I'm starting to really feel like a foreign missionary. There have been so many lessons in languages I can't even begin to understand. it's great :D mostly Korean, and all I know is Hello. I'm picking up a little more tongan, and I like that the most.
So everything is super super expensive here. Honestly, it almost made me cry to spend six dollars on a box of cereal, five dollars on a half gallon of milk, and things like that. But that's ok... i'm learning how to eat cheap.
It's p-day again, and sis Lee and I are going to go into kaniohe to do some shopping. I need proselyting clothes and shoes... it's too hot here to wear the clothes I brought. Go figure.
This week was great. I worked a lot at the Polynesian Cultural Center, and got a little tan!!! I know, i'm excited. Honestly, I stopped caring. I already stand out with the blonde hair, the pasty skin just adds to my uniqueness. I am getting a lot more freckles, however. I do like that :D
I got a coconut from the elders. It's a very very hard coconut, and they told me I had to open it. I think that will be the project later on today. The hammer didn't work, and we can't find a rock big enough. And then once we get through the outer shell, I think i can get the actual coconut open... this will be fun.
We see a lot of very interesting people at the visitor center. Two ladies came in yesterday and I started talking to them about family history work. they were very interested and I asked if they wanted missionaries to come and teach them more. They were all excited, then one asked "wait... your young men are hott in their suits! of course I want them to come to my house!" So... after teaching them for about an hour they were even more excited about having the missionaries over. I figured i'd better specify to the missionaries in their towns that it would probably be better to have 'sister' missionaries stop by. But it made me laugh when she said that.
The ward we cover (laie 8) had their summer camp this week. We stopped by last night after their musical fireside to meet as many people as we could. It was at a park right next to the beach (right off Kamehameha hwy, if you know where that's at... ). it was soo much fun. the Harp family bought us ward camp t-shirts (which are sooo much cooler than anything we ever designed in the ward... i'm just saying) and we ate bbq and had smores. I still smell like smoke i think. But we met a lot of the ward members, and they all tried to feed us. Can't complain, the food was good. I love the people here, they are really amazing.
In the visitor center I have a lot of time to read and study. I decided to start reading 'Jesus the Christ' again, and there have been times where I honestly don't want to put it down! it makes soo much more sense to me now. I love it. so you should all read it, it's just that good.
Sundays are sooo hectic here. we cover so many different wards, and we try to make it to all the ward meetings, then we have to come back to the visitor center for our shifts, then teach, then dinner appointments. yeah, trying to fit personal and companion study in there can be a challenge!! I love it though, you all know how much I hate sitting around.
Hmmm... I think that's all I can remember to talk about right now. I love you all, the church is true, God loves you. I hope you got my pictures I sent home. They should amuse you for a while :D
Until next week, mahalo nui loa! Aloha!!!!
Sis Bridge
Monday, June 29, 2009
Monday, June 22, 2009
Greeting my friends. So I've been in Hawaii for a week now, and a ton has happened! The people here are amazing. One thing they are definitely not lacking in is faith. I'm assigned to the Laie area right now, serving in the Visitor Center, the Laie 8th ward, and the BYU-H 1st, 17th, and 18th wards. So a few things I want to touch on....
1- Yes the bugs are huge. There are flying cockroaches that will one day eat me in my sleep.
2- The members feed us every night. They sign up for it. It's great. If we have to be at the Visitor Center the members just bring us dinner, but we also eat at their houses a lot. I love it.
3- My companion (Sis. Lee) is from Korea. She's teaching me Korean, an nyung ha sae yo! which means hello...
We love to talk about our different cultures. And sometimes I'll be about to fall asleep, and she'll ask me about how we do certain things in America. Like "Sis bridge, what's dating like in America?" It's funny. Then we'll talk about different eating habits, and stuff like that. Very very funny.
4- There are sooo many different cultures here. I had a Houli (American) dinner yesterday with roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy, then two hours later I had a Korean dinner with a lot of rice, huge shrimp, potstickers, and some meat I can't pronounce. Good stuff. Since my companion is Korean, they made her this really spicy soup that they didn't even think I could eat. Good times.
5- So this whole taking my shoes off thing, is kinda cool. I'm getting tan lines on my feet, and lower calf. Yes Mo, I'm a little sun-burned, but not bad!!! Honestly!!! Just my face a little.
6-The first gecko I saw was dead, stuck in the CD player. But other than that I've only seen 2 or 3. One almost fell on my comp. yesterday at church, and scared her. Maybe a gecko will eat me while I sleep... interesting.
7- Yes... I have to wear the Muu Muu. I'm sorry, I GET to wear the Mu'umu'u. It's blue, and flowery. I'll send pictures. It's actually really comfortable, and I'll probably bring a few home so I can wear them,
8- I'm learning a little Hawaiian, Pidgeon, and various other types of lingo. Honestly, you just pick it up. Kinda funny. I'm sure I sound like an idiot. Oh well, it's funny.
