Week 6 - MTC Bubble

Hey everyone! How is it going? I'm sure having fun! The MTC is great and I am having a blast. Don't get me wrong though. The MTC is difficult and I'm growing every day. It's very different than any life you would ever live at home. I love it though. It's my safe little bubble and thinking about leaving in about 18/19 ish days is a little bit intimidating. I'm getting over it though. It's just kinda sad to know that it will be a long time after the MTC until I can see everyone again. It will be good though. 

So here we go. This week was pretty normal, but also with an extra helping of sad. We got here the same time as the Danish missionaries and they left last week. It was super sad. They were our siblings at the MTC. First our MTC parents (the Polish) leave then the Danes. It was hard. Especially for Sisar Allen. Her twin is going to Denmark, so it's the first time they've been apart. It's all good though. It's getting better. We just miss them all a ton. Their last day was one full of tears. It was Monday, and instead of going to the office with them to cry, Sisar Godfrey and I hung back, and helped one of their companions move into a different room. She's going to Mongolia and is awesome. We love her, but she doesn't have a sister going with her so she bounces around a lot. We love her though, and she comes and visits us all the time.

On Sunday, we had a devotional from the MTC president and his wife. They are both converts and they talked about conversion and how we can make a difference even if we only baptize and convert one person. Then that person will marry another member and their kids will go on missions and have families and family history work will  go on. So you may only be a rock in the pond, but the effect of that is larger and larger ripples.I know this gospel is true. That God loves us because we are His Children. That He created a Plan for us to return to His presence and become perfected in Him. He gave us all the steps and the way to return and live with Him again. This is why I am here. I want to share that message. I would hope that everyone would be willing to accept Christ as their Savior and allow Him to heal them. It's a message about hope and love and forgiveness. The chapter I enjoyed in the Book of Mormon this week was 3 Nephi chapter 11. This is when Christ comes to the ancient people of the Americas. This Book testifies of Jesus Christ. That He lives and that through Him we can live with God. I want everyone to know that I know and believe this. He absolutely loves us. I know this and have felt this so many times in my life and it is all consuming. 

Then on Tuesday, we had Elder Clayton come and speak to us. He talked about Joseph Smith, and how he was the first convert. He didn't have missionaries to teach him, so God appeared to him then sent angels to continue to minister and teach him about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It was very inspiring to know that I am similar and will play the same role as angels. It was awesome. We have been teaching our teachers as they pretend to be interested people, and it's amazing to feel like that, even in a role play. I love teaching. Sometimes it's hard because I want to say in English, but then it is way harder because I have to speak Suomeksi in our role plays. It's helpful and will be great practice, but it's hard. It's getting easier the longer I'm here though. Although it's still kinda miserable because I suck at listening and the teachers speak so fast, that it takes a while to understand. The most used phrase in our district is probably "Voitko toista?" which means Will you repeat that? Either that or an insult. The insults change so much though that I can't keep track. The best one so far has been "Sinulla on rasvat kasivaret." You have fat arms. My district is hilarious. Finnish is definitely way easier with these people at my side. We help each other out so much. They're awesome. 

Honestly, not really a lot happened. The days here feel like weeks but looking back the weeks feel like days. Everything blends together and I can't remember anything without my journal. I feel the Spirit everyday. I love talking to Sisar Cálderon. She's from Finland. I love her so much and she loves us. She is constantly helping us and also giving us more insults. The more time I spend here the less I want to leave. But I know that everyone will eventually leave, and I really do want to teach the gospel in Finland. It's definitely the right thing for me to do. And there are many ways for everyone to be a missionary. Our purpose as missionaries is to "Invite others to come unto Christ by Helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end." Anyone can help with the beginning part of helping others to come unto Christ. It's especially easy around Christmas.  Lighttheworld.org is a great resource to help you serve your neighbor and help them come unto Christ.  The videos center on ways you can serve others and the website will show you different ways you can Light the World. 

I love all of you so much! I miss you! But I know that the Lord is helping you where I cannot and that He loves you. I hope all your weeks are wonderful and full of joy! Until next week!

