June 21, 2011 - Ahhhhhhh

Hello Family!

Whirlwind, I tell you.  It's been a crazy week of self-discovery, frustration, excitement, technology issues etc.

First off, thanks to Ladi and Chucky for your Dear Elder letters! That may be the easiest way for me to actually read and receive your letters. It was such a nice surprise to see those the past few days! It's also nice to hear advice from experienced sisters who know about the MTC.

My companion, Sister Brady, is great. I like her a lot. She is really intelligent and wise. With some prying, I discovered she currently has a 3.98 GPA at BYU in Philosophy/Spanish and took the LSAT and got a 164. Her scores from her second time taking the LSAT will come this week. She's hoping for a 170 so she can get into a top ten school. She is from Charlottesville, VA. She was home-schooled, but doesn't seem like it. I hate to stereotype people...but I'll do it anyway, I suppose. She catches on to languages really fast. She has high expectations for herself, and in turn, our companionship. She is good fro me. She has been really gracious in helping me along the way thus far.

Korean is crazy. That is, I don't understand it at all! Thus far we have learned to pray, testify, and have a brief conversation. If this is me learning Korean with the gift of tongues, I would hate to see how I'd do without it! Stumbling expressions extraordinaire. I guess I'm really learning two languages: the language of the spirit and Korean, in that order.

The MTC is a good place for the most part. The food is subpar, but I've been enjoying the salads and soups. The main entrees are ugly. My weight maintainence plan consists of only drinking water or milk (sometimes chocolate milk for dessert), taking only one trip through the line regardless of how good the breadsticks are, and not having dessert except on Sundays. So far so good, I guess. I saw Chris Morey the other day while he was serving me dinner. It was funny. Exercise time has been a nice relief. I've been ballin. Haven't ventured to play with the elders yet.

Mom and Dad, I'm so excited for you! Your time is fast approaching. While I very well may not be seeing you, you will certainly see me! On Friday, President Brown (MTC President) called me into his office and asked if I would offer the benediction for the devotional for new mission presidents this coming Friday. It just happens to be the meeting where the general authorities will be in attendance. He said that it would sort of be like offering a prayer in general conference....no pressure. So while I will have my eyes closed and babble on about whatever I feel inspired to say, you will both be out there in the congregation. I'm looking forward to it. If you can sneak a blazer into the MTC for me I'd appreciate it. I don't have one.

This morning we went to the temple. It was my second time, but it might as well have been my first. I forgot how to put on any of those clothes. As some of you may know, my past is a nervous one. I am a little jumpy and don't like being on the spot or being helped. Generally, if I can't do it on my own, I'm not going to do it. Anyway, people were very gracious with their smiles, instruction, time, etc. as I struggled to keep up in the temple ceremonies. I am independent to a fault at times. In class I sometimes get frustrated with the language and sort of figuratively throw my hands up in the air because I don't want to ask for help. I don't want to inconvenience others, or Heavenly Father, but in so doing I fail to meet the potential I have. When I got through the temple ceremony this morning and sat in the Celestial Room, I asked myself what I was supposed to learn from the session this morning. I think I was supposed to learn how to let others help me. I can't do any of this on my own, and arrogantly enough, I kind of thought I could. It seemed to represent my entire mission. Those who were helping me were like God's angels helping me fulfill his purpose. I cried and cried in the Celestial Room this morning because of this realization. I need to learn how to let people and Heavenly Father make more of me. I'm looking forward to this endeavor.

I love you all very much. Thank you for your letters and prayers! Laura, forward this at your disgression. I'll leave it up to you to edit out the embarrassing parts.

LOVE!

Sis. Julia Mecham

contd....

My companion has a little extra time on her email, so she's letting me use it. I told you she was great.

What I was really trying to say is that I need to learn how to receive instruction and take the risks necessary to learn. I have taken the risk to be here, but I think I need to take more risks to really let Heavenly Father make more of me than I ever could be on my own.

When I was crying in the Celestial Room a middle aged temple worker came up and tried to hug me and tell me that I didn't need to be embarrassed about how things went in the ceremonies. Not a good idea to talk to me while I'm crying. Through the tears I tried to explain to her that I wasn't embarrassed about that, to which she responded, "Your face is bright red!" Her intentions were good, but it didn't help matters at all. Anyway, it was a good experience for me to learn.

The MTC is wired! People are always talking to us from the ceilings and asking us questions. "Is Sister so and so there?" And then you can respond and they can hear you....ANYWHERE! It's crazy. Also, yesterday after class we had some personal study time in our classroom after our teacher left. About five minutes into that time two individuals came into our room and asked with an accusatory tone if we had been on mormon.org. We said no, but that our teacher may have been on it. They asked how long ago he was there. We told them he had left five minutes ago and they said that was TOO LONG, that the activity had been more recent....ball and chain, I tell you.

Though it's only been one week, you guys feel far away. The days here are long and the weeks short. I didn't believe it, but it's true. I'm enjoying my time here and I feel truth resound with my spirit every single day. There are a lot of good people here. Our teachers are great. I'm excited to serve!

Love to you!

Write me!

Sis. Julia Mecham