Drop It Like It's Hot

We spoke with Emily three times in one week. Three times! That's kind of bonkers, but she called on her P-day last week and again this week and she was also able to call on my birthday on Saturday. She's happy, she's healthy (except for some inexplicable acne), and she's continuing to learn and grow. 

Hey mom, I like hearing from you guys! This week has honestly been super boring soooooo there wasn't much to say. Sister Broadbent and I have a good time together, we're still very different, but we have fun.  

Something that has been super useful to have with me on the mission is.... honestly idk. Probably the recipe book they gave us from seminary, I've cooked a few things out of it and they're all super yummy!! So thank you to my seminary teachers... and all the parents that shared the recipes. 

Something cool is that we've been working on giving out at least one Book of Mormon a day and the first day I gave out FIVE and the next day I gave out FOUR!! It's so cool because a lot of the time, I explain the temple and the Book of Mormon and I dont even have to offer it, they will just ask for it. Sometimes it's hard because I know I don't know what will happen, but I just have to trust that they have been prepared and they came to Temple Square for a reason and that sometime down the road, the Book of Mormon will help them and will hopefully lead to them having an eternal family and enduring to the end. 

I'll include a funny story in the group email because its the one and only funny thing that happened this week. 

Hardest day so far was a few days into the field when you waved at me on Facebook and I just got so sad and started crying right there in the Teaching Center and then I cried to Sister Broadbent and then to my district leader so yup good times..other than that it hasn't been too bad. Except for the one day in the MTC....that was like the worst day ever ever ever and idk if any day can top it but we'll see because apparently missions are supposed to be pretty hard. 

We had a district activity today and we went bowling and I legit lost by 4 points so I got second...which is only first loser. You best believe that if we go again I am going to take the champions position. Also, because we are in #utah, we got to bowl for free and they gave us free lemonade which was awesome. AND WE GOT TO WEAR JEANS!!! It was weird to see what everyone looked like in normal clothes. It was an eye opener because these sisters have a style and personality that isn't missionary so it was cool to see that for a little bit. Also, I forgot what the shape of my legs even was so wearing jeans was nice because it reminded me that I have legs...and I should probably shave them but that is just a side note. 

I love you and i hope you have a great week! I love this whole calling thing, it makes life a lot easier for me and it makes me miss you guys a lot less. Thanks for always emailing me. 

Love

Em

****************************

Hey Everyone! 

This week has been good! Sister Broadbent and I made a goal to give out at least one Book of Mormon a day and the first day I gave out five and the next I gave out four!! Its kind of hard because I don't know what is going to happen with those people because I can only talk to them for literally ten minutes but I'm sure that they have been prepared and that their journeys will continue with the gospel in their respective states and countries:) 

This week, Sister Broadbent and I spent some time in the North Visitors Center. We had been walking around with our Books of Mormon and talking to lots of different people (everyone was normal, no sketchy peeps this time, unfortunately) when we came to the up escalator. We hop on the up escalator as you do when you are trying to get up to the next level. Sister Broadbent thought it would be a cool idea to balance her Book of Mormon on the rail so it would move along with us. And it was a super cool idea...until we got to the top. At the top the book started to wiggle and then in slow motion (not really slow motion but that is how it seemed and it's more dramatic than in real life but its fine) it fell for what seemed like 100 years straight down into the display of Isaiah the prophet. Sister Broadbent truly dropped the Book of Mormon like it was hot. We ran down the escalator and then Sister Broadbent guarded and made sure no one was looking while I climbed into the display, fistbumped my homie Isaiah, and retrieved the Book of Mormon. Moral of the story: don't ever let the word of God out of your hands or you could potentially lose it forever. So remember to read your scriptures this week people!! 

Well, that's really all I have except for the fact that I love the work!! It's so cool to be a missionary here on Temple Square. Like we got to teach this dude in Georgia and he got baptized and we got to Facetime into the baptism so that was really cool. I'm so grateful for the gospel and the happiness it brings me and I'm so grateful I have the opportunity to share it with people every single day. Love you all! 

Sister Moran 

Sister Moran is Crying...Again

Last week the First Presidency announced changes to the guidelines for missionaries contacting their families. Instead of weekly emails and phone calls on Mother's Day and Christmas, missionaries are now allowed to call, text, message, or video chat on their weekly preparation day in addition to the weekly email. We were excited to video chat with Emily on her p-day yesterday. It was so good for her sisters to hear about the experiences she's having and hear her express her testimony of the work she's doing. What a blessing! Anyway, here's Emily's email to the family followed by her group email. 

