I am the Queen and the MTC is my Castle!

Dear Familia,

So this has been a very eventfull week.  If I could only remember it.

First off, I have been temporarily reassigned while I wait for my visa! Salt Lake here I come haha.  Before anyone sits there in judgement, remember that's where I wanted to go!! We are leaving next Wednesday, I do not know when.  We have not gotten our travel plans yet, but we'll see what happens.  There is also a strong possibility that we will not even be speaking Spanish.  But they have Cafe Rio in Salt Lake, and I could serve in Bountiful by Aunt Kelly, and I will be here for Conference, which means that I will not be listening to it in Spanish.  There are so many positives that I don't know how I could be upset.

Second! Thanks so much for all the love from back home this week!! The packages were the best. Mom I can't believe all the stuff you found to put in that big package Camron brought up. The music -perfect, the iPod -perfect, the little gifts for my companions -perfect (they say thanks by the way), and everything else was exactly what I needed.  You just know me so well!  Thanks Aunt Kathy and Uncle Roy for the package; I was in desperate need of those watches and candy!  Thanks Aunt Kelly for those cookies and other treats.  But seriously those cookies walked out of heaven! I ate all of them by myself in like two days! Jody and the Jeppsen clan, thanks for the Easter package, it was so nice -miss you and love reading Julia’s letters.  Congrats to Liza on getting into BYU!

Third! Tell the Huxfords that it was my pleasure last week to let Bleu know about Braize’s mission call.  It was so fun!!  I will describe it in greater detail because it was so cute.  I went into his classroom with three sheets of paper folded up.  He came to the door, and I handed them to him. I said the first one was just a picture of Braize with his call, and the second one was where he was going, and the third one was where the other boys in the ward are going.  He looked at the first page with the picture and was so happy.  When he pulled that page around to look at the second one, he smiled said "no way" and then leaned forward resting his elbows on his thighs and started to cry.  It was so sweet. I thought I'd tell you in case he tries to man it up for his mom. Haha!  (Bleu and his brother Braize are both going to missions in Brazil.) And Kaleb is going to Bryce's mission!!!!! AHHH that is so exciting. They are all going to be so great!! Eldorado Valley Ward -single handedly converting the  world!!!

Fourth! I got hit in the head by a duck.  That is not a joke! When we were walking back from devotional, which was great--it was a member of the 70, there were three ducks in the grass.  Some dumb elders scared them, and they came and hit my head.  The weirdest sensation ever was having a duck hit my head :-)

Fifth -I just love my district.  They are my family!  The elders are just so great.  There is so much personality in our classroom that the teacher cannot even handle it.

Last -this week we have ended teaching our “investigators”.  Surprise they are both getting baptized! We have been teaching a lot about the commandments.  I would just like to point out that a commandment that we have been given from the Lord is to read the Scriptures every single day.  It is very important.  So everybody stop slacking off and read the scriptures -it’s a commandment.  Es mas importante. I love the work, I am excited for this next week, and I pray for you all daily.  The Church is true.  It is the only thing that can cure my anxiety about the uncertanity of the future.  The work is pushing foward, and Satan is ticked.

Love, Hugs, and Kisses,

Hermana Walker

ps. My Spanglish is pretty much fluent these days!

pss.  Thanks to Marilynn for the yummy package!  I love all those Pendletons!  And thanks Grandma Sue for the snacks and the CTR ring; it fits perfectly!

Where else am I going?

Argentina, my love

Buenos Aires Crew!

The girls--four to Buenos Aires. The other sisters are going to Cordoba.

The elders in my district as they sleep. Haha!

Mission boundaries

Utah Salt Lake City Mission blog

Light at the End of the MTC Tunnel

Hola Familia!

This has been a great week.  The sun was shining yesterday to the point that I could actually feel heat.  Nuts huh?

My whole district got letters that we are going to be reassigned yesterday, so by next Thursday I should know where I am going!  I don't know whether I am bummed or relieved, because Argentina is so scary!!! None of us has met with the consulate, so I am pretty sure our visas aren't even in process. They literally don't tell us anything here, and we leave in 9 days and have yet to meet with the consulate, so ya I’d really like to go to the church travel office and help them with their efficiency.  I know, I know, patience = not my strength :)  

We got two new girls in our room this week, making a grand total of 6 girls. They are going to California somewhere and leave the same day we do, even though they just got here this week.  Although I am still not sure, if we are ever going to leave.

