3. MAY-The Sweet Scent of Tide Fills the Air

How is it possibly my 3rd Pee Day already?! (Heads up this bathroom joke with most likely become a tradition) The MTC works like this the days go by fast, the weeks just ZOOM by, and yet it feels like i have lived here for an eternity. Oh and apologies if i ever repeat myself, i honestly dont know what ive said in emails, letters, or just plain talking to myself. Next week will be my official 1 month mark and i shall celebrate with pictures!

 Gosh i actually dont know what to tell you all about seeing how i swear i just wrote to you a couple days ago and i have the ringing sound of 30 washing machines ringing in my ears. Speaking of which! Funny story, so last week when we were doing laundry (p.s. mom i wish you were here. i didn't know if i should choose tide or bounce) i tried to save on time and space by mixed my laundry with Sister Griffiths and me being my brilliant self put all my underwear into a mesh bag before tossing them in, but then me being my not so brilliant self forgot to zip the bag close.......Sister Griffiths and I spent the night going through a massive pile of underwear trying to decipher who's was who's by the stains. We bonded that night in ways i never thought we could. Oh! and mom you'll be so proud! i was pulling my warm clothes out of the dryer and was thinking of you and how you would always put warm blankets on us, even if it was 98 degrees outside, and i thought...."there's a story in this!" The spirit is like a warm blanket. Yup, that's all i got.

So sad news! An elder from my district was reassigned and left us this week! Tears were spilled even though we only knew him for 2 weeks, but that was no excuse to put off a farewell district photoshoot. He is an amazing Elder! so willing to do the lords will! just knowing him for 2 weeks has been such a blessing and he has definitely set an example for me! Im tellin ya this Elder is gonna be one of the Big Boys some day, cause his words have got some serious power!

The MTC is getting more strict by the day! There is now a no high five rule, and a no tanning rule for all those sisters who go out in the sun to attempt to tan the 11 inches of our leg. When they said that they want us to glow they weren't kidding! Im seriously craving sunshine! We have this overhangs over all of our walkways so a full day will go by and my poor skin has yet to feel the kiss of sunshine! awww well, it will be good training for Ukraine! We have begun teaching TRC lessons which is when every Wednesday evening we go and teach returned missionaries who role play as investigators, and once again i was the cryer! this mission is making me a softy!

3 weeks later and Russian is still ridiculous! Not only do i have to learn to read all the letters, but apparently the Russian language prides themselves in cursive and that's all they write in, so now im having to learn to read and write in Russian cursive, and letters in russian look different in cursive, so now the pyramid looking letter that sounds like a "D" now looks like a "g" and the letter sounds like a "T" but sounds like a "sh" now looks like a "W." Needless to say i go to bed every night and my brain is literally throbbing. I didnt even know that was possible!

Im so grateful for the change of scenery and being able to go to the temple every week (Sage i haven't seen you yet! What's up with that? You're slacking here sis) cause by the end of the week i am so spiritually and emotionally drained. My district always eats breakfast at the temple, by the way they make a superb omelet, and then i just suck in all the good spiritual feelings and leave feeling refreshed!

The food is here is gonna be the death of me! The lbs are slowly creeping on, and the all purpose sauce that i swear they put on everything  is not helping! It's good grub though, wanna know what i had yesterday for lunch? Steak, popcorn shrimp, corn chowder, chocolate pudding, apple crisp, and graham canyon BYU creamer ice cream. HELP ME. NO. SELF. CONTROL. Oh, and here's the worst part, they have a chocolate sheet cake that tastes just like moms! With every bite i felt a mile closer to home, dont ask me how many bites i took. I know i say this every time but if you have any questions just ask cause im now gonna get orgainized and start writing them down so i have a list when i sit down to write. I hear mom is already up here in Provo! OH my heart! Poopa and Tenaya drive safe! Parker i want to hear about this senior trip! Erica Matt and Eden, capture and ride a dolphin for me! Logan and T give Bosko a good rub for me. Wendy and Justin give each of my nieces and my nephew a big ol kiss for me! Maegan and Tyler wipe Olivers little man part extra clean on my behalf. Sage, THANK YOU SO MUCH for your package! You're fast! I knew i could count on my second mom. Just one thing....so i pulled out the pants and i was like "perfect" and pulled them on to realize....."oh, i forgot my butt is like two blown up balloons....." yeah the pants are a little tight and you know, wouldn't want those 18 year old elders looking at that eye candy! so i will be sending them back, if you can find any other semi loosish pants that could be worked out in that would be fantastic. doesn't even have to be spandex. Ill send a note with the box will maybe some more specifics so im not giving you such vague requests. McCall, you are seriously an angel. One of your dear elders came at exactly the right moment and made my heart swell in love and gratitude! Tenaya, keep your stories coming! i love to hear about your life! Scary and sad realization! im forgetting movie quotes! so your job is to send me one every time you mail me to keep them fresh. it will be sigificant. Annie if freaking love you and my squeal echoed in the cafeteria at the sight of your letter. Did i leave anything out? Hope not because im about out of time! I love you all! The church is true! Just felt i should say that seeing how i am a sister missionary and all, plus, it's true. Until next time! XoXooOxoxo

-Cectpa Roe

Week 3