It was weird to talk to you all because I feel like I've changed so much and it was strange because you were all the same. But it was so good to talk!! I love you guys so so much!

Something cool that happened was that we met these two Mexican dudes and one of them owns a bakery in the area and he said we should come and we explained the temple to them and then the baker was like let's all get a picture once we were done and they put their arms around us and we awkwardly just sat there like with arms to the side feeling uncomfy. Good times.

And then I'm trying to think of other fun things that happened. Sister Broadbent and I are going to make that soup (the Thai one) tomorrow so that'll be yummy. We cook together and share food so it ends up being more cost effective. We don't have a crock pot so probably send other recipes but thanks for the ones you did send! 

Things are getting better in our companionship. I do still get annoyed because she dominates conversations and I can never say anything and when she finally stops talking and looks at me she only waits 0.2 seconds before she just widens her eyes because I didn't talk fast enough and just keeps going so anytime I even talk I'm interrupting her and I seem rude when really she is just not letting me speak. And it is the same in online teaching. We were supposed to teach together but she only teaches by herself but I always have her teach with me so that is weird. I talked to my district minister about it and she said just to bring it up and that it would be fine and she probably just doesn't realize what she's doing so next time it happens I am just gonna do it so wish me luck. 

Sister Broadbent thinks I'm the funniest person ever though so that's cool. We go on exchanges with Sister Rowberry and her companion Sister Page in the mornings because Sister Rowberry and I want to run but our companions don't so we run together and our companions "exercise" by stretching. We run back and forth and back and forth in a parking garage. 

I told you about Andrew from the tour and I'm excited to see where things go with him. Also, I get to go see a baptism even though I didn't teach him because Sister Broadbent taught him. So itll be my first baptism because it still counts for me Haha

Thanks for sending me a package! You guys are the best family I've ever had. 

Are you still liking the new job? How is Relief Society? Sam is ridiculous pretty, by the way,  I was thinking that a lot when I was looking at her today so good job on that one. When you come to Utah eventually you gotta get Costa Vida because it is crazy good. I dare say it is as good if not better than Cafe Rio. Did you ever get the southern Portugal housing situation figured out?? Send me some postcards!!! I can add them to the collection. I don't know if I forgot anything besides just to make sure Abby sends the emails to the right place because I haven't been getting them and I want to read them. 

Love you and have a great week!

✤✤✤✤✤✤✤ 

What's up everyone! 

This week has been awesome! 

As many of know, this past week was Valentine's Day. What many of you may not know is that Temple Square is an all sisters mission. There is not a boy in sight (except for President Fisher). So we had Galentine's Day with some other sisters and that was way fun! We had cake and talked and laughed and we all decided that it was okay that we were all going to be #aloneforever. 

This week I gave my first tour! Usually, tours are only about 3 or 4 people... mine ended up having 25 people. It was fun and was really good and I gave a Book of Mormon to this guy who was looking for a church to join and we're in contact now and he's super receptive! Fingers crossed that something good will come of it. 

As part of the tour, we always show people the old Tabernacle and explain that they built it to hear from modern day prophets and apostles and we explain why that is important. Well, the crazy thing is that I was testifying about that one minute and the next minute I legit saw the prophet. As in President Russel M. Nelson. We were walking home for the day and we were crossing the street in front of the parking lot when I look over and HE IS STRAIGHT CHILLIN IN HIS CAR.

My jaw dropped to the floor and I started smiling and waving like an idiot and I kind of stumbled over my feet and I think I forgot how to walk. He smiled and waved back and kind of laughed (no doubt at my dorky reaction). It was the coolest thing because I testify every day of living prophets and how important they are but when I saw him the spirit just hit me really hard and said, "Yup, there are prophets now and it is because God loves you and wants to communicate with you". Anyways, like two seconds after I almost fell on my face and waved at the prophet, I started crying because I couldn't handle all the emotions. My companion was just staring at me, baffled at the range of emotions that I had displayed in a mere 7 seconds. She said, "that was the fastest change of emotions I have ever seen"  but what can I say, I'm an overachiever;) 

I'm so grateful for the opportunity I have to serve a mission and to bring others closer to Christ. It has been the greatest experience of my life so far and I can't wait to see what the next 17 months hold! 

