Last week we got 4 new sisters and 5 new elders and it's been great, especially as an STL, to get to know them. Our sisters are from Alaska (but originally from Serbia/Germany), one is from Texas, one is from New Zealand and the other is from the Netherlands! They are all hilarious and really great missionaries and Sister Richer and I love them to death. Two Elders are from the UK, ones from Australia (he's from Melbourne, which is where my Dad served his mission and weird fact, the Elders name is Elder Phillips haha), ones from Sweden and the other is from Germany, so he and sister Richter have conversations in German during dinner and its great.
I gave my talk on Sunday and it wasn't too bad! They only have to be like 4 minutes so it was nice and short and mostly I'm just glad it's over! But I love speaking in Russian, and this week I really noticed for the first time that Russian is starting to come a little easier to me, which is such a relief! I can form my own sentences a lot faster and now that we know more grammar, I understand why words are declined the way that they are, which is really helpful for me. We teach like 2 lessons every day this week so I know my Russian will keep improving!
On Sunday, the MTC choir director spoke for the devotional and brought the Orem Institute Singers which he also directs and they were so good! They sang like angels and Brother Eggett spoke in between the songs and he talked about how important it is to not be a "socially motivated" member of the church. We should do things because we know this is His church and because we are truly converted to it. If Joseph or Mary were socially motivated when the angel visited them, they would've had a much different response. I love how Mary says, "Be it unto me according to Thy word." She was willing to be an outcast among her friends and family if it meant she was following the Lord's word. We should be(come) willing to give up everything to know Him.
Our Christmas tree has become so full of ornaments, every time I walk into our room and see it, I get a warm, happy feeling:) Thank you all so much for the words of encouragement and love, you have no idea what it means to me! You are the best. Also, our branch presidents wife came in and said it was beautiful but it needed a picture of Jesus and we felt guilty after that so now we have like 5 pictures taped to the wall of Jesus. It is now complete.
In other news, we found out yesterday that a Mongolian government official is coming to observe our class the day after Christmas and see how we learn languages so quickly at the MTC (haha if only he knew. #giftoftongues) and the church really wants it to go well because Mongolia hasn't been very open to missionary work in the past and they hope this will improve relations. So no pressure to our district but the future of missionary work in Mongolia rests on our shoulders. Brother Griffiths was SO excited when he got the email, he could not contain himself. He's hoping that this will be the start of his diplomatic career haha. Everyone is really excited, and we're planning on having Sister Thompson talk a lot (she is fluent) and act like she learned everything she knows at the MTC ha the Mongolian will be blown away. We're also planning to convert him because we will be role playing as missionaries that class and bearing our testimonies so pray for our Mongolian friend who has no idea what he is getting into:)
That is all for this week! I love you all and I urge you to look for ways to spread the joy of Jesus Christ's birth this Christmas. Think of someone in your life that could use a little extra love this season, and do something nice for them. We are all literal sons and daughters of Heavenly Father and we can thank Him for giving us His perfect son by loving those around us.
Have a wonderful Christmas!
Love,
Cectpa Kropelnicki
Sister Dixon, Me, Sister Thompson, Sister Richter
Our beautiful tree with all the decorations!!
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