Finished Week Two!

Letter written from Jenna on May 11

Ola minha familia!
Things are going pretty good here in the MTC. The food gives everybody gas, so the classes are always stinky...but other than that nothing to complain about. So Elder Neil A. Anderson came and spoke to us last night. That was really cool! He spoke a lot on the atonement, and seeing the unseen. It was absolutely amazing. He said this quote which I love, "Our plaques will be badges of honor, because we bore witness of Him." Afterwards the sisters and I went to the side of the building to go back to our classroom, when a bunch of missionaries were just standing around. We waited with them for about ten minutes when all of a sudden Elder Anderson started walking towards us. A few elders started singing, and soon others joined in, the spirit was so strong. Elder Anderson came up and shook hands with everybody that was there. So yes, I got to shake his hand! Yahoo!
Dad, tomato plants? At least it is an original idea! I actually kind of like it! I know that one girl has her visa in our zone, or at least it is almost here, but she is supposed to leave next Tuesday, so who knows where she will end up. But apparently there is a website that you can look at to find out if my visa is being processed or whatever. I have no idea what it is, but I bet you can google it!
We get to exercise five times a week for 40 minutes at the gym, on p-day we are supposed to do an exercise mission thing...it is a little weird, so I usually just work on my abs or something. It really helps me not get sick! The gas and food starts to move as I move, so it doesn't just sit and fester.(haha mom, I bet you don't like me saying that)
As for my schedule, it changes every day. But usually we have classes two times a day, and each session is 3 hours. Our teachers speak only in Portuguese, they know how to speak English, but to help us learn, they don't use it. I can understand most of what they say, but when it comes to talking back to them I am struggling. I can read, just not talk. So at times I wish I wasn't learning a language, because it is just one more thing I have to do, but I love the language! Definitely having some mixed feelings right now. Our teachers last Thursday decided they would be investigators, so we have taught them in only Portuguese...that is so hard! We pretty much have to write down what we want to say in English then translate it, then during the lesson read what it is we want to say! But it is coming along. When we aren't in class it is usually personal study, or language study, or this program called TALL, it is a computer program that is supposed to help us learn the language faster.
Yes I can bear my testimony in Portuguese, and I actually bore my testimony last Sunday in Portuguese in sacrament meeting! Scary! I had learned how to bear my testimony only two days before! I also know how to pray, and contact somebody!
I think I have the adjusting done, there are times when my head wants to explode because of everything I'm learning, but I love it! It means I am actually learning something! I haven't felt this way for a long time! I love that I'm learning something!
As for the glasses, I still love them! But the shoes I must admit They rub in weird places, and even though they are sometimes comfortable, other times they kill!!! But apparently I'll be able to wear sandals in Brazil! I hope I can!
As for the pronunciations, deus, is with a hard d sound, just like you would say it in Spanish, because the de is at the beginning of the word, or in the middle of it. But de is gee when it is at the end on the word or by itself. But if it is di, it is always gee. The rules are actually not as confusing as I thought it would be. If an r is at the beginning of the word it is pronounced with an h sound, but if it is an h, you don't say it. Even though there are weird rules, it is a beautiful language, a lot of the words are close to english, you just pronounce them weird usually with a gee, or chi sound at the end! :)
I am out of time! I love you all, and miss you! I'm glad to hear everything is going good back at home. Keep the letters coming please! I love them!!! This work is amazing, and the spirit is so strong all the time. The Holy Ghost always helps learning! It is incredible how much I have learned in only the two weeks I've been here. The teachers and other elders are incredible! I am seriously treated like a princess, the doors are always opened for me, and when we walk past all the elders say hi! Haha, it must be because I am just a fantastic person...or just cuz I'm a girl and it is so rare to see one these days!
Much love! I miss you!
Love,
Seester Houngies!