Our “practice investigators” are progressing, and both now have baptismal dates. Bueno.  My Spanish still sounds like Tow-mater on that ride at cars land. (Dad you can fill mom in.) It's cool though; our investigators are the most important part, not the Spanish.  My district is currently dying.  One Elder is sick with pneumonia.  Another Elder's face keeps blowing up like a balloon, and he gets hives.  And everyone else has the miscellaneous cold/cough.  We have decided that everyone has the MTC virus-it’s exhaustion/malnutrition/stress/dehydration.  

We are now the oldest district in our zone.  We got a new district this week, and I actually had met one of the girls before.  Over Christmas break when Lexi and I went to the temple, she was taking out her endowments in that session, and we talked after.  And now she's in our zone! 

I promise that I am having a spiritual crescendo of growth right now even though I don't really write much about it.  I have always had a hard time expressing the things that are most important to me.  One of our investigators (Noemi) has two children.  As we teach about the Atonement it is very family based.  I have started thinking about the Atonement in my life that way.  I cannot believe that Christ died for me, the reality of that will probably never sink in for the rest of my life.  But the part that really gets me is that he has died for my children.  The children that I do not even have yet.  I can serve the whole rest of my life and never repay the brother that died for the sins my children have yet to commit. If I did not feel completely debited to him before, I definitely do now.

Lexi's area sounds crazy!  If anyone can help the work thrive there that girl can!!

Tell Nick thanks for his letter.  As far as shirts, my two favorites are "I solemly swear that I am up to no good" and "BCHS. Hotter than Emma Watson" also I was thinking that instead of Walker on the back of their shirts Marc and Nick should get Fred and George.  I am going to write Nick back a letter today with more detail.

Thank you so much for the Cupcakes! I know you have sent me a ton of packages I was just giving you a hard time.  Wednesdays are always a hard day so the cupcakes definitely helped.  I will send you the list of things I need when I email later, I forgot to bring my list to the laundry room this morning.  If you have anymore questions send them and I will write you back then!

And if there are any more cute long skirts from JJill that would be much appreciated, because I wear mine all the time.  Seriously everyone loves the longer skirts.

LOVE YOU!! Thanks everyone for all the dearelders. Talk to you soon!! 

xoxo,

Hermana Chloe

PS.  Shout out to the boys of Boulder City who got their mission calls today!!! Congratulations Kaleb, Braize, Tanner and Chris.  Welcome to the coolest club, God's Army!!

Here are some pictures of my ladies!! I am honored to call them friends!!!

Hermana Bangerter and Hermana Walker "Checkerboard Twin Day"

"This is how we make wearing the same skirts all the time a little bit more exciting!"

Sister Morgan Allred-a good friend from Freshman year at BYU!

One of my new best friends, Hermana Morley.  Had to say goodbye to her on Monday.  Muy triste ;(

Companions:)

The Argentinian Princesses--Hermans Bangerter, Walker, and Nielsen

Argentinian Princesses in Real Life :)

Week 3 in the MTC!

Dear Family,

This week has been really fast. Faster than last week.  I didn't even take any pictures this week... lo siento. But my companion did so I will forward one to you.  And yes, I am emailing you very early in the morning once again.  We get to the laundry room really early so that we can get our stuff in the good washers, and get on the computers before this place gets crazy.  Normally we go back to our room and write letters for two hours or so after laundry, but I think today we are going to naps instead.  I am feeling really sick. It has mostly been a cold up until this point, but today I have a sore throat. Waking up everyday is still rough.  People have said it gets better, but I don't believe them. I think that every day of my mission I will have a hard time waking up.  I need to focus on success though--I have not woken up late one day!

