1st email from the MTC!

Guys. This mission stuff is pretty cool. I've never been so happy in my entire life. I wish I could share with you everything that is going on.

The first day, I cried a little when Brittany and Milo dropped me off at the curb, but I haven't cried ONCE since (expect... you know... when the spirit slaps me in the face with warm fuzzies. which is pretty much daily). The first few days dragged on and on and ON and I never thought I'd make it to Sunday. I loved every minute of those days, but it seriously was the longest 4 days of my life. We have every minute of every day (except p day) planned for us. I'm sorry if I haven't responded to your letters at all this week, but we aren't supposed to write letters except on Wednesdays. I WILL write you back if you write me a letter so SEND LETTERS!

The only day I was even a little bit frustrated was Saturday. We taught our second lesson, and I was stressing out hardcore. I've been starting to notice the traits that I have that need to change, and getting easily frustrated and shutting down is definitely one of them. I'm working on it. But it's definitely a process.

My Companion is Hermana Rasmussen (the one with the beautiful long brown hair in all the pictures) I really lucked out. We get along so well. She is so spiritual and relaxed, but she is obedient and is an amazing influence on me. She's from Gilbert, Arizona.

The other two girls in our room are a crack up. Hermana Routson from Hermiston, Oregon is so quiet, but she'll randomly bust out these incredible one liners that make us laugh forever. We started a quote book... one of my personal favorites is "One time I saw a cat eat it's placenta" We were just chilling in our room talking about weird things and she just says that and walks out of the room. Classic Routson. Hermana Thompson is from Las Vegas (HEY MOM! YOU LIVE THERE NOW!) and she's so funny. She just randomly busts out in song and dance. She and I get along just fine :) we sing together in the showers all the time. Tis a fun time indeed. Our favorites are Les Miserables and Etta James. Get ready. When I get back, I'll be a musical fiend.

Speaking of... I MISS MY MUSIC! I didn't realize how much I incorporated music in my life and I really really miss it a lot. I need Mumford and Sons and Bon Iver and Jack White and AHHHH! I miss it all. But I am dealing by occasionally escaping class with my companion to play the piano in an empty chapel. It calms us both down and helps us focus. It really blows me away how alike we are.

My Spanish is really coming along. It surprises me how many words I learn every day. I can pray and bear my testimony without even thinking and I've taught 4 discussions without too many problems. The only problem is when someone other than our teacher speaks to us in spanish... I can understand the basics of what they're saying, but I can't tell the difference between "I read the book of mormon and I believe it is true" and "I didn't read the book of mormon and I think you guys are stupid." I should probably figure that one out... Cuz I just sit there and smile and say "bueno" a million times. I have a long way to go, but I have no doubt in my mind that I will be fluent by the time I hit 6 months. I love learning this language! It's so beautiful and will be useful when I get home.

I'm exhausted all the time... I fall asleep in every morning class for at least 30 seconds, then the teacher tells me to stand up so I'll wake up. Pretty sure I haven't woken up at this time since High School, so i'm struggling a little. What can I say, the spirit drains me. It hasn't gotten easier to wake up at 6:00 every morning for Gym. It's hard enough for me to get up at ALL at 6 let alone run around and get all swole and what not. I hope I get better at it cuz this food is going to make me look like that blueberry chick on the old Willy Wonka movie.

Okay.. the food. IS AWFUL! It was okay the first few days. I thought "oh look! there's ice cream and hamburgers everywhere! This is a dream come true!" now it's more like "Oh my gosh... there's ice cream and hamburgers everywhere... this is a flipping nightmare. GET ME OUT!" I swear if I have to look at another french fry, I might throw up. I feel sick to my stomach all the time. All the hermanas in our district try to be healthy, but the guys are all eating like 4 plates of food every meal, and we're over there with our toast and apple for breakfast. It's going to be funny to see what they look like in a few weeks haha. I'm sticking to wraps from now on.

This place is like Disneyland mixed with boot camp. There's lots of happy tears, then you turn around and see some kid bawling their face off. I'm never sure if it's because of the spirit or because they got a letter that their boy/girlfriend is engaged. I always assume it's the first one because this is heaven and significant others don't get engaged to other people in heaven.

There's a tree here that smells like a creamsicle. No joke. I didn't believe them at first, but we all went out and smelled the tree. IT'S REAL! There's creamsicles in the cafeteria, so I'm pretty sure that's where they got them from.

I joined the choir! The director reminds me of Kronk from Emporer's New Groove and his spirit is so GREAT! He is one of the most talented people I've ever met. The perks of being in the choir? I get out of class early, don't have to wait in line for a good seat at the devotionals, and I get to be on TV!!!! :) Hallelujah.

I really don't want to come home... Sorry family. I just want to be an eternal missionary. I'm scared that nothing in my life will ever measure up to the experiences I'm having right now. I love being here and I can see how fast I'm growing as a person and I DON'T WANT IT TO STOP!

There's a hole on the top of the dressers that people call the Narnia Hole. It's behind the mirror and people write on the little piece of wood that covers it. I'll send a picture of it.

Oh. duh. the Elders in our district are straight studs. Our District leader is the sweetest, tallest, most spiritual person I've met. He doesn't even have to say anything and we all want to be better. I love him. We are like a family. All the Hermanas are so protective of the Elders. We respect each other so much and spend as much time as possible together.

I have a lot of pictures so I'll try to send as many as I can.

I LOVE YOU ALL!

Write me letters :) (Dear Elders and handwritten letters are the BEST. keep them coming. Seriously)

Love,

Hermana Allred

P.S. Blogger isn't letting me upload the few pictures she was able to send. So I'll get them up when I can :)