Week 2: IN PERSON at Provo MTC!!

For 2 weeks now, I've been a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I wear my name on my chest, and I am a representative of Christ everywhere I go. This week I started my training in PROVO UTAH!

Packing

Packing for 18 months is not a walk in the park. Thank goodness my mom and dad are master packers! It'll be interesting when I'll have to pack it all up again... one of my suitcases weighed 64 lbs. Not sure how my little self is gonna roll 3 hefty suitcases around when I leave for South Carolina. My dad was sneaky and snuck at least 4 little notes in various places in my suitcases and it made me so unbelievably happy when I found them while unpacking. I'm telling you, the best packing meister in the world, and the best dad. Sorry everyone, he's all mine.

The AIRPORT

This was the hardest day on the mish so far. But I know that this is not goodbye for my family, once I get into the swing of things, it'll feel like I'm coming home tomorrow. It's sad knowing that I won't be able to hear every detail of their day. And it's hard to not have my mom to talk to about every stinking thing that happened. She listens to me more than anyone. But I'm leaving my family for a time so that others can be with their families for eternity. It's worth every moment! Calling them today on pday was a huge blessing. The airport I gave each of them a big squeeze and waved probably 5 times before I turned around. I love them with all my heart, and look forward to my next hug with each of them. We have family friendship bracelets to connect us for now! They each put a note in my bag, and I read them while waiting at my gate. I cried for a moment and then saw some elders across the way waiting for the same flight. I got up and started talking to them! I enjoyed every bit of the conversation! Elder Schimson has actually been out on his mission for 7 months but us getting a surgery and heading right back to Mexico City! I asked him to bear his testimony in Spanish and it was so beautiful! And Elder Whitehead was headed to the MTC just like me! Funny story, they BOTH went to Heritage Mesa and knows some people I do! AHHHH! What are the odds? I think there were 5 missionaries on the flight total. Another was on the flight was Elder Winfield, who went to Campo Verde and knows my cousin Emily!!! My flight left at 6:40, and let's just say I did not get the normal amount of sleep a missionary should get. So I folded over and fell asleep for the whole flight! Much needed rest. Then the sweet elders got my suitcase down from the overhead bins before I even stood up, they are just GEMS.

CODY

Suddenly in the airport on the way to the baggage claim, this man started walking next to me in pace with me. I instantly feared for my life, to find that it was my Uncle Cody ready to pick me up! He showed me around BYU and we looked at the temples and ate kolaches. Then he helped me figure out this Samsung phone that I despise with all my heart. But it is a blessing! We pulled up to the MTC and said goodbye. I was welcomed with open arms, everyone asking where you're from and where you're serving... and sisters helping me DRAG my suitcases up 6 flights of stairs. Then I met my CUTIE companion in person! We unpacked and had a devotional about the Character of Christ, which I will share my thought below for my spiritual thought.

The DISTRICT in person!

My district is full of some of the most supportive people I have ever met. They notice when you are a little down, they make me laugh hard enough that I think I have an 8 pack now. Love abides wherever we go together, and part of me wishes we were all serving in the same mission. But Sister Horman and I are also serving in the same mission as Elder McConkie and Elder Ruff, so we get to take some awesomeness with us! Also, I think half of the elders asked how tall I was or why I was so tall bahaha! Doesn't help that the other sisters are 5' 3". But hey being tall has its advantages! And the sisters... we bonded so tight so fast. When Sister Schmidt was having a hard day, our Sister Training Leaders said some inspiring words that brought tears to all of our eyes. Then when Sister Horman was having a tough day, Sister Cook and Sister Schmidt attacked our desks and closets with sticky notes with the sweetest thoughts. I'm so grateful for each and every one of them and I know our group was inspired by God.

Favorite moments

-Our nightly prayers as a room with us 4 sisters is the best. We make sure to pray for specific people, even each other. We are open with how we are feeling, and when totally giggle uncontrollably like we've known each other for our entire lives. Sister Horman and Sister Schmidt and Sister Cook have my heart <3

-Another moment... when Sister Schmidt ate chips with chopsticks holding the bag with her toes. Our brains were fried and honestly we were so slap happy, this is who we are now.

-I loved getting a chance to finally teach an IN PERSON lesson! We taught Nikky in this little cubicle about prayer and forgiveness. Not only that WE should pray for forgiveness, but we should also pray for OTHERS. We left him feeling proud of ourselves, knowing he felt the Spirit and recognized it. We are learning so much so fast!

-We had the opportunity to go to the temple as a district, at the Provo Utah Temple. This was the same temple that my Grandpa Hamilton visited about 47 years ago. He was a convert to the church and was unsure how to approach the temple, so he knocked on the door! Someone answered and he said "I'm ready for my endowment." It was very comforting to know he had been there and I felt his love as I was inside. He was close, even from the other side of the veil...it was a very special experience.

-Lastly, it SNOWED TODAY on pday! Seriously best ending to pday ever. I was in the snow just minutes before typing this email! I danced in the snow, caught snowflakes on my eyelashes, and threw some snowballs. We also built a 7 foot snowman, but had to knock it down because we were informed it was a hazard. I guess it would hurt if a 7 foot snowman fell on you. His name is Snow-seph Smith. And this Arizona gal had the time of her LIFE. Sister Palmer's hands were a little frozen and she struggled BIG TIME to type the beginning of this email. But Sister Palmer endured, sorry to spoil it for y'all.

Spiritual Thought

The Character of Christ devotional was mind blowing. We learned that Christ ALWAYS turned outward, even when he was upon the cross. Luke 23:34 says "Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." After fasting for 40 days, instead of passing over disciples who asked for help, he went and performed miracles before eating. There are so many examples like these in the scriptures. Even to those who mocked and scorned him, he turned outwards. The character of Christ is he turns outwards in love, compassion, and service and the natural man turns in and is self-centered, self-absorbed, and selfish. I challenge all of you to ponder how you can turn outwards more this coming week. I know you will bless others, and bless yourself.

Sending lots of love from a snowy MTC! Make good choices!

-Sister Palmer

Side note: I can read any emails or messages sent to me during the week, but can only respond on pday. Please tell me about your adventures wherever you may be! I'd love to hear from y'all!