As far as how I am doing, everything is going well.  I am still not very good at Spanish but get better everyday.  I talk pretty great in a lesson and about the gospel, but I am having a hard time with everyday conversation. The times when English and Spanish don't translate very well and I have to remember the Spanish rule are especially hard.  Sometimes it makes me upset, but then I realize that I have been here for three weeks and learned more than two years of Spanish.  We teach our investigators a couple times a week, but the best is when we go to the TRC because then we get to teach members and they are so nice.  It is such a confidence boost.  After our last lesson with our investigator Ignacio he told us that we could have asked him to do anything and he would have said yes because the spirit was so strong.

This week we sang in the devotional.  I don't know if I already said that but my whole district likes to sing in the choir.  The devotional speaker was Elder Marcos Aidukaitis, he's a member of the 70.  Melissa and I said a sad goodbye to Lexi on Tuesday.  It was bitter sweet.  Having them here has been such a blessing.  It has felt like I brought two members of my family with me.  But I will be seeing them soon especially since this is flying by!  Strengthening old friendships and making new friends have been the some of the best blessings of my mission.

And I have made wonderful new friends.  My favorites are Hermanas Nielsen and Bangerter!  

This Wednesday will mark one month in the MTC!  Thanks mom and grandma for the packages!!! Thanks so much, and mom, the temple picture with Lexi, Melissa and I was my favorite.  You have to send me more pictures--especially of our family!!!! I literally don't have one picture of our family recently.  There are a bunch of cute ones right before I left, and those really cute ones of my roommates and I after my farewell.  Just send me as many as you can!!  I have no pictures of Camron.  And none where Marc and Nick are taller than dad.  So ya I need more!!  My companion is still doing really well.  We have great lessons because she speaks a little more Spanish than me.  I would really like the 4th verse of I Know That My Redeemer Lives on my plaque.  I don't have a scripture for my plaque, but Alma 26:12 will do if I can't have the hymn.

Don't worry I'll have room for the things I asked for because I am planing on sending quite a few things home since I know what I don't really need.   But yes I will want my Danskos, I am sure.  You also know everything I love so you can send me more things if your not too busy:) Thanks so much for keeping up my blog, everyone sends me letters that they love it.  I am so excited about MarLeice.  Brazil is way lucky!

About Argentina though.  The likelihood of me leaving in two and a half weeks is slim to none.  We have yet to meet with the consulate.  At this time we just want to meet with them before we are done at the MTC so we are not reassigned to Utah.  If we meet with them in the next to weeks then we could be reassigned in the next two weeks to somewhere anywhere in the US.  Just pray that the consulate will come.  The whole visa thing really stresses me out so I try not to think about it.

Love you all.

Oh last thing our residence flooded on Monday.  Two inches in the hallway and the rooms next to us.  We were the closest room that didn't get flooded.  Basically now our residence smells like the 60 year old bacteria and germs that used to be in the carpet that are now airborne.  I have decided that is how I got sick.  They didn't even take the carpet out, they just put big fans on them.  But seriously the water was dripping down to the second floor so that's how they found out so I don't understand how they don't have to rip out the walls, I am positive there is going to be so much mold.  Luckily we leave soon, just our luck that it would be our floor, it smells horrible.
I'm also so excited to hear that Andrew Simister is going to Mexico! That is so awesome! Tell him he needs to get his Visa stuff done ASAP.  A whole district in my zone just got reassigned because they didn't get visas to Mexico on time and they had been in the MTC for 10 weeks.  Mexico, Peru, and Argentina are the worst right now.  Everyone going there is getting reassigned. And tell Camron he can send me a package anytime:)  I will try to get letters out to him and Anna and Marc and Nick this week. 

Love you,

Hermana Walker

Another Week Dominated

Hello everyone!

First off, thanks for getting my music together! That all sounds perfect.  We can't listen to it in the mtc so take time sending it if you haven't already.  If you send me a dearelder today before 11 your time I will get it today.  If you want ideas for what to send me I would like a CTR ring, Spanish or no, I'm guessing a size 7.  If there is an ugly watch hanging around the house, I would like one of those.  I have to wear one everyday.  No iPhone.  I would also like some Listerine or other kind of breath mints.  Believe it or not I am actually starting to regret not buying some Dansco/other kind of ugly mary jane shoes.  Maybe you could send me my brown Danscos (from when I broke my toe).  Not only am I going to have to wear shoes every day, I am going to have to start walking everywhere too!!  The consulate has yet to come so I'm pretty sure that my district is going to get reassigned before we get to go to Argentina.