9- We work at the PCC (Polynesian Culture Center) a lot, inviting people to come on the tram ride to the Temple/Visitor Center. It's really fun. We get to wear another mu'umu'u that matches the PCC workers. It's a bit more frilly than the normal ones. And no Mo... I don't get distracted by the shirtless Polynesian men walking around with fire. Ok, maybe a little. But i'll never admit to it ;)
10- So I'm one of the only American sisters here. My roommates are Japanese, Korean, and German. I can't understand their languages, and so most of the time just sit there and smile. Then we play football and then I feel special cuz I know how to play. I love the sisters though, they are sooo amazing. But yes, I'm the only blonde, and it's very interesting. They are all scared to get a Houli companion because we're all picky and strict about the rules apparently. Go figure.
The work is going really well. The whole mission baptizes a lot of people. I've had some AMAZING experiences that have really strengthened my testimony on prayer and faith. I know that this is where I'm supposed to be. I love Hawaii. Yes, it's very very hot. Yes, my hair doesn't agree with the humidity and I look funny a lot. But my mission president and his wife are great. As we drove from the airport I saw an F-16 (I think... pretty sure) take off from Hickam AFB. Sooo cool... pretty much confirmed the amazingness of this place.
As far as mail goes... just send them to the mission office, and they forward them to me. It just makes it easier for the mission office.
1500 Beretania St Ste 416
Honolulu Hawaii
It's great here, and the people are amazing. I hope I don't gain too much weight... but whatever! I wear a mu'umu'u. You can't tell a persons figure in that.
Oh, I met this amazing mother and daughter on the plane ride to Hawai'i. We got talking, and I taught them the first lesson. They are soo great! They took the bus 2 hours from Waikiki to Laie to go to Church with me on Sunday (yesterday). They met a member on the bus who gave them a Book of Mormon, and then they loved Sacrament Meeting! We took them to the Visitor Center and taught them the second lesson, plan of salvation. They are such amazing people!!! They really recognize the Lord's blessings in their lives, and want to be members of the Church. Soo amazing how the Lord makes things happen at the perfect time :D
Well I think that's all for now. I'm sending home my memory card ASAP so you can see pictures, and right now I'm heading to the PCC to look around. I love p-days, but they are sooo busy!! Love you all!!! Mahalo Nui Loa!!!
-Sister Bridge
1- Yes the bugs are huge. There are flying cockroaches that will one day eat me in my sleep.
2- The members feed us every night. They sign up for it. It's great. If we have to be at the Visitor Center the members just bring us dinner, but we also eat at their houses a lot. I love it.
3- My companion (Sis. Lee) is from Korea. She's teaching me Korean, an nyung ha sae yo! which means hello...
We love to talk about our different cultures. And sometimes I'll be about to fall asleep, and she'll ask me about how we do certain things in America. Like "Sis bridge, what's dating like in America?" It's funny. Then we'll talk about different eating habits, and stuff like that. Very very funny.
4- There are sooo many different cultures here. I had a Houli (American) dinner yesterday with roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy, then two hours later I had a Korean dinner with a lot of rice, huge shrimp, potstickers, and some meat I can't pronounce. Good stuff. Since my companion is Korean, they made her this really spicy soup that they didn't even think I could eat. Good times.
5- So this whole taking my shoes off thing, is kinda cool. I'm getting tan lines on my feet, and lower calf. Yes Mo, I'm a little sun-burned, but not bad!!! Honestly!!! Just my face a little.
6-The first gecko I saw was dead, stuck in the CD player. But other than that I've only seen 2 or 3. One almost fell on my comp. yesterday at church, and scared her. Maybe a gecko will eat me while I sleep... interesting.
7- Yes... I have to wear the Muu Muu. I'm sorry, I GET to wear the Mu'umu'u. It's blue, and flowery. I'll send pictures. It's actually really comfortable, and I'll probably bring a few home so I can wear them,
8- I'm learning a little Hawaiian, Pidgeon, and various other types of lingo. Honestly, you just pick it up. Kinda funny. I'm sure I sound like an idiot. Oh well, it's funny.
9- We work at the PCC (Polynesian Culture Center) a lot, inviting people to come on the tram ride to the Temple/Visitor Center. It's really fun. We get to wear another mu'umu'u that matches the PCC workers. It's a bit more frilly than the normal ones. And no Mo... I don't get distracted by the shirtless Polynesian men walking around with fire. Ok, maybe a little. But i'll never admit to it ;)
10- So I'm one of the only American sisters here. My roommates are Japanese, Korean, and German. I can't understand their languages, and so most of the time just sit there and smile. Then we play football and then I feel special cuz I know how to play. I love the sisters though, they are sooo amazing. But yes, I'm the only blonde, and it's very interesting. They are all scared to get a Houli companion because we're all picky and strict about the rules apparently. Go figure.
