Danish word of the week! I think this is the longest word I know so far. præstedømmetmyndighed
(Prestah-dome-uh-moolee-hill)
It means Priesthood Authority. And it reminds me of Merlin's song in
Sword in the Stone when he's packing up his house-it sounds like one of
his magic spell words. (Yes! That's my girl! jvo)
Week 2 is when things start getting real here at the
MTC. The first week we're all running on straight adrenaline, I swear.
But by week two we're settled into a routine, and we start to feel how
hard we're working! There are a few things about MTC life that are just
strange. Like, I can't remember the last time I sat on a couch. And I'm
outside for maybe five minutes a day. Even when I am outside, all of the
walkways are covered so I see the sky even less than that! Temple walks
and P-Days are the most blessed times of my week. Also, I love my
morning workout time. I miss dancing so much-I miss being able to MOVE
all day every day! But we get a whole hour to work out and stretch every
morning. I'm up to like 12 legit push-ups now. haha :) Frandy would be
so proud. Also, the food isn't even a little bit good anymore. I haven't
gotten sick, but I feel yucky and I would kill for a fresh vegetable.
Ok but on the other hand, there are so many
celebrity sightings at the MTC! Sheri Dew came and spoke at our Relief
Society meeting on Sunday. She gave one of the most epic talks about the
priesthood I've ever heard in my life. She just really drove home the
point that we are all able to participate in and benefit from priesthood
power and authority. Every time anyone is set apart in a calling-Sister
Missionaries, Relief Society teacher, anything-they are given the
authority to use God's power to enhance their work. The Priesthood is
God's power. It's not a man's power, it's not even an earthly power that
we can vote on and argue over and "win." It is Heavenly Father's power
here on this earth that is accessible and beneficial to everyone. He
decides how to use it, and we know that both men and women are in equal
standing before the eyes of God; so we can trust that he is taking care
of all of His children equally. I loved it. I probably wrote down every
single word she said. We also met John Groberg, the man who inspired The
Other Side of Heaven. I totally shook his hand.
Hilarious language slip-up of the week. The words
for "pillar of light" and "lizard" are remarkably similar. One could
argue that they are the EXACT SAME WORD. I still can't hear the
difference. But this means that if we're not careful, we could bear
testimony that Joseph Smith saw, "a lizard, exactly over my head, above
the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon
me." SO THE FIRST VISION TURNS INTO A VERY DIFFERENT STORY. Guys. This
is going to happen to me. I know it will. We've been laughing about this
all week.
Everything is still going really well. I think the
Branch President is confused about me because I haven't broken down
crying in one of our interviews yet. I'm honestly doing great and
besides not being able to move as much as I'd like, I feel really good
about everything! I am just constantly reminded here how important
missionary work is! I'm a missionary now! I'm the one who people come to
with questions, I'm the one with the calling to teach people and serve
everyone and be a representative of Jesus Christ every moment of my life
for the next 18 months. Remember the "ask the missionaries, they will
help you!" talk? That's me now. It's a completely humbling
responsibility. I know that I in and of myself do not have the physical
stamina or emotional capacity to be up to that challenge. I've already
felt it here at the MTC-I'm TIRED, Danish is hard! But every time I pray
for help, or strength, or patience, or focus, that prayer is answered
and I am able to continually improve and grow.
"as to my strength I am weak;
boast of my God, for in his st
Also
I love speaking Danish. The more I learn about this language, the more I
love it. I am starting to be able to express myself with a little more
creativity, and it feels awesome.
I
love and miss you all so much! Thanks for all of the letters, it really
makes my day to hear from you. Even if it's the little stuff. People
are in each other's lives for a reason. We're here to take care of each
other and make each other laugh and give each other unconditional love.
Never forget that! Never take the people in your life for granted. Serve
each other and love each other with your whole heart!
Jeg elsker jer, talk to you soon!
~Sister Van Orden
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