This week was fantastic!  Our branch consisted of all the Scandenavian (yeah that spelling is horrendous) missions and Dutch. Well, all of the Norwegians left yesterday. One of which was Elder Schultz. He was like the super hyper active weird kid that for some reason every one loved! Yeah, I cried. And he cried. And it was great. It's so weird because our branch is just Dutch now! We get 8 new West Indies missionaries tomorrow, and a few more for Sweden I think. ALL ELDERS. Us sisters thought we were going to take over the MTC here! Mmm I'm not sure if I trust the doctors here any more or not. I went in, and he told me I'm fine just wear the boot if it swells again, well it swelled again. Luckily I'm blessed with Zuster Anderson who is (Mom you'll be jealous) A MASSAGE THERAPIST. It's amazing and she is more than willing to take care of me. I love her. Dutch. No I don't dream in it yet, Zuster Spencer does yell in it in her sleep though, it's so hilarious. 

Oh and I just remembered I want to clarify whats going on with my foot. The pain is NOT where the tendonitis was. It is a different pain and it's swollen in a different spot. I also hate the boot with all my heart. It doesn't have any arch support so I really am convinced it makes things worse. Oh well.. I'll figure it out. 

I'm so proud of Kyle and that talk! I'd love a copy if that's possible! The priesthood IS an amazing blessing, but it is the WORST thing to try and explain to someone who has never heard of it. 1000 times harder in Dutch. We did get the point across to our investigators though. And our teacher has told us we are improving so well! 

We have a teacher Br. Mohrman. At first we were all super scared of him, because he was our first investigator. And he didn't smile. We all love him now because he has the weirdest personality, it's great! He teaches us things and calls it "Mohrman Doctorine". HAHA! So great. He also refers to us as Zuster-kjes. Which is kinda like calling us his little sisters! It's adorable. And weird... Because really he is the same age as all my newly returned friends.

I have not done drop offs yet. Our "Dutch Daddies" do them all the time though. (I know that sounds weird, but they are the West Indie Missionaries who got here right before us, they treat us like family.) We have 2 WEEKS LEFT!! HOW?! I may be freaking out a little bit, but I am SO excited to get out there and share this amazing gospel with real people! -Not to say our teachers who pretend to be investigators aren't real, but you get the point. And TRC is amazing, we get to talk to actual members who speak Dutch. It's amazing.

This gospel is so true, I know that Jezus Christus is our savior and he loves us! I am where I am supposed to be!

Ik houd van jullie!

Love, Zuster Packer

Ik raakte een paniek!( I got scared) 

Our teachers teach us funny phrases.

Thank you SO much for the packages and letters. (Dad your letter made my day!) They really mean a lot and my district definitely loves the stash of junk food we have created. There's a lot.  This week was pretty good! I did lie, mijn collega is from Washington. How I got Montana in my head beats me. Uh. well. Zuster Spencer is from Arizona, Zuster Rosenlof California, Zuster Anderson St. George, and Zuster Elting Idaho.

We have 2 teachers. Br. Robinson is Dutch, and he is absolutely hilarious. He gave me Ashley's address (Like Amy and Ashley). Because he knows like everyone in the world. Our second teacher is Br. Mohrman. He was actually our "investigator" our first week. So honestly we are all a little scared of him. One day he said "So, my boss is coming to observe me today... So, try not to cry." In a funny way of course. Even though sometimes we aren't sure if he is being serious or not.

She wrote to her G-Ma:
"We have heard a few talks here about learning not only our mission language, but the language of the spirit. So I love that you mentioned that! We are definitely learning it. It's not always easy, but its most definitely possible. I really love it here at the MTC. I love my district, companion, our second district. And just every thing about it! The Church really is true! and I have found this amazing love for the Book of Mormon."

(From Mom) I got this shirt on MY mission 21 years ago.  Taylor loves it.  We both feel the same way about mornings.

  

Helaas Pindakaas!

I have a stress fracture in my foot.(Taylor hurt her foot before she left for her mission.  We had it checked out, but it has gotten worse since she's been in the MTC). So I'm in a super attractive boot!!! Just for a few weeks and the doctor will check it again. Other than that I am doing super great! Our group (both districts) is so great! and I really love every one of them! I asked the Elders in my district for a blessing a few days ago because my foot was really aching. I honestly have a firm testimony of the MTC. It has done something to these boys that makes them beyond incredible. I know I will heal without problems because of that blessing. I was so glad to hear from every one!

