Hello everyone!!! If you are new to this email thread, understand that my emails are LONG and it is okay if you only scroll to the bottom and look at the pictures. For those of you who have been here for a while - thank you for being troopers, you are amazing.
Very first group pic we ever took
Thank you to everyone that sent me advice! My favorite one was from a friend that told me to, "not die". I appreciated it, thank you haha. You are still more than welcome to send me a quick email with advice about anything or even recipes for quick and inexpensive meals! Whatever floats your boat.
Also I have received a number of complaints about the length of my emails so for everyone's sake, I will be including a summary section haha.
Summary:
Left the mtc last week. Traveled for forever. Landed in Croatia last Tuesday. Left for Slovenia on Wednesday. Arrived in Slovenia. Met my new comp Sestra Williams. She is amazing. Have been vibing ever since. Ate lots of yummy food. Only cried two times WOOOOOOOO!!!
Now the real stuff:
Wednesday 3/16:
Temple amazing as always.
Sestra Wendt and I's last temple pic :(
Last group temple pic
After I called my fam talked to them for forever - so good talking to them. Ate lunch while talking to my fam - I had fruity pebbles, some fries, and pizza (quality health)- We had gym at 1:50 and the svaka čast elders were there once again haha - we started playing volleyball with them. They are always fun to play with. We decided to play for two hours today and it was SO FUN!!
Svaka čast eldersssssss so cool
I was super anxious about being able to finish my weekly email so that was literally all I did after gym haha. I had so much to write that I literally wrote the entire time during dinner and only ate 3 gummy worms and some scoops of ice cream. Quality time though quality time. Today I did not write a lot down in my journal rip. I just know that class was good and I started slowly packing.
Thursday 3/17:
Today I hit my 2 month mark!!
Woke up at 6 because sister barney was snoring. I actually didn't write anything down in my journal for today. That is so embarrassing - my bad. I am just going to go off the photos in my camera roll. I randomly saw keldon again this morning.
Brother sighting
I also saw one of my buddies from the East Coast woooooo!! Her name is Sister Bentley. We got our other East Coast buddy, Elder Standage and took a pic.
East Cost gang
Today we had our last class with Sestra Kralj. I cried. Brat Kunzler and Sestra Tuckett came in really fast for a departing picture.
Our teachers <3
Friday 3/18:
Hey uh this is so awkward I guess I didn't write anything for today either. The only thing I got for you is we had our last class with Sestra Tuckett. Did I cry? Yes. Yes I did. I also started packing for real today which was scary.
Saturday 3/19:
For our morning class we had a sub. The Slovak teacher taught us. It was so much fun. We had to teach her Slovene. Today was also our last class with Brat Kunzler. Actually, wait our last class in the mtc EVER. Whaaaaaaaatttttttttt. So crazy. Brat Kunzler came and ate dinner with us and it was so fun. He shamed me for only eating apples for dinner. Our last class with him was so good. We just had a really good last hurrah. I think I cried three separate times during the class. When Sestra Voigt I said goodbye to him, it was ROUGH. I could barely muster out “lahko noč" (our class inside joke).
Last time in our classroom :(
Last hug in our room rip
Oh also Nattacia sent me a package today that had some of my favorite snacks and also a really sweet letter.
Nattacia's treat box
Nattacia's treat box
Sunday 3/20:
Last day ever dang. I had to say goodbye to so many of my friends today which was rough. We took goodbye pictures with the district. I surprisingly didn't cry so let's goooooo! I am going to miss my district a ton but overall a really nice day.
District picture
Last group pic under the chandelier
My favorite picture because of my struggle to pick up Sestra Voigt in the background
I had to pack like a maniac when I got back which was stressful but I did it.
The nightmare of packing
Monday/Tuesday 3/21-22:
These days blur together into one because of the timezones and travel
These days blur together into one because of the timezones and travel
Here are the travel plans:
We leave the mtc at 6:50am and go to the salt lake city airport - our flight doesn't leave until 12:45 pm so that's really nice love it- then we fly to Chicago and land at 4:48 pm and stay in Chicago until out flight at 7pm then we go to Frankfurt Germany and land at 9:20am. We stay in Germany until 1pm then fly to Zagreb Croatia and land at 2:20pm
To sum up my entire flight experience - I was overheated and disoriented the entire time - I literally had no clue what was going on - I have come to the realization that when I am overheated and tired, I go into zombie mode
keldon met us at the goodbye area and we had a sweet little chat
I said goodbye to nat and everyone else earlier which was real sad.
