So much to say, so little time

Hello!

Just for the record, I have about 25 minutes to type at lightning speeds to tell you about my week, answer questions, etc. I always feel a lot of pressure and tell my companion I'm "shutting down" for the next 25 minutes, so hopefully I make sense each time. If not, you now know why. I don't proof my letters.

Last night we had a devotional and Rosemary Wixom, Primary General Pres, spoke. We sang "I Belong to the Church" and other primary songs. After the devotional we always have a district devotional review. Rewind a little to Sunday when we were on our temple walk around the Provo Temple. A counselor in my Branch Presidency is Brother Woodfield. For some reason or another, the name Appleberry came up. Oh, I know. He mentioned something about Wilmington, North Carolina and I said that's where my grandmother was born. I told him her maiden name is Appleberry and he said he had Appleberrys in his line. I told him her full name, Emily Clementina Appleberry. He too had Clementinas in his line (they passed the name down). Turns out we're related. He too has Pembrooks and Shingletons in his family line and I whipped out my pedigree chart to show him. His grandmother, I believe, is Hazel. Grandpa, I think I remember seeing this name on the family "fan" hanging up in your entry way. Anyway, he told me some really neat stories about our family. I'm going to mess up some details, but my great great? grandmother, when she was 7 years old, was very ill and two missionaries came to their door. Her mother turned them away because her daughter was sick, but the little girl (our great grandmother) asked her mom why she turned them away when they offered a blessing. She said she knew they could heal her. So the mother ran down the street and called the missionaries back. The young girl was healed, of course. She wanted to join the church at age 8 but wasn't allowed to until she was about 15. She went to conference once Sunday and saw a man standing at the front of the building at the podium. "That's the missionary who healed me!" It was President George Albert Smith. I believe I've heard this story before--maybe it just feels familiar. Brother Woodfield went on to tell us that his grandfather was very poor--he was a plumber and was barely scraping by during the Great Depression. One day he was fixing a flat tire and was hit by a car and broke just about every bone in his body. He was in a full body cast for about 6 months and in other casts for longer. During that time when he couldn't work, our great grandfather took him in--I think he's talking about Pembrook--and cared for the family because they were absolutely destitute. Brother Woodfield was teaching our district about charity. I was learning family history. There were more stories and I wish I had time to share.

During district devo review, I was overwhelmed with gratitude in knowing that families are together forever. I know that to be true, and I'm so grateful for each and every one of you in my life. I look up to all of you, love your individual qualities and personalities, and am grateful that you have been so kind to me as the single baby of the family. When I shared my feelings about the devo (we're required to do it), I said that I was grateful for the song I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I know who I am, I know God's plan--I'll follow him in faith. This plan isn't just for us who are members of the church. This is for all of God's children. Each one of them should have the opportunity to learn about the Plan of Salvation and the gift of the Atonement. I'm grateful to know who I am in my family, on the earth, in the Lord's Kingdom and that right now I am a missionary. Sister Wixom talked about how children sing songs for us and pray for us and that gave me strength in knowing that my nieces and nephews are thinking of and praying for me.

I love you kiddos!! Aunt Katy misses you! And Kajsa Jane, happy 5th birthday today, sweetheart. I just need to tell you that some of the boys I have met here sing songs from Tangled (everyone, weird--I know) and the songs remind me of you each time. Flower gleam and glow. Let your powers shine. Make the clock reverse--bring back what once was mine. Bring back what once was mine. I hope I got it right that time. :) I love you, little one.

Mom, thank you for the wonderful DearElder. Stacy and Jo, I got yours too. I love them. Each and every time I get one I love them!! Thank you for telling me anything and everything. I'm happy to hear that things are still going on in the world. Mom, I will get you a scripture soon, I promise! And I will be sending pictures home soon as well. I need to get more developed so bear with me. Thank you for sending me new earrings! I haven't gotten them yet but I'm sure they'll come soon.

Speaking of packages, I got my very first package yesterday from Aunt Kris! She and Shelby made me 15 individually wrapped s'mores and told me that I'm going to be very popular with the missionaries I share them with. She also included chocolates from Rocky Mountain Chocolate Co. and Reece's Peanut Butter cups. Mmm--that's going to hit the spot. Shelby wrote me a letter titled Dear Sister B. :) She then drew a picture of me, her and Aunt Kris. It was precious.

Yes, I've met Kevin Dahl's son Mitch. He came to the office one time, and I heard about him almost every other day. Kevin really really really likes talking about his family so I know things I probably shouldn't know about them. Oh, the elder who went home is planning on coming back. We've all sent him letters and he sends us a DearElder as a district and tells us what he's up to--how he's studying Preach My Gospel every day and continuing with his Spanish studies. He says that not everyone has treated him as nicely as we do which makes me really sad. He made the right decision in going home and getting things in order. I can think of plenty of other elders who could do or should have done the same thing--you need to be worthy of having the Spirit. There's no other way to be successful here.

I played prelude music on Sunday before Sacrament meeting. My companion was called on to give a 3- to 5-minute talk in Spanish about baptism and keeping covenants. She did a great job. We had our first companionship study this week. I have so much to work on. I've realized that Spanish does not matter. I'll need it to communicate with my investigators but that's not what's important here. Our teacher told us that their goal is strictly to make us powerful teachers. We don't study Preach My Gospel and learn lessons to say them to people. We're learning how to ask the right questions, how to listen, how to follow the Spirit--this is tough. Again, I've been truly humbled this past week because sure, I know a little Spanish. I have a testimony. But I need to share that testimony in a way that's clear, concise, and inviting. I'm learning to be patient with my companion and with myself. We're on different levels regarding knowledge of the gospel and Spanish but she lifts me up so much--she calls me her "home."

Love you all,

Katy