Sunday, May 27, 2012

Week 5

Week 5:

Wow,

That really went by sooo fast! ok so not much has happened! Things are starting to settle down and i think i have the rythmn down now! hahah! Im so thankful for all the letters i received this week! Thanks to Matice, Jessica Meyers,Marianna, Allison, and My adorable cousin Jared, I can keep myslef sane! Hahah jk they were fun. I also loved "the akward moment when..." letters Emily sent! KEEP THEM COMING GUYS! I really have been doing better. Im teaching a lesson in Russian everyday, except sundays! but im really starting to warm up to the language i just need more vocabulary! On Monday the older district is leaving so that means we become the older district which is weird to think about. We only have about 6 more weeks and then I'm off to Russia. I learned this week that Moscow mission and the Moscow West mission are combining so i might get to serve in other countries besides Russia! Thats cool. I am grateful for the scriptures and the revelation i receive each day. I seriously look forward to my personal study time cause the Lord always helps me find what i need. Two weeks ago he sent me Alma 17 for comfort and it was just the best i read vs. 5, 9-10 and those just gave me a testimony that a mission isnt just a piece of cake but i can do it. Thanks to everyone back home and i want those letters! :)

Love,

CECTPA TEDFORD

Week 4

So this week is week four! Man it's gone by soo fast! It's been a good week! I've learned that my favorite days of the week are Tues, Wed and Sundays! because we have devotionals on those days! I love it! Yesterday we had the previlage of listening to Elder L. Tom Perry! He was soo good and so sweet! well let me start from last thurs! Things are going ok here, to all those getting ready to go on a mission, remember that probably the hardest thing will be companions! its hard to be with someone 24/7 no place to escape! but after a while you will get used to it! im still having a hard time because before i could find a place to go and no one would bother me, but now.... lets just say its harsh! We are still teaching "investigators" almost every day except sundays! today we get to do something called TRC which people from the "outside" world come in and volunteer to be our investigators, its a ton of fun and a relief from our regular investigators. Our teacher Brat (Brother) Porter left to Arizona on saturday. it was so sad i think we all cried he was the most hilarious human being on the planet of the earth, oh well that's not counting Elder Bradford hes like the class clown! (even has the red hair to go with it). I feel like im starting to get a hang of this language now, there are these things called cases that let you know more about the sentence since russian doesnt have filler words like so, it, to etc. so you change the end of the words to end with a different letter and it changes the meaning of the sentence. so i feel a little more confident with those! I LEARNED THE NUMBERS AND FIRST PART OF THE FIRST VISION IN RUSSIAN THIS WEEK! I cant believe we only have like 9 weeks left! its incredible. The older group is leaving so, we become the older group next week. Wierd! but idk i know ill get a general idea of this language soon! Today I was able to go to the Xram(temple) and it was just a great feeling of peace! I see Elder Hurtado (shelem) a lot! im actually going to go help with pronounciation right now! well hope everyone back in the real world is doing good! dont forget to WRITE ME! my PO BOX # is 122!

Love,
CECTPA TEDFORD

Week 2

Hey Guys:

So I made it through the second week. Its a lot better. Thank goodness for companionship inventory! We just talked about all the things that were bothering us and the things that were also just a misunderstanding. But its a lot better now! we are both more understanding and patient. so guess what, Shelem is here! the one that was at the Benemerito and is going to New York. i see him here all the time.
oh you guys should watch the new bible videos on lds.org they are really good. its christ's life. i dont know if i told you but while im at the mtc i cant email pictures. i sent aunt sara some that i printed you can talk to her about getting those. PLEASE SEND DEAR ELDERS I DONT HAVE TIME TO READ EMAILS! Please also put my address on facebook so that people can mail me letters or use dearelder.com. if you want to tell me something you have until tues afternoon and i will reply to that via email wed afternoon.

Yesterday we had Elder D. Todd Christofferson talk to us for Devotional and it was really good. After devo we all go into our district rooms and talk about what we heard and what impressions we got. I love my district they are all really great and they all have a really strong testimony of the gospel. The Elders are really nice and they seem like they are older but we always laugh at how funny it is that we (the sisters) are older. But yesterday during district meeting they were all baring their testimony and Elder Samuelson said something interesting. (not that other people dont) but he said that we were chosen to come to Russia because we already have a strong testimony of the gospel and we can concentrate more on just learning the language and were not here to gain a testimony.

I dont know if i told you guys but the first day that i was here i was in a room with all the international kids and since i knew English they made me translate for the other kids that spoke spanish. I sat in the back with some kids from mexico and a kid from Honduras. It was a lot of fun and then they had to test out our language skills so they were interviewing each person and when it was my turn the guy said "oh ive been listening to you talk we dont need to interview you" it was funny and then he asked me how i know so much spanish. its always fun to tell people yeh im from mexico city and then they wonder why my english is so good and then they are amazed that im learning a third language and going to Russia. It's nice here at the MTC especially for the gym time. I started playing this new game called four square and its HILARIOUS! i love it because it gets sooo intense. And then on sundays we have the opportunity to go to music and the spoken word, the later in the day we have a temple walk with our district and then at night a devotional and a film like joseph smith: restoration, or legacy.

This sunday i learned something really interesting, did you know that in Moscow there are a lot of spanish speaking people, and because of that they almost opened a spanish branch? its soo cool. my district president was in mocow, and hes the one i heard on mormon.org his name is President cranney and him and his wife are just awesome. I really enjoy their company and they have a great spirit but they were the ones that told me that and it made me think... thats why im going to moscow! :)

I miss you guys a lot and i hope you are all doing well. I pray for you guys every night!

Love you,

CECTPA TEDFORD
Provo MTC Mission
MTC Box# 122 Departure Date: June 30th
Mission Code: Russia
2005 North 900 East
Provo, UT 84604

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Week 1

Hey guys so i made it throug the first week at the MTC. I thought the Mission was going to be easy oh did i not get the memo or something because it is some tough stuff. I wake up everyday around 6 or 6:30 and just go go go from there. Russian is hard but i can already say my testimony in russian and pretty much teach. I understand about 40% of what the investigator is telling me and i can respond about 30% hahah key is to use main words. So to everyone that is thinking of serving a mission i just want you to know that its hard but i have been praying and attending the temple and the Lord lets me know it will get easier. I encourage you all to put in your papers and the lord will never condemn you for serving a mission. Thanks so much for your love and thanks for your support.

Love,
CECTPA ТЗДФОPД

i wasnt able to attach pictures it wont let me sorry ttyl
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