Hola Familia!

First off, thank you for the letter and shirt. I didn't think it would be that big of a deal to get mail, but then I saw the way they do it. The District Leader brings it to us when we're all together. I felt so bad for the people who didn't get anything. HAHA If they would have answered to Lyndee Gardner pants, I may have given my letter away. Dear Elder is awesome though because we don't have to wait for it to come in the mail, but I'm sure it would be great to get a real letter too. Whatever you guys feel like doing.

So, you questions. My clothes are working out well. It's still chilly here, so they are perfect. I get to wear my cardigans everyday. My companion and I have made a pact not to eat ice cream, so that has taken away that temptation. Yes, we have started Spanish. We kind of hit the ground running. Since we're in the intermediate class, our teacher speaks about 90% Spanish and 10% Spanglish. we also taught our first lesson yesterday completly in Spanish and we're doing it again today. It's terrifying. I think we left Pedro, our investigator, more confused than when we found him. He's kind though and helps us out.

The MTC is a cool place to be. I feel like I am in the military, but instead of learning about combat we are learning about the gospel. Our days are planned to the minute for everything we do. We have key cards to get in every building. If someone is not wearing a name tag, we have to report them. We have specific times for laundry and exercise. We are put in positions where anything could happen and we may not know how to handle it. I can't say that this is the most fun place I have been, but I can say that it is the best place for me to be. Another really cool thing about the MTC is the exposure we have to so many different languages. Our teacher told us to go find some people walking around the MTC and speak to them in Spanish. We went around asking "Hablan Espanol?" and we heard German, Finish, Russian, and Portugeese before we found Spanish speaking people. It was awesome. I love that aspect of the MTC.

I met Hermana Rogers in the bathroom today. Remember the Rogers from home told me to look for their granddaughter? Well, we found each other and we ship out the same day.

Also, my companera's name is Hermana Foster. She is from Orem and is going to Washington (Spanish Speaking). She is 20, and has been at Chapman University on a dance Scholarship for the last year or so. She's perfect for me because she's not obnoxious at all, which is good.

Anyway, my time is about to run out, so I'd better go. I love you guys, and I'm grateful for everything that you guys have done to help me get here. I'll try my hardest to put it to good use.

Love,

Hermana Gardner