Love, Sisar McCammon

A little from her note to Bill:

There have been many McCammon-I days for me. There have also been some not amazing days that feel like they drag on, but the days feel like weeks and the weeks seem like days. The MTC is funny that way. looking back though, I try to only focus on the good. The bad gets drowned out that way. The new church curriculum will take some getting used to that's for sure. It is new but the way it should be. It's preparing us for something although I don't know what yet. I know you can do it. If you love God, it will be easy. This is just one way we can start showing our devotion to him. It's also a good way and reason to invite the missionaries over and talk about how much cooler than them I am. And maybe feed them a little bit of food, while they feed you spiritually...  I have been keeping a pretty good journal that's a mix of what I learn and what I did throughout the day. There are obviously a few "I got Up and I got dressed" kind of days, but there are also others full of good things and miracles. Journaling is actually awful because my mind doesn't remember all my day in just the right way and then it sounds weird. Plus the concept is a little odd. But I'll keep it going just because. I know I might look back on it later and be glad, but now it's not something I love. 

I love you too Daddy! I can't wait to see you again,

Here's some of how she is feeling in her note to me (mom):

I've had a lot of tender mercies this week and a lot of love. It's been a good week. I'm not used to being gone. I still call Sis Godfrey Cierra or Sis. And I still turn to tell you stuff and then when I try to tell Sis Godfrey she doesn't react the same and it makes me miss you. I miss shopping too. It's sad not being home. Mostly I miss the constant communication and seeing you 24/7. Don't worry about it too much. It will get used to it. It's just a thing that I miss you. Maybe it'll get better once I'm out of the country and am out there serving. We'll see though. I do love you all so much! I wish I could bring little pocket-sized versions of you with me. It's okay. I'm good until we get back to the residence at night. I'm pretty busy during the day to be bothered, but nights are rough. I am happy throughout the day. My district is awesome. And they're basically family now. When we're all together it's better. I am good. The homesickness will always linger. Home is where the heart is and you at home have my heart. I'm sure that'll change when I get to Finland. Honestly, I knew it would be difficult but not this bad. I do love you and I am very attached. I guess I just need to cut my apron strings… Oh yeah! Sisar Godfey is the best! I love her! Not as good as you but a good stand in! It's okay. I can wait for your hugs and cuddles. I'll just lie to myself when hugging anyone else. Thank you for everything mom! I'm logging off!! I love you so so so so much!! <3<3<3<3<3<3 You’re the best and I love you!!!!!

They had a tree lighting for the MTC.

 She said she doesn't take enough pictures so she just took one of herself to send me!

 Birthday Party for two of the Elders

Week 5 - Much to be Thankful For!

Today was an awesome week. Just you wait! The new Poles and Bulgarians are awesome and they have taken to us Fins like moths to a flame! They come with us everywhere. We're like their MTC parents, and we love them!  So we'll get into my week then!

Friday!! This was a standard day. Kind of normal. Sisar Godfrey and I bombed our lesson with our teacher, but he gave us some really good pointers on some of our tactics. It was a good experience and we learned and moved on. Because of my thumb though I couldn't play volleyball which was sad. We had fun though. It was good. I ran and cried on the inside. I ended up talking to Sister Calderon (Finnish sister going Adriatic north) the whole time. But it ended up being good.

Saturday!! I bruised my other thumb. I put my hands up to block a ball at soccer Saturday, and the ball hit my thumb full on. It hurt really bad and was nastily bruised but altogether okay. Then we got into a little bit of trouble. We were doing language study with V. Hall and Ormsby and listening to music. On Youtube. It started out as church music then moved to Christmas then Pentatonix. We were listening kind of loud and our teacher told us to turn it off when she got there. She was a little disappointed but it was okay. Then we found out that the computer we were using was teacher use only. We were a little annoyed, but it was okay. We thought it was over. Then she brought it up in class but in a way that only the four of us knew she was dragging us. That was frustrating like she thought we didn't understand the first time, but it was okay. We got over it in like.02 seconds. We taught again and it went good! Sisar Godfrey and I killed it. We do good every other time about.

Sunday was sad. The old Poles had their last Sunday and it was so sad. They released Sisters Aramaki and Jones and put in Sisters Calderon and Fitch? I can't remember her name. She's super nice though. I cried and then they sang God Be With You and I cried even more. The Poles were my favorite. The whole Sunday was good though. Choir was a highlight too. It always is though. Brother Eggett is really awesome. He''s so charismatic and nice. If you meet him tell him to give me a shout out at choir! Then at the devotional that night Brother Crittenden spoke about the new Light the World campaign. It looks really exciting! I teared up a little at the videos. You should watch them and join in! Go to lighttheworld.org to view them. It's the perfect opportunity to Light the World and your Faith. Christmas is a time to remember Christ and how he lived, and try to follow his example. Then after the devotional we watched the film Testaments. It's about the Nephites just before Christ came. It is very good and fit in with following Christ. As the world gets more wicked around us, we should be trying still to be an example and show Christ our devotion to Him. 

