The Work

I've Always Wanted a Little Brother...

And now I have EIGHT!

Promptly upon arriving at the MTC (after many phone calls, one AWESOME trip to Jersey and a wonderful couple of days with the Vans) I was told that I would be in “Special Circumstances” – a “Unique Situation.”

Story of my life, Party People. Story of my life.

My Unique Situation is that I am a “Solo” Sister. That means that instead of having 1 companion to be with at all times, I have 2 companions with whom I share a room and go to the building where we have classes as well as church meetings on Sunday and “P-Day” (my day “off” – as much as is allowed to missionaries) activities (laundry, Temple, etc – and it’s Saturday, in case any one was wondering). What it really means is on a day of classes (Mon-Fri for me) after my Motras (“Sisters” in Albanian) walk me to my classroom – theirs is next door – I spend the day with the Elders in my group (or “District”) alone because I’m the only sister learning Hungarian in this group. The only girl. With 8, 19ish-year old young men. It’s interesting

I’ve only spent two days in classes with them, but I LOVE them so much already! Ruggles and Swearingon, Cunningham and Stevens, Burgin and Himes, Kinghorn and Balaich – they are already the little brothers I’ve always wanted. I’m the oldest – Kinghorn Elder (in Hungarian, the surname comes first) only graduated from High School in May! But oh, I love them! This is a group of outstanding young men and I am already seeing growth in them.

At first when I was waiting for my Mission Call, I struggled knowing there was a reason. There are probably lots, but one of them was so I could be in this group and I feel so very blessed for that opportunity. They stand when I arrive at, and leave the table (during meals) and have started calling me “Anya,” which means mother. They take exceptionally good care of me and I strive to do the same for them. I wan their mothers and mine to know we are all in Wonderful Hands.

Because I have no companion in the classroom, I get to join the other pairs and in so doing have a unique opportunity to get to know them in a way most sisters don’t.

At first I saw this situation as a trial. It is abundantly clear that I have been blessed.

The Motras

Motra Wulfenstien and Motra Nix – on their way to Albania and coming from Tennessee and Washington, respectively. VERY cool chicas, both of them. M. Wulff is hilarious and M. Nix seems more the brainy type. I know them less than I know the Elders because I spend a fraction of the time with them.

Sister Llamzon came in a week before me. She’s going to Temple Square and I met her in Illinois and we have our meals together, so I see her several times a day and I just LOVE it!

So Much To Write, So Little Time!

I would do an injustice if I failed to report on my time leading up to the MTC.

Mom came out with me to see me speak in Sacrament Meeting and be Set Apart. What a wonderful time we had! We stayed with my very first Bishop’s family – they were sooooo wonderful to us! The wife, Shannon, is just one of the most positive, beautiful inside and out people I know. It would have been a great weekend if all we had done was spend time there.

Sunday morning Sacrament Meeting went WELL. My Stake President was not only in attendance, but sat next to me on the stand (and tearfully spoke a few words as well – this was an honor that humbled me greatly). I don’t think this is typical. My talk went very well – I spoke for nearly 20 minutes and still left out things I wanted to say! Joni said if she hadn’t know me, she would have thought it was a homecoming, not a farewell. What a compliment.

All the people most dear to me in the church who were able to come were in the room when I was Set Apart. What a special experience.

Sunday evening, after church and one of the most pleasurable meals I’ve had in memory, it was time to take Mom to the airport. She was sad, and so was I – I just hope she knows that she’s going to be okay. I said in my talk, “ I could not have been born to a better mother if I had hand picked her myself and I am so glad she is my mom.” The same holds true now and forever.

Monday morning one of the first people I knew in New Jersey was the last I saw there for a while. I accompanied Shannon to early morning Seminary and taught for the first time as “Sister Pollack,” and Joni picked me up after breakfast with her AWESOME girls and pictures. It was sorrowful and yet the most exciting experience of my life.

The Vans took EXCELLENT care of me in Utah. Monday a dear friend, Anne, picked me up at the airport and took me to them. Blessing after blessing after blessing, I tell you! Tuesday we did a session at the Temple and they took me for a drive through the AMAZING mountains around here surrounding Salt Lake Valley. I was nothing short of astounded. Tuesday evening brought another treat – Aaron, who baptized me, drove all the way down from Ogden to see me off. It was so wonderful to see him!

Wednesday morning came all too quickly – and here I am.

Standing Out

Our first full day at the MTC included a large Meeting – of all the missionaries who arrived less than 24 hours ago, 3000 or so in all. The teacher conducting the meeting first had us stand based on where we were going to serve. Then he had us stand on how long we had been members of the church. In a room of over 300, I was the most recent convert.

The teacher asked me to come to the podium in the front and for at least 15 minutes I spoke about my conversion to the church and had the very special privilege of bearing my testimony to so many amazing young people on remarkable journey’s like mine. I’ve been stopped several times since in thanks and I never know what to say – for all my bravado about my eloquence, the words to voice my own gratitude flee – or perhaps they simply don’t exist.

It’s been TONS of hard work and FUN already! I am loving every last minute of all this, and I am so happy to have you all along for the ride.

I don’t know how many of you are prayers – but if you are, Ruggles, Swearingon, Cunningham, Stevens, Burgin, Himes, Kinghorn, and Balaich. Pray for these wonderful men – they take good care of me.

I’m loving you all, my Dear Ones.

Friends of the Week:

Joni

Joni is a Utah native turned Jersey Nanny and is just a bit older than I am. She is one of the few girls I know who has been a nanny (although for more than 1 family) longer than I have! Joni is beautiful inside and out to a degree she has no idea exists – she is one of the most supportive people I know, and she will give of herself whatever she is able to anyone in need. She is incredibly FUNNY – and we spend so much time laughing that the muscles in my face often ache if I’ve been talking to her for more than 10 minutes.

Joni was one of the players involved when I was investigating the church and went on to join it. She also introduced me to the family for whom I would go on to be employed by from 31, Jan 2003 through 8, Oct 2005. Many wonderful afternoons we have shared together at sundry Panera Bread locations, and there are two families in New Jersey who have no idea just how many nannies have resigned from miserable jobs and found better quality and much happier situations because of her influence. She has come to know me all too well – when we went to Kelli’s wedding, I made the drive back with a friend who met us there. She called to check in and she knew exactly what we were doing: “singing Broadway Showtunes at the top of your lungs!”

Jillian Nicole

I have known few people longer than I have known Jill – and of those few, I share DNA with almost all of them. We were in the sixth grade together at good ole CHS, where our surnames were right next to each other. This fact led us to share lockers side-by-side for six years, so it was a good thing we hit it off! When we graduated from high school, we stood up to switch our tassels from one side to the other in the ceremony that made us alumni instead of students. I reached down and held her hand tightly in excitement beaming with her from ear to ear.

posted by Bryce @ 2:21 PM