Mikayla Ockey: Ready or not, Here I Come.

The day has finally arrived. The day we have all been waiting for. The day Sister Heywood steps foot in Frankfurt, Germany. **pause for dramatic effect**

This is actually happening. This time next week I will be in Germany. Did that just zip on by? I have literally been out over a month and I feel like I just left! My goodness. We got our travel plans on Thursday and it was like Christmas morning. They come on thee little pink pieces of paper and you can always see/hear people cheering from a mile away. So you can only imagine what it was like for 50 Germans who are already known for being rowdy.... BUT I have happy news. I will be in Texas for a 4 hour layover. FOUR HOURS IN THE SAME STATE. Yippeeeeee. Too bad I won't be able to see you...but I bought my phone card and can't wait to hear all of your voices. GAH.

I am scared out of my wits for this dealio though... Like I do not feel ready. But some Elder Fitzgerald wisdom really helped me out. He told me how sometimes we feel like Heavenly Father just throws us into a boiling pot of water and says "Good luck, hope you survive." Have you ever felt like that before? I know I have. Specifically and most recently the moment I walked into the MTC. Terrifying. But he doesn't do that. You are never alone. It just forces you to humble yourself. If we aren't put into hard situations, then we forget him.

That is why the mission is always changing. That is why I am only in the MTC for such a short time. That is why there are transfers every 6 weeks. That is why the mission is only 18 months. Any longer than His plan and I may think "I got this one in the bag" and quit praying so mightily. ( That is super hard to imagine, but I suppose it is possible.) For hard things are the way we learn. I decided to make a list of the things I learned instead of focusing on how much I still have to learn. The list was about ten miles long... But I have attempted to narrow it down... A little...

10 things you may or may not have known about the MTC:

1. Expect a very nice harmonized rendition of "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" in the shower every morning.

2. Don't expect any packages and you end up getting AT LEAST one every week. Seriously. A thousand and a half thanks to you all!

3. When three people's alarms go off at the same time every morning, it may sound like a bomb. and you may smack your head on the the bunk above you. It's fine. You get used to it.

4. The food here is wayyyyy too good. I have no idea what everyone is complaining about. My nonpicky tastebuds are in heaven. Like my blood sugar is soaring... Plus I found out they don't have peanut butter in Germany (crying) so I am loading up now.

5. Laundry day brings so much joy.

6. I got this get ready quick thing down to a science. Curled my hair in 9 minutes flat.

7. I have cleaned a grand total of 108 flights of stairs and 160 toilets while being here. Pro.

8. Reunions up the wazoo:

Elder Ewing Sister Wathan

Elder Nueburger Elder Sng

Sister Farmer Elder Goodwin

Elder Smith Sister Hamblin

Sister Robinson Elder Carter

Elder Hicks

9. Pretty sure I have bought more pens here than in my life. It's better than back-to-school shopping.

10. Flirting. It's quite entertaining actually. But don't you even fret because I have totally magnified the talent of detracting men. You can ask my comps. It just comes naturally.

What I have Learned (besides German) while being in the MTC:

1.You MUST rely on the spirit and then come what may.

2. Heavenly Father knows, cares and loves each of us personally.

3. Sundays are the best day of the week. By far.

4. Learning the language of the Spirit is far more important than learning German. Do not get caught up in the fog of learning your language.

5. Good comps really do make a difference.

6. Pray your heart out.

7. You can choose to be happy.

8. If you love them, Tell them. For Love is the essence of the gospel.

9. I want to be a purpose driven missionary.

10. Teach the gospel always, use words when necessary.

11. People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care.

12. Be a friend to anyone and everyone.

13. Listen.

14. Faith proceeds the miracle.

15. ALWAYS Remember Him.

I really don't think this even begins to express the tiniest glimpse of all I have learned here, but writing it out just proves to me that this is all worth it! I have a quick little miracle to tell you and then I'll stop because this is becoming a novel I know... but...

Heavenly Father totally knows that people are my thing. Last week at the temple the cutest little old lady came up to me and just said "Thank you for doing what you are doing. I know you are in the right place and I pray for you every night. Can I give you a hug?" And just gave me the closest thing to a Grandma hug that you can get. She didn't tell my comps that or anyone else. Just me. Then I am not ten steps out the door when I see Brittany Spencer! Oh what are the chances? She gives me the biggest hug and I was doing great until she didn't let go and I just thought of all my family and then the tears started to flow. Tears of happiness and gratitude. How grateful I am for the temple. How grateful I am for my family. How grateful I am for my companions. How grateful I am for long lost friends and perfect strangers. How grateful I am to be a missionary. My heart is just overflowing.

German Word of the Week: süss (pronounced *soose* and means sweet/cute) Cutest word ever.

Much-o Love-o

xoxoxox

Sister Heywood

ps: We skype taught real live native Germans who are currently IN Frankfurt. How cool is that?