Monday was part two of goodbye to my Poles! They actually left today and I cried. It was sad to say goodbye when it'll be a long time before I can see them again. It was also weird because half the Danes were gone for their Visas. The Danes are our BFFs. They got here the same day as us and have been with us the whole time. I love them! It was an average day besides this. Although at one point, while one companionship was teaching V. Hall asked all the sisters how young of a man they would date when we got home. Then they went on to talk about how young they would date. It was a very awkward conversation but it was hilarious. The elders in our district are actually hilarious. They make me laugh so much. They are becoming my family so quickly and it's going to be so difficult to say goodbye. But that's not for a while. 

Tuesday. In class, our teacher finally taught us how to read really long Finnish words. 5 weeks in and we finally figure out how to divide up the syllables. It was super nice to learn, but apparently all the new missionaries are getting online instruction before the MTC. Like what the heck?? I needed that! But whatever, I probably know more than them anyways... I was reading in the Book of Mormon in 3 Nefi this week and I got to the point where it says that not everything can be put in the Book of Mormon like the miracles and signs of Christ's coming. It made me wishful for more. What kind of things did the Nephites see that we won't get to hear about here? Probably a lot tbh. But I was praying about it and got the impression to look around me. There are miracles in our lives everyday. We just need to stop and look around and notice them. Then in our devotional that night, we had Elder Ringwood come and talk about "It fell on a day..." In the whole bible that phrase is found only 3 times. All in 2 Kings 4. At first glance it's similar to "and it came to pass..." but it's actually so much more. It's about miracles that happen that are solely because God has his hand in our lives. It went so well with what I was studying. What are my "It feel on a day..." moments? There are definitely a lot of them. My mission is a big long one, but there are some all around if we stop to look. I encourage you all to do that. On a lighter note Elder Robbins is actually the funniest. He was on something that day and did everything over top. I laughed so hard. He bought this giant key ring for all his flashcards and it looks hilarious clipped to his belt loop. Oh it was a good day.

Wednesday! We played soccer with The Danes because they won't be at soccer Saturday and it's sad. Monday is their last day. We all cried a little bit. It was way fun though. fun fact though! One of the new Poles is from Pocatello! And knows my friends the Johnson's who were Finnish mission presidents a few years ago! It was awesome to meet her. I took a picture so take a look at that! She's so fun! Her name is Sister Berrett and she's super sweet! After this class was a roller-coaster. We thought we were going to teach Veli Allen but we actually had to teach Veli Edwards so plans went out the window and a couple of people had to throw plans together to teach when they weren't planning on it. So S. Godfrey and I got stuff together because we teach both. We were practicing and the other 3 volunteered to go first so we didn't end up having to teach. It was really nice, but also sad. We need the practice. We also had a power outage halfway through class. It was big spook. I didn't think it was fun because emergency lighting is freaky. We had to go to dinner without lights too. Then we came back for class and TRC but the lights were still out so our teacher came and found us and brought us upstairs to the TRC floor where she works too. She had us just study there where there was some lighting. Which we almost had everyone. Only V. Harlow and Chugg went to dinner after us and never came. We put a note on the board, but they couldn't see, and because TRC was cancelled they didn't think to come upstairs. So all through class, we speculated where they were. V. Vawdrey thought one of them threw the other in a trash compactor. The teacher assumed they were fending of a zombie apocalypse on the roof. It was neither. They couldn't find us so they studied instead somewhere else. Eventually the lights came on though. Which was nice. AC, lights, no more spook. I really hate the dark.

Thanksgiving. Also Elder Hall's Birthday so shout out to him! It was a good, busy day. We had to go straight from breakfast to choir, so we hurried there. We practiced a lot and it paid off. WE got to sing for... ELDER UCHTDORF!!!! It was so awesome! Him and his wife talked about how awesome missionary work is! And to be grateful! It was so good! Then afterwards, he was walking through the crowd. As he was almost done, the organist started to play I Know That My Redeemer Lives. The whole audience started to sing and the Spirit was there so strong. I was crying. I couldn't shake his hand, but the Spirit told me that Elder Uchtdorf loves me and so does the Lord. It was very powerful and I cried quite a bit. Then we went back to class and had a devotional review before our Thanksgiving meal. It was yummy! Our next devotional was also about Light the World. It was awesome! Sister Eubanks talked and she went to Finland! It was so cool to listen to her speak! I like her a lot! Then we got to go do our service project. It was packaging breakfast meals for less fortunate. We were just the labor. We packaged so many yesterday! There was so many tables of people scooping and sealing and packaging to send. It was so fun! I got into the zone with it. We also got to listen to Christmas music which was awesome! Then we had sack dinners we had made early. We all chilled as a district and watched some videos the Elders had made. We all laughed and ate and hung out before the movie we got to watch. We ended up watching The Other Side of Heaven. It's a really good movie about a missionary in Tonga. We all loved it! After that we had another devotional but this was a musical devotional. I don't know who they were but they were good. I liked them! The Spirit was so strong today and I testify that the Lord loves you. He is aware of you in your life. If you turn to Him, He will be there. He is always there even if you don't turn to Him. He wants to bless you. He is your Heavenly Father. I know this. I have felt His love so much. 

