are having these wonderful experiences. I know you will be successful in this choice you have made. Love you!!!

Sister Coleman has not been feeling well the last couple days, so we are trying to get her feeling better. I continue to have good health here at the MTC. I have been so incredibly blessed to not have trouble with my back. My body is sick of sitting all the time....but I know that my entire district feels that way.

Everyday, our chalkboard in our classroom is filled....two, or three times over with new nouns, verbs, and other things. I feel like my head is going to not take any more sometimes, but then I learn something new, and can use it in my conversation. The Spirit is helping me continuously as I seek it's help in my learning the language.

I feel like I bear my testimony every week....and that makes up the entirety of my letter to all of you. I want to tell you just a couple of funny things that have happened since I've been here, so you know that I am having a good time...as well as growing incredible amounts spiritually. (Please keep in mind I am not a very good story teller.)

So a week ago, Sis. Coleman and I were walking back from dinner to go to class. We were coming in the door, and Sis. Coleman opened it, started to walk through, and totally hit herself in the head with the door. Don't worry, she wasn't badly injured, but it made for some pretty great laughs.

This one is not really a story, but my Zone Leader, Elder Argyle is one funny guy. He's huge!! He's probably 6' 3" and 300 lbs. He is usually sweating and has a fan that has to be blowing on him constantly. Sometimes boys smell...and on lucky occasions, he stands up, and the fan blows some less than pleasant smells in my direction. I have to giggle. He is awesome, but stinky at times.

Ok, last funny thing about the MTC. I will try my best to have this not come off offensively...or grossly. Since the day I got here, I have eaten three times a day in the cafeteria here at the MTC...at first Sis. Coleman and I didn't notice anything, but the longer we have been here, we are starting to realize that we think they have something in the food. Hehehe, something that gives us "flatulence" or "gas" or whatever you want to call it. I know it may sound gross, but it has become a very funny thing to us. It's pretty much expected now. I wonder what it is they put in the food...if you have any ideas, I'd love to hear them.

Now that I've had my silly moment, I will let you all know that I am loving this work. This is single-handedly the hardest thing I have done in my life. The schedule is rigorous, the rules are many, and I am pretty much always tired, but I would not trade any of it. I have a work to do, I love it. I am getting so excited to go into Sweden and teach the people there.
I can't believe I have already been here for 5 weeks. Time is flying by. Before you all know it, I will be back, and awkward as ever. :)

I know this gospel is true. I know that God has called a prophet and apostles for us to learn from today. I know that as we feast upon the words of Christ, we will know Him better, and feel of His love for us. I know that trials are for our good, and that they help us to grow. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God, and that it is the answer to any questions we may have about this life.

I am so grateful for the examples you have all been to me. I love you, and will forever be indebted to your kindness and love.

Mom and dad....Bryan, Derek, Stephanie, Taylor, Melissa, Richard, grandma, grandpa, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews...I love you all SO much. I miss you, and please know that you are in my prayers and that I think of you often. I hope you are all doing well. I wish I was in San Diego with you. Please send me pictures and know that I am there in presence!!!

Friends, take care of yourselves!!! Make decisions that will help you to be closer to your Heavenly Father. Stay close to Christ and follow the commandments. Pray in every decision to know that you are doing the BEST thing you can. I love you all, and miss you.

Love,
Sister Suzanne Wood

Half way done at MTC!

Dear family,

I can't believe I am half way done at the MTC...or pretty close depending on our exact departure date. This week has truly flown by. I can't even tell you how much I learn every day and how much I TRY to remember.

First of all, I want to thank all of you for the letters, and Melissa thanks so much for the package. It means so much to me that you all support me and it's so nice to hear from home. I love to know all the little things I am missing out on.

Mom, I didn't get the flip flops yet, but I think they will get here today. Thank you so much for getting them to Jor so she can send them to me. Jor...or mom....I need Jor's Cedar City address. I sent her a letter last week to her address in Provo, and it got returned back to me.

