Shaelyn in Chicago: Questions and Answers

6-10-2011)
Querida Familia!!

Hola! How are things? Things are going well here. We got a new district this week, with 4 hermanas, which is exciting. Now my companionship isn't won't be the only girls in the zone. They are really quiet so far, but I think that its probably still due to feeling shellshocked. Also, I may be accompanying one of the Elders in our district for a musical number. He has a really good voice, and asked me if I could play the piano for him. The song is really pretty, if you want to listen to it its on LDS.org. Go to the youth section, and music, and its called "Shout for Joy." I believe its by Greg Hansen. Other than that, things are pretty much the same as always, as I mentioned they probably would be. I did however take the time last night to compile a list of answers to the questions you (Mom and Dad) asked in the Dear Elders from this week. I'll try to send the girls personal letters with answers to their questions.

Am I getting the Dear Elders?

Yes I am gettig the Dear Elders. Thanks for sending them, I love them.

How is rolling the R's going?
mas o menos. When I'm speaking I can usually do it a little bit. Well enough at least.

Is my temple recommend working?
Yes, my first week here I got a note that mom had called the MTC and asked about it. I went into the secretary's office and she took care of it. She called Salt Lake and they said that both of my recommends were listed as duplicates and thats why they weren't working, but she fixed it so I am now using my original, the one stamped "Missionary."

do I have any ideas on how are family can not be too serious?
I don't know, I already think you all need to calm down. :D

What happened to my roommates? Where did they go?
They left to serve their missions! Two went to the Oakland, CA visitor's center and one to the Rochester, NY visitor's center. We got three new sisters this last week in our room. They are all going to Indiana, but because they are English speaking they'll actually be leaving before we do, which is a little weird to think about.

How is your ankle doing?
Its okay. I have been having weekly Dr. Appointments for it. I still have some weird pain and they said if its not gone by next week they'll do more x-rays, but don't worry, I'm sure its fine.

How is your knee?
No problems so far.

Are you off crutches?
Yes. As soon as I could hobble with out them I basically threw them back at the physical trainer. Hated them

Did I ever get more pain medicine for me knee?
Funny story. Last week on p-day, after I emailed you, we got back to our room to find a note on our door telling me to come to the health clinic as soon as I got the note. We ended up waiting 40 minutes in the waiting room and when I got into the doctor, he said, "I hear you're going to be running out of some meds soon."
Me: yeah, but I'm just going to have my mom send some when she can.
Dr.: there is no "When she can" you can't let that medicine get out of your system.
Me: okay. . .
Dr.: so what medicine is it?
Me: Voltaren
Dr. : Oh. So you're not on any psychotropic meds?
Me: no . . .
Apparently he thought I was going to have a nervous breakdown or something if I didn't get my meds right away. He said the person who talked to him made it sound like I was going to die with the medicine. But, yes, I got your package with it, thank you. Also, thanks for the cookies. They were much better than the Dear Elder ones. :)

Are we allowed to go anywhere on p-day?
Only the temple. The MTC bookstore is pretty goodsized now and has nearly everything I need. Except iron supplements, could you send me some of those, by the way? But no, we aren't allowed to go off the MTC campus at all.

What do we do on P-days?
I generally start my p-days off by having the hardest time ever getting up at 6:30 because I don't have anywhere I have to be by 7. At 8 we go to breakfast, then we have personal study and then the temple. After the templi I write my weekly email and then we eat lunch and write letters. We have a scheduled laundry time so we do that, and then I write more letters. Then we have dinner and class. So basically I have just been trying to get caught up on writing people back.

Last p-day was a little more hectic than usual due to the unscheduled dr. appointment as well as the fact that Hermana Allred left her necklace at the temple so we had to go all the way back to get that after lunch. Hopefully this week I'll actually be able to write everyone I need to.

Do I ever get time to myself:
In the shower. (sort of, they're really just stalls with a curtain.)

Am I getting used to waking up at 6:30?
I don't think I'll ever get used to it. Its still hard, but I definitely apprectiate the 10:30 pm bedtime.

I'm glad to hear you all had a fun time in California! The aquarium sounds great, I'm so jealous.
Tell Amanda congratulations on the baby!! Send me pictures!

I love you all so much! Thanks for all of the Dear Elders, its great to hear from you and to get mail! Keep them coming!

Les Quiero!!

Hermana Brown