Flights were pretty long - the first one was 3 or 4 hours I don’t remember - I talked to the lady next to me the entire time - she had an intense life - she also studied psychology - she told me her entire life story - her abusive dad - her abusive husband - the horrible murder in her town - etc - just crazy stuff - super fun though and she gave me good advice advice about what to study when I get back! The second flight from chicago to frankfurt I attempted to sleep but it was pretty unsuccessful.
The first things I did in the german airport:
To sum up my entire flight experience - I was overheated and disoriented the entire time - I literally had no clue what was going on - I have come to the realization that when I am overheated and tired, I go into zombie mode
keldon met us at the goodbye area and we had a sweet little chat
I said goodbye to nat and everyone else earlier which was real sad.
Flights were pretty long - the first one was 3 or 4 hours I don’t remember - I talked to the lady next to me the entire time - she had an intense life - she also studied psychology - she told me her entire life story - her abusive dad - her abusive husband - the horrible murder in her town - etc - just crazy stuff - super fun though and she gave me good advice advice about what to study when I get back! The second flight from chicago to frankfurt I attempted to sleep but it was pretty unsuccessful.
The first things I did in the german airport:
changed into less hot clothes
went to the store and had a perfume spray fight with Sestra Wendt for fun
bought a german pretzel AND KINDER EGGS - I love Kinder eggs so this made my entire life
Kinder eggs and pretzel :)
We played a card game while waiting on the plane to zagreb - I don’t think I have ever been more tired than in that moment - I was told that I literally looked so mean because of my resting face haha
Also in the Germany airport - the sweetest man came up to us and started talking to us about our missions - he then asked us if he could pray for us - it was so sweet and precious - I loved it
The flight from frankfurt to zagreb wasn’t that long. It was about under an hour and a half. I sat by Sestra King and we talked about how excited we were and then I fell asleep for a bit (it might have been mid conversation but I have no clue haha - sorry Sestra King). Then we landed and got all ready to step into our whole new world.
I had the worst scare of my entire life. I had a missing passport scare. I left my passport on the plane. It was literally the most terrifying moment of my life. Sesra Mefford saved me though. I was on the ground desperately searching for it and crying and praying. Everyone else but Sestra Mefford had already gone through so Sestra Mefford helped guide me to the lady to ask if we could go back on the plane and see if it was there. They wouldn’t let us but a lady who was some kind of worker went back there and found it.
President Field and his wife Sister Field (the president in charge of our mission) We took a cute group photo and then headed to the mission home. It was genuinely so pretty. Everything about it gave off pride and prejudice vibes AND castle in Italy vibes. Later on in the evening we went for a cool walk all around Zagreb. We saw some really cool churches and ate gelato.
Also in the Germany airport - the sweetest man came up to us and started talking to us about our missions - he then asked us if he could pray for us - it was so sweet and precious - I loved it
The flight from frankfurt to zagreb wasn’t that long. It was about under an hour and a half. I sat by Sestra King and we talked about how excited we were and then I fell asleep for a bit (it might have been mid conversation but I have no clue haha - sorry Sestra King). Then we landed and got all ready to step into our whole new world.
I had the worst scare of my entire life. I had a missing passport scare. I left my passport on the plane. It was literally the most terrifying moment of my life. Sesra Mefford saved me though. I was on the ground desperately searching for it and crying and praying. Everyone else but Sestra Mefford had already gone through so Sestra Mefford helped guide me to the lady to ask if we could go back on the plane and see if it was there. They wouldn’t let us but a lady who was some kind of worker went back there and found it.
President Field and his wife Sister Field (the president in charge of our mission) We took a cute group photo and then headed to the mission home. It was genuinely so pretty. Everything about it gave off pride and prejudice vibes AND castle in Italy vibes. Later on in the evening we went for a cool walk all around Zagreb. We saw some really cool churches and ate gelato.