Sister Moran 

I Just Need Me A Bible in My Life

Emily has now been at Temple Square for a full week. We were surprised to have emails from her in our inboxes this morning because we weren't sure when her Pday would be, but now we know that it's Tuesdays! I know that posting her email to Jared and I as well as her group email means that there's some duplicate information, but I kind of like seeing how she explains the same events slightly differently in each one. Thanks to everyone who has emailed Emily, I know she appreciates it!

Hey Mom! (and dad because he always gets these too) 

First things first, I miss and love you guys! Okay, now I'm going to answer all of mom's questions from the emails.

My daily schedule is actually pretty chill. They either have you on the early schedule or late schedule and right now we are early. We get up at 6:15, exercise until 6:45, and then we get ready and go to the Square. We go home at 5:30 and we eat for an hour. After that, it's personal study for an hour, companionship study for an hour (it'll be only 30 minutes when I'm out of training) and then we get ready and go to bed. They have two apartments for the missionaries at Temple Square. I'm living in Deseret Apartments which only have sisters and senior couples in it. The other apartments (Brigham), have normal people living in them but they are newer with two bathrooms instead of one. But they are smaller and farther away from the Square so, all in all, I think DA is better so I'm happy I'm here. 

Right now it is the dead season. The Square isn't busy because it is cold and no one wants to be walking around and the online teaching center is also dead so yeet and yay for that. We have one assignment a day and it's something like North Visitor's Center or South Visitor's Center or the Assembly Hall or Guest Services... you get the picture. And the rest of the day is empty. Like for real straight up nothing else. We plan in the mornings to do things and be "productive" but in all honesty, I feel not busy enough. I should be doing more and being more tired and not as bored all day. I am probably bored half of the time. Everyone says that it'll pick up in the summer and will be so busy that I'm gonna want to die but we'll see. 

I'll tell you about a few cool peeps I met super quick. First, this dude from China named Haicun. He is in Utah for like three more months for school and because he's here for so long hopefully we can teach him! We wouldn't be able to teach him in China because #communism. Another is this crazy old lady named Carol. Her husband died six years ago and she keeps asking God to just take her up to see him already and we were like "Oh He still has a work for you" and she's like yeah I just wish I knew what it was. Anyways, she told Sister Broadbent and me that if we see her again walking through the Square (because she walks through every day for exercise) to say hi and then we could come over to her apartment and have dinner. She was sweet. 

Some really quick exciting stories!! They had to shut down North Visitor's Center because this weird dude with a skin infection came in with his gross bleeding hands and like blood and pus and was acting creepy and touching all of the things (this was the second day he did it). So security was called and they shut down the Visitor's Center which NEVER happens because it was all contaminated and gross. He was homeless and the really creepy part was that he was wearing a CLOWN MASK like dude could you try and look more threatening and creepy and weird *shudder*. 

The other crazy thing was when Sister Broadbent called security on my homeboy who just wanted a Bible. He was homeless and seemed not quite right in the head but he was asking us for a Bible. He said "I gots to get as far away from the devil as possible, ya know what I mean" and I was like "Yeah man I feel you I'm tryna get away from him too" and he was like "That's what I'm talking about and I just want to read the Bible and get me closer to Jesus" and I was like "That's cool bro the Bible is a great way to get closer to Jesus. You ever heard of the book of Mormon?;)" and then he got mad. So then we said okay we're just gonna get you the Bible and go then. BUT WE COULDN'T FIND A BIBLE WE ONLY HAD BOOKS OF MORMONS at the desk. So we went in this room to look for one but we couldn't find one and he was like pacing around and talking to himself and we were like uh oh what is he doing (he wasn't quite right in the head btw) and then he knocked and so we came out and then he got in my face and started lowkey yelling and then Sister Broadbent called security and we escaped to the downstairs and promised to bring him a Bible from there. Long story short, these security dudes are slow but its all good because Elder Neagle (one of the senior missionaries) came to our rescue. We grabbed a Bible from the table and gave it to him and then he was leaving (more like being pushed out of the door) and Elder Neagle asked where he was gonna go now and he said "To the President of the United States" and I said "Godspeed my brother" and then he left..... and then security finally showed up five minutes later. I didn't think they needed to be called but Sister Broadbent I think scares easy.

