Letter #1 from the MTC
Anyone sending on DearElder.com please include your mailing address so I can write you back. I am unable to email you.
Thanks for your letters!
Well um they all lied to me. There is no down time here at the MTC so the whole keeping up with the Blog has gone out the windeow. Heavens, I can’t even get through my journal on a nightly bases.
So lets start at the beginning and see if I can made any sense.
I came into the MTC on Oct 26. I was dropped off at the curb by Sister Larsen and that was it. Two elders ( 19 – 26 year-old Young Men also serving Church Missions) escorted me to the sisters who then took me to drop off my suitcases in my “residence”
I dropped off my bags then quickly ushered through a book room and seem to be come a pack mule for Chinese books. Seriously we got the largest, heaviest and most cumbersome BLUE BAG of materials. We pacifically have three of everything, English, PinYin, Character copies of materials.
From there I went to class and was introduced to my companion. Our teacher was there and it was immersion from the start. I did find out the next day he is actually German. He is a great teacher.
As for the companion, she is from Florida. Her name is Sister Burton. For those unfamiliar with LDS Mission rules let me explain the definition of companion.
Companion: Noun. A person will be your 24/7 shadow ( shadow being defined as within sight and sound at ALL times) for the rest of my Mission. The only exception being while in the use of a restroom.
As you can imagine the restroom and I have grown quite fond of each other.
Just a quick word from the experienced. It is quit an adjustment to be here after having lived on your own and enjoyed it.
An overview of daily activities. We have a 16 our day! Each day includes 6 hours of class, 1 hour of the following, Personal study, Companion Study, Language Study(personal) TALL (Technology Assisted Language Learning) and Meals. With devotionals, meetings and workshops sprinkled in through out the week.
I am officially the oldest in the group! GO Kayte! That is a huge change for me. It definitely rings true as the 19 year olds talk about high school from last semester.
Before I forget in my District which is my class are the following:
Sister Daye
Sister Resendes
Sister Burton
Myself
Elder Ross
Elder MCCown
Its one of the few districts that has more sisters then elders.
The youngest in the zone (zones are comprised of 4 districts) is Elder Nickell who is currently sitting next to me and reading this, asking to be put in. He’s the comic relief at meals and full of stories.
The sisters in my district are all going to Taiwan, Taipei. Elder Ross (side note: has been living in Beijing China for the past year, and also sent his papers in under District President Toronto there) is going to Vancouver, Canada. Elder McCown will be going to singapore. Elder Mccoun is an outstanding elder. I greatly admire his focus and drive. I’m shocked as I see some of these elders and their capability at 19. I would not have been ready at 19. Granted they are not ALL ready, But the ones that are- REALLY are!
Ok back to the time line. After speaking to my Branch President (there are two zones in each Branch) he asked me to see the doctor to clear my knee from my Saturday accident.
So to back up and clarify. The Saturday before I was to report to the MTC I jumped for a family picture (which turned out great by the way) and landed on TWO FEET I don’t understand what the problem was. Anyway as I landed I hear the blood curdling popping that accompanied my original knee injury back in 2006. Now there was no pain so I had written if off. I iced and took aspirin to reduce the minor swelling. After talking to a physician here at the MTC an MRI was ordered and it was discovered I have once again ripped my ACL in two. No strings attached. What can I say when I do something I go all in and do it right!
After more consultations the verdict was due to two previous surgeries on that knee 2 additional surgeries would be required to correct the ACL. Bone grafts are needed before a third replacement can take place. So that means VACATION!! Just kidding.
I will have my first surgery within the week. I will recoup here at the MTC. When my district ships out in Jan. I will be going home to finish recouping before my second surgery. Once a new ACL is in place and I am cleared I’ll join my district in Taiwan. My family will be kept appraised of the time and dates. The hope is to be into Surgery by the end of this week.
I’m running out of time. As we only get 30min online. But I will try to be better.
Love, Sister Reagan
Adding Stamps 