I hate to keep asking for things to be sent to me, but I would really appreciate having a bottle of vitamin C, and a bottle of daily vitamins. Sickness is inevitable here, and I would really like to have something I can take to fight the germs. I had a little sore throat for a couple days, but I am feeling better, and the rest of the week has been fine.

For mom and dad, who are worried about my health and my back. I am good. My back gets sore, but it is never very bad. I sit a lot and that is hard, but I can stand when I need to. I take ibuprofen almost everyday...I try to remember everyday so that it will keep the swelling down and help with the soreness. The beds are pretty terrible, and the pillow I have doesn't help my neck any, BUT I am fine. I am able to sleep ok even though the beds aren't great.

So funny thing happened last night. I was going to the mailroom to pick up a package...and I was minding my own business when I hear a voice say, "Suzanne???" I turned to look....it was Dillon Perucci!!!! We were so excited to see each other. He leaves for Tampico, Mexico next week. He is so grown up. We visited for a minute, and shook hands, but it was so awesome to see him. What a blast from the past.

Our devotional last night was by Elder Vaughn J. Featherstone. It was incredible. He has such a spirit about him, and his boldness in the gospel and his testimony have changed no doubt many lives. It was awesome.

I hope you all had a chance to watch conference this past weekend. What an incredible experience to be here during conference. I gained so much from the words of the Prophet and from the words of the Apostles and other general authorities. I had several favorite talks, but the two that particularly have stood out to me are Elder Hollands talk about the Savior and the Atonement, and then...I can't remember which 70 it was...who spoke all about faith.

I have felt a lack of faith in the last week. Nothing to worry about, except that I have realized over the last few days, last several weeks, ok, my whole life how important it is to have faith in my Savior Jesus Christ. I can't express to all of you how much I have been able to learn and retain, but I also have realized, and will continue to realize how vital and absolutely important my faith is. Faith that Jesus Christ will make up for what I can't do. Faith that my health will ramain good. Faith that He will take care and be there for all of you while I am gone. Faith in the blessings He is willing to bestow upon me if I will be obedient and continue to turn for him. I can write with a surity and great confidence that our Savior Jesus Christ wants and needs us to have faith in Him. He will make up the difference if we will believe Him and have Faith in Him.

Mom, I have been so worried about you. I know you will find out the results of your test today. Please let me know what those results are. I will try to check my email one more time today...but please DearElder me also. I love you so much, and know that even if there are tough in the future that you will be ok. I know that the Lord will provide for your needs. He loves you Mom, and knows how you are feeling now, and everything will be ok. I miss you so much!

Dad, I know you have been travelling a lot. Please continue to take care of yourself. I miss you, and I appreciate so much that you take the time to write me when you get a chance. Thank you for providing me with all I've ever needed or wanted.

Mom and dad, I can't tell you how much I appreciate you financially supporting me on my mission. I will always be in debt to you. I have learned so much, and my testimony has been strengthened everyday. It has not been easy, nor will it get easier, but I am so glad I am here. I know that there are people waiting for ME in Sweden, and I can't wait to bless their lives with the gospel.

I am becoming more confident in the language because I am relying more on Heavenly Father. There is no explanation for the amount I have learned here, except that I have learned it through the Spirit.

Please take care of yourselves. Remember who you are, and that Heavenly Father loves you and wants to bless you. Stay close to Him. Pray to Him. Read His words, and I can promise you as a representative of our Savior Jesus Christ that you will be blessed!

I love you all so very much, and I miss you, and want you to know that I pray for you, and worry about you, and that I care so very much for all of you. Write me when you have time.

Love,
Sister Suzanne Wood

Time is flying by!!! (Wed., April 1)

Dear family and friends,

This week has flown by. I don't know where the time has gone. They keep us so busy here, it's hard to know what day it is. There are three official days at the MTC. One is Sunday...we have time to study on our own, relax a little bit, an uplifting fireside, and other uplifting church meetings. Then there are P-Days...the day where I do laundry, check my e-mail, write what seems like hundreds of letters (I LOVE IT!) and get to go to the temple. And then, there is every other day here. There is no difference between the rest of the days, so they all mush together, until either Sunday of P-Day. It's actually pretty funny.