Speaking of Sister Broadbent, she is really nice! She is from Missouri and has four sisters, just like me! She is good at the online stuff which is cool except she wants to spend a lot of time doing the online stuff and working Guest Services which is not my jam because I get antsy and its a lot of sitting and I feel like I'm just not doing anything so RIP my life. On the first day, I went up and talked to like four slightly sketch people and then like ten normal peeps and she was like "Wow you really aren't scared to talk to people, are you?" and I was like, well kinda but I just fake it till I make it. so #yeet. She doesn't like just going and talking to people and when she does she dominates the conversation and I can't say anything so that's cool. Maybe you can tell, but I'm kind of still warming up to her. And don't get me wrong she is super sweet and kind and we cook and share food and we talk and get along we're just different people and we prefer to do different things... like when I am running and exercising in the morning she straight up just stretches. But it's good! She just got out of training herself (like this is her fourth month in the mission) so we're just all in this together. But I'm learning a lot from her! 

Everyone is asking me about the flag and accent. The sisters think that they can hear a slight one but, oh well. It's a good conversation starter at least. 

Feeding myself is good! Please send some more recipes that are easy. 

I'm most surprised at how not busy I am. Like I don't especially feel like a real missionary because there are too many gaps. So I'm working on my attitude and finding ways to fulfill my missionary purpose even when there isn't anything to do. 

MOM I LOVE YOUR EMAILS!! 

Please send pics of the blister face. Are you still liking the new job? Is Abby improving? Why won't she email me? Tell her to do that, please. My Pday is Tuesday by the way. What is the game of the week? What did you get Maddy for her birthday? I'm glad you got your card! I'll send more letters in the next few weeks!  I LOVE YOU AND I MIGHT EMAIL ANOTHER EMAIL THAT IS MORE SPECIFIC ON WHAT YOU EMAILED ME ABOUT IN A FEW MINUTES. I only have two hours to email now so I'm working on prioritizing. I'll talk to you soon!! 

Love,

Em

What's up everyone?! 

It's been a minute since I emailed but I'm alive and well and FINALLY OUT OF THE MTC! It feels good to be out of in the field... even though it's only slightly bigger than the mtc campus. 

We had to take the train and Frontrunner and the Trax to get to the Square... and it snowed the entire night before we left. I want you guys to just imagine, thirty sister missionaries all with three pieces of luggage, wearing their cutest dresses for the first day out in the field surrounded by six inches of snow. Good times. Good thing we're in #utah and there are some big strong return missionary boys that helped us struggling sisters through the snow. We all were saying that our trek was equivalent to the pioneers. Yikes.

Life at temple square is interesting. It's very mushy gushy with a lot of "I love you's" and "that dress looks so good on you" and giggling. I haven't even been here a full week and these sisters are telling me I'm the coolest person ever and they love me. Like geez, we've been talking for five minutes at least buy me dinner first ;) but that's the beside the point. 

My new companion's name is Sister Broadbent! She is from Missouri and has only been out like four months so she's fresh out of training and is now a trainer so that's pretty neat. Not gonna to lie I definitely cried like a little baby when I said bye to Sister Greenall, which might have been slightly dramatic because I for real saw her like 20 minutes later and I for real see her multiple times a day but it was still sad so RIP to my cool MTC companion you and our ice cream lunches will always be remembered fondly;) But Sister Broadbent is really sweet and she compliments me a lot on my energy and bravery. Maybe it's because I try and find the most sketchy person on the square and talk to them... which leads us to this fun story. 

I started talking to this one dude (who turned out to be homeless and mentally unstable, more on this later) and he was like "I'm just tryna get as far away from the devil as possible, ya know what I'm sayin?" And I was like "Oh yeah I totally get what you're saying dude, I'm trying to get away from him too!" And then he started talking about how "I just need me a Bible and some Jesus in my life, can you get me a Bible?" And I'm over here like "My man you came to the right place I can get you a Bible and I'll get you the Book of Mormon too because that'll drive the devil out for sure" and so Sister Broadbent and I start looking for a Bible but can't find one in the room it should be in and my homie is waiting outside and he just wants to hear the word of God and then his patience runs out and he knocks on the door so we come out and this is where it gets messy. He starts yelling at us and he gets all in my face about how he just wants a Bible and honestly, it's harmless but Sister Broadbent scares easy and so she flips and calls security. Long story short, he is now on his way to meet (in his own words) the President of the United States and I even gave him a Bible for the trip. Good times. 

