FIRST LETTER from Sister Shattuck

HI Everyone!! I love you!! This is so great! I don't feel like I have enough time to write. BUT... I will try to tell you as much as i can in this time. spelling may be bad so be patient. :) I LOVE it here!!! I am learning soooo much in the MTC! I had notes of things i wanted to tell you but i forget it in my room upstairs. :( Ok... let's think. MOM, thank you soooo much for the letter. i was the only one at my table of sisters that received mail and i felt bad but i was so excited. i didn't realize how much it means to missionaries to get mail. We reeeeally look forward to it. It gave me such comfort. Thank you for your words and encouragement. I'm going to try to answer some of your questions. First of all, you'd be sooo proud of me. I'm working my HARDEST and I feel like i am FINALLY doing my best. :) You really have no idea how hard i work. I study SOOO hard and I actually CRAVE study time. We have not been street contacting yet. i am so ready to teach an actual person instead of my comp. and my missionaries. We go next week on thurs or friday. yikes. :) I have only one roomate and that is my companion sister Van Eeden from Netherland. She's great. Her english is improving and we are getting along. We work REALLY hard at our relationship and we love companionship inventory. I can tell you about her more in my personal letters. I adore her and respect her. Pictures following this letter. :) The food is great. I think i am the only one that enjoys it really. I don't complain about it because I am just so lucky to have meals and the cooks are great. I will serving the food sometime this week. :) I am taking pictures. I am only sending a few because of the time restraint. But I assure you I'll try to send more later. We can only send pics on p-days (tuesday) and at meal times, and on Sunday evenings. It's ok. That's why most are when we are eating. :) I respect the rules. I'm only having a hard time going to bed on time because I want to talk to my companion and get to know her. But, we have set many goals and one is to be on time for everything and to get to bed on time. We set goals as missionaries alllllll day. I love it actually. We feel so happy and feel that we accomplish so much. Everyday is a day to testify. That's what I've learned the most here. Everyday is testimony meeting. The MTC pres is Pres Clegg. He and his wife are amazing. We have some AMAZING leaders including my district leader Elder Sikehema. I respect him SOOOO much. No visiting authorities. probably not here. I have learned from my study SOOO much. Haven't finished the Book of Mormon yet (for the second time) but not stressing about it. I learn so much in a day I can't write it all. But I will write it in personal letters. My companion and I are learning alot together and ABOUT each other. I have learned patience because she misses her land and people, but she is doing her best and I am proud of her. I am learning about myself for sure. I didn't think I would be a good missionary or the BEST but I really am! I am working so hard and I know it may sound silly, but I am proud of myself. I have accomplished so much. I realize how much Heavenly Father loves me and cares. I will write more, but I have no minutes. I love you all. I will write personal letters now. Please keep praying. I feel of your love so much. Thank you for your support. I am soooo happy!!!!!!!!

Sister Shattuck