2nd Week in the MTC

Ciao!

This week was packed so full of stuff! On top of all the normal language and missionary classes, we got to Salt Lake to get our visa papers signed! So, Tuesday morning, 17 Anziani and Sorelle packed unto the bus, to head to downtown Salt Lake. It was so nice to be able to see the outside world again! But we took front runner and Trax. On our way down on front runner, there was this man making tiny oragami dinosaurs. It was the cutest thing ever. But after a couple stops, he got off and left them all there! So we took the dinosaurs with us, and they are now our district mascots. 

After we all went and got our visa papers done, we took a field trip to temple square and City Creek for lunch! And let me tell you- we all enjoyed eating some  "real food." When we decided to finally head back to Provo, we got on Trax, and ended up meeting an Italian! He had moved to the Sates when he was younger, and is now living here, as a head chef! He has such a cool story, and was so funny! He had all of the Anziani and Sorelle gathered around to here his story, as well as everyone else near us on the train. It was one of those movie like moments when all these strangers are gathered together, laughing, and listening. It was really cool. He ended up skipping his stop to keep talking to us. He went all the way to the Front runner station with us. We had a 40 min wait until the train came, so he continued his stories. He told us how he came to join the church a year ago, mafia stories with his father, and all about the life of being a chef. At the station, he asked us to sing for him, and we did. We all sang Nearer My God to Thee, and it was the most beautiful thing. All of the sudden, the Spirit was there, and all the other nearby people stopped to listen too. I'm pretty sure we all had tears in our eyes. It was a really special experience.

We have a a huge MTC Choir! We usually have 1000+ come to choir! It is sooo cool! I mean, that's basically half of the missionaries here! But I have a pretty unique opportunity today. I was chosen from the choir to be in a small group of 22. We are going to be singing outside of a BYU building tonight as people are flown in from all over to come to a big event. I'm excited to represent the Church through this. I'm also excited to leave the MTC Campus again haha. But it should be a really cool experience.

We also had a really cool devotional this Tuesday, where Elder Andersen came and spoke to us. It was really powerful, and we all learned a lot. He brought his grandchildren with him, and there were two little boys who were so adorable. One of them said they like the missionaries because they can be your friend when your'e sad. All of our hearts melted. This same little boy was sent out to go shake hands. It was so cute, and since I was on the end of the row, he ended up shaking my hand. It was just the most heart warming thing. 

There's been soo much more that happened this week, but these were some of the highlights. I love you all so much!

Sorella Thorup

At the MTC!!

Ciao!

I’ve made it through three days of the MTC. That has been quite the undertaking. This place is sooo different. I share a room with five other Sorelle. It’s pretty crowded at times. My Comp is Sorella Gisseman, and she is wonderful. We both are struggling with the language and trying to speak it outside of class. They strongly push SYL here which means always trying to speak in your language. My vocab is pretty limited. But I’m sure I’ll pick it up.

They say the first week is the hardest and that we just have to make it to Sunday. I sure hope that’s the case, because this place is terrifying. And getting used to always being with someone is hard. But the other five Sorelle in my district feel the same way, so we will all just make it through together. 

We are in the biggest branch at the MTC, so probably the biggest in any MTC. I think we have 120 missionaries. It consists of the Italian, Portuguese and Romanian speaking missions. But the older Italians leave on Monday so that will shrink our branch. But last night we met our Branch Pres. last night when I was with some of the Sorelle. My comp had walked just outside the classroom to the bathroom right there in the hall. I had stayed with the other Sorelle because the bathroom is one time we can be separated. But the president came in and asked where my comp was. I told him and he totally scolded me and told me I had to be in the bathroom with her. It was so awkward and a bad first impression so I just stepped out the door to wait for her. Haha so as you can tell adjusting is going great 😂🙃

One amazing thing here is the artwork. After hearing so much about the MTC artwork at work, I am a complete fan girl. None of the Sorelle get this and I think they’re annoyed whenever I point it out. Haha but oh well. I enjoy it anyways, so I included a couple of the big canvas pieces from the classroom areas. 

Apparently, every Sunday they randomly choose two missionaries to give a talk in Sacrament meeting in their language. I’m absolutely terrified. If I get picked, there is no good ending to it. But there are 30 new missionaries in my branch they could choose from, so there is a good chance I’m safe. So cross your fingers for me.

The food here is um... okay.  Yesterday morning Sorella Spencer found a long hair in her breakfast burrito and it just ruined the food for all of us. But they have a subway-style wrap station so it’s good. 

Anyways, I'll just make it to Sunday and take one day at a time. 

Lots of love! 

Sorella Thorup