On a more spiritual note, Sister Broadbent and I are working on being exactly obedient. This week has been hard because we have zero people to teach because the Square and online teaching are both dead. BUT we've been super duper obedient missionaries (good enough to be translated as President Fisher might say) and I've been praying so hard and asking Heavenly Father to send us just one person to teach. Welp, he sent us FIVE! We somehow got five follow up teaching appointments with people that called in asking for a free Bible and left getting a Bible and a Book of Mormon (yeet) and a follow-up lesson appointment!!! I know that when we're obedient even when it's hard (because dang it is hard sometimes) that we are showing Heavenly Father that he can trust us and he will bless us with the things we really super duper want and need:) 

Well, that's about all I have for this week! I love and miss you all! Be sure to email me, I love to hear from you:) 

Love, 

Sister Moran 

I'm Here!

We knew Emily was leaving the MTC yesterday so all day I was hoping for some sort of message from Emily or from her mission president letting us know she'd arrived safely and was getting settled in at Temple Square. But you can only refresh your email inbox so many times without going straight up crazy so I stopped checking and went to bed. Look what was waiting for me this morning!

Hey guys, I'm finally in the mission field! They wanted me to email and tell you that I was alive. Today was a crazy day. You'll hear all about it in the letter that will be sent to you pretty shortly. But really quickly, I know how to handle three suitcases, I've moved enough times. But three suitcases in the snow and slush does not mix well. I'm glad for nice people who saw all 15-30 of us sisters struggling to the train and everything and helped us. Tender mercies yo. 

Sister Moran and Sister Greenall on the train to Salt Lake. I love this picture because she looks like my sister Megan here!

I'm glad Abby decided that she needs to see a therapist, I think that should probably help her. Nat is the best. I'm glad that she is so comfortable being herself and I want to be that way one day. I'm sure the sugar cookies are great! CONGRATS TO DAD AGAIN WHOOP WHOOP!!! I'm glad that your job is easy mama, I hope it gets more fun soon! Send pics of the new bedroom! That's crazy about the Romanians, I'm glad nothing happened.  

I'm getting all settled in here with my new companion. Her name is sister Broadbent and she's really sweet! She's from Missouri. The flags they gave me are the British flag which is too funny. I think pday is on Wednesday and I only get two hours to email so I can't respond all day like I used to be able to but its all good. President Fisher is the coolest! I think this mission is going to be so fun, no joke. Apparently, our first assignment is the west gate which is like the controls center and if things don't work there, then nothing works so no pressure or anything. I cried when Sister Greenall left me, no joke. But her companion seems perfect for her so it's okay. Also that online convo you saw a pic of was a real conversation I had with someone... oh the joy. I tried not to take it personally but it was still a shock to read. 

They made it to Temple Square!

Okay, that's about all for this email I think, just know that I love you and I miss you so much!! I'll do my best to stay warm in this crazy amount of snow that dumped on Salt Lake (the most in ten years?!) I LOVE YOU AND I'LL EMAIL YOU SOON!! 

Love,

Sister Moran (who is now a real official missionary in the field!!) 

FIGHT NIGHT (MTC Week 3)

It was a tough week for Emily at the MTC, but we love knowing that she's willing to push forward and keep trying. Maybe send some prayers her way?

Dad and Mom! 

I know I said this last week, but I love getting your emails. They are the best things ever. I love all of your emails about the scriptures, especially your faith email. In our missionary purpose it says "Faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement" and I think that you hit the nail on the head with how we grow and develop our faith. Before coming to the MTC I thought that faith was like this mystical and magical unseen force and I was like uhhhh ya I got me some faith. But as missionaries, our whole purpose is to increase everyone's faith in the Savior and the way we do that is by asking them to keep commitments. Reading scriptures, saying prayers, going to church, and ultimately, being baptized is what shows that the person has faith. If someone doesn't keep commitments, it means they don't have faith and that we aren't ultimately helping them come unto Christ. So I LOVE what you said that being faithful is just doing the things that we're supposed to do. We're being faithful and exercising faith when we read our scriptures and say prayers because we have faith that we will receive blessings or knowledge or peace or whatever when we do. I don't know if that made any sense but it made sense to me so oh well.