Thanks for the letters Mom, Dad, Anna, Grandma Leslie, Grandma Sue, Vivian, and Bryce. Letters are much appreciated.  I like to feel loved.  AND THAT IS SO EXCITING FOR MARLEICE!! BRAZIL!! Perfect for her! 

This week a lot happened although the second I sat down here I forgot most of it.

SATURDAY: was a blur. I think we taught our investigator, and did the same old mtc stuff.

TUESDAY: DEVOTIONAL DAY!! We had M. Russell Ballard.  He was so great.  He talked about how as missionaries we have a lifetime of knowledge that we can draw back on, and we don't just use what we have learned in the MTC.  He told us to RELAX. My whole district sings in the choir every week.  It is so fun. We sang "Remember the Lilies". So ya that was good.

WEDNESDAY: Newbie day.  Always fun.

THURSDAY: p-day-eve.  Always long.  We had a great class last night.  Hermano Peterson one of the teachers really helped us understand the power we have as missionaries.  I thought that I was excited and dedicated before I came, but every day I get more dedicated to the work and more excited to leave this place. Ask me anymore questions you have I am not really sure what to write.

FRIDAY: Today, laundry this morning.  We are going to the temple later, and then class tonight.  

So ya that's my whole life in a couple sentences.  Surprisingly, I love going to the gym everyday.  30 min is the perfect work out time.  I have lost a little weight since I got here, but that is probably just because the food makes me sick and I don't eat.  I would love my rojo falda por favor. Let me know what's going on.  Ask me questions so I have more to say next week.  Tell everyone I love them.  

XOXO,

Hermana Walker

Hermana Walker and Hermana Swenson

Mid-calf length skirts are hard to find, and so many girls have purchased the same thingsthat the Sisters decided to have "Twinner Tuesdays" where we dress alike on purpose. 

Hermana Jessie Roberts (another friend from Boulder City) and I

Friends from home make the MTC a little easier

Dear Familia,

I am so jealous of your typical night! Our typical night is class until 9:30 and then bed at 10:30.

Business before I write a letter:

-I like getting a dearelder every day.  Hermana Bangerter is from Utah so she gets stuff everyday, and you guys have been doing really great. Please keep it up!

-my shoes = thanks they’re perfection! 

-packages are seriously the best thing ever, it's the only mail we can get before 9:30 at night.

-remember how I accidentally ordered the skirt you bought me, well a girl bought the second one from me!

-tell Camron that he is a slacker. He lives in provo.  Even if he ignores me in Argentina, he should at least be sending me letters and packages while I am in Provo.

So this has been one busy week here at the MTC.  I wish that I could give you a full recap, but I am not sure what to say now that I am sitting down here at a computer.  Basically I do the same thing everyday.  Wake up 6:30, get dressed for gym, get breakfast, go to gym, come back get ready, and then get to class by 9-ish.  Then we sit eat sit eat sit sit sit sleep.  That is about how it goes.  I am so bad at Spanish.  But seriously.  My district is supposed to be beginning Spanish, but lots of the elders and hermanas already have Spanish experience.  I guess it’s good though because I am really pushed.  My memory is saving my life.  I try and memorize as much as I can so I am not behind.  I am doing my laundry for the first time today.  We'll see how it goes.  We also get to go to the temple today, and my district and I are seriously so excited!

My district is great.  Some serious characters in there!  My companion is great; she and Hermana Bangerter and I are best friends.  My zone is pretty great as well--the Hermanas are so cool it has really helped me adjust to this whole MTC thing.  You should pray that I don't give a talk this Sunday because we don't find out until we are sitting there in sacrament meeting.

We start teaching our new investigators on Monday.  It's going to be interesting. I have so much to say, but I just can’t say it yet.  I'm probably missing a ton of stuff, but I really can’t remember as I am sitting here.  I love you so much. Tell dad I better have an email from him next week too! Start sending me information on Thursday in a dearelder, and then I can prepare for email next week.  Tell Marc, Nic, and Anna I love them! Congrats on your election boys! I loved your dearelders from everyone. If you all send me one once a week then I can get one every day.  Also, there are many people in my life who I feel are ignoring me. Ask me questions if you want to know anything.

