What better way to celebrate a mission than by eating ice cream before you leave with the coolest sisters (and nephew) ever?!
On Memorial Day, the Monday before Charlee left, we visited our Grandpa Durfee's grave and made it look nice. We dug out the grass around the head stone and put pine cones there. The idea is that because we dug around it, the pine cones will stay until next year!
As Alex mentions below, when we dropped Char off at the MTC, we walked up to the Provo Temple and took pictures. This, obviously, is the goofy one.
There were quite a few cameras flashing so we were never sure which one to look at.
Charlee was sad that her nephew, Joshua, slept through her goodbye so she kissed him on the head as consolation.
All I can say is, watch our Uncle Chad in the background.
*From Left to Right: Mindy Swasey, Brittney Durfee Ward, Uncle Chad Durfee, Alex Durfee, Rosamund Durfee, Charlee Durfee
*Pictures uploaded and commented on by Brittney Durfee Ward
For those of you that don't know, when you are dropped off at the MTC it is about 50 seconds. You get out while other missionary's grab your bags, maybe kiss your parents goodbye, and then poof, your gone. We had decided beforehand that we were going to park elsewhere and say our goodbyes there so it wasn't to hard. We parked by the Provo temple and took pictures and said goodbye, and yes I cried. It comforts me to know that, that is where she needs to be and that in 18 months she will be back and when she is, she will be a changed person.
I want to remark on the changes I have already seen in her. She came home in January to be with the family, for a semester, and by doing this she became closer to us than she ever has been before. Charlee helped make life easier for not only me, but the entire family by working hard to keep things smooth when contention arose and helping mom with the family business. Before she decided to go on a mission she was not very... close to us, often focusing more on her boyfriend than her family. Then her call came and she was changed. She became a sister that I will forever turn to for help.
I love her so much and I hope you all will let her emails touch your lives like she has touched mine.
-Alex Durfee
This is Charlee's email
AHHHHHHH!!! I bet you guys weren't expecting this!! I've only been in the MTC for three days and look! You're already getting an email! The MTC president told me to write a letter since most missionaries wouldn't be able to email till next week! I did write a letter yesterday because I wasn't sure when if I would be able to email! BUT to my lovely suprise I can! So I'm just going to type the letter and then add stuff that has happened since then.
Dear Wonderful Family
My P-Day is tomorrow but I am not sure if I will be able to email, or if I just have to wait for next week. I have some free time only because of my awful showering habit. We (my companion, and another comanionship in our district) just had gym time and I just played volleyball so I felt no need to shower. I wonder what the other sisters think about my stinky habit but haha, its whatever.
My Companion is Hermana Snow. She's from the D.C. area. She is 20 and turning 21 in August. I am so greatful for a companion that is my age. No offence to you wonderful pre-missionaries that are going at 19. I just felt that I could connect with her better. However, she graduated in 2010 so that means she has three years of college under her belt. She attends BYU as well (thats a plus) and she laughs at mostly everything I say, so I am off to a good start. The other hermanas are Hermana Moore and Hermana Felt. Both are fantastic. Hermana Moore is AMAZING at spanish! She's taken about 6 years of spanish, so she's prertty pro. Hermana Moore is 20 as well and Hermana Felt is 19. One of those ;). Next week we might get another companionship staying in the same room. (You can fit 6 to a room. I know! Crazy!) But at the moment it's nice just to have the four of us. I should mention that we are all in the same district. (For those who are reading this from the blog, for missionaries we are spilt into Zones and then from the Zone we are split into Districts so that you have smaller classes). We only have one other district in our Zone. I am pretty sure the Zone leaders are younger then me and I find that a little weird but the Lord works in amazing ways.
It's been amazing here. I am not too overwhelmed yet, just a little tired. I really want to take my regular nap! PSYCH! None for you Hermana Durfee! Take all the naps you can get and remember your long lost daughter/sister/friend trapped in the MTC. But besides being tired I am extremely happy! Yesterday (which was Wednesday) we went to a meeting of some sorts and there were 3 investigators (actors who played investigators). In a group of about 50 we all taught one investigator at a time. The first one was very frustrating. We couldn't seem to get through to him. But the second one was WONDERFUL! Even though he was an actor I felt the Spirit testify to me that I am where I am supposed to be! Not just that but as missionaries what we are teaching is true!
The language... well its coming! Tonight my companion and I have to teach someone all in espanol for about 30 minutes. I am still trying to learn how to bare testimony and pray in spanish let alone teach it. I read my scriptures both in English and in Spanish. I am reminded of The Other Side of Heaven. I pray for some kind of miracle like that.
(End of letter)
I never finished writing because it was lunch time. The food here just reminds me of BYU food. Actually a lot of the MTC reminds me of BYU.
Last night we met with our Branch Presidency. (Again for those who have no clue what I am talking about, Our church is split into Stakes all over the word which are then split into Wards (if you have a large congegation) and Branches (if you have a small congregation). President Tyler is amazing! He talked about being in Peru while observing the seminary progress there. He saw a small old man carring a huge load. Most of you probably know what I am talking about. He said they used a head brace called.... (Cant remember, Look it up. I am jealous of those who can use google at any time) to help carry the load, and he gave us 5 points.
1. When carrying a load use your head even when there is sweat. (When trials get tough use your head and hard work)
2. Bow your head. (Pray)
3. Keep your knees bent. (More Prayer)
4. Small steps. (Slow and steady)
5. When the load gets heavy you rest the load on the rock. (When the trials get hard, to hard to bare, rest your load on the rock of our Savior).
I hope everything is going great for you guys! I miss you! Work Hard! Know that you are in my prayers! And keep in mind a sister missionary trying to get through the six weeks of the MTC!(:
Most importantly, Don't Do Drugs! ;D
Love,
Hermana Durfee
PS. If any of you notice me getting fat say something! All we do here is eat and then sit in a class room ALL DAY!
PS. Thought I would send some pictures! :D Enjoy!
1 Picture: Me and the Elders who don't even know we're snapping pictures of them.
2 Picture: My companion and I(:
3 Picture: Callie and her Companion Sister Smith, and Me and my companion! We see eachother often and live in the same building! I love her so much! And though you cant see it, I am wearing my Halo shirt. Me = Awesome! :D
Much love and Hugs!
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