California Dreaming

Fam bam!

I love you!

Thank you all so much for your wonderful letters! They came on the day that I needed them the most! Monday was my hardest day here at the MTC. The food I ate for breakfast made me sick and it was down hill from there. ( I wasnt necessarily discouraged, it was just a tough day :) Anyways,  your letters came Tuesday and it was such an encouragement! It really helped me to focus on my purpose and remember why I am here! I am writing you back individually, so please look for a very large orange envelope sometime next week :) 

Mom says you want to know all about the MTC! Of course I am so happy to answer the questions I assume you must have. :) Here is the day and the life of your not so average missionary! 

We start the day very early. 6:30 as a general rule, but Sister Jensen and I are so busy, half the time we wake up between 5:45 and 6! We start the day by getting ready and we are at breakfast by 7:20-7:30 where the elders from our district are usually waiting :) we beat them to class and everything else, but no matter how early we are, they always beat us to the cafeteria. Go figure. The cafeteria has lots of variety and it is indeed a mini Cannon Center (Boys, its your dream come true). There is almost always something you like, but for reals after the first week you get sick of it. Im looking forward to getting some real food. My tummy hasn't been feeling right for about two and and a half weeks now ;) 

After breakfast is class!! We have a three hour class where we learn how to teach in the most effective way possible. In no way is the MTC a place to learn about tactics or what to say or how to hook them. The MTC is a place to learn about love, and growth, and testimony, and how to apply the Gospel to the investigator in a way that they could understand the importance and relevance to their life and so the Holy Ghost can be there. I hope that makes sense. 

We sit in the same classroom all day everyday. When we aren't in class we are studying, but must remain in the classroom. The teachers here are all BYU students who have served missions! Each and everyone are incredibly humble and carefully chosen. Only the best are trusted to teach the missionaries. My morning teacher is Sister Hanshaw, and she served in Jordan's mission! She's been home for a year now. She is basically amazing and I will leave at that because what more can I say. My afternoon teacher is Brother Bishop. Can we talk about incredible?? Oh my lanta, I love what he does for our class. Ive never had teachers who have cared about me so personally or who truly want me to succeed. They are so humble and I love them dearly. My MTC experience has been incredible and they are two of the main reasons aside from my Savior and the Holy Ghost. 

I could go on forever about them. They indeed hold a big piece of my heart. 

We get an hour of gym time everyday! I love it! Sister Jensen and I always go to the weight room and fitness gym. They play mormon messages and its really quiet because it is the best kept secret of the MTC. Gym time is happy time and its when the spirit talks to me the most clearly outside of teaching investigators. This was true before my mission, and even more so now.

Wednesdays we get new districts for our zone! Sister Jensen and I were called to be STLs, so we have the privilege of going to the new districts classrooms every Wednesday night and welcome them to the zone! To my siblings, a zone is like a stake, and a district is like a ward. We have three districts in our zone and they are all wonderful. We welcomed four new sisters yesterday and we can't wait to get to know them. 

Now listen up. This is the most important part of your schedule here at the MTC. 

BYU ice cream days. 

Wednesday night and Sunday night we get ice cream here. Sister Jensen and I tease that we know how long we've been here by counting the number of bowls of ice cream we've consumed. We also have a one in two chance in guessing what day of the week it is when we see that the ice cream is out :) 

Sundays are much different. We haven't actual had a regular one yet because we have had two very special ones with general conference taking up the third! How lucky! 

I can't even explain to you how Sundays go. Its all a blur. When you get my letter, you will have more of an idea I promise. Sorry to sell you short. Ill tell you this. We get up very early and we have meetings from sun up to sun down and its the longest, yet most spiritually fulfilling day of the week. Missionaries never have a day off! 

You're probably wondering about Kyujin (I found out how to spell her name correctly ;P ) She is doing well! We actually aren't teaching her anymore and we were basically devastated when they switched up our assignments, but we poked our head in her door to say hi the other day and to talk to her. We love her so much! Thank you for prayers in her behalf! 

Currently we are teaching our last investigator!!!! WHAT? Her name is Sara and we had the hardest time answering her questions. 

Until last night. 

We found her need. The temple. She needs to know about the temple. Again, I will write more in my letter because that is an incredible story. 

So I hope that answers some questions about the MTC. Sorry babies, I will try to fill in the cracks with my letters home! I will respond to each of you.

Okay. Here is the for real important part. Mom you've been waiting my whole email for this. 

DEPARTURE TIME!!!! 

We got our flight plans!!! We leave the MTC Tuesday at 4:50 AM! Our flight is at 9:55 and we will be flying into Oakland! Our President will meet us there and drive us to Santa Rosa! Our trainers will be getting calls this week!! I can't wait! 

Family, I have to go now, but I love you all!! Thank you so much for everything you are doing to let me be where I am at right now. I can't explain to you the incredible joy I have and all of the experiences I've been having. Thanks for the pics too. I sure do miss my Tiny, and his pictures make me so happy. Rachel, your  ninja skills are on point. Thank you for the book! I read it to my companion, and I told my whole class about it!!! 

Lily, I sleep with the cat  you gave me every night! So much comfort. 

Christ lives. He loves you. This is His Gospel. I love my calling. 18 months isn't enough. In the words of the song, "Savior, Redeemer" it's "my joy by day, and my dream by night." Boys, Im so excited for you. Always and forever keep a mission in your plans, and the temple in your sight. Never underestimate the power of prayer or the power of the limitless Atonement. You are all so special. Never give up. Always move forward. Laugh lots. Smile often. Love always. 

Love you all!! See you in Cali!

Sincerely, 

Your happy missionary

Sister Jessica Julander