 I was so sad I couldn't call on Mothers Day, but we can call in about 4 weeks from the airport to keep you updated on our flights and such! I also sent you a letter Mom, about half the girls in my district signed it too. I thought you would find that funny. :) I know your trip to get the girls will be great! (The adoption for our 2 girls from Haiti has been finalized and we are getting ready to pick them up). You have nothing to worry about because I know the Lord is watching over all of us! We keep getting told no news is good news (for their VISA's to Netherlands/Belgium). So I have no idea how things will go with our travel plans. However, we have been told that our mission doesn't usually have issues. (I just have to heal before I can leave or I'll be like the sister that was here our first week!) I would like to mention DearElder is a great resource! ;) I would get your emails the same day if you used that. It also makes the missionaries feel important :)

  The language is coming so well. We are learning so much! And every day is just more proof of how true this gospel is! I pray for each of you all the time and I know that we are in our Heavenly Father's care! Ik houd van julie!
Love, Zuster Packer

We received a letter in the mail yesterday and an e-mail today!  So happy to hear from Taylor! Here is an excerpt from her e-mail:

"Well goodness you would think I had died with how many emails I got from you people! I truly appreciated it though! It was so great to get on and I am so overwhelmed with love right now! The MTC is AMAZING. I can't even describe it. Before I go on I have to tell you that the church has asked our emails not get posted on Facebook. So... I will let you edit out what you feel necessary on this blog you've created, and I will try and stay as organized as humanly possible!

We hit the ground running. No, it was more like hit the ground sprinting! No english in the classroom. Our teacher Brother Robinson only speaks to us in Dutch unless it's something we need seriously explained to us in depth. (He also happens to know Andy, Amy, and Ashley. Go figure right?) It is absolutely amazing how quickly we are learning here. We most definitely have a ton to improve on, but we are learning so fast! My collega (companion) is Zuster Morris. I absolutely love her. We get along very well and have VERY similar personalities. There are 4 other zusters in our district and 2 elders. There is 1 other District with the same numbers, and all of us are going to the same mission! I love my district so much. We all have the same personality time (Stubborn...) So sometimes it's a little hard to always completely agree on everything. But we work together, seriously rely on the Lord, and things have a way of working out. By day 2 they had us teaching our first investigator. In Dutch ONLY. Yeah, you want to talk about trials? Try explaining the atonement to someone who 1. doesn't believe in God, 2. doesn't speak your language. IT'S SO HARD! But we always feel the spirit so strong, and learn so much from every lesson!

It's been pretty tricky getting used to this new schedule. I have some trouble getting to sleep, but have had none at all getting up! It's amazing how that works! So far this week I've visited a doctor because my foot is swollen again.  Our entire district is on Tamiflu because Zuster Anderson has influenza and is in quarenteen (forgive my spelling my brain is trying to think in Dutch). And we all have to poop in a cup... Yup, you read that right. It's ONLY required for our mission. And it's disgusting. (OK, she might not like that I left that part in. ;) Luckily tomorrow a foot specialist comes in, and I have an appointment with him. Prayers are gladly accepted around here! ;)

Ik houd van u!!! (All of you...)

Love, Zuster Packer

 

Our family dropped Taylor off at the Provo MTC (Missionary Training Center) Wednesday, May 1, 2013.  What a hard day! There is no way to really prepare you for the emotions you feel when you say good-bye to a child for 18 months.  We did a drive-by of the MTC and went to the temple grounds to say good-bye.  Seeing all the missionaries lined up curbside increased the excitement and nervousness in all of us, especially Taylor.  It was really happening!  After a few minutes of good-bye's and goofing around with the brothers,we drove to the MTC and got in the drop-off line.  As we pulled up, 2 sisters approached the car and welcomed Taylor to the MTC.  We arrived close to 1:30 and after unpacking bags, hugs, and a final picture we pulled out by 1:35.  We just ripped that band-aid right off!  No reason to prolong the agony. 

We haven't heard from Taylor yet, but are hoping to get an e-mail today.  I will keep you posted.