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