Letter #1

HELLO ALL!

So that was hard.  I survived the first week. Its hard enough to learn how to teach what you know to investigators by revelation of the spirit for their individual needs in english, I can imagine what its like in a foreign language. I appreciate all of you going foreign speaking.  I bet your saying just wait... it will only get harder.  But I survived that, so I can survive anything.  My campanion is great, Sister Myers.  im getting used to being around her all the time. I do like my bathroom time and showers though... My first experience teaching a non member was a woman who didn't believe in God.  We have two like that now.  only she is really a non member I think.  she was really hard on my companion and I didn't know what to do so I said my basic testimony and got teary eyed...maybe an understatement.  But I think she felt the spirit too because her eyes were red.  It was a good learning experience.  In order to survive here I had to let go of all my limitations I put on God and my pride.  I was humbled by my 3rd day I think and by sunday things got a lot better. Its good for me.  I take it one day at a time.  My district is either going to Australia or New Zealand.  They are really awesome.  I tried vegemite from a sister in my zone who is from Australia.  She is amazing and I like vegemite. The best story I have is when Sister Nully from the MTC presidency wives called me up in front of the 400 new misisonaries on the first day.  She had me tell my mission call opening story.  Turns out she and her husband were Mission Presidents in Perth Australia and she roomed with Sister Lehnardt in college.  Needless to say that broke me in fast.  A lot of people remembered who I was after that.  I can't remember a whole lot of what has happened.  Its been fun getting to know people though.  I could always use letters with encouraging thoughts and wisdom on how to teach people by the spirit or who dont believe in God or how I can look forward to getting it down eventually in the field if there is such a promise.  All I know is I can see why God uses unlearned people to do his work.  They are the most teachable.  So I would call the MTC the weeding out of the tares. Wednesdays are my Preperation days that I can write on and I only get limited time to email so I  know my writing is horrible.  I could always use letters other days with dearelder.com.... i was the last to get a letter in my district and it was today and I got 2 emails from Melinda and a letter from sister roberts.  But a letter last week may have been distracting and I know you all love me so I don't need them for that.  I do like advice.  You can do as I am learning here to use the spirit to know what I need to hear and what you can send me to help me be organized.  Elder Nelson talked about the book of mormon yesterday during devotional.  So powerful.  It is key to everything in a conversion.  if its true everything is true and well God knew what he was doing telling moroni where to bury the plates when they were so close to where the new world was founded in the effort to have freedom to believe what they will and so opening the door for the restoration.  I have a strong testimony and it is only building and I have many more hard times to come im sure but im learning how to love everyone and that is important.  my weaknesses will become strengths.  I love you All!  I hope to hear from you all soon.  I feel at peace.  I'm happy.  Im not afraid. Nothing to loose only to gain so you all need to start working to be missionaries!  Let me know how that goes!   

Love you All

Sister Haney