May 30, 2012

Sister Pearce with President and Sister Sartori

May 23,2012

Hello family!!

This week has started our week of lasts.  For example tomorrow is our last gym time, last Thursday etc...We have to celebrate the little things in the MTC.  We have been speaking only Russian this week, which is kind of cool.  I love Russian!! I realize next week is going to be rough...but I think I am ready for the challenge. 

One of our teachers was talking with us this week and he was just explaining the difference between how they taught things a year ago in the MTC and now.  They used to focus a lot on the language and being able to speak, but now they focus on teaching you how to teach.  We teach 2-3 times a day. I know that isn't a ton but, they used to only teach 2-3 times a week.  But they figure it is easier to learn the language once you get there not learn how to teach.  It's cool though because we have really learned how to teach with the spirit. Almost every lesson this week we will be in a lesson and I will feel prompted to share a scripture, ask a question or say something and it really opens up the lesson to the spirit.  Anyway, it is sweet. I am sure the language will be rough for a while, but I usually can understand everything I just can't respond, but that will get better the more I speak. 

So we did get our travel plans last week! We leave at 5:00 am from here to the airport and then fly to New York where we have a 40 minute layover and then we fly to Moscow, where we have a 12 hour layover, and then fly to Samara. That is going to be a long day... our flight leaves from Salt Lake at 8:30 so I will be calling somewhere between 6:00 and 8:00. That is the best estimate I can give you.  One of our teachers served in Samara and he said that you can still use dear elder to write.  They will print them off in the office there and whenever we go to Samara for conferences and stuff like that we will get them.  So that might be better than mail for anyone that wants to write me.  Family can still use email.

Also, Mom, Dad, family, if you have any stories about tithing, keeping the Sabbath day holy or any other commandments I would love to hear about them.  It is just nice while I am teaching to use stories that are personal to me.  Anywho, if you have any just send them my way anytime!

Mom thank you for the cardigan! I didn't realize it would be so hard to find.  I packed today and both suitcases are 5 under.  I was wondering on the shoes, if you ordered them...or what's happened with them.  Anyway, I have weight so I would like them if I could get them. I would also like them because my black shoes aren’t' the best to walk around in so I want to only use those for Sundays or conferences so an extra pair to beat up would be really nice. I realized that gives you like a day to get it figured out. I’m sorry. Even if they aren't coming that is fine I would just like to know. Send me a dear elder in the next couple of days?  Also, I am sure you know this already but Friday will be my last day for mail so...

Also, Mom if you have any time today or tomorrow could you go to Deseret Book and look at some pictures for me? Just the 5x7 ones? I want to stick them in my scriptures so that when I am teaching I can pull them out so they have a visual.  I was thinking a picture of President Monson, Joseph Smith getting the priesthood, Kiev temple maybe, Joseph Smith...I can't think of any others right now but if there is any of the stories in the Book of Mormon...again if you don't get them that is great.  The MTC just doesn't have any of the ones I want otherwise I would get them here. Just think of things I might be teaching and if they have a picture of that it might be nice.

I have a box of stuff that I will send through postmark.  They will call you and have you pick it up I think from the Orem post office.  You can ask them when they call.

Thank you for everything!! I love you all so much!

Next week I will have a lot to tell you!

Love,

Cectpa Pearce

May 16, 2012

Dear Family,

So does anyone know what has happened to the 7 weeks I have been here? Time has flown!!

Yesterday L. Tom Perry came and spoke to us for the devotional. He spoke about the priesthood because the Aaronic priesthood was restored on May 15th 183 years ago.  It is always awesome to be taught by a member of the 12 and to hear them testify of the gospel.  The only downside being I was sniffling and coughing through the whole thing because I have a cold.  I almost made it out of the MTC without getting sick.  I have felt super achy for a week now so I am glad that it is finally doing something.  I am feeling loads better though.  Sister Beatie was really nice this morning and did my laundry so that I could sleep some more.  It was way nice.  Actually my whole district was really nice.  They got me breakfast, made my bed...I don't know but I feel really blessed.

On Sunday night I think, there was what we thought was a butterfly flying around our floor in the residence.  It wasn't a butterfly but a VERY large moth. Sister Damron wanted to catch to take it outside so we began to chase it around the floor.  Mid chase it began chasing me, I'm not a pansy or anything but it was huge, slightly hairy and just generally creepy.  I am ashamed to admit it, but I began acting like one of those girls that screams and runs away from bugs.  Although, the moth continued its chase down the hallway.  I finally got away and Sister Upshaw eventually caught it in a cup.  I don't know what it is with us and flying things, hopefully that is it for us while we are here at the MTC.

Mom and Dad, the boots are perfect! I really like them.  Thank you so much!

Greg, I didn't write you a letter because I didn't know where to send it, but I am so excited for you!  A JOB!!!!!  Somehow, you will be going to somewhere colder than Logan. Regardless, It's a job!  Well, once you know more I want some details.  If you like the people you are working with, pictures of your house etc.  You know, fill me in.

I'm so sorry that my last couple of letters have been so boring.  And I realize that most of this one I am talking about chasing a moth around our floor...I guess we are almost ready to leave.  Most of our learning is just speaking and learning new words now.  A couple weeks ago we were teaching and TRC and the girl we were teaching was from Yekaterinburg.  Yekaterinburg is known for fast speakers and she was no exception.  It was cool though because my companion didn’t understand, and I was able to translate for her what she had said.  That was the first time that I didn't have to think about every word individually.  She just spoke and I knew what she said.  Gift of tongues. It's real.  I feel like once I get to Russia, I will learn really fast.  I'm to the point where I just need to speak and hear it. 

