The systers in my district. Syster Fawcett, Syster Christison, and then myself and Syster Bass.

Our classroom. We have changed it around a bit since then, but I spend around 8 hours a day in this small room.

Syster Bass, my companion, and I! She is way nice. I love her a lot!

Sister Hosenfeld's letter 8/27/13

HejHej!

I cannot believe that I am finally in the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah. I feel like I have been looking forward to this since October of last year; I feel very blessed to be here. I got here August 21st and I have already learned a lot. Saying goodbye to my family was easier than I thought because I know what I am doing is right and I know that I will see them in no time!

There are lots of silly traditions here that I have already been a part of: I have sniffed the Cream Soda tree (a tree that literally smells like Cream Soda), tried the Orange Juice on Mexica n Day (supposedly gets you really sick, but I felt fine), and have LOVED the chocolate milk. It is a whole 'nother world here in the MTC. A world without caffeine in their soda machines, greeting each other in one's mission language, and an illogical adoration of mail from home. It is stressful to be in a classroom studying for more than 11 hours a day, but I generally love it here. The spirit is strong and I learn something every day.

The best part of my week has been being a part of the MTC choir. There are more than 1,300 missionaries who participate and there are more Elders than Sisters! When will that ever happen outside of this place??

My district consists of four elders and four sisters. I really adore every single one of them! They are great people and feel very lucky to have such hard workers that I get to look up to for the next six weeks. We go on walks around campus when we feel like we are going to go insane and share food when we get packages from home. And we have a class plant! One of the elders brought a twig from outside into our classroom so we can have a little bit of the outdoors with us when we are studying. They are great comic relief.

The second day here, we taught our first "investigator" in Svenska! His name is Peter, has a small family, works as a social worker, and wants to know how he can do to grow closer to God. Teaching him is really special. Even though I know that he isn't a real investigator, I feel the spirit when I teach him. It makes me even more excited to teach true investigators in Sweden.

I have loved all of the letters and packages I have received here. Letters and packages are worth more than gold! Hope to hear from you all very soon.

With love,

Syster McKenzie "Dory" Hosenfeld

Mission Pictures

"I don't care what happens, I am going on a mission!"

    Life has been very crazy for me the past couple weeks. A couple days ago, I got into a serious car accident; while I was waiting to take a left turn on a red light, another car was cut off and had to swerve away from him, hitting me instead. It was definitely one of the scariest things that have happened to me recently, but I still feel very lucky: Both the driver and I were able to walk away from the accident without any major injuries.

   The Volvo was totaled in the collision, which leaves me with no car. No car? No errands, driving to work, etc. Although that puts a damper in my Summer plans, I am trying to keep the bigger picture in mind. The driver is safe, I am healthy. That is all that matters in the long run.

   I feel extremely blessed at this time in my life. Although I feel of the adversary trying to hold me down, there is nothing that I can't accomplish without the help of my Heavenly Father and Savior.

Scandinavian Festival

    On May 23rd, I was lucky enough to go to the Scandinavian Festival! It was a fun afternoon and I loved the different cultures that were represented there. I especially loved that Sweden played a large role. I ate a delicious Swedish feast consisting of picked cucumbers, Marzipan cake, and Swedish meatballs (of course). I also had some Must, a popular Swedish soda. 

    It was an enjoyable day that made me even more excited to serve a mission in Sweden!