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!!!!