I hope everyone is doing well! I miss you all so much!!! This week has been insanely crazy, and before I get started, I would just like to say WHOSE IDEA WAS IT TO NOT TELL ME THAT THE MTC IS THE HARDEST THING EVER?!?!? I love it now... kinda. But I hated it the first few days I was here. The food doesn't agree with me, the rules are hard to follow and don't make sense most of the time, and I've never been so exhausted in my entire life. But I've been greatly blessed. In just the one week that I've been here, my testimony has grown exponentially. I love my district and my companionship. I've been put in a trio and I am so extremely grateful for my companions, Sister Anthian (it's French, don't try to pronounce it) and Sister Tremble. They have been the strength and the support that I've needed to get me through these two weeks, and my district has grown so close. We've been through some hard things together, but we've grown to love and accept each other for our flaws; they're my family away from home. The sad part is that our elders are going to West Virginia, so we won't see them again until after our missions, but my sisters and I are all going to the same mission.
So, like the heading says, this email is about obedience and a little bit about injuries. When I first got to the MTC, I was hurting pretty bad. I was missing my family more than I ever had in my life. I didn't know anyone. And I felt like everyone had lied to me about what the MTC would be like. Brothers and sisters, I was seriously considering coming home. I'd never felt more devastated in my life and I just wanted my mom. But because I had such amazing companions, a loving district, and understanding wives of the branch presidency, I was able to muster up enough of a smile to make it to Sunday. And they really mean it when they say if you can make it to Sunday, you're golden. But one other thing that got me through, was understanding the love my Savior has for me. As a missionary, we teach that the Savior loves us, and not only does he sympathize with our heartaches, but he can empathize, because he truly did go through what I went through. So I prayed and I prayed and I prayed and I cried and I cried and I cried some more. But I now know that I am here for a reason. That the Lord needs me to help do His work and that He knows where He needs me and what He'll have me do.
I also learned about obedience. We all know that I'm not the greatest at that, but before I left on my mission, I told myself that I would try my hardest to follow all the rules, even the stupid ones. But let's be real here. Pretty much all the rules are stupid and I find myself rolling my eyes about 643546513241657 times a day. BUT. I can testify that if we are obedient, even to the really stupid ones like not being able to sing in the residence halls (stupid, right?) that we will be blessed. As missionaries, we are called to live the higher standard, and that'll be extremely hard, but I know I can do it and that the Savior will make up the difference.
Also, I hurt my wrist playing volleyball during gym time yesterday. Did I dive to save the ball and win my team the championship? Ha ha. No. I just served it wrong because I suck. But they gave me an ice pack and some pain relief and I slept on it and it's just a little sore, so I'm fine. Yay for me.
As far as the photos go, these are my companions, Sister Anthian and Trimble. This is me on Sunday during our temple walk.
I want you all to know that I have a testimony of this gospel and the Jesus is the Christ, our Savior. I know that He died for us because He loves us and the Heavenly Father sent the Savior to us because He loves us infinitely. I know that families can be together FOREVER and nothing makes me happier because I miss mine more than you can even imagine. I'm so extremely grateful for the love and support from everyone, and I would LOVE IT if ya'll could write me. Seriously nothing would make me happier. Except maybe Cocoa Bean cupcakes.
Love,
Sister Pipkin
P.S. ALSO ONE MORE THING. If ya'll would like to go on dearelder.com and write me emails, that would seriously be awesome because they print them out and give them to me that day! I would love it! Thanks, love you all!
