Hola!!!
So it's been my first
couple of days at the MTC!! So far I've had a blast here. There have been a few
funny stories that have happened since I've gotten here so I'm just going to
start from the beginning. So when we first pulled into the MTC, I started to
freak out... There's security and everything so I had no idea what to expect. As
we pulled to the curb to my number, which was allllll the way at the end by the
way, I see my host waiting for me at the side. He definitely looked more
nervous than I did for some reason and I have no idea why. It was actually
pretty awkward. Right after you guys left, we started walking to the building
where I got my nametag and they checked me in and all that stuff. Getting my
nametag was the part that made all of this really real for me. I was officially
a missionary at that point. It was CRAZY! After all of that, my host took me up
to my room. I set everything down and then I hear some say,
"COMPANION!" I had no idea who it was but I turned around it was Nick
Jesperson! I can't believe that we actually got to be companions. He was in my
ward last year at school so it's been a blast being able to be with him all the
time just because we both know how to work hard but how to have a fun time
also. Let's just say I'm very happy I got a good companion for my first time.
After that, my host
told me that I needed to get a notebook and to get my scriptures and head to my
classroom. I started to look for my scriptures but I couldn't find them
ANYWHERE! I started to panic. I had no idea where to even look. I started to
unpack all of my bags and dig through everything. I was freaking out. I started
full on sweating because let's not forget it was like 100 degrees outside and I
had my suit coat on and everything. Jeesh, this was so embarrassing. After
about like 10 minutes I FINALLY found them and could go to class.
So my host drops me off
in my classroom and I see a bunch of really nice looking people. My first
teacher was there and boy she didn't waste any time AT ALL! Her name is Hermana
Van Vliet. She just started rambling in Spanish. I was about to cry...
I was so confused and so scared because I had no idea what to expect. And I
definitely didn't expect that. After a few seconds I began to collect myself
and I realized that I could actually understand what she was saying. We started
talking and I found out that I'm only in the MTC for 3 weeks because I'm in the
advanced class!! I was so happy to hear this. But at the same time, I started
to freak out because that's the same length that the English speaking
missionaries are here for, so the fact that I'm basically going at the same
pace as the English missionaries, definitely made me really nervous. That
day class wasn't bad just because it was only about 45 minutes and we basically
just got to know each other and stuff. All in Spanish of course... There
are only 8 people in our class: 4 Hermanas and 4 Elders. And want to
know the best part? 4 of them are native speakers, and 2 of them grew up
speaking Spanish in their house. Then there's Elder Jesperson and me. Even the
whitest girl in our class in full on fluent with a perfect accent and
everything. I just sunk down in my chair because I knew I was definitely the
worst one in the class haha oh well!
That same night we got
to see practice lessons being taught by some other missionaries who have been
here for a while. They asked for our input, which was honestly pretty hard just
because some of the investigators were pretty hard to get through too. I could
only imagine doing all of this in Spanish. The rest of the night was just
orientation and all that stuff so nothing too exciting happened there.
Throughout the day though I saw about 10 people I knew from my ward at school,
which was definitely pretty cool. We took a picture and everything but I'm not
sure how to send those to you yet, but when I do, you'll see it haha. But that
was basically my first day.
The next day class
really began to start. We only had class for 3 hours that day but even that
seemed like an eternity. We basically just learned our purpose as missionaries
and how to say all of that in Spanish and how to convey that to our
investigators. At the end of the day we got to meet our branch presidency
and had interviews with them. They called the
district leaders that night and say hello to the new district leader of
district 11! Basically I'm just in charge of the people in my class and I'm
their favorite person because I get to bring them the mail everyday. I was
pretty excited when I got called to be the district leader just because it
gives me some other responsibilities. I'm already super busy but having
something else to do besides speaking Spanish all day is a relief. To
be completely honest that day is just a blur at this point because for me, I
can barely remember what day of the week it is just because we do the same
thing everyday and it all just blends together. Let me just be the first to tell you, 6 hours of Spanish a
day can reallllly get to your head haha it was such a long day and I know it's
good because all my thoughts were in Spanish, so I know I'm definitely
improving pretty fast. But let me give every future missionary out there one
piece of advice. NEVER give your first lesson on Friday the 13. We had to give
our first lesson yesterday and I thought I was going to throw up. I was SO
nervous and to be completely honest, it was not good at all. Nick and I
definitely both agree. We're still trying to learn all the church terms in
Spanish so that was the hardest part for sure. Luckily that was the last part
of the day so after that we got to go back to our rooms and relax for like an
hour before bed. It was a LONG day yesterday for sure. We both decided that it
was our first wall that we had to break through because both of us weren't in
good moods just because we were tired and frustrated with ourselves because the
language isn't really coming to me quite yet. I thought I was pretty good
before, but boy was I wrong. Going to sleep last night was definitely something
to look forward to. The worst is when your alarm goes off at 6:30 the next
morning and it feels like you just shut your eyes.
So I'm running out of
time on the computer but I just wanted to say I miss all of you guys a TON!
Thanks so much for everyone who wrote me letters, and sent me cookies, and all
of that stuff. I really appreciate it while I'm here because getting mail is
the best part of the day for sure. I love you all SO much and miss you a ton
but thanks so much for your support :) I'll be able to e-mail you guys again
next week but not until Friday. So until then, Hasta Luego!
Love, Elder Riches
Elder Kyle Riches
MTC mailbox #227
CHI-SATN 0910
2005 N 900 E
Provo, UT 84604
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