Mariah, Week 1, Day 5, Provo MTC

June 23, 2013

Week 1, Day 5 at the MTC (And I'm sure in a few days I'll lose count of how many days I've been here.)

Dear Mom, Dad, Mitchell, Noire, Trix, Kiki, and/or whoever else just so happens to read my letters,

First things first: did you guys get to see the worldwide leadership missionary broadcast?  I did.  And I actually got to see it in person!  It was cool seeing the General Authorities up close like that.  Or at least closer than I did when I watched General Conference.  Anyway.  So what did you guys think?  Especially how they're really going to start pushing member missionaries (which is something I remember Dad commenting on).  I also thought it was cool how they threw in the thought of the Church leaders working together with the missionaries and Church members to help bring people to the gospel and show them love and that they're wanted.

There was something else, a nice little comment made - in Relief Society - how we shouldn't be scared, something I am at times.  I need to learn to not be scared because Heavenly Father trusts me to do His work.  He doesn't really need me because there are thousands of others out there who can and will take my place in the ranks.  The mission is a privilege for me.  And I should treat it as such.  (That was said by someone in the Relief Society Presidency here in the MTC...whose name I didn't write down.)  But back to the missionary broadcast - someone else said something similar (I din't write down people's names...something that I need to do from now on).  They said to invite others to come unto Christ because you love them, not because you're scared to offend them.  Which is something that I definitely need to work on.

So that's that...but Russian.  It's coming along okay.  It's only day 5 and we've taught 2 lessons to our "investigator" in Russian.  When I think about that, my mind feels blown!  I seriously can't really believe it.  And not to mention  that I can almost say a whole prayer in Russian too!  (Granted, I'm limited to the few phrases that are in my language book, but who cares!  I still think it's cool!

My companions are okay.  Cectpa Garff is a real angel.

Well, I think that's it for now, I guess.

Sincerely,

Me
(Me because I'm not exactly sure how to sign these letters, either Mariah or cectpa McCrea)

PS - You can use dearelder.com to send me letters that will get to me the day that you send them.  It's basically like an email and the people at dearelder.com print the letter off on paper, tape it up and deliver it to me before the day's over.  I'm not sure how much it costs or anything, but Aunt Laura used it to send a letter to me and it was cool.

PSS - Can you add my address to the Sunday Branch newsletter?  Please?  And how's it going with making my missionary plaque?  Do you all need me to send you guys a photo of me?  Let me know!!

Mariah, Week 1, Day 4, Provo MTC

Sister McCrea and her MTC (Missionary Training Center) Ukraine District. Sister McCrea is the female on the left.
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And now her first email home from the MTC during her mission:

HELLO EVERYONE! And I'd say that in Russian, but alas -- I'm not exactly sure how to type in Russian yet, haha. I think I'll learn that somewhere around week 4 or 5? Maybe?

So, I've survived an entire week at the MTC. (Well, tomorrow it will be exactly a week, if we're going to get specific here.) Something that I didn't think that I would be able to do... But I did it, and I made it to P-day! (which is on Tuesday for those of you who were wondering)

ANYWAY! This first week has been crazy. It's been filled with missionary teaching seminars, Russian, scripture study, more language study, more scripture study, and not-so-bad MTC cafeteria food -- and not to forget plenty of running around, trying to get myself familiar with the buildings and my surroundings. (I still feel lost from time to time, but I'm glad that one of my companions isn't directionally challenged like I feel that I am.) The Russian is coming. But I have to keep reminding myself that I've only been learning Russian for 6 days and it's okay if I sound like a 5 year old Russian kid and I can't speak in complete sentences yet. I'm just keeping a prayer in my heart that I'll one day understand it.

My companions are really cool. -- Yes, I said companions. I'm part of a trio. (Be jealous). Sister Garff is from West Jordan, Utah. She's a sweet little thing who I don't think has one mean bone in her body. Sister Patterson is from Portland, OR, and she makes sure that no one forgets it! She is really good at holding a conversation and she knows how to make someone feel welcome and important. I feel really lucky that I'm with them. I know that I will learn a lot from both of these sisters.

I hope that everyone got a chance to watch the Worldwide Missionary broadcast thing that was this past Sunday. I really liked watching it. And I'm not just saying that because I was in the audience watching.

