First 3 days

AHHHH!!! Can you even believe it?!? I am a missionary – name tag and all!

When we arrived I was NOT planning on crying but then little 3 yr old cousin Meadow started and I was gone.

Everyone and I do mean every single person I passed welcomed me – thank you dork dot!

Oh – Hilarious – the poor old lady who pinned my tag on said, ‘So, Elder Despain, where are you headed?” Yaaa… I let I it go :)

My companion is Sister Amber Lynn Shaw from Maryland and I can’t even describe how perfect we are for each other!!! We are so alike – it’s beginning to border on the ridiculous. She’s 5’2”, long brown hair, super strong testimony, wants to get up and work out with me at 5:30 a.m. (I know!) and if you can believe it, she is only slightly less crazy and bubbly and as adorable as I’m sure you find me. Jokes :) We’re best buds already!

I Love Love LOVE the MTC <3

We, or rather Elder Edwards named our district “Mesalandsquare” because we’re going to Arizona, Annaheim and TMSQ! We all wait outside the cafeteria for each other – then we sit together. I know, precious :)

I see Meg (Gandolph) every day – sometimes 3 or 4 times, so we get to chat. We’re housed in diff bldgs though – so no sleepover – but Katherine Lyman lives just a few doors down – so I see her a bunch too. I’ve also seen Harison Walker at least once a day. I’ve met all the sisters I got in touch with online – so that’s been pretty excellent.

Our guys – I mean, Elders are so sweet! They stand up when we walk in, they open all the doors and they take our food trays when we’re done eating. I know!!!

It’s amazing how much you can change in 3 days!?! Just after 3 days Sis. Shaw and I feel totally comfortable giving someone a 30 min. lesson on the Restoration while we invite them to read the scriptures and pray to know of their truthfulness, invite them to church and commit them to baptism! Crazy, Right?!?!?

It’s awesome. I love it so much. This truly is one of THE most spiritual places in the world.

We got contacted three times today and it’s only 3:00. One set in Tagalog, one in Spanish and another in Spanish :) so YES I’m using my Spanish! They asked me why I believe in God and I told them! IN SPANISH! The one Elder said, “Okay!... Well I only got ½ of that!” I thought my Spanish had been off, but turns out, as his companion said, “Your Spanish is better than ours!” Heck yes! :)

Dad – thanks for teaching my the commit pattern – got it down – no prob!
Mom – I got your letter!! Thanks! I won’t doubt! I love you! And turns out your communication skills apply to missionary work as well! Weird… ? :)
Jeff – I eat cereal for bfast, salad for lunch and no, I haven’t had the chocolate milk yet :)
Elena: Your letter made me LSHIC (laugh so hard I cried) keep ‘em coming!
Dallin – Missions are the best – you’ll <3 it!

I love you all and pray for you.

All my love,

Sis. Despain

P-Day

I'm sure I'm probably one of the few really wondering, but we heard from Sis. Meaghan Gandolph that Ainsley's p-day is Thursday! We're just a little excited to hear about her first week in the MTC. While we wait, please enjoy the pictures of her arrival in Salt Lake and entrance into the MTC.