Letter April 19, 2011

Hello Family!!!

Well I leave the Mtc in 6 days!!! i can't believe it. I have loved every minute and learned sooo much about the life and people and basically everything. It was really snowy here at first and freezing but now it is warming up. So a funny thing that happened... I sleep on the top bunk.. and we have 6 girls in our room. So I was wearing my cowboy boots and I forgot something on the bed.. so I raced up to get it and I fell down from the bunk so hard... i had bruises on my knees and elbows.. it was hilarious. My district is so great. The teachers I have are soooo insightful and spiritual.. it's funny to watch the elders little 19 year old boys grow up. I am the coordinating sister which means I get to leave my companion like three times a week for meetings and such and so it's just me.. my branch presidency and like 10 Elders.. it's really fun to be a part of the planning and to be in a leadership position to help the other sisters. I have felt an overwhelming love here.

I want to share one of my favorite quotes from Boyd k. Packer  

:"True doctrine understood changes attitutes and behaviors. The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than the study of behavior will imporive behavior."  I know  this is true. My own companion Sis Clay is evidence of this. The second day we were here she broke down and was unable to do anything all day. I felt the spirit guiding me to tell her to read the book of mormon and she would be fine. She has never read it before... Now in two weeks she has just finished Alma and is almost finished. I cannot explain to you how happy she is now,,, how much reading has changed her attitude, happiness and behavior. it's awesome

Boyd K. packer came as a surprise last night and spoke to all us missionaries. It was so powerful to hear from him. I love him so much. He is so sweet and loves his wife so much still even though she died so long ago. He knows he will see her again. his message was powerful about how he knows each person was called on thier specific mission by the Lord.

I wish I had more time to write everyone,... it's just that I only get 30 minutes a week to get on e-mail! So writing is easier.

I love you all!!!!

Letter April 13, 2011

Hey Everyone! Rach's Aunt Kari here, we got our first email from Rachelle this morning! Here it is:

Family!!!

I am sooo sorry I don't have any time to write anything on e-mails... Everyone... PLEASE DEAR Elder me! It's the best way that I get any mail here.. the e-mail is only once a week for basicallt 20 minutes... so write me or dear elder!  I love you all sooo much.  The Spirit here at the mtc is soooo strong. I absolutely love it here. It is so amazing I can't even describe it... the best week of my life!!!! There is absolutely nothing better than being a missionary.  Heavenly Father has blessed me so much.. I am sorry that i dont have much time to explain everything.  I have the best district... 5 elders and 4 sisters... It is so funny to watch all the yound Elders grow. Our teachers are sooo good. I have felt so inspired here. I am so happy I really prepared before the mission. There has been a lot of problems with many of the girls here being super overwhelmed.. but the Lord is helping them. They made me the Coordinating sister which means I am basically the mom... hahah. I feel like I have to be like a mom telling them to follow all the rules.. but I am doing it with a nice, loving spirit.. it's good practice!!!
I love you so much!!!

Love,  Sister Rachelle Davidson