Jan 30th

I really really am so really way too happy here.

I thought for sure that I would be dying to get out of the MTC and into Korea (and don't get me wrong, I am still way excited), but I really do love it here. I never thought I'd say this, but it is going to be hard to leave! I have been blessed with the sweetest companion who keeps me laughing all day. We had service the other morning and we were singing songs while we happily wiped the pee off the urinals. Hah. :) I also love all the Elders in the district and we are already so close. Did I mention that the Korean branch is the biggest in the whole MTC? There are eighty something of us! Eveyone is so enthusiastic too and we have our tables in the cafeteria that we call "K-town" so we can all eat together (occasionally one of the natives even has Kimchi to share).

And then there is the fact that I get to see Easton, the best Elder here, everyday! We exchange letters too which really gives us something to look forward to. And Brandon, Quinn and Chase, you'll be happy to hear that I play basketball everyday with this group of Elders and I'm getting better! It's so fun. I also have been drawing a lot and Mom, I drew the investigator! I'll be sure to send a picture.

Oh and mama, did I mention that I am singing in the choir? It's such a spiritual experience. At our Sunday devotional this past week, we sang a revised version of "Called to Serve" that nearly brought me to tears (it was the closest I've come to crying since I've been here). I really feel so lucky to be surrounded by such a stellar group of young people and hold them all in the highest respect. This work is really such a cool thing to be a part of and I'm already so glad I made this decision. 

As for the language... It's kicking, with brute force, my patootie. It's like trying to spread frozen butter on toast. Or scraping the snow off the driveway with a toothpick. It's like wathcing Kate Winslet let go of Leonardo DiCaprio's hand when he would have easily gotten on the door from the other side, but not being able to do anything because they can't hear you yelling through the TV. It's like trying to catch a spring BEFORE it hits you in the face... ;) It's hard and it's frustrating, but at the same time it's amazing how quickly it is coming. I have a funny experience last Thursday when we were teacher our investigator (not a real one, just practice). We have to teach in Korean, obviously, and he was asking when we gained faith in Jesus Christ. I was trying to tell him that I was born in the church and that it wasn't until I was about twelve that I started to really gain faith for myself. I didn't say that. I actually said that I had a baby who was twelve. Hahah. We were really confused, and he was too, and then we realized that he was saying that he didn't think missionaries could have kids. We realized the miscommunication and laughed and said, "Aniyo! Aniyo! (No! No!)" and tried to set things straight. It was soooo funny and it's become the joke of the district that I have a twelve year old kid at home. 

But I really do believe in the Gift of Tongues. It is amazing how far we have come in these short two weeks! The Lord is definitely with us with every step.

So I don't know if you got my letter from last week, so I really hope you get this one. Thanks for the packages Dad and all the emails from you guys! Keep me updated on the family. How is Poppop doing? And Grandma too? They are in my heart and in my prayers. Thank you for your love and support. I seriously have the best of the best family. 

Now go build a snowman. Rachel's orders.

All my love,

Sister McCloskey

P.S. We don't use romanization here, so it's hard for me to write anything in Korean... Sorry to disappoint! 

P.P.S. I'm going to try and get the pictures to work this time.

Jan 23rd FIRST LETTER!

I'm alive.

My companion's great. 

The food is pretty good, I guess.

So, yeah.

Sincerely,

Sister McCloskey

Alright, alright fine, I'll elaborate. I have officially survived my first week here in the 'ol trainin cenna and it really has been so great. The MTC really is such a holy place and everyday I have had an experience, a sort of spiritual recharge, that has helped immensely. 

On the first day, after checking into my room, I went to my classroom. I was the first one there and my teacher, Sister Baek, only spoke to me in Korean. I was mortified. I thought that all the other missionaries would come in completely fluent in Korean and that I was going to be way behind. I realized that I was very wrong in that assumption as each member of my district came in and stared at her with the same blank face. I have to admit that the first day was a little rough. I tried really hard to concentrate during the teaching experiences, but it was all very overwhelming.

Day two, three, and on have all been really great though and I truly love it here. My companion, Sister Collinwood, is a doll. Seriously. She has the funnest personality and she keeps me laughing all day. We push each other to eat well, exercise and speak Korean as much as we can. I really feel so blessed and so lucky to have scored such an awesome companion as my first one. 

As for my district, they are hilarious. There are eight of us, six Elders (still getting used to saying that instead of "guys"), my companion, and I. It kinda feels like Lord of the Rings sometimes, like we are the Fellowship. 

Frodo (me): "I will take it! I will take the gospel to Korea!"

(Dramatic pause as Gandalf (Sister Baek) looks at me with sorrow and respect)

Samwise (my companion): "Don't you think you're going anywhere without me, Sister McCloskey."

Aragorn (Elder Christiansen): "You have my testimony."

Legolas (Elder Fisher): "And my height."

Gimli (Elder Bean): "And my Axe" (like the cologne, sillies, weapons aren't allowed in the MTC)

Boromir (Elder Jolley): "You carry the fate of South Korea, little one."

and we can't forget about these two:

Merry (Elder Miller) and Pippin (Elder Woodall): "Where are we going?"

Pretty much sums up the district. I really love them all so much already and I'm so grateful for them. Elder Bean, our district leader, is one of the coolest people I have met out here. He is so funny, and an amazing storyteller, and he has the strongest testimony and incredible leadership skills. 

As for the language... For some reason growing up I had this conception that the language would come easy to missionaries and that they would know it within weeks. Well folks, I that was one very big misconception. It is a really great life lesson though because when we have a righteous desire, the Lord will help us achieve it as long as we work hard and do our part. The language is HARD, but we are working hard everyday and we have learned so much in one week it is amazing. I can say a pretty specific prayer already and I've gotten pretty good at reading. We've also already taught four lessons to an investigator! Cool. I wish I could type in Korean, but we don't use romanization, so it would not make much sense.

I got to see mom twice, and had a pretty cool reunion with Easton yesterday. I've also seen so many other people I know! I've counted thirteen already, form BYU and EFY and PHS and the CIA... Wait what? It's been really fun though. We also got to hear two really great devotionals from Gerald Clausse of the 70 and Sheri Dew which were very cool and my companion and I sang with the choir! Yep.

Thanks for all the love, family and friends. I've already received so many awesome letters. Also, Dear Elder is better than mint brownies out here and it's totally free! So spread the word. I send you all my love and gratitude for yours. I seriously have the best family and friends in the world and I thank Heavenly Father every night for it.

Love,

Sister McCloskey

And she's off!