So Happy April Fool's Day! I didn't do anything funny to anybody today, we've been so busy it just didn't happen. I hope you are all having a wonderful day.

A couple of really awesome things happened this week. First of all, I had an awesome teaching experience with my Comp. Sis. Coleman this week. We were teaching some Sisters who are speaking Dutch, the 2nd lesson in English (it's the plan of salvation) and while they were teaching us, the Spirit overcame all of us in an amazing way. All four of us started to tear up and we had an excellent conversation about the plan for us. It was awesome. That was probably the strongest I have felt the Spirit...maybe ever. It was there in the room with us. A presence that could not be mistaken for anything else.

The next thing is that I got asked on Sunday to be the new Coordinating Sister for our branch here at the MTC. That means, I am responsible for all of the Sisters in our branch. I will go to the leadership meetings on Sundays and report to the Branch Pres. how all the sisters are doing, if they have been receiving mail, and take care of checking on them to make sure that everything is going well. I feel humbled to be asked to do this job. I am so excited, and you all know me, it's just another excuse for me to chat a bunch of girls ears off. How fun for me. :) Sis. Coleman got asked to be the Branch Music Coordinator. Which I think is awesome.

We sang in Sacrament Meeting on Sunday and it went very well. We blend well together and got many compliments from the other missionaries in our branch as well as the presidency.

I am still learning Swedish pretty well. Yesterday we tried to teach the first lesson (The Restoration) all in Swedish. It was intense. We have a lot of progress to make, but it's amazing to me that I can already put sentences together and that I am getting better...as long as I put my effort into it.

I have heard from most everybody this week, but I would LOVE it if you guys will use dearelder.com to write me throughout the week. Because I can only check my email on Wed. sometimes I can't reply because I don't have the time to print them, and then make a response. If I get your letters in the week, I can reply on Wed. through email and letter.

Thanks so much for the shirts. You and grandma did an AWESOME job picking some cute shirts. I have been complimented whenever I have worn any of them. My wardrobe is good. I wear your scarves often mom and get lots of compliments on those as well.

I got the package from Jor with a robe in it, and it's awesome. The only thing I wish I had were some flip flops to wear in the shower. I don't know that I can get those here at the bookstore. Maybe somebody could throw some of mine in a package sometime. I think I have some Old Navy ones up in my closet or on the back of my bathroom door. :)

I'm glad to hear that Kristin and Paul might have a house. I hope that works out for them soon. I'm sure they would like to be together all the time.

I did get your last email mom. I always love to hear from you. I am anxious about your Thyroid test. I will keep you in my prayers and I do know that no matter what you will be taken care of. I love you so much, and miss you, and hope that you are fine. I will pray for your anxiety as well. I can't imagine how you are feeling.

Dad, sounds like the travel continues. Please be safe, and take care of yourself. I wrote both Taylor and Derek last week, but have not heard back from either of them. I hope they are well. Jenny did email me, and I'm so glad to hear from her.

I'm trying to think if there was anything else I wanted to let you know in this letter...oh...mom, would you make a copy of my call letter, and send it to me? I would just like to have a copy of it. I'm glad you found my immunization record. I don't think I need it for anything, but if I do, I'll let you know.

I love everything about it here. My companion and I are getting along great. We are growing spiritually more together all the time. The food here is good. I'm trying really hard to make good choices. They make it hard. I haven't gained or lost any weight. I hear that it's good if you don't gain weight here.

Thank you all for your support. I am so grateful. It's always nice to receive mail here in the MTC. I know that our Heavenly Father is aware of us, and our needs. I am getting closer to him by the day. I want you all to know that I know he wants what's best for me, and for all of you. Please take care, and know that I think of you often and pray for you often as well. I know this gospel is true, with all my heart and that it brings me such great joy in my life.

Much love,
Sister Suzanne Wood

Mom, can you find out who Kevin and Amby know in Mesa?? Sis. Coleman and I want to know if there is a connection.

