Whitney's 4th Week

I'm doing so much better. I thank all of you for your prayers and support. I got a letter from Taylor, Chris and my sisters--thank you I love letters. Tell Chris happy birthday. Elder Richard Hinckley, son of President Hinckley spoke at our devotional. We really enjoyed listening to him. Don't send any more candy -- I'm getting fat. I miss everyone but it's going by fast, and I'm getting really strong. I (Tami) got a letter from the mission President in Germany. He said to send letters two weeks before Whitney leaves (October 20th). It's easier for them to have letters when they arrive. I will post pictures later when she sends them.

Whitney's 3rd Week

We got five new Sister companions this week. It is so nice to have them here. They are going to Switzerland and Frankfurt. President Uchtdorf was at our devotional last Tuesday. He had all of the German missionaries raise their hand so he could see us. He told us that we were the lucky ones. He said German was the easiest language to learn. He said even a chicken can speak it. It was so wonderful to see and hear him. He is so amazing. I had a bad day yesterday -- homesick 'tear check'. I got letters from Grandma Great, Jani & Milo and Taylor and Chris. It was so good to hear from them. I got a letter from my dad, but I had to wait until night time to read it because I knew I would cry. Grandma Great's letter was really cute. She called me her dear little girl. I'm so happy when I get letters. Please keep them coming. I have to stay so vigilant so that I don't let Satan enter my thoughts or let him get me depressed. I have never really known how much he wants to destroy the work until I came here. He has been working me so hard that I can never let my guard down. I am constantly fighting him off. I love you all.

2nd week at the MTC

Whitney is doing much better this week. She is still requesting letters from everyone. She likes to know what is going on with everyone. Mail has been slow for her I just recieved her letter she mailed last Thursday. They have new missionaries coming in today, she is very excited for them. Last week Elder Cook from the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles came to speak to them she said it was very amazing and spiritual. She is still home sick not as bad, she is really growing in the short time she has been there. She wanted me to tell everyone hello and be safe.

Whitney's first week at the MTC

Whitney's first few days at the MTC were pretty rough on her. Satan was working against her big time -- to the point she wanted to come home. She had a priesthood blessing by one of the Elders in her district. He told her that the powers against her were massive, but that she would make it -- and the Lord loved her, and was proud of her. He told her that her family would be blessed for her service. And that she might feel peace and be able to sleep at night. He also said that she was a daughter of God and the lord loved her. Whitney said, "I know it wasn't the Elder saying those words, but it was my Heavenly Father telling me the things my heart desired to hear. After the Elder told me that this blessing was the first he had ever given that was when I knew and could feel the power of the Priesthood that he held true because Heavenly Father was personally talking to me. Throughout church on Sunday, there were things said that I needed to hear and I knew I needed to serve a mission and that the Lord loved me." Whitney is really doing better this week, I listened to an audio tape she sent, and she sounds really happy. She has five roommates -- her companion is Sister Heiner from Preston, Idaho. There are 11 in her district all are going to Germany, and they study each day in a very small, stuffy room. The food is good. Icecream on Wed. and Sunday. She also said she still had her sweet tooth --send candy. Please write to her as often as possible...it keeps her from getting homesick. She got 16 letters the first week and loved it.