Requests from Mariesa

Hi! Mariesa's mom here just passing along a few requests.

One- If you get a letter from Mariesa and would like to share all or part of it on this blog, please send it to me at suzette.blakemore@gmail.com. Mariesa put this blog together because she knew that she wouldn't have time to write everyone, every time. She was hoping that we would all share with each other. Sharing parts of your letters will lift all of our spirits and save Hermana Bergin from a bad case of writers cramp!

Two- If you have a moment, please write to Mariesa. Every letter she mentions that she is homesick and wants to hear more from home. This means you! Don't under estimate how important you are to Mariesa. No thought is too simple, no memory too small. I guarantee she will appreciate your thoughtfulnes and you'll probably get a few extra brownie points in heaven too.

One last thing, I miss having people between the ages of 18-30 hanging out at my house. If you have a second, if you need to do your laundry, or if you just need something to eat, don't hesitate to stop by. If you love Mariesa, then we love you. Our door is always open. You are not only welcome, your presence is wished for!

Happy Holidays and thank you for supporting our daughter!

Suzette

The First Letter from the MTC

Hola Familia!

I have 5 minutes to write to tell you that I made it and I am still alive! My companion is Hermana Chartrand; she is from Canada and the most PERFECT Companion for me. She is good at planning….I am definitely not. Literally every 15 minutes of our day is planned out. We have been so busy. It is a good busy though. We are learning so much. Oh! My companion is from Canada! I already say washroom instead of bathroom and “Ey!” all the time. Our teachers says once we learn a new word in Spanish we can’t say it in English again. So…I guess I should be saying bano instead of washroom. Anyway, she is super sweet and quiet, but so insightful. I LOVE talking with her.

MTC Food is kind of terrible, and she and I have had a million things to do, so we only have 15 minutes to scarf down a plate of food. I think the most either of us have finished is half a plate. We are definitely hungry! Send treats J

Hermanas have morning aerobics classes that are optional on top of the daily hour of gym. We did Pilates this morning at 6:00 but now it is 10:00 pm and the first chance we have had to get back to our rooms and relax all day. Tomorrow we will definitely be getting the extra 30 minutes of sleep. I’ve already given up on make-up and hair straightening. We have 25 minutes to get ready in the morning. AH!!! It is nice not to have to worry about it though.

I have to go; technically we can only write letters on Tuesday. My email is not set up yet but while I am at the MTC I can only use the MTC email. So I’m assuming HermanaBergin@myldsmail.net. I’ll let you know when I know for sure….

The MTC is hard work, but so fulfilling. I have never been surrounded by so many welcoming and happy people in all my life. I can imagine that the reason missionaries learn so much so fast is because every person you meet or even that you see as you walk between classes, smiles and asks you how you are…and offers words of encouragement. Everything here is designed to build you up. I will write more on Tuesday.

With Much Love,
Mariesa