Mom! I like the jumpsuit!!! YAY FOR PANTS MY MOTHER IS A MODERN WOMAN!!! And the dress is so pretty too. I'm sure it'll be great no matter what you wear tonight (that is tonight, right?). I hope dad wins, that would be awesome. (Jared was nominated for the SNCO of the year award here at Lakenheath. I wasn't sure what to wear, but I did end up going with the jumpsuit because I'm a modern woman apparently. And Jared did win!) Is Abby still winning in the games of the week? Or have you and dad swooped in and stolen her title? Did Maddy tell you that her date got her an early Valentines present?? A little weird but okay, he sounds sweet, at least she isn't single as a pringle, like my good old sister missionary self. Your birthday is coming up soon too!!! I'll send a card your way mama;)

This week has been rough not gonna lie. Honestly its just been these past few days. Get ready for the pity party. First of all, the Elders left us to go to Ogden on Wednesday. We got to take a break from class to go see them off and we all shook hands like good little missionaries and it was the saddest thing ever. No joke we got into the stairwell and started crying IMMEDIATELY and that's when we took the tear stained picture. Our district got so dang close in three weeks and it was so sad to seem them go but they are going to do awesome. Ogden has really lucked out getting this group of Elders because they are amazing.

Okay, now to continue with the sob fest. Wednesday marked the beginning of Visitor's Center training. I have three female teachers and zero male teachers and they are all married and gorgeous. They all served at Visitor's Centers or historic sites. They all said that initially they hated their call but then they grew to love it and we are "so lucky". No joke, they asked us to raise our hands if we were disappointed about our call at first. I was one of two girls out of the fifteen that wasn't disappointed so that was cool. And then we start learning about what we were going to be doing. 

Basically, we don't get to teach people at all face to face. Just for like five minutes on the Square usually at the most. We will be doing online teaching. I knew that would be the case when I got my call but it all of the sudden just got crazy real They started showing us what we would be doing and I could not keep it together. I hate technology. I'm incompetent at computers. The system is not as simple as they say. We took a break after that and I cried. (that is two times crying up to this point). AND THEN we had to do an online TRC, not in person like we have been doing these past few weeks. And we had to just talk for five minutes and set up a follow up appointment for their BOM request. No jokes, sister Greenall got really good feedback from her person and my person said that I was impersonal and didn't do a good job basically #nailedit. Que the third cry session. After we came back to classroom they asked us "did it feel like real missionary work?" and most of the sisters were like yeah it was different but I liked it but I HATED IT AND I DIDN'T FEEL LIKE REAL MISSIONARY. After doing face to face things for so long, doing it over the phone felt terrible and I couldn't see them and it just felt impersonal even to me, like I was't even fulfilling my missionary purpose. So, we took another break and I cried again (I am up to four times crying and it isn't even noon). 

And here is the real kicker, normal people do the online thing. Like it isn't even just for missionaries. They have been telling us for WEEKS that we are the only ones that can do this call. We have been set apart to do it and no one else can do missionary work like we can because we have that priesthood and power and authority that no one else on the earth has (except the apostles). Shoot, an apostle even told us that we were apostolic!!! ( with a lowercase -a). BUT ANYONE CAN DO IT ONLINE. Lot's of people do it that aren't missionaries online. This is the main way that I even do missionary work and a missionary isn't even essential to do it. I was triggered and I felt worthless and that my call to serve was less significant than everyone elses. Now I'm crying again. five times in one day. And then I cried at lunch over who knows what. And then again, and again, and again. I cried 10 times if my calculations are correct. And then I got to the residence and cried two more times before bed.... and then I cried myself to sleep. It was just a hard freaking day.  

Thursday was better though, thank goodness. We almost placed a Book of Mormon online with a real person (and not just a person that works for the MTC)!! And then she said never mind, my church won't let me have it. She had messaged in for a bible in the first place, we told her about the Book of Mormon and asked if she wanted one and she said "I would love a copy" and then said never mind her church won't let her have one. And then she didn't even want the bible and she said her church would get her a free copy. But she was nice about the whole thing and you could tell she felt bad about it. Oh well. That was exciting but it was sad too. The struggle is real. I've been praying a lot that my heart can be softened and that I can warm up to the idea of online teaching and missionary work and that I will have a change of heart and in class I'm trying to have an open heart but it's hard when you feel like anyone can do your job and low key it's like you're working at a call center but just bearing your testimony when you answer the phone. 

