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!!!