I hope you all are having awesome times! Life is really wonderful! I love you all so much and miss you! 

Love, Sisar McCammon

Dads note: 

Hey Dad!! 

Thanksgiving was crazy yesterday. We did get to do some service but that will be in my big letter. It was way fun though!! I really enjoyed yesterday, but I was missing everyone a lot... It was really different and it would have been more fun to be with you, but here was good too. There is always enough to eat and I always eat too much, but yesterday they had all my favorites! The potatoes and gravy were really good! The potatoes here are always good though. 

The language is coming. We're learning more and more and the more I learn, the more I speak. It is a little difficult speaking sometimes though, just because I think in English and having to translate isn't always fun, but it's good. My district really is awesome. I love them so much. I have to push myself way out of my comfort zone 24/7 and I hate it. But I sleep good at night so that's good.  Yeah I love how having one purpose brings everyone together the way it does here. I have never realized how sincere you had to be before your questions would be answered. I ask a lot of questions out of curiosity, but here when I do God tells me to look in my own life and answer it myself. He sure does trust our judgement a lot. He wants us to continue to choose Him and love him. And when we do, He trusts us more.  

Thank you for your prayers! I definitely feel them and I'm glad you're proud of me. It would be so much more difficult to be here if I didn't have your support. I love you so much!

Moms Note:

(Sometimes context is good, She always wants to know what she's missing while she's gone, I told her it only seems interesting because she's not here, if she was it would be boring and the same as always.  I told her I hope she truly is happy and not just pretending even though sometimes we all pretend to get by! As a mom you just want your kids to be happy and to be able to take away the sad.  This is something I can't do right now and its hard. Prayers are all I have!) 

I am very good. Change is always hard, and the Poles left Monday and the Danes leave this next Monday and we are going to miss them loads. I know I shouldn't be but I am. I miss the physicality of you being here. I want yours and dad's hugs and being able to say Cierra watch this as I run up the hill singing the sound of music.. It's just different and it sucks. I know that. But same old same old is good and exciting and isn't changing.

I am Happy and I get sad, but it's always good. I just don't love change. I'll get used to it then It'll just change again. But I'll have to learn eventually. It'll not make me homesick too much. Some days just emailing home makes me homesick. I just need some time is all. I love you. I'm going to go finish up my laundry and I don't know if I'll get to email you again. I know we don't get to chat much, but i feel like that's better for me. Just know that I love you. I got your letter and package too. Thank you for that. I also got a package from the Armbristers. They're the bomb! Tell everyone especially the Fairbanks that I love them. If you seen them give them a squeeze for me! I love you Mama! I'll talk to you next week! I hope things stay the same for you keep me updated! <3<3<3 Love you whole bunches!! 

Here are her pictures.  The problem that I am running into is there isn't always an explanation as to the pictures.  I can enjoy them but I have no idea what the story is behind them, so your guess is as good as mine! LOL!!!

 Guessing we are looking at good thumb vs bad thumb

 Her companion Sisar Godfrey

 Sister Berrett from Pocatello.

Week 4 - Blessings of Being a Missionary

Hello everyone!

So my week has been good. It actually is a little difficult to not write in "Finnglish" because Sisar Godfrey and I are on an English fast today. We have to use as much Finnish as possible to get thinking about what we know. It is actually easier than you'd think. So many missionaries here are learning a language that they don't really care what you say. They'll say something back in whatever language. It's so fun! Anyways onto my week!!