The work is going really well. The whole mission baptizes a lot of people. I've had some AMAZING experiences that have really strengthened my testimony on prayer and faith. I know that this is where I'm supposed to be. I love Hawaii. Yes, it's very very hot. Yes, my hair doesn't agree with the humidity and I look funny a lot. But my mission president and his wife are great. As we drove from the airport I saw an F-16 (I think... pretty sure) take off from Hickam AFB. Sooo cool... pretty much confirmed the amazingness of this place.
As far as mail goes... just send them to the mission office, and they forward them to me. It just makes it easier for the mission office.
1500 Beretania St Ste 416
Honolulu Hawaii
It's great here, and the people are amazing. I hope I don't gain too much weight... but whatever! I wear a mu'umu'u. You can't tell a persons figure in that.
Oh, I met this amazing mother and daughter on the plane ride to Hawai'i. We got talking, and I taught them the first lesson. They are soo great! They took the bus 2 hours from Waikiki to Laie to go to Church with me on Sunday (yesterday). They met a member on the bus who gave them a Book of Mormon, and then they loved Sacrament Meeting! We took them to the Visitor Center and taught them the second lesson, plan of salvation. They are such amazing people!!! They really recognize the Lord's blessings in their lives, and want to be members of the Church. Soo amazing how the Lord makes things happen at the perfect time :D
Well I think that's all for now. I'm sending home my memory card ASAP so you can see pictures, and right now I'm heading to the PCC to look around. I love p-days, but they are sooo busy!! Love you all!!! Mahalo Nui Loa!!!
-Sister Bridge
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
June 17, 2009
We were able to talk to Charlene on Monday. She was at the SL Airport for her flight to Honolulu Hawaii at 11:30 am. She sounded excited to be going on this "adventure" (my description, not hers). It was SOOOOO great to hear her voice and talk to her. Sometimes I would catch her online when she was emailing us so I could correspond for a few minutes that way, but this was way better. I miss her but keep saying to myself, "She is on an extended vacation." That is how I am coping with missing her. "She is on a great adventure."
We received the following letter and pictures from Charlene's Mission President Tuesday night.
+++
Aloha Bridge Family,
Sister Bridge has arrived safely in the Hawaii Honolulu Mission, has done some street contacting in Honolulu, been assigned to her first area and companion and is off and running. She looks fabulous and we are excited to have her in our mission. We will take good care of her over the next 18 months--she will truly become one of our daughters.
Attached are a couple of pictures taken shortly after she arrived.
Mahalo nui loa and much aloha,
President & Sister Peterson
+++
As soon as we get an address different from the one posted, I will post it for you. She said to tell EVERYONE, especially her climbing buddies, "Please write." She misses everyone and would LOVE to hear from you.
Connie
Char's mom
Friday, June 12, 2009
Last letter from BYU!
12 June 2009
Aloha from the MTC! Yes, still here! (Thank you swine flu!) If all goes according to plan I shall be leaving BYU on Monday morning at 0800! Seriously, I can’t wait! I love the MTC, but I just want to get to Hawaii. Six weeks is way to long for an English speaking missionary.
I’ve really learned a lot this week, and I am really happy that I got to stay the extra two weeks. Granted, I was not a happy Sister Bridge when I found out that I was being delayed, but I have absolutely loved the past two weeks. We had the Most AMAZING Tuesday devotional ever. No joke, I’m pretty sure my whole outlook on life is changed. Elder Bednar came and spoke to us about following the promptings of the Holy Ghost, and how if we’re living the way we should be, if we’re being “good boys and girls” and keeping our covenants, than it doesn’t really matter if we can’t tell if it’s the spirit that’s telling us what to do, or if it’s our own thoughts. Because either way as long as we’re striving to be Christ-like in everything we do, we’ll start to think the way we should be, and everything will be what the Holy Ghost would tell us to do. Does that make sense? Kind of long sentences... but oh well. That’s seriously a question everyone here has. “How do I know if it’s the promptings of the Spirit, or my own thoughts?” But don’t worry about it! Just do the work you’re supposed to do, don’t be lazy, and the Lord will guide you! We all kind of knew that to a point, but just hearing him say it solidified it in our minds. Yeah, life changing. He can explain it sooo much better than I can... Don’t worry, I took lots of notes.
My Armenian is coming along well. And my Latvian, and my Japanese. I learned some Pidgeon/Eubonics last week. That was cool. Ok, so really I only know like 3 words in each language, but I still feel cool when I can say “Mail time!!” in Latvian! and “Hello, my name is Sister Bridge” in Japanese. I’m actually trying to learn some Japanese, seeing as half my mission is Japanese. I guess that’s just something that will come with time. I don’t think I’ll need Armenian on my mission, but If I ever meet someone, I might be able to say 2 words to them.
I fell off my chair in class the other day, that was funny. I blame my teacher. She made me scoot over, and the chair just didn’t move over with me, so I slid off. Kind of funny.
