Week 6

One good bit of news: I shook hands with Elder D. Todd Christofferson. On Friday we had a big devotional for all the mission presidents and all the missionaries, that the choir sang at. Ten of the 12 were there and Elder Oaks was speaking at. On Sunday the choir got to sing for the Sacrament meeting that President Monson was speaking at. Normally we get to sing and then leave but this time we sang and went to a different room and got to watch the talk. So that was cool. The first 20 minutes of his talk was so cool. It was all made up on the spot, it was so cool. The reason I know that is because it was very clear when he started looking at the teleprompter.

Anyway, it has been a very exciting week. We have one more performance on Saturday. It's gonna be like Music and the Spoken Word, so we get to sing a lot. I know you know this but I saw the Smiths. I do my best to see them every day because it nice to see people from home. They are going to the same mission my District Leader is going to because the temple is part of the DC North Mission, so I introduced Elder Kinne (Kinny) to them.

We are doing this activity where we are deaf for a day every week. So we use ear plugs but the ones we used were so annoying and painful. I saw Elder Westover from the Wilford 2nd ward. I can't remember his first name but it was cool to see people that I know form home. He's going to New York South I think. That's the same mission that Annie Walker, Shelly's cousin, served but he is going English speaking so he leaves next week.

Love,
Sister Bennion

Week I Think 6 Maybe 5

Today started awesome! The choir performed today for 6 of the apostles today. President Eyring is speaking to the new mission presidents. We only get to walk in and sing and then leave but, none the less, it is still a very cool experience. Check the church news this week. We were told by the Mission President's wife, Sister Smith, that usually the choir is has a picture in the church news. So look, and if it does I would really like a copy of it.

This week has been an interesting one. My companionship is getting better. A lot of the problem is me, I'm sure that is a big surprise to you, but there you have it. I'm admitting that I am the problem here.

I heard form Bonnie yesterday that was cool. I really love her.

I am really struggling with the language right now because I came into the MTC knowing English sing, its called SEE sign. Anyway, I'm still trying and I will continue to improve. The teachers have said that we will have a moment in our lives when we all of the sudden realize how to accept the language, there hope is that we will have that moment here at the MTC. When I get home I will be so good at charades. I do a lot of becoming a picture and portraying it, so make a list of stories you want to see done in actions and I will show you all of them. We are preparing the Plan of Salvation to teach and it keep reminding me of Grandpa. I truly have a testimony of the plan.

I'll be sending some pictures soon so you can add to the blog visuals. Well, my time is again running short. I love you and miss you muchly, but I'm happy. Talk to you soon.

Love,
Sister Bennion

Today is crazy. I need to be up at 6:00 today and breakfast at 6:30. Then I had choir rehearsal at 7:00 to 7:55. It's only supposed to go until 7:50, but we try and get as much time in a day. I really wanted this, so I'm willing to sacrifice this because of the exclusivity. The importance to the MTC takes priority, so until it's over on the 27th, class takes a backseat. I sing during missionary directed time, which we get about four hours a day of that, so I have a lot of time to practice. Some of the songs we are singing are: This is the Christ, Precious Savior Dear Redeemer, Blessings (it's like an arrangement of Come Thou Font) and many other songs I can't remember.

Sister Beck came and spoke on Sunday for Relief Society. That was really neat. Then on Tuesday Elder Halstrom from the Presidency of the Seventy spoke and he gave us a list of five things that will make us great missionaries. It's another “Be” list.
1.Be a true disciple
2.Be completely obedient
3.Be a loyal companion
4.Be optimistic
5.Be diligent
I thought you might like this.

Today after practice we went to the temple and it was good. Sorry this letter is short, but it's a crazy busy day. Next week will be short as well., but I should have time after that. Talk to you soon.

Love,
Sister Bennion

June 17 Email

This week has been a challenge because Sister Lovejoy has been sick and Sister Young is driving me crazy. Sister Lovejoy had some of the fluid in her inner ear get into places it's not supposed to be, so it made her really sick. Today is the fist day this week that she has felt good. We took her to the clinic yesterday morning and she got some medication, so she is doing better now. Sister Young on the other hand is totally into to self healing and and has no problem with telling me that I am weird because I don't believe in that. Then, one of the Elders from the referral center heard me talking about missing Dr. Pepper and he got me one. He is serving his mission here, so he can leave the MTC on p-day and yes, this Elder has a crush on me. He just dropped it off secretly in my class room so I couldn't refuse it. So I have a Dr. Pepper, but she keeps calling me a sinner to my face. I feel like she doesn't know were the line is.

On a happier note, I have really good news. The training for the new mission president is next week starting the 23-27 and they needed to put together an mtc choir of 36 voices. They held tryouts and everything and I made it in. So I have 9 songs to memorize by the 23rd and we will be singing this for the 12 apostles and the 1st presidency. I can not in words tell you the joy I felt when I opened the letter that said that I had made it in. I'm also singing on Sunday in Sacrament meeting so that is cool. Tell every one I love them.

Love,
Sister Bennion