EVERYTHING on my desk. I have so many books that it overtakes my studying space sometimes.

Another picture of my companion when we studied outside. Then we learned it was against the rules. Oop!

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