We should get our travel plans this week!!  It will be nice to know when we are leaving and our travel route.  I can't believe it is almost our turn to leave.  It blows my mind, but I am so excited.  I don't even know Russian that well, but I already love it. 

Well, family, that is all I have time for.  I love you all so much!!!  I would love to hear from you before I leave.

Love

Cectpa Pearce

May 9,2012

Hello!

Well, family another week has come and gone. I have been her for 6 weeks which is crazy! We only have 19 more days here. We figured it out today that we only have 2 more p-days..., and one of those will be used to pack and get ready so really only one. AHHHH!

We got our Russian name tags this week. Somehow seeing your name spelled in Russian letters makes it real that we are actually going to Russia. Kind of cool. That really is the coolest thing that happened this week. I guess it has been a little more rollercoastery than normal. I felt really frustrated last Thursday and Friday but, as always it has improved. This week we have been memorizing D&C 4 in Russian. It is pretty cool but we have never memorized anything quite that big before. But, as always I know we will be able to do it, because that is what is being asked of us. 

On Sunday, because it was fast Sunday we had a mission conference. We were able to here from the MTC presidency and their wives. That took the place of relief society and priesthood. It was a great meeting. And then that night we heard from Mark Lusvardi. He has something to do with the missionary department. Testimony meeting was pretty awesome. Our whole district bore their testimony, so that was cool. But it was also cool because we all spoke Russian. I'm sure we made mistakes but it showed us that in the past 6 weeks we have learned something. Anywho, on Tuesday we were all guessing who would be coming. I guessed Elder Holland and Sister Beatie guessed Elder Christofferson. I never guess right, but Sister Beatie did. He spoke about the doctrine of Christ. The role of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost in the doctrine. It was interesting how he taught. He taught through scriptures and then asking questions about it. He didn't do any of the explaining he just called on people from the audience. It was great to sit and be taught by an apostle a different look on the doctrine of Christ. As missionaries we spend at least a little part of everyday studying the doctrine of Christ. So to be able to understand it better is always great.

That really is about it...sorry this is so short. Everyday is pretty much the same....well, I love you all! I love hearing from you! Write while I am still in America!

Love

Sister Pearce

May 2, 2012

Hello Family!!

How is everything? I hope well. Can you believe I am over half way done at the MTC? I can't.  Our half way mark was Sunday. I leave for Russia this month! That is crazy. Before I forget Mom, I sent a letter asking for some things, or at least some information about some stuff.  Anyway, just get me as much information by next p-day so I can make some decisions.  Anyway, just look forward to that.  This week has been pretty normal. Really nothing exciting has happened.  Just class.  Although, a lot of things are changing at the MTC.  The building my classroom is in is being torn down to make room for that awesome new building.  Anyway, so tomorrow we are moving to a new classroom.  Hopefully one with AC just in time for it to get hot. Wouldn’t that be nice. Anywho, on Monday we spoke only Russian.  I was a little nervous because I didn't know if I knew enough to go a whole day, but it was actually awesome.  I loved it. I was surprised by how much we knew.

This morning while we were doing laundry there was a bird that somehow got into the laundry room.  It was flying around the laundry room trying to get out.  Not just leisurely either but like torpedo speed.  And it would fly low.  I thought for sure one of us was going to lose an ear or an eye.  Some friendly maintenance men came to try and get it out.  I say try because the only thing they could think to do was run after it with a laundry basket.  I don't know if they actually caught it.  We left before then, but it made for an interesting morning.  This bird would have gotten along real well with the hummingbirds in our backyard that is for sure.

This week one of our teachers (he served in Samara) told us that in almost every ward he served in you could find people representing all 12 tribes of Israel.  I don't know what happened this week but I just feel excited for the work in Russia.  I already love it! I love Russian even though I barely know it.  Our teacher told us that the ball is rolling there.  Things are starting to happen and the members there are being prepared.  I feel so blessed to be a part of it.  I already feel like my mission is going to be one of the best things I ever do.  Anyway, referring back to the 12 tribes of Israel, we will literally be gathering Israel in Russia.  Our branch president, Pres. Harrison, was a mission president in Rostov. He was telling us about patriarchs who give blessing who in one day gave a blessing to someone from every tribe.  He talked about how when the tribes were scattered they went north and east.  Anyway, I realize I probably am not making any sense. But it is cool none the less.

Oh! I spoke in sacrament on Sunday and it actually went really well.  Our topic was the restoration of the gospel. I was actually hoping to speak this Sunday because I had the first vision and James 1:5 memorized. It worked out really well.  It was only 3 minutes but it was cool to be able to speak Russian for 3 whole minutes.  Sister Beatie and I also taught our district meeting lesson on Sunday.  It went surprisingly well. Maybe because it was in English.  I try not to be envious of English speaking missionaries, but I kind of am.  It's ok, I remind myself that Russian is really cool and that one day I might actually speak it, who knows!

Well, I think that is all of my news...I love you all! Mom and dad write me and tell me about Capitol Reef, I am sure it was fun.  Have a great week!!

Love,

Sister Pearce