I’ve been asked to work in the referral center as a chat missionary till I leave. That’s been kind of cool. Any time someone goes to mormon.org and asks to chat with missionaries, the chat goes to us. So I’ve been able to keep my typing skills up :D Yeah I like that. I’ve had a lot of amazing teaching opportunities doing that. Not that I don’t love calling people... but chat is better.
Oh yeah, if you want to write me one more time on dearelder.com, write it today (Friday) and I’ll get it. Saturday we only get mail till 1400, and no mail Sunday, and I leave Monday morning! So Madre can you post my Hawaii address please? Love you :D
Pretty sure that’s most of it, I guess a lot has happened this week, but I don’t remember any of it right now. I’ll write individual letters sometime today as well. Oh yeah, anyone from work? Tell katelyn that Sis. Pinnock is my companion. She should know.
So...advise.... Go to the temple. Read the scriptures. Follow the commandments and be good boys and girls. The church is true, Heavenly Father Loves you all!! Even more than I do, which is a lot... So until... sometime next week... I’m not sure when I’ll have p-day in Hawaii... Peace out! Shaka Bra! (That’s pidgeon, I had a companion last week from Oahu.)
-Sister Bridge
Aloha from the MTC! Yes, still here! (Thank you swine flu!) If all goes according to plan I shall be leaving BYU on Monday morning at 0800! Seriously, I can’t wait! I love the MTC, but I just want to get to Hawaii. Six weeks is way to long for an English speaking missionary.
I’ve really learned a lot this week, and I am really happy that I got to stay the extra two weeks. Granted, I was not a happy Sister Bridge when I found out that I was being delayed, but I have absolutely loved the past two weeks. We had the Most AMAZING Tuesday devotional ever. No joke, I’m pretty sure my whole outlook on life is changed. Elder Bednar came and spoke to us about following the promptings of the Holy Ghost, and how if we’re living the way we should be, if we’re being “good boys and girls” and keeping our covenants, than it doesn’t really matter if we can’t tell if it’s the spirit that’s telling us what to do, or if it’s our own thoughts. Because either way as long as we’re striving to be Christ-like in everything we do, we’ll start to think the way we should be, and everything will be what the Holy Ghost would tell us to do. Does that make sense? Kind of long sentences... but oh well. That’s seriously a question everyone here has. “How do I know if it’s the promptings of the Spirit, or my own thoughts?” But don’t worry about it! Just do the work you’re supposed to do, don’t be lazy, and the Lord will guide you! We all kind of knew that to a point, but just hearing him say it solidified it in our minds. Yeah, life changing. He can explain it sooo much better than I can... Don’t worry, I took lots of notes.
My Armenian is coming along well. And my Latvian, and my Japanese. I learned some Pidgeon/Eubonics last week. That was cool. Ok, so really I only know like 3 words in each language, but I still feel cool when I can say “Mail time!!” in Latvian! and “Hello, my name is Sister Bridge” in Japanese. I’m actually trying to learn some Japanese, seeing as half my mission is Japanese. I guess that’s just something that will come with time. I don’t think I’ll need Armenian on my mission, but If I ever meet someone, I might be able to say 2 words to them.
I fell off my chair in class the other day, that was funny. I blame my teacher. She made me scoot over, and the chair just didn’t move over with me, so I slid off. Kind of funny.
I’ve been asked to work in the referral center as a chat missionary till I leave. That’s been kind of cool. Any time someone goes to mormon.org and asks to chat with missionaries, the chat goes to us. So I’ve been able to keep my typing skills up :D Yeah I like that. I’ve had a lot of amazing teaching opportunities doing that. Not that I don’t love calling people... but chat is better.
Oh yeah, if you want to write me one more time on dearelder.com, write it today (Friday) and I’ll get it. Saturday we only get mail till 1400, and no mail Sunday, and I leave Monday morning! So Madre can you post my Hawaii address please? Love you :D
Pretty sure that’s most of it, I guess a lot has happened this week, but I don’t remember any of it right now. I’ll write individual letters sometime today as well. Oh yeah, anyone from work? Tell katelyn that Sis. Pinnock is my companion. She should know.
So...advise.... Go to the temple. Read the scriptures. Follow the commandments and be good boys and girls. The church is true, Heavenly Father Loves you all!! Even more than I do, which is a lot... So until... sometime next week... I’m not sure when I’ll have p-day in Hawaii... Peace out! Shaka Bra! (That’s pidgeon, I had a companion last week from Oahu.)
-Sister Bridge
Friday, June 5, 2009
June 5, 2009
Sometimes I think my stay at the MTC is one of the strangest in history. Now to top it all off, I get to stay here an extra two weeks! Lucky me! Yes, I was supposed to leave for Hawaii on Tuesday (it's Friday now, that would mean I am supposed to be writing from Hawaii... but I'm not :D) but Monday came and a lot of people had the flu. It was decided that no one was going to be able to leave that week because we didn't want to infect everyone out in the real world. Smart really... so I went back to my residence hall and unpacked my bags.
