First Letter from the Missionary Training Center

June 12 and 13

Oi, minha familia!

Wow!  The gospel is amazing!  The MTC is so cool!  I was worried until I met the other missionaries at the Salt Lake City Airport waiting for the same shuttle.  They're all so friendly and excited.  I felt so much better already, just knowing this was different from college and it's not just a place where we go to make friends or learn, like EFY (especially for youth) or something.  The MTC is where you can actually feel the difference.  We want to be here.  And we'rre all here for our own reasons, but also because -- and most importantly -- we are serving the Lord and His people by bringing them closer to Christ.  It was the craziest experience just singing w/the other new missionaries and reading the lyrics of the songs "Called to Serve," "To Bring the World His Truth," and "As Zion's Youth of Latter Days."  The words of all the verses just mean so much more as a new missionary in the MTC.  I encourage you all to read the words and think about the work that is coming to pass so quickly right now!  It's amazing!  It's only been one day (or half a day) since I got here and I've learned so much already.  I can honestly say I can feel the spirit so much, constantly, and it's truly a wonderful feeling know I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing at this time in my life.

The Portuguese is coming along.  haha.  It's tough, but I'm learning a TON!!  I definitely can feel the gift of tongues I've been blessed with, but my interpretation of tongues will take some real faith. 

I can describe my experiences here so far in 3 words: BUSY, BUSY, and BUSY!!!  ...and the worst (best) part is it's not just busywork.  It's all important.  What an overload!  But I've been promised that it will all get better soon (by Sunday) and it will all definitely be worth it.  I believe this and I know that as I continue to learn so much everyday, if I try my best, regardless of how worn out and tired and overwhelmed I am, I'll be blessed with the power of recall and God will make up for the rest.  This is what I've signed up for and I know it's what's right!  So I will take it in faith and in stride.  I know it will work out for the best.

I am continuing this letter (it's now been 1.5 days since I got here).  I feel like I have been her for WEEKS already (I mean this in a good way -- I've learned so much).  I can't wait to get out there to REALLY teach.

Tomorrow, we teach an "investigator" in Portuguese and I'm freakin out!  Wooh!  Thank the sister missionaries back home for me!  What good practice I had teaching with them!  Tell them I'm sorry I didn't get to see them before I left.

My companion is great.  I can already feel the pure love of Christ working in me!  I'll tell you more on P-day (Fridays, but not this one ... the 21st).

Anyway, Happy Belated Birthday to Travis and to Uncle Chucky!!!  I miss you all.  Thank you, Travis for your stories and experiences you shared with me.  The advice will really get me through a lot on my mission.  I can already tell.  I love and miss you all  already and can't wait to really begin my work out in the field, whether it be stateside, reassigned, or in Brazil!!  I CAN'T WAIT to do some good out there and really learn to rely on the spirit in becoming an instrument in God's hands.

Much love!!  Gotta go!!  No time at all here!!  Ahhhh!!

LOVE YOU ALL AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR LETTERS AND SUPPORT!

Ate' Logo!

Sister Yoshimoto

p.s.  Tell Josh there is an Elder Tolman in the Ohio Columbus Mission.  I am in the same district/zone with both of his twin brothers!!  AMAZING!  LOL!

LOVE YOU ALL!!

p.p.s.  This letter is to show I'm alive and surviving ... so far!   haha!  But no Preparation Day until next Friday!  Love you!

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~
CALLED TO SERVE

1. Called to serve Him, heav'nly King of glory,
    Chosen e'er to witness for his name.
    Far and wide we tell the Father's story,
    Far and wide his love proclaim.

(Chorus)
Onward, ever onward, as we glory in his name;
Onward, ever onward, as we glory in his name;
Forward, pressing forward, as a triumph song we sing.
God our strength will be; press forward ever,
Called to serve our King.

2.  Called to know the richness of his blessing-
     Sons and daughters, children of a King--
     Glad of heart, his holy name confessing,
      Praises unto him we bring.
~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~
TO BRING THE WORLD HIS TRUTH

1.  We have been born, as Nephi of old,
   To goodly parents who love the Lord.
   We have been taught, and we understand,
   That we must do as the Lord commands.
2. We have been saved for these latter days
   To build the kingdom in righteous ways.
   We hear the words our prophet declares:
   "Let each who's worthy go forth and share."
3. We know his plan, and we will prepare,
   Increase our knowledge through study and prayer.
   Daily we'll learn until we are called
   To take the gospel to all the world.
   (Chorus)
   We are as the army of Helaman.
   We have been taught in our youth.
   And we will be the Lord's missionaries
   To bring the world his truth.

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~
AS ZION'S YOUTH IN LATTER DAYS

1. As Zion's youth in latter days,
   We stand with valiant heart,
   With promise shining in our eyes,
   Resolved to do our part.
   Upon a noble past we build;
   The future fills our view.
   We face the challenge of our day
   And pledge we will be true.
2. The truths and values we embrace
   Are mocked on ev'ry hand.
   Yet as we listen and obey
   We know we can withstand
   The evils that would weaken us,
   The sin that would destroy.
   With faith, we hold the iron rod
   And find in this our joy.
3. Thru test and trial we'll have our fears,
   But we will not despair.
   We're here to serve a righteous cause;
   Truth gives us strength to dare.
   We'll love, and learn, and overcome;
   We'll sing a joyful song,
   As Zion's youth in latter days,
   Triumphant, pure, and strong.
   ~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~