My time's running short. I've only got an hour allotted to spend time writing e-mails... so hopefully next week's message will be longer. I think I'll actually write out what I've got to say rather than writing it all out while I'm sitting here at the computer.

Till next week.

Love,

Sister McCrea

Mariah, Week 1, Day 3, Provo MTC

June 21, 2013

Dear Mom, Dad and Mitchell,

Believe it or not but I actually don't really have that much time to write letters or anything.  I mean, we're usually really busy until 9:30 or so, and 10:30 is lights out...and in that hour block I have to get ready for bed, write in my journal - and if I have time, to write letters, which at this point has only really been you guys because I haven't received anything in the mail yet. :(

Anyway, onto a different topic...today was pretty cool.  Yesterday, we met our first "investigator"...(I put it in quotation marks because I'm pretty sure she's a member - she just does a really awesome job at
pretending to know next-to-nothing about the Church).  Anyway, so her name is Katiya and my companions (remember, I'm in a trio) gave our first lesson to her today...wait for it...IN RUSSIAN!  Yeah!  I know!  To be honest though, I did a pretty horrible job and butchered the language.  But Katiya has the patience of a saint and she's a real trooper.

So that's my progress report for today.  I'm going to try and write you guys at least every day since it's sort of becoming a stress relief for me.

Love you guys lots.

Love,

Cectpa McCrea

Mariah, Week 1, Day 2, Provo MTC

June 20, 2013

Dear Mom, Dad and Mitchell,

   The MTC President actually asked us to write to our families last night...but I was kind of busy and just overwhelmed with everything and didn't really have time to write you all before lights out.  But here I am writing you all now.

   So I've survived two days in the MTC.  Barely.  It's kind of scary being thrown into this like I've been.  (And not gona lie, I've had doubts already.  And it's only day 2.)  ANYWAY, to the more positive things...because I seriously need to keep positive now.

   My companions - yes, I'm part pf a trio - are really fun and awesome.  Their names are Cectpa (Sister) Patterson and Cectpa Garff.  Sister Garff is from Utah and Sis. Patterson is from Oregon.  The elders in my district are really cool too.  And I've noticed that I haven't met a lot of people from Texas yet.

   Back to more spiritual and meaningful matters.  The food here is alright (and tell Mitch that the wraps are pretty decent).  There's a refrigerator of milk alternatives...so I'm good with the lactose thing.

   The devotionals and trainings that I've gone to have been  amazing and I've learned so much.  And yes, we've started on learning Russian and I feel like I'm struggling a bit.  I know that I've just got to stay positive.  To think positive and the Holy Ghost will be with me.

   And yes, it is kind of...odd to be using all these gospel and religious terms at almost free will.  I'm not quite used to it.  Also, I've started to catch myself saying "guys" and stuff (apparently, it's not really allowed?)

   I love you all very, very much.  And please, please, PLEASE write me as much as you can...and preferably letters because my P-day is on Tuesday and well, I only get to check my e-mail once a week which you all obviously know.

With much love and everything else,

Sincerely,

Cectpa McCrea

(We don't get our last name "Crylic-fied" on our nametags until just before we leave.)

Mariah, Pre-Mission, Laredo

7:00 AM - Sis. McCrea departing Laredo International Airport on her way to reporting to the MTC (Missionary Training Center) in Provo, UT.  We will not physically see her again until December 2014.

Mariah, Pre-Mission, Laredo

Mariah becomes Sister McCrea, as she is set apart as a full time missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Pre-Mission, Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, New York, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia

June 4 - 12, 2013

Mariah and Mitchell took part in their final get together before they both depart on their missions.  They traveled over 4000 miles, visiting the Church history sites in Kirkland, Ohio and Palmyra, New York.  They also took the opportunity to visit Niagara Falls, New York City, as well as Hershey, PA.

On the way...

LDS Church Historic Site - Kirkland, OH 

Amish Area - Ohio

Smith Farm House - Palmyra, NY

Sacred Grove - Palmyra, NY

Grandin Building, Downtown Palmyra, NY; Where 1st Edition of Book of Mormon was published in 1830.

Times Square, New York City, NY

Lego Store, Manhattan,  New York City, NY

Hershey Factory, Hershey, PA