Email received Mar 1, 2010

The video finally worked and was much appreciated!

Yes, there is a gym at the MTC; yes, it has a track; no, there are no tvs or radios; mostly you just talk to someone or stare at the wall or enjoy whatever activity you're engaged in. Where is Anna going? (Editor's note: These are answers to questions our friend asked. To see more about her and where she is going go to http://sisterannamichelleschmidt.blogspot.com/)

I just got Amy's letter saying she was in FL and now your email says you just picked her up. My, things happen fast. And what's in China (besides Mom and Dad soon)? When do you leave for ID? I still haven't heard more details about this trip. Amy - in addition to your Moses/Narnia scripture look up 1 Nephi 17:48 and think of the first Harry Potter movie (the power of God is Love) Proof that it's scripturally based, does that mean I can read/ watch them on my mission?

Hell week: this week we had a challenge with the elders; we created a point system for lessons, contacts, baptisms, etc and whoever gets the most points (does the most effective work) gets free lunch tomorrow. Well, we didn't win, but we pretty much tied for second place...well, with a sick-sister-handicap and questioning the accuracy of some of the elders points the last day anyway. But 122 to 125 is pretty close, you must admit. For all intensive purposes.

Hallelujah!!!!!!! Do you remember me telling you about Bro. Mac, the curmudgeony old sailor who's been meeting with missionaries for over six years? He's getting baptized on March 20!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The only problem is transfers are next week, so we're all praying very hard that if we don't stay together we will at least only be transfered to an area up north so we can still come to the baptism.

Ummm...we sang some more in church this week. At New Beginnings we sang A Child's Prayer and did really well the first half, totally bombed the last bit, but all ended together on the right notes, it was awesome! We also sang half-impromptu at Ward Conference yesterday. We'd been told they wanted us to sing (the song we sang in the other stake last week) but hadn't been told it was a guarantee. We usually do splits - drop Sis K off at 6th ward, then Sis S and I go to 5th ward, then go back at the end to pick up Sis K - We did that, then came back after the first meeting so we could sing in the choir; we were late so we missed the first choir number, but did arrive in time to wonder "Are we singing? Yup, here we go!" Sis K was sitting in the stand with the choir and Sis S and I had just snuck into the front side seats, then we all went back to sit with the choir. It went well and I'm out of time, gotta go! (Sorry if the last bit doesn't make sense)

-Sister Cloward