Yahoo!
My 9 weeks at the MTC are almost up! I got my flight plans last Friday to leave this upcoming Monday, July 29! I was named Travel Leader (big money out here in the MTC)... But it is because I will be flying to Russia by myself! I am very excited to get out into the field, but very nervous about flying all that way by myself. It will be fun though! I will be traveling for over 24 hours. Super exciting!
I have really loved my time at the MTC. I got to be here when all the mission presidents were here being trained. It was amazing because the food went from about a 1 or 2 out of 10 to a 7/10. It was amazing. In addition, we got to hear Elder Holland speak to us when they were here. All 12 of the apostles and President Oaks came and presided over a devotional that Elder Holland spoke to us in (President Nelson and President Eyring were the only members of the 15 that were missing). It was amazing! The minute they all walked in, the spirit was so strong! They truly are men called of God! Elder Holland talked about Christ's Atonement and how through his Atonement, everything is possible. It was an amazing talk! During the mission president's week of training, we also got to see multiple apostles walking around and we had the opportunity to see or talk to a few of them. Such a great week!
I also was able to meet my mission president! Him and his wife are amazing, and I am so excited to serve with them in a little under a week. They are both very strong in the church and are so smart! Their name's are President Ustyuzhaninov, and Sister Ustyuzhaninova (you add the a at the end for native women names).
On the 4th of July, we got to watch the Stadium of Fireworks. Our devotional before ran 20 minutes late, so we didn't get to see all the fireworks. And we watched them inside, from a crowded second floor window. But at least we got to watch fireworks!
We had several in person TRC's and skype TRC's which have helped me teach lessons in Russian to people. Some of them have been really spiritual experiences that get me excited to serve, and others I walk out and start crying because I forgot every Russian word I knew. So who knows what will happen in Russia... lol.
There has also been construction going on here at the MTC while I have been here. They have been tearing down some of the old buildings and overhead pathway things, and are planning on putting a park/new building for a cafeteria (?) in. Those are the rumors. Watching the construction has been a blast. I used to be in the new buildings, but with the influx of missionaries during the summer we got moved to the old buildings. So we are right by the construction where they are tearing and knocking down buildings. It was rough moving from such nice buildings to the cramped, smelly, old ones, but it has been somewhat worth it watching the construction.
In addition, often times people hide things in the vents and behind various plates in the residential halls. It has been a fun activity for us to go and find what past missionaries have left behind in the walls!
Last week we also had the opportunity to clean the temple. Because it is closed in July for cleaning, we cannot attend but we did get the opportunity on our P-Day to clean it for multiple hours! Such a great experience!
Because of the influx of missionaries in the summer, the lines go out the cafeteria doors, down the steps, and across mtc campus. It takes FOREVER to get through the line. One of the questions we have here at the mtc is: How are we not technically at capacity yet, but yet somehow we are way over capacity?
Time has flown, and I will really miss my teachers! Sister Baugh, Sister Slight, and Brother Ferrin. They have been really cool! I will also miss my zone and district so much. 9 weeks together in such a small space really can bring people together. My Russian is still really rough, but I am hoping that going to Russia will change that.
Next time I email, it will be from RUSSIA!
CecTpa Cummings
1- me and my companion's missions!
2- my district and two of my teachers (sister slight and baugh)
3- my district and our other teacher, brother (bpat in russian) Ferrin
4- girls from my district
5- black and white day
6- NO SALAD ICE CREAM ONLY
7- 4th of july!
8- treasures in the rooms
9- Elder Bednar! :)
10- Mission President, his wife, and me!
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