April 8, 2013 Mundelein, IL

Ohhh goodnesss. I usually like to start my letters with "what a week"...but I feel like I really mean it this time when I say...what a week. It's been so fantastic! Where to begin, really? The area is pretty amazing! As far as I know, we're about an hour north of Chicago, and maybe 45 min. south of Wisconsin. Our area is of decent size, with not many members. The Spanish branch covers multiple areas, but our area specifically only has 4 of the active families. Defs the 4 BEST families though! I love them all so much! With there only being 4 families, we don't get fed too often - but when we do, it's what I like to imagine heaven's food is like. Seriously. It does my heart good. The only bad thing I've eaten came from the local Panda Express...I'm pretty sure my orange chicken was orange dog....but that's besides the point.

Mom. You can have a little peace of mind. This place is far from being the "ghetto". On Tuesday  before my comp and I drove out here- the other missionaries were telling me about how this place is so brown, not very pretty, and how I probably wouldn't like it. Little do they know, I come from the land of brown. I feel right at home :) I can't wait for it to warm up a little though - so we'll have some nice green, lush trees, everywhere. I could get used to this.

My companion is wonderful though! I can't remember if I mentioned anything about her in the last little email I wrote, but her name is Hmna Stassforth - she's from Ventura, CA.  She's been out for a little over a year. She only has 3 more transfers left, and I"ll for sure be with her for one more. There's a good chance I'll "kill" her out here. For those who don't know what that means...I'll be "ending" her mission. Killing. Weird mission lingo, I know.

On Friday we had a mission conference. From what I hear, mission conferences are pretty rare, so it's cool that I got to go to one on my first week! It wasn't just anyyy conference though. EVERYONE met up at some park (not really a park) called Brazino Woods and we had a "Joseph Smith first vision experience". President Fenn made it very clear that his purpose wasn't to recreate or mimic the sacred events that happened, but he wanted it to be just that...an experience...not just another talk/conference in the chapel. All 200+ missionaries sat in this open, yet secluded area, in the woods. President and Sister Fenn both talked about the history of Joseph Smith, and then we read His account of the first vision. One thing that he mentioned that I loved..."recapture your testimony everyday". How do we do so? Study. Everyday. Slowly, but surely, I have come to love the hour I have everyday for personal study. It's crazy how much I learn! Anyway... afterwards, for the next hour or so, we had a mini testimony meeting and closed with "Praise to the Man". This is definitely one of those experience I'll never forget, and I'm so glad President Fenn had this wonderful idea! Potential FHE idea? eh? eh? Do it. There's a beautiful spirit and peace that comes when being secluded in nature like that.

And General Conference this weekend?!? Ah. So good. Favorite talks? What did everyone like? My top 3? First, from Elaine S. Dalton. Not gonna lie, she's a total boss. "What er're thou art, act thou part". Also. "Our part matters, because we matter". It makes me want to cry trying to imagine people, women specifically, who don't understand their worth. Sister Dalton definitely hit that one outta the park.

Second. President Monson's talk. Particularly his two stories. Random side note. I hope someday I can tell stories like that man. He's the best. Especially his facial expressions! (From the story about him burning the weeds) Ha, I can picture it perfectly!

And of course, Elder Hollands talk. Has he ever given a bad one? "If you can no more than desire to believe, let that desire work in you". A desire is all we need! The rest will come!

....oh, and a little somethin somethin that I liked..."CATCH THE WAVE!!". Russell M. Nelson. That's all I gotta say.

Hopefully I'll hear from some of you this week! It makes me sad that I don't get my nightly "Dear Elders" anymore. Familia. I'm talking specifically to you. I had a great idea. Inspiration, really. Mail is delivered 6 days a week...and there are 6 of you. Idk if you see where I'm taking this..but how about you all take a day, and write me? Yeah? I love that idea. Haley. You and Audrey can share a day. I would love more drawings from her :)

I love you all though! Thanks a million for the support!

Hmna Mortensen