I shall remain here till June 15th, at least that's the earliest I'll leave. The missionaries that were supposed to leave this coming week will still leave on time, but since they had to cancel our plans completely, we have to wait till new travel arrangements can be made :D So yay for an extra 2 weeks in Provo!! If I'm not mistaken, I'm the only English speaking missionary (speaking English in the Field) that is staying this long. I get six lovely weeks here (that's double all the other english speakers) But I'm not complaining, the Armenians have 12. I've started making a list of all the good things that have come from staying here. I won't mention them all, but I think my mother would like to know that I wouldn't have gotten her package if I would have left, and it was a good package. Thanks mom. And guess what else? You can still dearelder.com me for another week and a half! Definetely a bonus...
I did get a little sick on Wednesday, sick enough that they made me stay in my room for two days. BORING!! I got a blessing from my AMAZING zone leaders, and my temp. went back down to normal. I'm still a solo sister, so luckily I got permission to be alone in my room, or else I would have had to have my companion be bored with me. But in the field I won't be soo lucky. So I just won't get sick.
I went to Temple Square on Saturday! It was amazing! They put me with the great Sister, Sister Pua from Hawaii. It was kinda hard. I saw a few people from work. But I love Temple Square, so it was worth it. Sister Pua threw me into a tour before I had time to discuss anything, it was kind of terrifying, but I learned a lot. We were taking a group of about six people through the North Visitor Center, and Sister Pua took us down to the basement to the Old Testament room, and quickly mentioned that we were standing in the Old tTestament room, then looked at me. It took a few seconds to click in my mind that she wanted me to explain. So I went off on prophets I think... Then she did the same at the family exibit. By then I kinda figured what she was doing; she did intro's, I did doctrine. Sounds easy enough... yeah it was a good experience. I can't wait to get out to Hawaii.
So I'm going to keep this short, hopefully that's short.... I don't really know. But the Church is true, I have no doubt. The Lord is keeping me here for a reason, I probably have to learn more. We'll see. When the time comes for me to go to Hawaii, I'll go to Hawaii. Everyone should go to the temple, it's the most amazing place ever. Till next week, may the force be with you, or something nerdy like that. Love ya'll!
Sometimes I think my stay at the MTC is one of the strangest in history. Now to top it all off, I get to stay here an extra two weeks! Lucky me! Yes, I was supposed to leave for Hawaii on Tuesday (it's Friday now, that would mean I am supposed to be writing from Hawaii... but I'm not :D) but Monday came and a lot of people had the flu. It was decided that no one was going to be able to leave that week because we didn't want to infect everyone out in the real world. Smart really... so I went back to my residence hall and unpacked my bags.
I shall remain here till June 15th, at least that's the earliest I'll leave. The missionaries that were supposed to leave this coming week will still leave on time, but since they had to cancel our plans completely, we have to wait till new travel arrangements can be made :D So yay for an extra 2 weeks in Provo!! If I'm not mistaken, I'm the only English speaking missionary (speaking English in the Field) that is staying this long. I get six lovely weeks here (that's double all the other english speakers) But I'm not complaining, the Armenians have 12. I've started making a list of all the good things that have come from staying here. I won't mention them all, but I think my mother would like to know that I wouldn't have gotten her package if I would have left, and it was a good package. Thanks mom. And guess what else? You can still dearelder.com me for another week and a half! Definetely a bonus...
I did get a little sick on Wednesday, sick enough that they made me stay in my room for two days. BORING!! I got a blessing from my AMAZING zone leaders, and my temp. went back down to normal. I'm still a solo sister, so luckily I got permission to be alone in my room, or else I would have had to have my companion be bored with me. But in the field I won't be soo lucky. So I just won't get sick.
I went to Temple Square on Saturday! It was amazing! They put me with the great Sister, Sister Pua from Hawaii. It was kinda hard. I saw a few people from work. But I love Temple Square, so it was worth it. Sister Pua threw me into a tour before I had time to discuss anything, it was kind of terrifying, but I learned a lot. We were taking a group of about six people through the North Visitor Center, and Sister Pua took us down to the basement to the Old Testament room, and quickly mentioned that we were standing in the Old tTestament room, then looked at me. It took a few seconds to click in my mind that she wanted me to explain. So I went off on prophets I think... Then she did the same at the family exibit. By then I kinda figured what she was doing; she did intro's, I did doctrine. Sounds easy enough... yeah it was a good experience. I can't wait to get out to Hawaii.
So I'm going to keep this short, hopefully that's short.... I don't really know. But the Church is true, I have no doubt. The Lord is keeping me here for a reason, I probably have to learn more. We'll see. When the time comes for me to go to Hawaii, I'll go to Hawaii. Everyone should go to the temple, it's the most amazing place ever. Till next week, may the force be with you, or something nerdy like that. Love ya'll!