Bye Bye,

Hermana Walker

These cute friends just ran into each other at the MTC.  Jeff was there to teach Swedish and Melissa and I were on our way to choir.

Chloe, Lexi, Melissa, Trevor--Four lifelong friends sharing the MTC Experience.  Seeing these familiar faces makes me so happy!

Sister Stewart & Hermana Walker

Hermana Jorgensen, Elder Montgomery & I

First Letter From the MTC

Hola Familia!

So by the letter you got today, I'm sure you've seen that I have forgotten some stuff. I have yet to make a list, but mostly I just need workout shoes so please send those asap.  It is the 4th day, and I am already upset that I do not know Spanish. Even in the beginner class I am like the worst one.  We taught our investigator Marley last night, and I only had about three phrases that I could remember to say.  SO ya Spanish is hard.  Also hard is waking up at 6:30 in the morning.  Luckily, I have the greatest roommates in the world so that is really helpful.  My companion is Hermana Nielsen, you guessed it mom, her first name is Tona (like tone with an a).  We work really well together; I already love her, and our roommate Hermana Bangerter is nice as well. Hermana Cook is a little quiet, but we are all slowly getting to know her.  My district has 6 Elders and 6 Hermanas--all going to Argentina, aka the Promised Land haha.  I wish I could tell you all the crazy stories because there are some hilarious people here, but I don't have time.  I love all the Hermanas, and I love all of the Elders, I feel like they are Marc and Nick!  Sometimes I just want to give them a hug though because I think they are starting to get homesick.

Speaking of homesick I am the only one of my roommates who has not had an emotional breakdown.  It is just because I am such an emotional rock. :-) I am starting to realize however that 18 months is a long time, and I am not sure how this is all going to work.  I love packages though! Everyone thinks I am popular because of my DearElders on the first day.  Keep them coming; it looks lame when you don't get any letters or packages.  If you want to, you could also send some snacks for after dinner because we eat at 4:30 and don't go to bed until 10:30. My normal p-day will be on Friday, but today is our first mini p-day.  I don't even have any laundry to do yet.  Sorry dad I did not send this to your email because I do not know it, or anyone else in the family for that matter. So send me a list of emails and address I should know por favor. ALSO, I NEED PICTURES!!! The ones I left in dads car plus any other pictures that you can send me.  No body knows what any of my friends or family look like because I have zero pictures.  Luckily, I have friends here in the MTC or they would think that I am a loser. 

Lexi was my host on the first day.  That is the only time I have cried since getting here, it was just so great to see her.  The first day I saw Lexi, Melissa, Trevor, Jessie, and many other people I know.  I've started carrying around my camera more so that I can snap some more pictures.  All I sent today were some pictures of my district.  Mostly I just want you to notice my "universal accessory" aka my nametag. haha! And my super awesome Valentines day outfit.  Red shirt, Pink sweater, flower skirt and cheetah shoes.  The only one who commented on my outfit the whole day was Trevor when I passed him in the hallway. haha. 

Anyways, I love you all.  I better have emails in my inbox when I get on next time. ALSO, I NEED TO KNOW HOW ELECTIONS WENT!!! Give me information. I am stuck in voluntary prison!

Thanks for the DearElders on the first day mom, dad, grandma, and Anna, they were great.  Thanks as well for the cookies!!!!!

Love,
Hermana Walker

My District!

The Sisters!

Hermana Nielsen, me, Hermana Bangerter, Hermana Cook!

I'm Gonna Get My Tag

Dad, Mom, Hermana Walker, Camron

Camron & Chloe

Bryce (the soon to be Sister Capener) and Hermana Walker

Goodbye

Goodbye

Hermana Walker walked in the doors of the MTC and this beautiful girl, Hermana Lexi Jorgensen, tackled/hugged her.  Lexi was her host for the day--checked her in, took her to her room and walked her to the orientation meeting.  What an awesome blessing to be greeted at the MTC by one of your very best friends!