Full SOX 🤣

Kia Ora!!! From Auckland New Zealand 🇳🇿 ** Currently writing this from a Samsung 🤮 in the MTC :) but at least I brought a keyboard with me 🫡 ** Ahhhh I can't believe I'm on the other side of these emails lol. Anyways bear with me guys this is gonna be one roller coaster of an email I promise going forward they won't be this long but there is just TOO much to cover. This may be a long one but in the future I'll have a section so if you're short on time just jump to that and to the google photo link of course: https://photos.app.goo.gl/btkDY6hNfKPBTj3Y6 ** Also most of you probably don't know but it's a miracle I'm even here because my stake president setting apart.. well lets just say I got stood up however after many phone calls we sorted something out and I later became a missionary that night. God is GOOD. ** It's interesting because one of the things that we did when we first got to the MTC was discuss sacrifices as well as worries. Being here right now I feel like I gave up my pretty comfortable life where I knew for the most part what to expect to now get to thrown into this unfamiliar world full of new faces and chaos! However they told us that there are blessings in store and that as we pray we will be strengthened. Right now there are still a lot of unknowns such as how am I supposed to leave here in 3 weeks and actually adequatley be able to teach about Christ? Will I have some companions that drive me crazy? Will I be able to not get burnt out? How do I make sure that I don't lose who I am while still leraning and growing.. And lastly how will things be when I return after pausing my life and yet everyone else's is still going? Hahah just to name a few but anyways... Also for those of you unfamiliar to the MTC I'd say it's basically just girls camp / fsy but throw in a bunch of guys that are immature and it's for three weeks instead of three days. I'm currently in a room with 4 girls, one of them being my companion sister and yes I claimed the top bunk! I feel like it's been tricky feeling a bit talked down to in a way since the training is catered to the younger elders howevever we are pressing forward... hmu if you're going on a mission soon esp to the NZ MTC because I can letcha in on some things ;). Random.. funny and crazy facts / tidbits: - Crazy enough we sat through a lecture our mission president gave on the Elder's grooming including how only full "sox" are allowed which is maybe a NZ thing?!? hahaha also apparently missionaries here try to "sneak in" mustaches don't know how that works we also can't walk temple grounds becaues of a past rugby game that got out of hand which is sad but nonetheless we get to go tmrw!! - GUYS they have SPRITE ZERO HERE!!! Everyday at lunch and dinner (breakie it's locked of course) there is all you can drink drinks it's actually amazing and I don't think the PROVO MTC has that so in your face. - Umm I survived "recess" we basically get time each day to go outside and get exercise and it's quite the interesting experience since it entails rugby with samoan and tongan men need I say more I survived and stayed clear. Also managed to play pickleball - the net in a gymn between a rugby game, volleyball circle on one side and two basketball games on the other side. Don't know how I'm not missing any limbs or how my glasses are in tact but no injuries yet. Absolute insanity is the only word to describe putting like 80 people in one gymn with like 10 games going on at once and 8 balls flying around. - I also survived Russian Roullete (Sunday Talk Style) or at least for this week. Essentially everyone writes a talk from the assigned chapter of PMG (preach my gospel) and then are randomly assigned to speak.. yay!! If you dare read I'll attach it (seriously no pressue at all) it uses STEPP in case you need to write a talk anytime soon it actually is pretty helpful ngl -> - I butchered some hymns.. but people said they were too tired to notice so maybe it went better than I thought? - This little light of mine is actually such a jazzy tune holy cow!! One of my new favorite songs / hymns give it a listen if you haven't or just again if it's been a minute because wow what a simple but profound message and delightful tune hehe. - I also started a tally box of how many times I've volunteered to be a part of a lesson / workshop and for taking the mic haha becaue tbh it's like usually crickets... - Does any one know about how the handbook used to say that 6 months after coming back from your mission you should be married is my mission president gas lighting us or what?? - Fun fact: 50% Tongans are members meaning buissiness is closed on Sundays.. - We had a movie night to watch how rare a possession. 10/10 would reccomend especially if you like italian accents haha. Tip: trauma bond over a 5hr LAX layover if you need some more friends in your life (legit after 2 days with these people and we are tigghttt) - Fun cycle of not having our phones which have our schedule and yet still being expected to know where we should go / what we should be doing.. I'll attach an example day for pictures in google photos so you can get a sneak peak of what we've been up to! This week I've laughed literally the most that I can remember which is crazy but it's becaue my district are a bunch of hoolagon goofballs.. I'm so incredibly grateful to have made it here safely and am pleased to share on of the funniest moments I've had here: Basically during one of our classes we have a native Kiwi teaching and we were learning about family search and essnetially he wanted to gauge our level so he said 1-5 5 being "my grandma comes to me for advice" IDK why that just killed me anyways.. lol There's still a LOT I don't know and here on Thursday we are "knocking" a door in the MTC and doing a dry run however idk rn I feel like the classes are a little watered down for my taste but it's probably a me issue. sorry for venting Sorry for the lack of pictures this MTC has a bad rep and so we aren't really allowed to use our phones so 0 pics from Sunday, some illegal ones through the week *sshhh**. We only have our phones during class sometimes and even then pictures are supposedly not allowed so hence the lack of food pics, room pics, etc. I will do my best I promise! Love you all so much! Thank you so much for reading my ramble hopefully you enjoyed it somewhat.. I hope you know how much I love you but more importantly how much Christ loves you!!💗💖💘 Scripture of the week: D&C 6:32 "Verily, verily, I say unto you, as I said unto my disciples, where two or three are gathered together in my name, as touching one thing, behold, there will I be in the midst of them—even so am I in the midst of you." Love, sister Talbot xoxo