Hand Written Addendums...

Dear Dad,

I LOVE getting your letters! I laugh so hard when I read your notes! Serving in the High Council will be such a good opportunity to serve and give back to a stake that has given us so much.  You will be wonderful.  I've always admires your leadership and testimony.

The Spirit here is amazing, but the strict rules that are needed to maintain that Spirit are HARD.  I'm trying my best to be obedient, but I really dislike being told what to do every hour of every day.  It's still good though.  Emotional ups and downs for sure, but I've developed such a love for missionary work.  I made a note during Sunday's devotional that went like this: "I am going to learn so much about the importance of loving people and showing appreciation.  It will change my life, change my mission, and change my future family."

I love you Dad, and I am so grateful to have loving and supportive parents.

Dear Mom,

It warmed my heart to see all the pictures of Sophie and Sawyer--- I am so glad that they are doing well --- tell Sawyer that I'm proud of him for getting after her!  Everyone here is always asking, "Oh, so tell me about YOUR significant other."  I just pull out a picture of Sophie and get teary-eyed.  Actually, I get teary-eyed a lot here...probably the combination of feeling humbled, feeling the Spirit, and being extremely sleep deprived.

My Significant other

I am struggling so much with sleep.  It is really my hardest challenge.  I went to the health clinic this afternoon and the doctor told me exactly what I already know---so helpful.  (Oh, wait, we're not supposed to use sarcasm as a missionary...) I'll just keep taking the anti-histamines before gong to sleep like you told me too and see if I can start to get to sleep easier.  I tried to lay down for a nap today, and even though I have always been a beast at power-napping, I couldn't sleep.  UGGHH.

I love you and miss you lots...

PS  Garrison is doing really well!  He is very energetic, smiley, and optimistic. I don't know how he does it.

Dear Family,

Foot update:  Unfortunately, not much better.

My companionship is now a trio, and it is a BIG adjustment. Add in more emotions, how crazy girls can be, plus being around 2 comps all day in a stressful environment, and it adds up to some tension.  I am doing my best to remain patient and to put myself in Sister G's shoes (or boot and shoe), more opportunities to humble myself and learn and grow.

A new addition to our Rio Sisters!

The two year age difference is definitely apparent in how to handle conflict.  I have told ST the moment I have a concern, and we've gone a month without problems.  But there have been lots of concerns that other people have that they have not dealt with directly with others.  They think that because I am the old lady of the group, that I should know how to handle their interpersonal problems.  Let's just say that I am praying for patience and love for people.

Sisters in our Zone

Just like my own brothers...really!

We shared our testimony with the ESL (English as Second Language) elders, and then they shared their's in broken, simple, sweet, English.  (Jace M. is their teacher) Man, was it ever beautiful!  Even though they know very little English, the Spirit was muito poderoso (very powerful).  I hope that my testimony in Portuguese also has that much earnest love behind it.  Sister T. and I both agreed that it was a high point of our MTC experience so far.

Sister T's sister just got home from her mission in Portugal last night, and she got to meet with her for all of about 20 minutes today....rough, but a super happy experience. Sister T loves her family like crazy and cried a lot today.

Well I love you guys a lot.  I miss you a lot. I miss people just being direct about things.  That is a strength (and weakness) that our family has. I love it.  This work is awesome, but getting along with other people is hard......

(except Sister T, she is an angel sent from heaven, and so is her mother who sent us these treats last week!) Please keep sending letters and encourage people to write.  Letters are a huge help at the end of a frustrating day in which you lose patience with yourself.

Love you lots,
Sister Colvin