The MTC

Saying farewell for the next 18 months, entering the MTC.

Karina arrived at the MTC (Missionary Training Center) in Provo Utah on February 12, 2014. She will be there just short of two weeks by the time she leaves for Florida on Monday February 24th.

Karina reports that she is having a great time and is super excited to be learning and growing!
Here is some of what she writes home (abridged and with names omitted)...

This week has been super busy but fun. We practically are always running to get to some class. On Sunday we had a fireside with President Matthew Holland speaking. He spoke on the need and importance of sharing the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the role that the prophet Joseph Smith had in it. If you didn't guess already he is Elder Holland's son. And...Elder Holland was there to hear him speak! We sang to Sister Holland because it was her birthday. Also we watched a recorded video called the Character of Christ by Elder Bednar. He related the Cookie Monster to the natural man and I learned I am very much a cookie monster.

In class we have continued going over Preach My Gospel and working with investigators (played by teachers, members, less-actives, and nonmembers which we don't know). Sister S (my companion) and I have been working on trying to communicate better with each other and sharing the teaching time. Brother C, a teacher, helped us yesterday go through the steps. He told us he can tell that we are powerful teachers and that we have that power through talents we already have.  But, we needed to fully unlock it. We have neglected listening more to the Spirit because after all, God knows what he wants for his children so he can tell us. It was so powerful. 

There are 6 of us in our district. Elder J is our district leader. His companion is Elder H.  These are the only elders we have and it was a little awkward trying to talk to them at first because you have to get past the No Flirting rule. All of us are trying to get over that since that comes naturally.  Both Sister Y and Sister H are going to the same mission as I am. Sweet!  My companion, Sister S, reminds me a lot of Abbi. We have many similarities but also vast differences. She loves to read and have a good time. Sometimes we have a hard time being focused and staying on topic. I always am reminding her it is time to go and we are usually late. We continually strive to do better. Sister S is going with the elders in our district to the New Hampshire Manchester Mission.  We are all so close now and it will be sad when we leave each other, that's what email is for though, right?

If you can't tell I am super excited to be learning and growing! I am not super homesick anymore. I miss all of you but I am here to serve.  And I would love some letters!

LOVE SENT TO EVERYONE...

LOVE,

Sister Knutson :)