Thank goodness it's pday. We're going to the temple later and hopefully that will help with all of the bad feelings that I've been having. I know that Heavenly Father has got my back and I was called to this mission for a reason. Funny story, to end off on a high note. Joey's cousin is in my new MTC district because we're in the same mission!! She scares me to death though because she's so pretty. She is really nice so that's good. Also, Elder Brown sent me a package with snacks! If I think of anything else, I'll email you. I love you! Have fun tonight!! And tell me all about it and send lots of pics of you two looking all cute!! Let me know if he wins. I MISS YOU AND LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!! Sorry for throwing a pity party but thanks for reading it haha. 

Love, 

Sister Moran

What's up everyone! 

It is my last week in the MTC!!!! I'm so excited to get out of this place because I am straight-up dying. Sister Greenall and I had to go off campus (hallelujah) because she has been sick and we had to get her some antibiotics. So even though she was sick and that's no fun, we got to ESCAPE and go across the street on a field trip. So huge shout out to Sister Greenall and her weak immune system because it got us out into the real world *raise the roof* With that being said, the MTC is super awesome. Like General Authorities come to speak to us awesome. Like Elder Holland general authority. That's right my people, Elder Holland came to speak to us on Tuesday!! It was the coolest thing ever. He made me laugh and cry and learn so much. I'm so grateful that Heavenly Father has given us these amazing men to communicate His will,  it is such a blessing. 

That wasn't the only exciting thing that happened this week because we had... FIGHT NIGHT!!! The Elders in our district regularly have fight night in their residence and they wrestle and then they will sometimes show us the videos the next day. Us Sisters felt like we were missing out on all of the fun so we had our own fight night.... well we tried to anyway. We only had one fight and that was between Sister Owens and me. We told our sister training leaders about it and they said "we should say no but we won't because we are dying for some entertainment" so we were all good and legal!! There were at least ten sisters there watching the fight and cheering. After two long (and exhausting I might add) rounds, Sister Owens and I decided to call it a draw. She has a bruise on her chest and I have rug burn on my elbows and knees and even somehow on the tops of my feet but it was worth it. We were going to have another pair of sisters fight but then some party pooper sister came in and said, "we're trying to read scriptures and write in journals if you wouldn't mind being quiet because it is quiet time after all.  I can't believe that they wanted to unwind by writing in journals and not by watching fight night. To each their own I guess ;)

On Wednesday, we had to say goodbye to our Elders and send them off to Ogden. After the final goodbye, we couldn't even deal with the emotion and we were all crying up the stairs so we stopped to take a picture to document our loss. Our Elders are probably some of the best people ever and they're going to do some amazing (and funny and maybe even stupid) stuff in Ogden. If that wasn't bad enough, we started visitor center training and I suck at it. To keep it brief, computers are not my friend and I can barely log on, let alone try and confirm a free Book of Mormon order. We have online people to teach now which is weird and feels not super personal. I wish that we had started with doing the online things and not teaching in person because now I know the difference and teaching online just doesn't make me feel as happy afterward. But it's all good!! I only cried like five times about it so I think I got it all out of my system and I should be good now (I hope). I know that there are people that I will be able to help online, it's just going to take some getting used to. On a happier note, we got to host again this week and you will all be happy to hear that I didn't even cry this time... well not as much as I did last week anyway. Plus, I got to carry more suitcases up lots of flights of stairs so watch out for when I get home #swolebodysistermoran. So throughout all of Wednesday, I think I cried 12 times total, but it be like that sometimes. Maybe I should just cancel my subscription to emotions. If anyone knows how to do that, hit me up ;)

Tomorrow we get to go to Temple Square (yay for another field trip) for the afternoon and learn more about how to fulfill our missionary purpose in a visitors center. I think it will be fun! I'm excited to get to know the girls in my new district better, even if they scare me with all of their beauty and brains and stuff. At least I still have a super fun and cute companion that will help me out when I need it. We have a mutually beneficial relationship, I feed her goldfish and gummy bears and she feeds me popcorn. What could be better?! 

I'm so excited to get in the field on WEDNESDAY as in less than a week from now. It's going to be amazing. I know that even though I might be having a hard time now, I'll be able to get through it and my less than ideal technology brain will eventually get better. The Lord gives us weaknesses so we can come closer to Him and in doing so, He makes our weaknesses strengths (it says that in Ether 12:27:). I love and miss you all and I love hearing from you so email me anytime and I'll do my best to respond! 

Love, 

Sister Moran

p.s. shout out to everyone who sent me food. You guys are the bomb.