This week has been a mix of stress and learning. A little while ago I hurt my thumb playing Volleyball and this week has been a mix of so many doctor's appointments. Last Friday, I went to the doctor and he requested that I get an MRI. I was a little nervous but all was well. We called the MTC to come pick us up (we were at the hospital) and the driver went to the wrong place, so we were just waiting outside for forever. We turned down a couple of people for rides because we thought ours was coming, but he had returned to the MTC!!! We met a lot of really nice people and chatted about missions and Finland a lot. One lady was even nice enough to give us some money for lunch! turns out that missionaries are like charity I guess?! But we finally got back but we had to call the driver again. But then I had an MRI done on Monday night. That is so not fun for someone with claustrophobia. I didn't like it. Plus I was alone (minun toverini!!!) And the machine makes sci-fi noises. It was not that awesome, but I dealt. I sang some hymns and Christmas songs and trusted that the Lord wouldn't have me put somewhere unsafe. So I got that done. They didn't read it that night though. So I had some anxiety about what was wrong, but I finally had an appointment on Wednesday morning and my thumb isn't ruined! It tore the joint capsule, but that will heal without surgery.  It's basically bruised and healing. It was dislocated on impact with the lentopallo (volleyball) but it snapped back immediately. (Nursemaid's thumb??) That's what is causing me pain and annoyance though. (And I can't play volleyball anymore.) But my wearing my brace will heal it. Just takes some time. And I got to see my MRI and for someone who hates medical anything, it was nasty, but also interesting. I enjoyed seeing it, but was also grossed out. But that's it about my doctor's visits. It seems like that's all I focused on this week... Ehhh.. I've got spiritual stuff too. 

The MTC is basically like the city of Enoch. The missionaries and people here are basically Zion. We all have the same purpose and desires, and we have all aligned our will with God's will. It has such a strong Spirit here that "spiritual experiences" are around every corner. I think the only reason, the MTC hasn't been translated yet is because God needs us to be out and teaching His other sons and daughters. He wants all His children to have a knowledge of His love and gospel and that's why I'm here to share it. Anyways here goes... Every Sunday night and Tuesday night we have a devotional. On Sunday, we had Lux Singers come and sing some songs for our devotional. They were really cool, but I had never heard of them so if someone has and wants to give me a bit of background on them, that would be awesome! Then for our devotional on Tuesday, we had a special person come and talk to us. Elder Gary E Stevenson came and spoke about our Missionary Survival Kits. There's 3 things in them... 1: Scriptures are our firestarters. They keep our testimonies burning brightly. 2: White Handbook is the shelter. The obedience to the rules outlined in this book keep us protected and safe from dangers. 3: Preach My Gospel is our food and water. It keeps us sustained, so we always understand and know the doctrines of the church, and we can apply them to ourselves. He told us that not only is this a survival kit for our missions, but also for our lives. It was a really good talk. you could tell that he really had a testimony of missionary work and that he was really grateful to be talking to us. Another thing that happened recently. I was praying one night, and it was about something or another that I can't remember, but that isn't as important. I just felt God's love for me, and the knowledge that He loves all of you individually with the same magnitude that He loves me. It was so overwhelming to just feel that like it says in the Doctrine and Covenants section 9 verse 8. I suggest reading that section for your weekly reading. It is really good. I like it.

So last experience of the week! (if you want to hear about anything specific email me and let me know! I'll add more stuff to the emails or email you specifically!) We have what we call TRC every Wednesday evening where we teach a member at the MTC just about anything for practice in Finnish. Sisar Godfrey and I usually write a script, memorize it, and recite it. We decided that this week, we knew enough that we could just go by the Spirit. So we did. (we obviously studied words and phrases we just didn't plan exactly what to say.) We prayed beforehand to have the Gift of Tongues and to be guided by the Spirit. We said that we were putting our trust in the Lord to give us the Script based on what our member needed to hear. We talked about faith and read Ether 12:4-13. It's about the brother of Jared seeing the finger of the Lord then the Lord. It went so well. Much better than the past few. We were so proud. 

Thank you for listening this week!! I hope you are all doing well! I love you all so much and miss you tons!! Until next week!

Sisar McCammon

Hey Daddy!

My thumb really is okay. The worst part about the whole thing was honestly probably the MRI. I didn't like that at all. The doctor visits took a lot of time, but those are mostly over and the rest won't be during class. I was praying really hard that the Lord would heal it. Every meal and getting the elders and sisters around me to pray for me as well. It's all very much according to my faith. I put a lot of trust that the Lord needs me at the MTC and to go to Finland, so he's going to make sure I'm physically ready to go. It worked too. He healed me enough that everything is fine and reassured me the whole way through.

I definitely am working hard. I know that I'm not really the one learning the language. I'm memorizing rules and words, so when the time comes, the information is there for the Lord to organize and tell me what to say. I have an experience with that as well that I'm putting in my letter, so you'll have to read it there. Thank you for your wisdom. Christ really does make everything possible to do. He is the way for everything. He is all the paths to the top of mount Fuji. 

