April 3, 2013 Mundelein, IL

Hola Familia!

I'm alive!! I made it to Chicago...with all pieces of luggage too. I was a little worried it'd get lost in all the transfers. Anyway. I don't have much time....but I'm here and I love it! I'm in the area called Mundelein...it's just north of Chicago. The area was opened to the Hermana's just 6 weeks ago. Basically, there's a LOT of work to do.
Last night we met with the Flores familia (they're all members). Sweetest people! They fed us dinner, which was amazing, and I left a little pensimiento espiritual con ustedes <--- does that work? Annnddd, it was in Spanish. It was a great first experience with actual people.

Monday was nuts though! Waking up to 2am was rough. Talking with all the family in the airport was rough. I just wanted to cry, talking with Audrey. Bless her little heart. After arriving in Chicago, we immediately rode the L-train to downtown. What a cool experience  They split all the missionaries up onto different train carts, and we had to place a Book of Mormon. Thomas and maybe p-head will appreciate this...but while riding, the girl sitting across from me was listening to her music real loud, so i heard all of it. What song was playing? "The Motto" by Drake, of course . #YOLOstatus.  So know when I think of my first experience of riding into the city, I'll think of that. Sigghhhh. IT was great to be in Chicago though! Maybe someday I'll serve there.

Today, after 4 hours of study...we had lunch and went to teach Fatima. The Hermanas met her for the first time last week, and she's already committed to be baptized. Anyway, we went and watched the Restoration video with her and ended up teaching her about the Plan of Salvation. Unfortunately  she didn't want to be taught in Spanish ...so I got to practice my English teaching skills. Besides that though, it was so cool! As often as i taught in the MTC, I never really felt anything too strong. But I absolutely loved the opportunity I had to testify of Joseph Smith and of the restoration. Did i get a little choked up? Maybe. Esta bien. 

That's about all I have for now though. Know that I love it here, and that I'm so happy to be here!

Love you all!

Hermana Mortensen

kathryn.mortensen@myldsmail.net

My new address is 1444 East Shelia Lane #R107, Mundelein, IL 60060. Send everything here for the next 12 weeks!