Gelato in Zagred, Croatia
Wednesday 3/23:
Today we found out what area we are serving in! I got told I was going to Celje and my new comp would be Sestra Williams wooooo. Sestra Voigt was going to Ljubljana with Sestra Hart. So exciting. We stuck around and played all sorts of games in the morning and then around 11ish we were kicked out to go to the bus station to go to Slovenia. I was kind of freaking out because it was like I was being thrown completely out of the nest but it's all good. We got on the bus and there were no seats that had two empty seats so Sestra Voigt and I had to split up. I had to sit by this really intimidating woman. I wanted to talk to her so I just sent it and asked her (in Slovene) how long the bus ride would be because I genuinely had no clue. She answered back saying TWO HOURS. Bruh. There were a couple other times where I wanted to talk to her but got scared but then sent it anyways. I asked her for food advice and then we just started talking the entire time. Her name is Klara. She is amazing and I love her. She spoke a fairly good amount of english. She would compliment me a lot and laugh at how I pronounced words and whatnot. I asked her what her favorite word was in English (she said butterfly). She asked me mine and I said nevertheless because almost every time this word comes in the scriptures there is a specific format to it. Especially in the Book of Mormon. Before the verse the person usually talks about a trial they are going through. They explain how and why it is hard AND THEN they put the word "nevertheless" and everything after that is testifying of how they see God in their life and how much they love Him. It is my absolute favorite thing in the world. I pulled out my scriptures to show her some examples which was even more cool because she was able to read the verses in Slovene too. Near the end of our ride we became facebook friends and I could tell when we were leaving we were both sad to go. I really hope we can meet up with her later. After arriving at the bus stop we waited a bit for our new comps to arrive and then when we did we took off for the train station - it was a bit of a hassle with the luggage but whatevs.
Then sestra Williams and I got on the train and just talked for an hour - we got ready to leave the train a bit early and I was completely overheating - I was nauseous and felt like I was either going to pass out or throw up- not a vibe but I persevered and made it.
Sestra Williams <3
There is a senior couple missionary here (an older couple who can choose to serve a mission together) and they are Elder and Sister Barrus. They spoil us. They took us out to dinner where I ate some really really good Njoči (Gnocchi).
Thursday 3/24:
I guess I also forgot to write in my journal today. My b. Today we met up with the senior missionaries and the Elders from Maribor (we are pretty close distance wise so we are considered a district). We just had a fun little introduction thing and then went out to lunch afterwards. If you are ever in Celje. Ever. You have to go to this place called Wok in Roll. It is an authentic Thai restaurant and probably the best food I have eaten so far. I genuinely think I am going to be addicted. I got glass noodles with chicken and it was so so so so so so so so so good.
Thursday 3/24:
I guess I also forgot to write in my journal today. My b. Today we met up with the senior missionaries and the Elders from Maribor (we are pretty close distance wise so we are considered a district). We just had a fun little introduction thing and then went out to lunch afterwards. If you are ever in Celje. Ever. You have to go to this place called Wok in Roll. It is an authentic Thai restaurant and probably the best food I have eaten so far. I genuinely think I am going to be addicted. I got glass noodles with chicken and it was so so so so so so so so so good.
My absolute favorite food <3 <3 <3
We went and took some fun pictures and got groceries because we literally had no food. Sestra Williams introduced me to non-alcoholic alcohol which is interesting. It is not bad. Yes mom and dad I made sure to check the label a million times to make sure it had none in it.
My non-alcoholic alcohol with the pretty view from our apt
After that we had English night where people can come and just practice speaking in English with us. Only one person showed up but that's alright maybe there will be more next time. He was super chill and very good at speaking English. I asked him a lot of grammar questions.
Friday 3/25:
Pretty good day! It got a bit rough towards the end ngl
In the morning we went over to a Catholic school to clean it. Some of the ladies there spoke English so we all spoke broken slovene and English to them haha. They made us some chamomile tea and gave us a bunch of cookies. They had us go to the 3rd floor and wash all of the windows. There were a bunch of spiders and cobwebs which was horrible (I hate spiders) but I sucked it up and persevered. I had a lot of time to just think to myself about the beauty of the earth and other random things while cleaning the church. The birds were singing which was so fun - I got a nice little recording of it and some pictures of the scenes.
The view from the Catholic church
After cleaning the church we walked back to our apartment and did our studies. We went shopping again because we were in desperate need. The Barrus’ took us which was so sweet of them. They also treated us to mcdonald’s which didn't taste that different from mcdonalds in the States. After shopping we came back and did a couple other things. She told me about the members here and what they are struggling with. That part was hard for me because I want to help people feel peace and joy through Jesus Christ and His teachings, so to hear about how people are struggling and not believing that God can help them was really hard.