Mom - My emails with her are not quite so informative.  I we discussed a lot about what I needed to add to her package I just sent her.  And just dumb things that she wanted to know and day to day stuff, keeping up with friends, we just talk about random stuff. She is excited for Christmas and the lights and snow. Christmas in Finland should be a sight! She answers back to Bills letters, but not mine! We love the TV show When Calls the Heart and she likes to reminisce about it! LOL! Its so good to hear from her.  She's good!

Mostly I just want to say thank you to any and all who pray for Abbie every day and for those who prayed extra hard for her thumb to be healed!!! What a great blessing of healing and faith!  THANK YOU!!!  We just wanted to not have to have her worry about the added stress of surgery or the thought that maybe her time to Finland would be changed or shortened because of it.  The Lord does hear and answer prayers when we ask in faith!

Lots of pictures today!!!

Week 3 - An X-ray and another field trip

Cześć Everyone!! 

This week hasn't been as exciting since we got back from California. You can tell from my schedule that not much changes. The days all blur together, and it's a really good routine. My companion and I have started going to the 6 am fitness classes for sisters and that has been fun. I enjoy those. It's almost like being at the gym at home... almost. The gym at home is better. 

So a bit of a scripture to get us started. I have been studying a lot recently about God's love. I was told about Joshua 1:9 (Be of good courage, be not afraid nor be thou dismayed for the Lord, thy God, is with thee withersoever thou goest.) in a blessing and I was cross referencing and doing some studying about God's love. It's been what I have been studying all week. I found a bunch of scriptures about God's love. It's everywhere! I particularly like Doctrine and Covenants 98:1 which is the Lord comforting the Missouri saints amidst their persecutions. I recommend looking it up because I can't remember it. But It definitely was comforting. I was then reading in 3 Nephi 17 and that is the chapter that Jesus visits the saints in America. It's near the end of His first teachings and He is getting ready to leave when he stops and looks at the Nephites. He notices that all of them want Him to stay, but don't really want to say anything. He says, "My bowels are filled with compassion towards you." As I read that the most powerful feeling of love came over me and I know that the Lord loves me just as much as He loved all of the Nephites. After that He healed all of their sick and afflicted and then He blessed all of their children and prayed for the Nephites so powerfully that His words can't even be recorded. His love for us is so powerful and all consuming. He loves us. I invite all of you to read it. You can find it if you google 3 Nephi 17 and go to the link from the LDS.org website. It's a powerful chapter. Even if you aren't of this faith, God will still testify to you that HE loves you. Because He does.

A bit more about my week. Sundays are still really awesome. Sisar Godfrey and I taught in Relief Society today and that was fun. We got lots of positive feedback. We taught about the restoration. Good and easy topic. It was great. I love it! We also got in all the new Belgium/ Netherlands missionaries. I think that was it. We didn't get anyone new yesterday. So it's a lot the same with the branch. Oh we also watched the Restoration film. It was very good and I loved it. Very powerful acting and powerful story. You can find this one online on LDS.org or go to the temple visitors center in IF and they have it there too... (I'm 99% sure). It's very good and it built my testimony of the Restoration. It reaffirmed that Joseph Smith was God's prophet and that through Joseph Smith God restored HIS gospel, and through GOD's power Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon as ANOTHER TESTAMENT OF JESUS CHRIST. That is the important part. The choir director (Brother Egget) was in a meeting and talking with the general authorities (idk which ones) but one of them said that they wanted to change the name of the Book of Mormon to Another Testament of Jesus Christ; The book of Mormon. Bringing the focus on Jesus Christ... not Mormon. Which makes sense. We worship Christ and God not Mormon.

I think that's all the spiritual. So we'll move into fun. In my greeting that first word is actually not Finnish. It is Polish for hello. Our district has adopted using it for anything they want it to mean. Which gets confusing but the Poles love it! Yesterday we taught a member in Finnish. (TRC) and it was the same two people we had last time! They were so proud of how much better we are getting. Oh our teacher knows one of our Sister's uncles. They were in Finland at the same time serving missions. It was so weird because they figured it out because they are both vegans. Which leads to the ongoing discussion we've been having at meal times about being vegan. Sister Allen is a vegan and the Elders just find that so fascinating. They said, "Our mouths water when we're cooking steaks, does your mouth water when you're mowing the lawn??" It was so innocent and funny!!! Oh and we missionaries are so starved for physical contact. It's kind of sad, but we were watching the restoration film on Saturday. It was the part where Joseph and Emma are courting and they're about to kiss under a bridge... All the elders in the audience started to cheer. It was so funny and a bit embarrassing. They were so excited to watch it.

