Love, Kristen, Week 9 - Still in Provo!

Hi Everyone!

I hope that you all had a very Merry Christmas!! Or as they say in Tagalog, Maligayang Pasko!! I had a good one here. Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and his wife, Wendy Nelson, came and spent the weekend with us. That was really great. Elder Nelson is so fun and so is Sister Nelson. I wrote my family a letter about it, and if they'd like to share it with all of you, then they're certainly welcome to.

Well, it's been an emotional weekend, but I'm doing good. I'm NOT sad that I'm not going to the Philippines. I'm disappointed, yes, but I know that I'll get there eventually. No, what I'm sad about is having to say goodbye to my district earlier than expected. I know that if I were leaving with them, it'd only be about 48 hours from now that I'd have to say goodbye anyways, but well, I'd rather say goodbye in the Philippines after having one last adventure with them, than here in the MTC. But you know, it's going to be okay. We're all such good friends, and I love each and every single one of them, but I'm supposed to stay here. Sister Lyman and I are having a hard time with saying goodbye to each other. We've become so close. We had our last companionship prayer last night and started crying. We ended up staying up an extra half hour just talking and trying to comfort one another. I have no doubt that there's going to be some more hard times today.

But there are blessings to be had. Those who are leaving are sad that I am not coming, but those who still have some weeks to go are happy that I'm staying. It's nice to be so loved, haha. The all-elder district that I will be joining later tonight is really excited to have me in their district. More than anything, I think they're just happy to be getting a sister ;). Elder Hong and Elder Simmons (Zone Leader and District Leader) came and talked to me the other day to let me know on behalf of their district just how excited they are for me to be with them, and to see if there was anything that they could do for me. That was really nice of them. I'm excited to get to know all of them. It'll be good.

My new companions will be Sister Decker and Sister Budge. They're six weeks behind me, so I won't be joining their class, but I will do gym time with them (although I won't be going to gym because of my wrist), possibly companionship study if our schedules line up to do that, and whatever other things our schedules allow us to do. Each district (class) has a different schedule. I'll be a "solo" sister, which means that I don't have to always be with them. I can be with two elders if I'd rather. Or I can even be by myself on certain occasions, but I kind of doubt that'll ever happen. Anyways, it'll all be worked out. I'd like to say that I'm excited to be with them, I mean we're roommates, and so they're both great girls, but it'll take some getting used to to be in a threesome, and I'm going to miss Sister Lyman like crazy.

Thank you for the rush of dearelders on Wednesday! A couple even sneaked in on Thursday, haha. I loved it. I read all of them too. Sorry if I stressed any of you out. Turns out you actually had an extra three weeks to get them in :). But thank you. It was really wonderful to get so much mail. I'll write all of you back soon. Promise!

My NEW ADDRESS:

MTC Mailbox # 175
PHI-ILOL 0117
2005 N. 900 E.
Provo, UT. 84604

All right. Now, I don't want anyone feeling sorry for me. Really, the worst will be today when I have to say goodbye to my good friends. After that it can only get better. I've been given two priesthood blessings this weekend. One I asked for right before I went to get the MRI, and in it I was told that Heavenly Father has a plan for me and that He will make that plan known to me very soon. The second was a blessing of healing, and for that I asked each member of my district, besides Sister Lyman, to participate (although she did get to participate by holding a card so that one of the elders would know how to properly anoint the oil). I was promised to be healed and that in fact it was the Lord's will that I be healed. Then I was promised some other amazing things. I know I'm supposed to be here. It's hard right now, but I know that it will be okay. I just need to put my trust in the Lord. Each day I remind myself that I need to choose my attitude. If I choose to be happy, then I will be happy. If I choose to be miserable, then I will be miserable. It's okay that I feel sad that my friends are leaving. That's only normal. But, I can choose not to dwell on it. I know that I'll see them again. In fact, the other day I was just seeking some comfort, and found that scripture in Doctrine and Covenants that says, "Thy trials and thy afflications shall be but a small moment..." I kept reading on a little ways and soon came to the verse that says, "Thy friends do stand by thee, and they shall hail thee again." That verse brought so much peace and comfort to me. I know that my wrist will heal. It's only a matter of time. But I didn't know if I would ever see my friends again. We're all going to the same mission, my district, and also Sister McDonald and Sister Salway, and some other wonderful people in the zone. That verse brought me comfort though. I know that I'll see them again, and what a wonderful reunion it will be when I do. They've been such an amazing support to me during this small trial of mine. When the elders in my district gave me the blessing, I felt the spirit so strongly, and felt of their faith that I could be healed. When Sister Lyman and I were talking last night, she said that she too felt the spirit, but that more than that she also felt the great love those elders have for me, and that we all have for each other as a district. She said it was so powerful. I don't know how much more I can express to you all how much I've come to love my district, and how close we all are to each other. We've had hard times every now and then, but when it comes right down to it, we really love each other and will always be there for one another. I have their emails, and will be emailing them as soon as I can to let them know that the doctor's have given me clearance and that I'm on my way :). Sister Lyman and I may email just a little bit between all of that too :).

Well, that is all I have to say. Really, please do not worry about me. I am sad today, but I know that I will be happy. Even now I'm feeling comfort that everything will be okay. I know that the Lord has a plan. I'm on His timetable, not mine :). There's something that he needs me to do here.

I love you all!
Sister Danner

P.S. From Kristen's Mom: Thanks so much for those who sent Dear Elder letters at the last minute last week, when we thought she would not receive them past Wednesday, and before we knew she would not be leaving today for the Philippines. I was so happy to read that she was flooded with letters from so many of you! Thank you!