Saturday 3/26:
For exercise today we did yoga which was really nice. After exercise we ate breakfast I think and then left to drive to Ljubljana with the Barrus’. We arrived and it was super chill to talk to everyone (all of the missionaries serving in Slovenia) and see Sestra Voigt again. We played volleyball which made me so happy. The other missionaries in our country are so chill and fun. We stayed and played around with them until around 12ish and then left to go back home - on the way back home we stopped at Trojane (a super famous spot with beautiful valleys and famous pastries) and ate food which was so good. It was such a beautiful area. I had a margarita pizza which was actually just cheese and tomato sauce like a regular pizza - it was still really good though.
My Margarita pizza - so yummy
I also tried a krof aka Slovene doughnut with vanilla creme on the inside and chocolate on the outside and coconut shavings on top. I wasn’t the absolute biggest fan of it because I don't like donuts in general but it was still pretty good.
After eating we went to the gift shop and bought some things. I got a cute little magnet and then a drink that tasted like sunny d. We took a couple pictures of the absolutely beautiful valley and then we headed back to Celje.
The rest of the day was pretty chill.
Trojane valley
Sunday 3/27:
I swear I am so bad at remembering what happens everyday haha - it is the worst. I had to give a quick talk in church today. IN SLOVENE. Slightly stressful because I didn't have a bunch of time to make it but I knew I would be fine. We got to church and we had 4 people in person and a couple more online. It is kind of complicated to explain but for two areas (Maribor and Celje) their churches are combined on zoom because there are not a lot of people so we had the Maribor ward on as well. It is kind of hard to explain and I don't have enough brain cells to figure it out right now haha. But apparently the entire time I was giving my talk no one could hear me because of technical difficulties. I was a little sad but also a little grateful because now I can practice what I want to say to people when I see them in person. For dinner Sestra Williams and I had a picnic by the river. It was so pretty and nice out.
Congratulations. You survived my email. I am so proud of you haha
Trojane valley
Sunday 3/27:
I swear I am so bad at remembering what happens everyday haha - it is the worst. I had to give a quick talk in church today. IN SLOVENE. Slightly stressful because I didn't have a bunch of time to make it but I knew I would be fine. We got to church and we had 4 people in person and a couple more online. It is kind of complicated to explain but for two areas (Maribor and Celje) their churches are combined on zoom because there are not a lot of people so we had the Maribor ward on as well. It is kind of hard to explain and I don't have enough brain cells to figure it out right now haha. But apparently the entire time I was giving my talk no one could hear me because of technical difficulties. I was a little sad but also a little grateful because now I can practice what I want to say to people when I see them in person. For dinner Sestra Williams and I had a picnic by the river. It was so pretty and nice out.
Congratulations. You survived my email. I am so proud of you haha
Also sorry if there are any typos in this email - I am currently typing it with a Slovene keyboard and all of the letters are in different places.
Quote of the week:
"I have... what's it called... issues" - Sestra Williams
Highlights:
- Sestra Voigt forgot her name tag once so she wore my extra one - for one moment in time it could be justified if people asked if we were sisters haha - to everyone insisting that we could be sisters I still can't see it
Sestra LaRose and Sestra LaRose
- Sestra Tuckett came and ate dinner with us for our last class with her
Sestra Tuckett joining us for dinner
- can't figure out the bathrooms here - I have accidentally locked myself in every single one - do not ask how because I have no clue
- they use military time here which most people know is my absolute nightmare - I never know what time it is
- one day I bought gummy sharks - they taste like the foam stuff they use at the dentist at the end of the visit for your teeth - hopefully that made sense
- my second day there literally just after I woke up, the first thing s. Williams said to me was "let's hang a flag"
- I slept so well the first night that I had those lines from the pillow on my face - so fun
- they do not have ranch here - they have a yogurtish version I don't know but that is sad
- they use military time here which most people know is my absolute nightmare - I never know what time it is
- one day I bought gummy sharks - they taste like the foam stuff they use at the dentist at the end of the visit for your teeth - hopefully that made sense
- my second day there literally just after I woke up, the first thing s. Williams said to me was "let's hang a flag"
- I slept so well the first night that I had those lines from the pillow on my face - so fun
- they do not have ranch here - they have a yogurtish version I don't know but that is sad
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