Monday, June 1, 2009
June 1, 2009
Just got this from Char:
Hi mom, they delayed my flight for at least a week because of this flu thing. No one will be departing from the MTC. I'll be in the here till next Tuesday at least. If more people at the MTC keep getting sick, it'll be two weeks. I'm not sick yet, no worries. But a lot of people have been quarantined to their rooms! They have notified my mission president, and everything is going great. Still don't have a companion, but I guess the Lord still has things to teach me in the MTC. I'll be a teaching assistant all next week for the new visitor center sisters. That should be nice. I do like teaching.... So I won't be able to call you tomorrow :( but I will let you know how things are when I have P-Day on Friday! Could you post this for me? I would love to hear from everyone, especially since they can still use dearelder.com for a week...
This next week will be very interesting, but I'm sure I'll learn a lot from it! I love you much! Tell Mo congrats on her graduation! I love her lots! Tell daddy that I love him! I hope you got the pictures that I sent!! I should have my new flight plans soon, I'll let you know!
Love you more!!!
-Sister Bridge
Just got this from Char:
Hi mom, they delayed my flight for at least a week because of this flu thing. No one will be departing from the MTC. I'll be in the here till next Tuesday at least. If more people at the MTC keep getting sick, it'll be two weeks. I'm not sick yet, no worries. But a lot of people have been quarantined to their rooms! They have notified my mission president, and everything is going great. Still don't have a companion, but I guess the Lord still has things to teach me in the MTC. I'll be a teaching assistant all next week for the new visitor center sisters. That should be nice. I do like teaching.... So I won't be able to call you tomorrow :( but I will let you know how things are when I have P-Day on Friday! Could you post this for me? I would love to hear from everyone, especially since they can still use dearelder.com for a week...
This next week will be very interesting, but I'm sure I'll learn a lot from it! I love you much! Tell Mo congrats on her graduation! I love her lots! Tell daddy that I love him! I hope you got the pictures that I sent!! I should have my new flight plans soon, I'll let you know!
Love you more!!!
-Sister Bridge
5/29/09
I'm sure this will come as a surprise to many, But little Sister Bridge is still in the MTC! Visitor center Sisters stay for 4 weeks, and I shall be flying out to Hawaii on 2 June!!! I am traveling with 8 elders, all going to Hawaii as well. I met most of them yesterday (funny story, I'll tell in a bit) and they are way nice! I can't wait! So keep sending dearelders till Monday after noon!
My whole district (save my companion and I) left on Monday for Tampa Florida! I miss them sooo much! They will make amazing missionaries. We had to take Sister Rowley to the front at 0600, which was really early.... especially if you have gotten in 8 hours of sleep every night for 3 weeks. The elders met us there and then we walked back to the room. (I stepped on a snail... after I had taken all this time to move ANOTHER snail out of the way of a lawn mower, it was nasty.)
Wednesday my companion flew out to Vancouver Canada! That was really sad, but I'm super excited for her. I remember Scott telling me that saying goodbye to your family was hard, but saying goodbye to people on your missions was even harder because you weren't sure if you were ever going to see them again. I'm already seeing that.
Since I don't have a companion (or a district) I'm officially a Solo Sister. For those of you that don't know, a Solo Sister is a Sister who doesn't have a companion (maybe she's the only one learning a certain language), so she gets this cool little sticker on her name tag that allows her to be with Elders. This would have been great, but I don't really have Elders to be with either since my district is gone. So I've been finding random Elders to walk me to class and stuff. It's kinda rough... I've got soo much time to do stuff, and soo much stuff to do, but no one to do it with, so I can't really get anything done. But it's starting to work out! You're not allowed to be alone, but I can't really help it. So I just find people. I guess the Lord is trying to tell me something?
I hope you all had a wonderful Memorial Day! I ran a lot that day, then played sand volleyball. But that's about it... Tuesday we had this AMAZING devotional by Elder Callister of the Seventy. He talked about focusing our lessons and teachings on Christ, and he used a lot of big words, and my companion had to ask me what they meant. I was glad I knew. Oddly enough, a lot of people have complimented me on my vocabulary. That kind of makes me laugh since this whole time I've had to simplify EVERYTHING! I've tried soo hard to (as Sam would say, and she has) "be normal." (yes Sam i forgive you...) I don't think I have a large vocabulary, but people keep coming to me to ask for definitions.
