I am so grateful to have it and to be able to share it.

Hello my sweet family!!!!

Oh how I miss you. But I love you so much. I am so grateful for a strong, close family. It makes this painful sometimes, but it's so worth it. I love how close we are. There are so many people here with so many different backgrounds. Some Korean sisters came yesterday and they speak no English. I can't even imagine how difficult that would be. I really do have it so good. Thank you so much for your loving words and your support. I have needed it this week. I hope you don't feel like you need to constantly write me, but of course I appreciate any letters.

MTC is insane. I feel like I've been institutionalized sometimes. But it's also a very neat place to be. I'm amazed by the organization of everything. There are SO many people here. The building I am in has boys and girls (not allowed) but they had no other option. There are six girls squished in a four person room in most cases. It's not too bad though. Anything to hasten the Lord's work! I am very grateful to be wearing his name and mine and my favorite part is that it goes over my heart on the left side! I'm super attached to my tag and I already know that I'm going to have a hard time taking it off.

Norwegian is crazy. I feel like it finally started to click a little yesterday. We have an "investigator" named Annette. She is actually a girl who served in Norway (mom I'm pretty sure she's the girl with the mission blog that you showed me one time) but she's really nice and patient. Yesterday my companion, Sister Mourik, and I taught her our fifth lesson. We didn't take any notes and we prayed so much that we would be able to have the spirit and know what to say and mostly just know how to say it. We sang "I Believe in Christ" to her in Norwegian also. It went so well! We taught her about the Atonement and she committed to be baptized. The lessons are super choppy and pretty awkward though because you have to sit there forever trying to remember words and how to form sentences. It's rough. I don't really understand how I'm supposed to be able to speak and understand enough Norwegian to live in the country in 5 weeks. But with the Lord, I can, right? Thank goodness!! It's amazing to see how the spirit works. I love that if you will plan and prepare and then go in there, you can completely rely on the spirit. I am learning more and more about how to listen to promptings and understand its language.

MTC beds are pretty old and very squeaky. But they have good pillows. And that's all that matters. As far as sleep goes, I feel like I'm a mama with a new baby or something. I am so sleep deprived. But that's okay too. Heavenly Father is completely sustaining me in all that I'm doing. Obedience is hard too (especially the no gum rule) but I need all of the help I can get so I am working on turning my will over to the Lord. Tuesdays are devotional nights, Thursdays are P-Days, and then Sundays rock so I have a pretty good schedule, actually. You don't really get any breaks, but being busy is so important.
My district is amazing. We have such a fun dynamic. Sister Hunt reminds me of dad with her sense of humor. She is hilarious and she keeps me sane. I love the other 7 sisters and 2 elders. Did you know that the day I came to the MTC there were 259 girls and 256 boys? Yeah baby! And there are 17 sisters and 4 elders going to Norway in May. There must be something about sisters in Norway. Our teacher, Brother Smith, told us that it can get to -35 degrees. He even got frostbite on one of his toes and if it gets cold now, he can't feel it. Haha he calls it his battle scar. But he was only wearing his church shoes and not even boots in this weather so... mom don't worry. I'll be fine. He also said that you see Northern lights all the time and that summers are to die for. I feel so spoiled!

The MTC has these pavilion things everywhere you walk so that you can stay dry if it's bad weather. Good idea, I guess, but I can't ever see the sky and it drives me crazy. I find little sunny spots and make my companion just stop with me for a minute so I can feel the sun. And last night (total tender mercy) I got to see the moon! It was full! And my favorite star. And I cried a little. Appreciate seeing the sky :)

We've been playing some pretty hard core soccer at gym. In fact, Sister Mourik sprained her ankle pretty bad. She has been on crutches today. I feel so bad for her. I'm awful at soccer, but it's really fun to be out of the MTC on the field and in the sun. I also like my running time around the field.

Sorry, this is all about me and not really about missionary work, but as I learn more, and especially when I get into the field, I'll have some exciting emails, I'm sure! I love you all so much. I know that this gospel is true and I am so grateful to have it and to be able to share it. Jesus Christ lives and He loves each of us.
I'll see you soon, my dears.

Love,

Soster Pyne (this keyboard has no little o slashy thing... so imagine)