First Week in the MTC!

Letter written from Jenna on May 4

Oi minha familia!!!
Meu (mayo) nome (no-meh) e (eh) Sister Rounds! (Seester Houngies!) I always get a kick out of that! I'm sure you are all wondering why I'm not irma...well, let me explain. So, in Brazil irma means sister, but when they call us irma's it sounds like we are nuns. So to make a clear distinction that we are in fact not nuns, but missionaries for the church we are called seester, I'm quite sad that I'm not an irma, but I guess I will live.
I'm doing good! I can't complain about anything! Life is good, food is good, and sleep is best!
The language is coming along pretty good. I'm definititely not fluent, but I can understand a lot! It is crazy how much I've learned in just one week. I can bear my testimony, say a prayer, and contact in portuguese! I never thought it would happen so quick, but it did! I try to talk in the language as much as I can, but my brain does not want to think in another language! My teacher is awesome though, they speak only portuguese, it is sometimes hard to get your answer because they explain it in portuguese, but I guess that is how we learn!
My district is amazing! There are six elders, and four sisters including me. All of them have a totally different personality then the rest of us! Elder Pettitt, is older, 24, but he is practically a spiritual giant! When he speaks the spirit enters the room so fast! Well, the spirit is always there, but it becomes a lot more powerful! Elder Smith, is our DL, and he is a language wizard! He is already speaking in mostly portuguese! I'm so jealous of him, so I'm trying to compete with him...in a non-competitive way. I just want to be as good as him! There are two Elder Christensen's, but completely different! One is loud, and talks almost all the time, and the other is quiet, but when he talks the spirit is with him, and you can tell he is trying his hardest! He is warming up to everyone though. Next is Elder Carmichael, let's just say we laugh all the time when he starts talking, reminds me a lot of Luke, can be very serious, but always makes sure there is something we can laugh at. And last is Elder Linsley...I know I shouldn't say anything mean, so I'll just say he is a child of God. Next are the sisters! They are fantastic!!! Sister Dunow (do-no), and Sister Johnson are so stinkin funny! We laugh all the time! It is almost as if I have my three friends back, but all of them are so different from the friends I left behind. Sister Smart is my companhiera, she is sweet, but we laugh all the time. But there are times when I think I get on her nerves, but she hasn't said anything, so I hope I don't!
Last week all of the schedules changed, so I finally have my correct schedule. My p-day is going to be on Wednesdays.
Oh so I have a funny story. As I was doing my service Monday morning I was talking to an elder as we were waiting for my companion to exit the bathroom. He was saying how he had family in Utah, and he mentioned the name was Fox. I asked if he was related to Tara's family, he said he had no idea, but probably. I laughed a little and said oh we might be related, (just joking around). He got this weird look on his face and after pointing to himself and to me, he said, "far enough distance that this wouldn't be awkward?" (I still get a kick out of it!) I then explained to him, that if in fact he was related to Tara, we still wouldn't be blood related. He said, "Okay, good." And yes he is attractive, but I'm not looking because I'm a missionary!
Well, I'm almos out of time, so I must wrap this letter up. I will have to write more in a letter and send it the slow way home. I want to thank you for sending me a letter/e-mail! I'm not that homesick, but I still enjoy getting letters! It makes my day! And if a letter doesn't come the next day, then it makes that day too! Get my drift? So please keep sending letters! I love the dearelder, because I can read them as I get them! But I can only write back on p-day, mission rules.
Eu amo voces!!!
Miss you!
Seester Hounges!

First Day in MTC

This is the first of Jenna's many (as in like 4) letters since she left. This letter was either written the day she got there, or the day after.
Hey Fam!
All I have to say is WOW! Everything is so different then I thought it would be. But...I love it! We had a lot of orientation today. Mainly they just told us the rules. There are a ton of rules! Every other second a new rule is thrown our way.
My comp is awsesome. Her name is Sister Smart...Not Elizabeth. Haha. She is from Twin Falls, Idaho.
Honestly, there is not much else to say at this point. I'm still in a daze. Hopefully one of these days I'll snap out of it! We will study, pray, study, pray, sleep, and study and pray some more. Like I said it is repetitive, and I can't really say anymore.
I am actually writing this letter to inform you of my address. I know we can e-mail, but I've always loved getting mail (Hint, Hint).
Love you all, and I already miss you!
Love, Sister Rounds
Oh. I found out I'm not Irma, but Sister. Said Seester. I think I'll still have fun with it!

Jenna's address is...
Sister Jenna Lee Rounds
MTC Mailbox #281
BRA-SALS 0627
2005 N. 900 E.
Provo, Utah 84604-1793