I started Visitor Center training on Wednesday. I'm the only visitor center Sister this week, so it's pretty much just one on one time with my teachers. I honestly wouldn't have it any other way. I have learned soo much in the past few days! Sister Allen and Sister Olsen are amazing! I gave my first "tour" yesterday, and I was supposed to focus it around the first lesson, the restoration. You get this big room to set up displays of anything you think you could need, anything that they might have in a visitor center. Then you teach the lesson with the visual aids. My "tour group" came in after I had set everything up and I don’t think it went as well as it could have... this girl decided she was going to play the "jerky investigator" and started asking me all these questions even before we got started. She started telling me the things we did in the temples were stupid, and it wasn't fair that everyone couldn't go in. (Keep in mind she's actually a member, and is going on a mission in a few months) It kinda ticked me off, so I was really blunt. Oops. But I gave her the answer. Then the same group came back again and they were members, so I got to see how to change my teachings for members. It was good practice. I'm glad my teachers are patient. I know that I'm going to get those questions while I'm out there, and I'm working on answering them with LOVE! It's a struggle some times... I really love it when I'm teaching other missionaries a lesson. I've gotten to teach a lot of other missionaries in the Visitor center room. We just invite them to come in at a certain time, and then I teach them a part of a lesson based on what I think their needs are. We watch lots of movies :D
I taught the ESL (English as a second language) missionaries last night, and they are sooo amazing! Most were Spanish, some Japanese, South Korean, and Tongan. We watched a movie on the Life of Christ. It had very little words, mostly music. I thought that would be nice for them. Then taught about Christ and the Atonement. We discussed problems they were having with the language and the MTC in general, and they all really opened up. I gave them a chapter in the Book of Mormon to read after, Ether 12 I think, specificaly verse 27... I think. Where the Lord says he will make the weak things strong? Yeah that one. Sorry, I don't have my scriptures with me! But it was a great learning experience! I teach some English Elders tonight! I honestly can't wait to get to Hawaii!
I'll be sending home some pictures today, so anyone that wants to stop by can see them, unless mom wants to scan them and put them on the blog? I'll be sending home my memory card much later... so it's up to mommy. Be nice to her and she might post them sooner :D
So other than the fact that the last 3 days have felt like the first 3 days I was here, everything is going great! I still have the Latvians, the Armenians, and the Greeks. Whenever I can I usually stick with them, since they are in my branch. I'll get all day Sunday with them!
And I just realized I said I'd tell you how I met the other Hawaiian Elders... I had a teaching appointment in the VC room, and when I walked in I said Aloha, like always, then I just started getting to know the Elders (there were about 12). 4 of them said they were going to Hawaii! Then one said "Wait, are you the Sister that's flying out with us on Tuesday?" YES!!!! I'm soo psyched! It was sooo cool! Ok, it was cool to me.... cuz then I got to teach them about the restoration! It was brilliant.
Well this is really long, but that's the story of the week. Big thanks to everyone that has written me, it really makes my day when I get a letter. Scott, I hope Italy is just as good as you remember it, write me and tell me all about it! Jason... just write me. Ammon, send pictures of rock climbing. I miss it, hard core. Madi, I love you! To the fam, you'll be getting letters from me very soon! And to my baby sister- You're graduation pics are soo cute! I showed the announcement off to everyone :D I'm soo proud of you! Thanks for the letter, tell Lexy thanks!
I'm sooo glad I had the chance to come to the MTC! I have learned so much about the Gospel, and mostly about Jesus Christ. My love for my Savoir has increased ten fold since I arrived, and I know that it's only going to grow! I've realized that through prayer the Lord can help us with anything we're struggling with. He wants to help us. All we need to do is sincerely ask! This has been one of the hardest experiences of my life, but I wouldn't have it any other way! I'm reminded of a Longfellow stanza... 'the heights by great men reached and kept were not obtained by sudden flight. But they, while their companions slept, were toiling upward in the night.' It's not perfect, I'm doing it from memory, but that's really how it is. Not that I stay up late, but it's obvious who really studies and who really wants to be here! I know I'm definetely lacking in the motivation area sometimes, but then I remember what my job is. My job is to bring others to Jesus Christ, and that's not going to happen if I'm lazy! And that applies to everyone! So don't be lazy! That's my message to you :D love ya'll, and I'll write next from HAWAII!!!
till then, all my love!
Sister Charlene Bridge
My whole district (save my companion and I) left on Monday for Tampa Florida! I miss them sooo much! They will make amazing missionaries. We had to take Sister Rowley to the front at 0600, which was really early.... especially if you have gotten in 8 hours of sleep every night for 3 weeks. The elders met us there and then we walked back to the room. (I stepped on a snail... after I had taken all this time to move ANOTHER snail out of the way of a lawn mower, it was nasty.)
Wednesday my companion flew out to Vancouver Canada! That was really sad, but I'm super excited for her. I remember Scott telling me that saying goodbye to your family was hard, but saying goodbye to people on your missions was even harder because you weren't sure if you were ever going to see them again. I'm already seeing that.
Since I don't have a companion (or a district) I'm officially a Solo Sister. For those of you that don't know, a Solo Sister is a Sister who doesn't have a companion (maybe she's the only one learning a certain language), so she gets this cool little sticker on her name tag that allows her to be with Elders. This would have been great, but I don't really have Elders to be with either since my district is gone. So I've been finding random Elders to walk me to class and stuff. It's kinda rough... I've got soo much time to do stuff, and soo much stuff to do, but no one to do it with, so I can't really get anything done. But it's starting to work out! You're not allowed to be alone, but I can't really help it. So I just find people. I guess the Lord is trying to tell me something?