One last note! So most people don't get to leave the MTC until they go to the field. We as a district have left twice for California. Sisar Godfrey and I have left 3x now. We had to get my thumb x-rayed to make sure it wasn't broken. (it isn't.) But the doctor is sending me to a specialist tomorrow so I get to rack that number up to a 4!!! (This is definitely an attention seeking ploy. Indulge me as you read this and oohh and ahhh. Maybe tell me I'm special or something! 😉😉)

Note to dad: The rhythm of the MTC is definitely falling into place. I'm getting to be an older missionary as all the state side missionaries that came the day I did are now gone. Studying is going good. I definitely prefer to study the gospel than the language but we do have time for both. It's fun though and I love it. The artwork is definitely amazing. I'll start exploring a little bit this week and taking some pictures. They are absolutely amazing! 

Note to Mom:I am doing great! I've gotten used to the MTC at this point that I'm okay not being home. I do wish I could call you more, but this will do. I want to hug you too! I miss you bunches and bunches! The language really is coming along better. We just started intermediate core and I basically have the 1st vision and mission purpose (pg 1 in Preach My Gospel) memorized. It's just slow and very choppy, but we work on it everyday. I am definitely not as frustrated anymore. It's just a flow. I think that the first few weeks in Finland will be about the same. IDK it's just the whole change thing for me.

I love you all! 

Sisar McCammon

So she didn't send pictures but I have a link from their Finnish Missionary dropbox and grabbed a couple from there. 

Week 2 - P Day was a day late, another trip to Cali!

So this week was definitely less interesting than last week. Not much happened overall, but it was still fun. After last week, the MTC is definitely a blessing and although the days blur together, it is AMAZING! I'll try to give a brief overview of my week and then tell a bit about the MTC in general.

Friday: So last Friday was kind of like a hangover day. P-day is so nice and relaxing that the next day feels rushed and kind of awful. I have classes in the morning on Fridays and we had Veli (brother) Edwards and Sisar Kappel. Sisar Kappel doesn't teach often but we all adore her! She is super nice and funny! Veli Edwards is also amazing but he's a really intimidating person despite me having almost a foot and 50 lbs on him. We are slowly learning grammar which is nice but also frustrating because every question we ask is answered with "We will tell you later." I don't want to know later, I want to know now, but whatever. Then we had class again after lunch but there are TVs all over campus that have slides of different quotes and one slide has people's names to go to the information desk. Sisar Godfrey and I saw our names on there and found out we needed to go to the travel office with some stuff. SO we went and met everyone on the way and we met up at the office before class. Turns out we needed to fill in an online application (which I already did ✌) so it was quick for me. We all messed up the schedule for how Veli Allen was going to teach, but this is also kind of necessary and it was okay. He's the chillest of all our teachers so he wasn't too upset. We had exercise after dinner and when we were playing I jammed my thumb real bad and it hurts like crazy. I forgot to get a picture but it was swollen and bruised for a few days. It's still tender and I can't lift with it, but it's better. Studying on Fridays are the worst because it's right before bed and I am always so unmotivated but we aren't all perfect. It just feels wasteful.

Saturday: WE have service in the mornings and we made beds again which was interesting with my thumb but good and same with exercise, but I just ran around with ice and it was fine. I also got some nasty bruises by running into some girls playing soccer but oh well. During class that day we were watching a video and I was so surprised that in the video there was someone I knew. It was sooo cool. It was CAMERON BRONSON!! I mean it was a video but still awesome. If you don't know him that's okay. He's just my friend Evynn's older brother. We also learned numbers in class so I can finally count, but slowly. It's getting better the more I use them. Which makes sense to be honest. Oh and we decided to change our schedule on this day so we can make it to class on time. We just go to dinner early. (which is kind of against the rules, but we would prefer to be on time to class and be nourished.

Sunday: So it's kinda like a YSA ward here but everyone speaks a different language. We all participate too because you don't know who teaches until the day of so you all prepare talks and lessons beforehand. (RS is in English but our talks in sacrament are in our language.) Oh and there's a girl from Finland in our branch now. She's going to Croatia so when I got up to pray after the meeting she came and talked to me about it. It was crazy. The native way to speak is so fast and I didn't understand a word, but she knows English well so we could communicate good. We also went on a temple walk which was nice because the sun was shining and it was a chance to hang out with the branch some more and learn a bit about our presidency. We also go to choir every week and It. Is. Amazing! We sang Be Still My Soul and if you pay attention to lyrics, it's beautiful. Our devotional was about the Old Testament Joseph and his faith.

