This week was amazing! I love the MTC so much!
I thought it would be really scary/boring but it is the complete opposite. I love my companions (I am in a trio) with Sister Whaley & Sister Mosher . . . 
the food isn't that bad . . .
and we do more than just read our scriptures all day long, lol. Plus, learning Tagalog is actually really fun.
Mom, Gabriel and Sister Kelson, I loved getting all your letters this week! It was so sweet, nice and made the week so much better. I love hearing what is going on back home.
So, anyways: about the MTC!
I went out to the MTC last Wednesday and had to wake up at 5:30 to make my flight!!! I remember my first thought when I woke up was "Oh my gosh, I have made a terrible error in judgement." It is funny how when you are tired debating between a mission and a couple extra hours of sleep seems so reasonable! Anyways, the MTC isn't nearly as bad as I thought! Everyone is so nice here and I got to start learning Tagalog almost as soon as I got here. SO OVERWHELMING!!!! But they had ice cream at dinner so that made everything worth it. ;)
By Thursday I feel like I was already starting to understand that faith and hard work are really what a mission is all about. I worked super hard and did everything I could to stay motivated! In class we learned over 60 words, which is a little stressful. But we have 6 hours of language study almost every day so I should have no trouble learning. Also, I kept losing all my stuff today! I lost my MTC card twice, my room key, a pen, and my debit card. It was a wake up call that I really need to get better at organization. Also, I got a package of cookies from home today which totally made my day.
Friday, I already felt like I have been here forever! Which is crazy but kind of cool. I worked out, which I was dreading. I didn't think running would be as bad as I remember, but I was wrong. Oh well, I am determined to put all my effort into it so I can keep up with my companions by the end of the MTC.
We had general conference over the weekend and it was amazing! I didn't sleep through any of it and the time seemed to fly by. Between sessions I practiced my vocab words which really helped. Also, they had peanut butter cup ice cream for dinner on Sunday, so good! Finally, on Sunday night we watched Character of Christ by Elder Bednar which is probably one of the best talks I have ever heard.
For the rest of the week we kind of got into the grove of things and had the same schedule almost every day. I have been working out and can now run 2 miles without stopping (very slowly) and my companions and I bought mission shirts for the Philippines! We will get them in about two weeks. Also, my district and I signed a sugar pact, so we are not going to eat any sugar while we are
here . . .
- side note, don't drink chocolate milk before running! It is a terrible idea.
MY COMPANIONS:
They are so awesome! I am paired up with Sister Mosher and Sister Whaley. Sister Mosher is from Utah, LOVES essential oils, always says the word "cute" and has read Brandon Sanderson's books. Sister Whaley is super sweet, funny, has awesome hair, is scared of birds and has already been to the MTC before. She got sent home three days before going to the Philippines because she started passing out. I feel bad for her because that sucks, but I am glad to have her as a companion because she already knows WAY more Tagalog than everyone else in the district.
~Sister Matheny, Sister Mosher, Sister Whaley~
MY DISTRICT:
My district is amazing! I love them! There are 3 sisters (including me) and 6 elders. Each of them is so smart, funny and has really taught me what it means to be more like Christ. We do everything together and have so much fun in class. Even some of the other districts are jealous of how close we all are :P
TAGALOG:
Learning a language is HARD, but it is so worth it. Everyday I walk around with flashcards trying to learn all the new words they give us. Literally everywhere: in the halls, in lunch, doing laundry, in class, exercising... but it is paying off. We taught our first investigator in Tagalog on Friday which was so rough! We have taught him two more times since then though and we keep getting better and better. I think my favorite word this week is Pananampalataya which means "faith". I know right?! All their words are soooo long!
SPIRITUAL THOUGHT
During a testimony with my district after conference, I was listening to each of them speak about their faith, struggles, trials and successes and I realized that you can never really tell what a person might be going through at first glance. God loves everyone. It is not our job to judge them, only to love them and be kind to everyone.
I know I am so blessed to have a family who loves me, and a knowledge of the gospel. I love Christ so much! He has blessed me in so many ways and has never failed to be there for me.
To finish, I'd just like to say that I love my mission, my district, and my companions. But most of all, I love God!
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