I hope you all had a wonderful Memorial Day! I ran a lot that day, then played sand volleyball. But that's about it... Tuesday we had this AMAZING devotional by Elder Callister of the Seventy. He talked about focusing our lessons and teachings on Christ, and he used a lot of big words, and my companion had to ask me what they meant. I was glad I knew. Oddly enough, a lot of people have complimented me on my vocabulary. That kind of makes me laugh since this whole time I've had to simplify EVERYTHING! I've tried soo hard to (as Sam would say, and she has) "be normal." (yes Sam i forgive you...) I don't think I have a large vocabulary, but people keep coming to me to ask for definitions.
I started Visitor Center training on Wednesday. I'm the only visitor center Sister this week, so it's pretty much just one on one time with my teachers. I honestly wouldn't have it any other way. I have learned soo much in the past few days! Sister Allen and Sister Olsen are amazing! I gave my first "tour" yesterday, and I was supposed to focus it around the first lesson, the restoration. You get this big room to set up displays of anything you think you could need, anything that they might have in a visitor center. Then you teach the lesson with the visual aids. My "tour group" came in after I had set everything up and I don’t think it went as well as it could have... this girl decided she was going to play the "jerky investigator" and started asking me all these questions even before we got started. She started telling me the things we did in the temples were stupid, and it wasn't fair that everyone couldn't go in. (Keep in mind she's actually a member, and is going on a mission in a few months) It kinda ticked me off, so I was really blunt. Oops. But I gave her the answer. Then the same group came back again and they were members, so I got to see how to change my teachings for members. It was good practice. I'm glad my teachers are patient. I know that I'm going to get those questions while I'm out there, and I'm working on answering them with LOVE! It's a struggle some times... I really love it when I'm teaching other missionaries a lesson. I've gotten to teach a lot of other missionaries in the Visitor center room. We just invite them to come in at a certain time, and then I teach them a part of a lesson based on what I think their needs are. We watch lots of movies :D
I taught the ESL (English as a second language) missionaries last night, and they are sooo amazing! Most were Spanish, some Japanese, South Korean, and Tongan. We watched a movie on the Life of Christ. It had very little words, mostly music. I thought that would be nice for them. Then taught about Christ and the Atonement. We discussed problems they were having with the language and the MTC in general, and they all really opened up. I gave them a chapter in the Book of Mormon to read after, Ether 12 I think, specificaly verse 27... I think. Where the Lord says he will make the weak things strong? Yeah that one. Sorry, I don't have my scriptures with me! But it was a great learning experience! I teach some English Elders tonight! I honestly can't wait to get to Hawaii!
I'll be sending home some pictures today, so anyone that wants to stop by can see them, unless mom wants to scan them and put them on the blog? I'll be sending home my memory card much later... so it's up to mommy. Be nice to her and she might post them sooner :D
So other than the fact that the last 3 days have felt like the first 3 days I was here, everything is going great! I still have the Latvians, the Armenians, and the Greeks. Whenever I can I usually stick with them, since they are in my branch. I'll get all day Sunday with them!
And I just realized I said I'd tell you how I met the other Hawaiian Elders... I had a teaching appointment in the VC room, and when I walked in I said Aloha, like always, then I just started getting to know the Elders (there were about 12). 4 of them said they were going to Hawaii! Then one said "Wait, are you the Sister that's flying out with us on Tuesday?" YES!!!! I'm soo psyched! It was sooo cool! Ok, it was cool to me.... cuz then I got to teach them about the restoration! It was brilliant.
Well this is really long, but that's the story of the week. Big thanks to everyone that has written me, it really makes my day when I get a letter. Scott, I hope Italy is just as good as you remember it, write me and tell me all about it! Jason... just write me. Ammon, send pictures of rock climbing. I miss it, hard core. Madi, I love you! To the fam, you'll be getting letters from me very soon! And to my baby sister- You're graduation pics are soo cute! I showed the announcement off to everyone :D I'm soo proud of you! Thanks for the letter, tell Lexy thanks!
I'm sooo glad I had the chance to come to the MTC! I have learned so much about the Gospel, and mostly about Jesus Christ. My love for my Savoir has increased ten fold since I arrived, and I know that it's only going to grow! I've realized that through prayer the Lord can help us with anything we're struggling with. He wants to help us. All we need to do is sincerely ask! This has been one of the hardest experiences of my life, but I wouldn't have it any other way! I'm reminded of a Longfellow stanza... 'the heights by great men reached and kept were not obtained by sudden flight. But they, while their companions slept, were toiling upward in the night.' It's not perfect, I'm doing it from memory, but that's really how it is. Not that I stay up late, but it's obvious who really studies and who really wants to be here! I know I'm definetely lacking in the motivation area sometimes, but then I remember what my job is. My job is to bring others to Jesus Christ, and that's not going to happen if I'm lazy! And that applies to everyone! So don't be lazy! That's my message to you :D love ya'll, and I'll write next from HAWAII!!!
till then, all my love!
Sister Charlene Bridge
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