Monday: The sun is constantly behind the mountains here which sucks and I hate it. Waking is always so hard and I've decided I actually do need my Vitamin D pill. We had a technology workshop and we all hate them. It's about how to use technology on your mission without actually having technology. It creates feelings of envy. but I'm over it. Classes are getting to be better too. WE do a lot of work with the teachers on Suomi!

Tuesday: We got called down to the travel office again today and found out that we were leaving for Cali again on Thursday... our P-day (why this is being sent Friday and not yesterday). We all kind of dread going because we get so little sleep two nights in a row, but that's the curse of a missionary. We're slowly learning a lot of Finnish words for lessons and stuff and checking progress is always fun to see how well you're doing. Choir practice that night was awesome as well and so was the devotional. We had Elder and Sister Carpenter of the Seventies come talk to us about companionship's for now and our eternal ones. Weird but good. We met as a district afterwards and talked about it to review and connect a bit. The branch president was there as well and I asked him to give me a blessing of comfort for our trip to California considering everything went awry last week. It was a good blessing and I missed my dad but he's a good man. I would recommend reading Joshua 1:9 and 3:5. Those are two great verses for comfort. Usually it would only be the presidency for blessings of comfort but he held two elders back for check ups and I told them they could be in the room for the blessing. And he allowed the two elders to assist. It was a really nice thing to have them participate. They're both amazing elders and missionaries.

Wednesday: Today was basically a lot of dread. I was not excited about getting up really early the next day. This was basically a day of classes and eating and talking about what to do with our laundry considering we were going to be gone on our p-day. We also did our first TRC. Which is basically the MTC bringing in people who speak your language and putting them in a little cubicle and you teach them. Right now they are members and you teach them a little lesson. And you do it twice while your teachers switch through and evaluate. It was one of the scariest things but at least they are members and super nice. After that nerve wracking experience was over we learned some more grammar and then basically went to bed. 

Thursday: Today was long. We woke up at 3:00 AM because my flight left at 6:50. We got up and went to the airport and basically chilled there. When they booked our tickets though, they booked it alphabetically and my name was the cut-off. SO on my flight there was me and two other elders. So I didn't even travel with a girl for the first half. It was okay though because Elders Vawdrey and Robbins are really cool and I like them both. They bring a specialty to the district. SO we just kind of wandered LAX (our layover) then went to Oakland. Before we even landed in LA the other group was already in the consulate place. So we waited and by the time we took an UBER to get there, they were done... so I was separated from my companion again. But then we went to Subway after then the airport. We all had the opportunity to tell drivers and the workers at the airport and consulate and travelers about who we are and what we do, so that was awesome. We got back super late though. We got into SLC at 12:00ish and not back to the MTC till 1:00 then bed by 1:30. It was a super long day but we did catch snippets of sleep on the flight. Especially the one from LA to SLC. No one sat by me and I passed out laying down on the chairs. TBH I'm glad it's done. It was just one more stresser.

I'm doing really good today. The sun has been shining all morning and I've been sitting in the sun for all of class. Everyone in class wants the AC all the way on and I  always shiver, we moved seats so I'm by the window now. I am happy on and off. I am doing good though. You just know that I have the thing where I put in all my effort and If I fell like I don't get anything in return, I give up. I've been feeling that way a lot and It's kind of hard to get over. I love my district a lot but the elders are all friends together and the other sister companionship spend a lot of time with Sister Allen's twin. Its also frustrating to have to be with someone all the time. I love Sisar Godfrey she so is awesome!! She really is way cool and I am very blessed to have her. But, I like my alone time and I don't have any except showers. it's getting better though. (This makes me smile a little because before she left she was telling me how excited she was to have someone with her all the time! Its not as easy as she thought it would be.)

A little about the MTC. They give you a schedule at the beginning and you have to follow it. They assign your language a classroom (usually by your zone) and that's where you have class everyday. We are also assigned a meal time and we go with our zone. It's all super fun and despite knowing I'm the younger of the girls and older of the boys, I feel like any one who's been here longer than me is way older. It's also got so much in the way of art. Paintings and sculptures and murals that you can literally find no where else. If you have any questions feel free to email me at any time! I will only be able to email back on Thursdays!! I love you all and miss you tons! 

Love, Sisar McCammon

p.s. I'll send pics in a bit vb is calling my name!!

Here's her pics!

 Looks like this is her training schedule for a week.  Pretty darn busy!

 Vanhin Vawdrey and Robbins

 Sisar Godfrey and McCammon

 San Francisco sunset

San Francisco from the plane at night.