I am working hard, and always striving to be more diligent. I can't wait to share my testimony with the people of Sweden!!!

Week 2, already a 1/4 done!! It's amazing!!! (Wed., March 25)

Dear mom and dad, (and the rest of the fam and friends)

I am so excited that it's my day to get to write to you about the experiences I have had this last week at the MTC. It has been a wonderful week here. Every day I am learning so much...about myself, the Spirit and this true and everlasting gospel.

I will do my best to give you as many details as I can about everything... :)

My companion Sister Coleman is doing SO much better this week. Most of her homesickness has subsided and she is excited to do the work. Sometimes it's still hard for her, but I know that all the prayers we have born have been answered. She is going to be an awesome missionary and I know that one of the reasons I may have had to postpone coming on my mission is so that I would have the opportunity to be her companion. We are really growing together and appreciate all that we have to offer eachother.

I realized after my email last week that I was not very specific about my district, my teachers or my branch here at the MTC.

The district I am in has 7 missionaries going to Sweden. There are 5 elders and Sis. Coleman and I. The elders are so awesome. They are young, and the first few days I thought they were going to drive my CRAZY! One of them had a box....a huge box full of bouncy balls sent to him last week. Just imagine me trying to study the gospel with little bouncy balls flying about the room. Sometimes I feel like their mother...BUT, I am seeing them change everyday and change their focus to the gospel and they are all very awesome Elders.

My teachers are Brother Norden and Brother Nielson. Bro. Norden is actually Swedish. He grew up there, but also speaks perfect english. He is our more laid back but very good teacher of the language. He is really cool. Bro. Nielson served his mission in Sweden and has been teaching at the MTC for the last two years. He is a grammar fanatic. He knows so much about both English grammer and Swedish grammer. He is more strict with us, but also a very good teacher. It's amazing that when they come they share such wonderful insights and that they always have the Spirit with them to teach us the things we need to know to be successful missionaries.

We are in a branch with a district of Norwegian missionaries and a few districts of state-side missionaries. We have become really close to the missionaries serving in Norway. ALL of the girls in that district are phenomenal and have really helped us to get comfortable here.

We all meet together for church, and every week we prepare a talk just in case the branch presidency wants to hear from us. They choose two missionaries every week to share what they prepared...so now let me tell you a little story. This last week, we were asked to prepare a talk on the pre-mortal existance. I prepared my talk throughout the week, but felt as if it were pretty unlikely for me to be asked to speak. Well you guessed it, low and behold, after we partook of the sacrament, Bro. Howard got up and asked if I and one of the elders from another branch would give our talks. I had never been more nervous...for about 30 seconds. Then, I got up to give my talk, and I knew that the Spirit was with me as I confidantly shared what I know about our pre-earth life, and how blessed we were to have an opportunity to vote for how we could gain salvation. All in all, the talk was complimented by many, and I felt good about it. But I know it was through the Spirit.

We also had the opportunity to watch the Draper Temple Dedication here on Sunday. It was amazing. It was remarkable to be in a room with 2,000+ other missionaries and have it be so quiet. It truly felt like we were in the temple. The Spirit was so strong, and it's so wonderful to be here and participate in these great things where the Spirit is always present.

Wow, what else do I say??? I am still progressing with Svenska (Swedish). I am improving everyday, but I get really frustrated with myself sometimes, because I am not learning as quickly as I wish I were. I feel like I just want to know everything there is to know, right now, and I need to be patient and remember that I have already learned more in the last couple weeks than I ever would have if I were not here learning through the power of the Holy Ghost. It's remarkable.

My testimony continues to grow, and I know with all my heart that I am doing the work of the Lord. I realize more and more each day that this is not MY mission, that it is not MY work, that it is not MY time, but that all things I do, are the Lord's. It is His work, and I am a willing servant. And I know that He will teach me if I remain humble.

