Hello everyone!! I have now been here for less than two days. The MTC is so wonderful. It seems like someone took the entire place, soaked it in the spirit for a few hours, then put it back. The spirit is so crazy strong here. I have met dozens of new people as well as old friends. It has been so much fun so far.

On your first day at the MTC, they take you to get your nametag and other things, then you are led to where you will be living during your sojourn at the MTC. I went to my apartment, then went straight to class. Predictably, I was the last one there, and found I was like fifteen minutes late for class. I got to meet my companion, Sister Hardin. She is wonderful, and exactly what I needed in a companion. She has already taught me a lot. They also make you wear these neon orange dots, signifying that you are a newbie. The other missionaries have affectionately termed it the "dork dot." While it seems a little degrading, you are bombarded with people saying "Welcome to the MTC!!!" It was very fun. As my companion and I were walking out of our building, we stopped to let some elders who were jogging pass us. As they passed, they shouted, "Welcome to the MTC!!" We smiled and said thank you, but we didn't expect the next thirty elders who did the same thing. It was so funny. It also made us late to class. Needless to say, the MTC has felt very welcoming. 

It has been so busy. They take you straight from one thing to the next here. It has been great. It was weird this morning because Sister Hardin and I got to choose what we did for P-day. It was kind of odd not having a minute by minute schedule. 

My district is wonderful. Sister Hardin and I are the only sisters in our district along with six elders. They are all very nice. Sister Hardin and I are both going to the Irvine Mission, along with another sister in our zone. The other missionaries in our district are going to Albuquerque, New Mexico, and the Washington Federal Way mission respectively. We all get along really well. :) Yesterday we met our Branch Presidency, and they are kind and loving men. Their wives are probably some of the nicest women I have ever met. It was very cool. Each missionary went and was interviewed by a member of the branch presidency. After the interviews they came back, and called the zone leaders, district leaders, sister training leaders, and two other callings that I can't remember. Sister Hardin and I were called to be the sister training leaders! I am excited but very, very nervous. Our STL's are great, and I hope we can do as well as they did. Things move very fast here. because missionaries are  only here for 12 days, they go through STL's and zone leaders really fast. I am grateful for the opportunity to help and serve. 

Having had seven siblings serve missions, I thought I knew what I was in for. This was not the case. I have heard coming to the MTC is much like trying to drink out of a fire hose. This is not accurate. It's more like trying to stand on the beach and fill a cup with water during a tsunami. You get a little in your cup, but most of it goes over your head. I'm trying really hard, and feel like I'm doing pretty well, but I've only been here for two days, so we'll see how it goes next week. I really don't have much more to say, but I am grateful for the support I have received and I love you all very much. The church is true and God is our loving Heavenly Father. These things have never felt more true to me than they have here. I love this gospel, and I know I'm where I need to be. I have been blessed so much already. 

Love, Sister Wood