"So, THIS is what it's like to have no friends."

Hello Everyone!!!

Yet another week at the MTC has come & gone and it's been quite eventful!

The TAs (Teaching Appointments) at the TRC (Training Resource Center) here at the MTC (we love acronyms can you tell?) are one of my favorite things to do. They're kind of nerve wracking though! So we know just the basics about our "investigator" [usually just volunteers who live in Provo] & we go in & try to meet their needs through our lesson! Friday was our last TA as MesaLandSquare. There we all were, squashed in this teeny room with super short couches, all nervous & praying & discussing lesson plans. Then the bell chimes. And we all file out. Each companionship has a room number that we find & stand outside of. We take a deep breath as we all pass each other, everyone's wishing each other good luck & giving everyone high fives :) Then we knock on the door. (AHHHH!!!!!!!!) The person opens the door, wonderfully pleasant salutations are given & received & we dive on in!

We had our second lesson with "Terelynn" -- she's a very nice lady but the questions she asked -- I was thinking "Do I LOOK like the prophet!??!?" My mind went blank - we're talking all white & fuzzy snowglobe effect. So 3 or 4 times I had to pull a " Sister Shaw?..." hahahaha hoping she'd come up with something :) "Why do only men have the priesthood? Women must have a hard time with that - don't they get offended?" "Why didn't my baptism count? Are you saying my minister's authority isn't from God?" I kept thinking, "You're not supposed to ASK these questions yet!!!" it was hysterical.

Speaking of hysterical...Tuesday night, we decided to try out some "Matrix Pictures" in our hall. Ironing board & all. They look awesome! So there we were - I'm taking pictures now, Sister Shaw & Sis Hansen are actually posing -- I'm snapping away & who should swipe her card to open our hall door but Sister Baird, one of our Branch Presidency wives!!!! I start laughing & jump up & down & tell the other girls that she's walking in -- HERE'S the funny part. You have to cover the ironing board with your sweatshirt etc. so Sis Hansen is laying upside down on the board STUCK because she can't get her own sweatshirt off the board without falling off! In comes Sis Baird - the two of us are standing around Hansen like this is completely normal & why should this situation appear to be ridiculous at all? Sis Baird laughed SO hard :) We unstuck Hansen & Sis Baird just came to visit us for a few minutes. She told us to "stay matrix young" :) I'll send pictures...

In our branch meeting this week after devotional (Lowell Snow) President Cook said "Everything you learn here will bless the rest of your life."

These 18/24 months are the "best 2 years" FOR your life -- & we've already come to see that it's true.

Our Elders reported to their missions Wednesday morning. So Tuesday night we had a mini testimony/favorite memory meeting. It was perfect :) The Elders thanked me for being a great example & for listening to them & for making them laugh :) Elder Brown said I reminded him of a future first lady cuz I always look perfect! (Yesss!!!)

My subject line came from dinner two nights ago -- we ate EVERY meal with our Elders & now that they're gone we don't really wanna make new friends...so we were sitting there just the 4 of us & Sis Hansen says, " So THIS is what it's like to have no friends."

We miss our Elders but we know they're working hard - we taught them well :)

Miss you all!
Sis Ainsley Marie