MTC 2

When they say the days are long and the weeks are short, they aren't kidding. Each day feels SO long but I look back and realize I'm 1/3 of the way done with my MTC stay. This whole mission thing got real last night. I had to say my first "good-byes" to a district in my zone and that was pretty hard. It was weird waking up this morning and realizing they're not here anymore. In two weeks the Paris/Leon France and the Haitian Creole district from our zone will be leaving. That will be even harder. I guess I need to start preparing myself for the "good-byes" now because I'm going to experience it every transfer I'm sure. Ten elders will report to our zone tomorrow so that will be fun.

Last Wednesday, two sisters from New Caledonia and one sister and elder from Vanuatu reported to the MTC. They are going to be serving in Tahiti! It was so fun to meet them and I love seeing them around the MTC. I get so excited when I see them because I'm sure that love will just multiply in the field and the people of New Caledonia will become family for me. 

I'ts so hard to remember what happens throughout the week. All the days just run together and next thing you know you've been here for two weeks. We have devotionals every Sunday and Tuesday night. They are the best things ever. They are so uplifting and seeing an auditorium filled with young men and women all joined together for the same purpose is the coolest thing ever. We had a special devotional on the fourth of July and then we were all allowed to stay out later to go to the parking lot to watch the fireworks but we couldn't really see them so our zone went to our favorite spot on campus, "the garden", which isn't really even a garden haha. Anyway, we could see the fireworks a little better from there. It was such a good night. The next morning was rough, though haha. I went to bed way past my bed time (; 

There's so much love here at the MTC. The spirit is so abundant. It's hard, no doubt, but the spirit offers so much peace and I realize I wouldn't want to be anywhere else.

Sundays are the best days ever. It was fast and testimony meeting and listening to the testimonies born in french was incredible. The spirit was so strong. Our french may be broken and sometimes a little choppy but the spirit is the same. I'm grateful for the gift of tongues. I can understand the french pretty well which is half the battle. I have a harder time speaking it but I think if I stop worrying about sounding silly and put off the natural man and just try to speak it more, it'll come. My branch president is the kindest person ever. He loves his missionaries and he makes sure we are all taken care of. He reminded me to keep my head up and that it will come in the Lord's time. He offered many words of encouragement and reminded me of the traits I possess that are truly gifts from God. I CAN DO THIS! And even if I butcher the lesson at least I can bear my testimony in French and declare what I do know! 

I taught relief society on Sunday and it went so well - in English, though. I give all the credit to the spirit for directing my thoughts to be able to teach to the needs of the sisters in the zone. I look forward to the day that I can do the same thing in French. It will come.

Heavenly Father didn't send me here to fail. I am not doing this alone. This is a wonderful and glorious work. It is an amazing thing to see people from every walk of life, from all around the world gathering together to accomplish the Lord's work. It is even more amazing to see missionaries going all over the entire world to share one message. The church has been restored through Joseph Smith and we have a living prophet today. The Book of Mormon is the word of God, another testament of Jesus Christ, our Savior. Through the fullness of the gospel we find our purpose and understand the plan laid before us. A missionary in my zone, when I expressed fears, promised me I would be okay. They expressed that I am confident. I wasn't so sure about that but then I realized that if I exude confidence it is because I know, without a doubt, that what I am teaching is the truth and so much peace and joy comes from that knowledge. Even with a language barrier the Holy Ghost carries the truthfulness of the gospel to the hearts of those ready to receive it. This opportunity is one that will bless me throughout my entire life. The Lord has trusted me with this second language. On Sunday I was thinking and realized that I will be the only member of my immediate family that will speak a second language and the Lord has much more in store for me than just using the language for my mission. I love you all and I am so grateful for all the continual love and support I receive. I have cherished every letter and package I have received. Thank you for helping me become me. 

With much love and gratitude,

Soeur Arianna Stahura