First email home!!

The morning of her enter date, we went to breakfast as a family at Denny's. This was an emotional breakfast for Lauren as she was realizing that she wasn't going to be having any family breakfasts for a while. After breakfast we drove the the Provo Temple and said our tearful goodbyes on the beautiful grounds there. This must be the hang out place, because there were lots of families saying tearful goodbyes! It was 12:40 and time to drive her a short ways to the MTC. What a strange experience to drop you 21 year old daughter off on the curb with unknown men ready to take her bags and whisk her off!! They weren't even allowed to take 1 family picture for us. This drop off we way less emotional for the mear fact that there wasn't anytime to be emotional. Once she dropped her bags off she began the registration process, then quickly finding out that they didn't have her info entering on the 22nd, but had her entering on the changed reporting date, when they asked her to take part in a new pilot program that wasn't to start until 3-14. They were able to resolve the matter and off she went to orientation and the meeting of her new teachers. Just so you know why she entered on her original date was that we had a family conflict with the 3-14 date as John and I had already requested time off from work for the Feb. date. They luckily gave her permission to enter on 2-22. This just meant that she would enter into the English speaking classes for the first 3 weeks until her Tagalog program starts on 3-14. This actually might work out to her benefit as she will already have learned the discussions in English before learning the new language. Lauren loves her teachers and is sad that she will only have them for 2 more weeks! I am sure she will love her Tagolog teachers just as much. She also met her new companion at least for the first 3 weeks, her name is Sis. Jasper and they hit it off right away! Sis. Jasper is 23 years old and is from South Jordan Utah. She also enjoys the company of her other roommates.

To her parents surprise Lauren has been waking up every morning at 6-6:15, early I might add, without any problems! She has also been getting to be on time as well, stating she needs all the blessings she can get from being obedient! On Thursday Lauren met with her Branch President, President Anderson and during this interview she was named Senior companion in her companionship. She was very excited about this also a little nervous, unprepared, and unorganized, but soon realized that was what everyone was feeling.

On Friday they did service and were stuck polishing the bathroom...sadly they all loved it because it got them out and about instead of sitting in an uncomfortable desk all day for 10 hours. She also taught their first role-playing discussion and said her and Sis. jasper nailed it! It was at this time she realized how incredible it is that the spirit speaks through them as missionaries. The things she said weren't the things that she had planned on saying. They invited their role-playing investigator to set a baptismal date. This was just the start of many lessons to come.

On Saturday, day 4 she is sick of wraps and salads, as she has been conscious of eating healthy. She has also been exercising daily!

Sunday, day 5- They had heard all week that if you can make it to your first Sunday in the MTC then you are set! She did and was spiritually uplifted all day long! She was very excited to see her Aunt JeNeal, who's husband is in a Branch Presidency at the MTC, for the first time since she had entered.

Monday, day 6 was full of role playing, this allowed her to learn so much more about the gospel! They also learned some about stress management.

Tuesday, day 7 she claims was incredible!!!! They started teaching another investigator which brought them up to 5 total and have taught 7 lessons in 4 days. Lauren joined the choir and sang "Come thou Fount", which is her favorite song and the night fireside. She was also on the TV screen for at least 15 seconds zoomed in on just her as the whole MTC watched (this made her happy :)) She was stoked when they rose for their guest speakers entrance and it happened to be Elder Holland. Peace overcame them and it was dead silent as they felt goosebumps and tears filled their eyes! She stated that he taught them so much beginning with that if they at least convert on person on their mission it should be themselves! He also stated that they shouldn't come home unless they are changed forever. He taught that the Lord loves them and that they need to be 100% obedient because if they aren't, how do they expect their investigators to be? If they are wanting their investigator to read and pray, it's probably because the Lord wants them to be doing the same. This was a big eye-opener for her. The whole MTC left with chills, ready to go out and conquer, and to be as obedient and diligent as we can be!

Lauren can testify that this 18 months isn't going to be the best 18 months OF her life, but FOR her life! She loves you all and is so thrilled that she is serving a mission. She is amazed that after only 1 week she has grown so much! Lauren knows this church is true and that she is where she is supposed to be!

PS she is still trying to get used to being called Sister Arnold! LOL

The countdown!

Well, we went from 44 to 10 days! It gets a little more real as each day comes and goes and before I know it, Wednesday February 22nd will be here! Today I was surrounded by so many friends and family who have been my #1 fans. They have been my strength, examples, and friends as I've been preparing for this time in my life.

I am excited to put aside the cares of the world and find myself. Forget the cell phone, forget the internet, forget all the worldly cares: I am ready to find me and share with those the happiness and joy that I have in my life!