Goodbye MTC, Hello Temple Square!

My companion Sister Gattud!

This was at Brighton camp. They do this every year. They take us to do repelling, zip lining etc.

Dear friends and family,

My 3 weeks of training at the MTC are up. I'm going to miss the MTC (but not the food!). I had many incredible teachers, made some great friends, learned so many important things. Btw, does anyone know who the Nashville Tribute Band is? My last Sunday we (the MTC choir) got to sing with them. Their style is very country/soulful--not something you really hear in the MTC everyday. The spirit was so abundant in that meeting. Go listen to the songs I Was Born and John's Song. It put many people in tears!

Last Wednesday my fellow Temple Square sisters and I woke up at 4:30am to get ready to head to the Front Runner train in Ogden. There were only 8 of us, but there was about 20 pieces of luggage between all of us. It was crazy transporting them between the bus, to and from the train, and then to another car. I'm glad that's over! 

When we got to TSQ (Temple Square) the AP’s [Assistant’s to the mission President] took us to the basement of the South Visitor Center. This is where the mission office, post office, computer rooms, main meeting room, conference rooms, and kitchen are. We met with the mission president and his wife, the Poulsen's, the APs, and the finance mananger, Elder Skanky, for a welcoming meeting. Later we found out who our companions would be. So the sisters who would be were training and the sisters who need training all gathered together with President and Sister Poulsen. Then the AP’s announced who would be companions. It's a lot like a TV show. The AP’s make it really dramatic, haha.

So my companion is Sister Gattud and she is from the Philippines (Brooks, specifically Antipolo for your sake). She actually knows my cousin, Pj, who served in her ward. If Pj is reading this, she has told me some interesting stories about you! Haha, just kidding. She's only told me one story. Back to my companion. She is an amazing missionary. I have seen her teach several times on chat and on TSQ. I learn so much from her. She is so humble, patient, considerate, thoughtful, and wise. What more could I ask for?! I have had at least 10 sister missionaries, and even one of her investigators, tell me what a great person she is. I am so thankful for her.

I'm sure you are probably wondering what a typical day on the SQ is like. Have you heard of missionaries saying how busy the MTC is? Well...the MTC doesn't really compare. 

Every morning I wake up at 6:15-exercise, eat breakfast, and get ready for the day. Then we walk to the SQ--which takes about 10 min.--and head to the basement in the South Visitor Center to put our lunch in the fridges and our purses in lockers. Some days it is different, but today we had companionship study and personal study, then we went to the SQ. We will alternate our time between the Teaching Center (where we take phone calls and chats from mormon.org) and taking tours and contacting people on the SQ. We are doing something almost every minute. It is so busy! 

I have only been on TSQ for about a week, and it has been really challenging getting in to the swing of things. My first day we went right on to the SQ to meet people and share the gospel. I'm fresh out of the MTC, and bam, here are 50 people you can talk to. So I'm just trying to learn how everything works. The sister’s LOVE it here. They all say it's the best mission ever. The mission president automatically extends everyone's missions (I think 3 weeks?), because everyone wants to stay longer. 

So before I go I will leave you with a good experience I've had while on the SQ. My companion and I were heading to the Teaching Center in the North Visitor Center when a lady stopped us. She was so happy and enthusiastic while talking to us. She told us how she goes to a homeless shelter to share the gospel with people there. She said that one time someone hit her with a medal bar on the head, and another time someone punched her and knocked her tooth out. We asked why she still goes there. She said it's because they need the gospel and would be so much happier with it. She went on to tell us how when she was 16 she had scoliosis. She was told she wouldn't be able to have children. She then got emotional and told us all she ever wanted was to be a mother. That was going to be her life! When she was told the diagnosis she prayed. Years later, she ended up having 7 children. She said God can accomplish anything if it is according to His will. She encouraged us in our work and said that God only sends his best to temple square. My companion and I were very touched. It's moments like this that keep you going if you're having a challenging day. She was able to bless our lives by her life story. 

Well, I love you all so much! I miss you and pray for you! Thank you for all the support!

Last thing. I need to do a few quick shout outs. 

Shout out to the Bryce family! I met the sister missionary you talked to and she actually trained me for one day when I was visiting from the MTC.

Shout out to Parker Jones who tried so hard to get a hold of me! I'm sorry Parker! I was in the Teaching Center and I was too late when I tried to find you.

Okay, I love you all!

oxoxox

Sister Butler

Line of the week:

My companion, sister Gattud: "Do you always eat this healthy?"

Me: "I don't know. I just got out of the MTC so I'm enjoying eating all the fruits and vegetables I can!"