How are you doing? I appreciate so much the letters, and happenings of things at home. Please continue to write often. It is wonderful just to hear what's going on there, and that everybody is doing well. You are all in my prayers. I know that as I am here in the MTC, it's a given that I will feel the Spirit all the time. I would honestly ask all of you to make sure that you remember the Lord in all your doings. To pray to Him, and to know that He will provide for any of our needs, no matter what they may be. I love you all, and miss you. Please take care of yourselves!!!

Love,
Sister Suzanne Wood

Please forward this email to Derek. I didn't get a chance yet to write him, and I have been thinking about he and Taylor often. Please let Derek know I love him the next time you see him.

Melissa and Steph, give all the kids loves from me and tell them that their Aunt Nanny loves them very much, and that she knows that Heavenly Father loves them so much!!!!

First Week!!! (Wed., March 18)

I didn't think I would have the opportunity to write you all emails while I am here in the MTC. Well, it turns out I get to. Mom, dad...I would really appreciate it if you would forward this message on to all the people on my list I gave you.

This week has been a whirlwind, to say the least. There has been no down time since the moment I left you all in the building where we said goodbye. I have been busy with class, study, devotionals, firesides, MTC choir practice, and many other things. I will only be able to email on Wednesdays (my P-Day) but I will write every week that way.

I am sad I haven't heard from either of you yet. I hope all is well at home. I miss everybody there so much, but I am truly happy here. I know this is where the Lord needs me to be right now. My testimony has already grown so much about the Restoration of the Gospel, and my faith in Jesus Christ is increasing every day.

One thing that has been pretty hard has been that from the day I got here, my companion, Sister Coleman has been really home sick. Every day it's hard for her to get up, and she has not had any motivation to study and learn. As of today, things are getting better. We went this morning and she had a conversation with one of the District Presidents, and he recommended that she go to the counseling for a meeting with a counselor. She has the potential to be a fantastic missionary, but she misses her family so much that it is really interferring with her work here. Last night, we talked and I think our companionship will get stronger from here on out.

The language is coming pretty well. I am learning pretty quickly, but there is SO much to learn that I know I still have a long way to go. I can now pray, bear a simple testimony, have a basic conversation with somebody, and count....to a thousand in Svenska. Not that I'll ever need to count to a thousand, but I can. :) I love the two teachers I have that are teaching us Swedish. They are both very cool in there own ways. They have such a great Spirit about them!
I had the opportunity yesterday in the devotional to hear the words of Elder L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the Twelve. His words were so awesome. I learned so much from what he shared. We have the opportunity to hear from a general authority every week. No wonder the Spirit is so strong.

We have gym five times a week. I love it. I either walk, or do the elliptical machines, and do a little strength training as well. They always have lots of good choices at the cafeteria...both good for me and bad for me. I'm trying really hard to choose things every day that are healthy. I feel really good about myself right now. I am learning that there is a very real correlation between the Spirit and my self esteem. I'm so glad that I have the opportunity to be in this place where the spirit is so strong all the time, and I have such an opportunity to learn so much.
What else...I have 30 minutes every week, and it's hard to think through everything that has happened to tell you everything.

I need addresses. I need the Lewis' address. I got Aunt Eileen a birthday card, but didn't have the address to send it on time. I also need Katie Lewis's address up at Utah State. Mom, could you call Sheryl and get it for me? Also, I would love to have G and G Morris' new address. I know it's 1100 West, but I don't know the house number. And anybody you else would like to hear from me. I have time to write, but I don't know many addresses.

I'm doing so well. I love you all so much. I miss you, but I'm so happy that I don't dwell on the fact that we have this time apart. Please write me often, and let other people know that they can use DearElder.com to write me messages that will be delivered to me the next day.

I know this church is true, and I am so entirely grateful for the opportunity I have to increase my knowledge of the gospel, and teach the people of Sweden!!

I will write again next week!!! Love you all!!!
Sister Suzanne Wood

By the way, I need Derek's address and email address as well!!! Love you!!! Thanks for all you have done for me. I appreciate you mom and dad for your examples and the courage and strength you raised me to have. Take care of yourselves!!!