How are you all?

This week may have been the most eventful so far! 30 missionaries from our zone (i.e. everyone who was here when we arrived - the whole zone of eastern european misfits besides the polish and two new districts who came the week after us.) They all left into the Mission Field on Monday and Tuesday. It was pretty depressing to see them go but we are all so excited for them! It also got me a lot more pumped for when my time comes. Also, I'm not sure if I mentioned it before but we are not moving to West Campus, we are staying on the main MTC campus so nothing is different for mailing etc.

This week we also received 11 new missionanries. A czech district and a slovak district, 7 elders and 3 sisters. they are still freaked about but we are excited to get to know them better. With all the change our district (the Polskis) are now the most senior in the zone - what? We all still feel new and like we have no idea what we are doing but at the same time are looking forward to leading the new group of missionaries. 

Last week Starszy Whiting and I were called to be the new zone leaders (the missionary leadership for the zone.) As of Monday morning we have been fulfilling our roles. It's a lot of fun and we were especially excited that we were able to welcome all of the new missionaries on Wednesday - as zone leaders, and held a meeting with the sister training leaders (the sister missionanry leadership in the zone, one of whom is Sister Owen, also a Polski) It's a little more work and eats up time but I am so grateful for this opportunity to serve.

Our district just keeps growing closer and closer. All of us elders are now in one room, which is tight but means we hang out more and get to know each other better. We are all more comfortable with each other, sisters included. It doesn't seem like we are hanging out together just because we have to, now we are all genuine friends, which makes it so much more fun, easier, and motivating. On Sunday nights after the MTC devotional they show films. We all decided to go and watch a rebroadcast of a talk by president Uchtdorf but then when we got there they announced that they had accidentally sent that film to West Campus and had a talk by Elder Bednar we had already seen. As we were trying to figure our what to do Sister Owen comes up with a genius plan. We went back to our residence halls, popped some popcorn, grabbed some candy and went back to our classroom and watched a movie on lds.org about faith in Christ. It was so much fun. It was so fun and then afterward we talked about our faith and testimonies in Jesus Christ and His Atonement. It was an incredible night! Being here for 9 weeks leads us to be creative, which accounts for most of our excitement here in the MTC. At lunch they have a salad/wrap bar and sister Owen and I realized that the cafeteria also has microwaves so we made chicken Quesadillas. Everyone thought we were pretty cool, to be honest we did too. Being here we just take so much joy in the little things and encourage each other to be grateful, it's such a happy way to live!

Polish is also coming along really well. Starszy Whiting has a big break though. He has had more Polish vocab and grammar than any of us combined but he's had trouble using it in speech. this week, in lessons especially, he has been able to just let it all pour out, it's been great to see. Now we have to work on him giving me a chance to talk but we are learning how to work off each other much better as we teach. This week I felt the Holy Ghost more present in my teaching than ever before. It was my main goal this week and I think I was blessed. There has never been than shocking burning in the bosom as I teach yet but my mind has been clear and I am so specifically directed. I have recognized my mind being filled with inspired things to say. I have felt more than ever that the message I am giving isn't coming from me but from the Savior. At the same time, I have also been able to share my personal experiences with the mock investigators more than ever. I think this has come as I have developed a love for the people I am teaching. It's hard when I know they are mock investigators but I feel like I have been helped with this case. My Polish still has a Long way to go but I can now express myself pretty well. Often small words or phrases I want to say, even such as "yes" or "is" come out in "tak" and jest!" It's pretty cool. Us Polskis are able to communicate better with each other now as our understanding and speech improves. Besides fervent prayer and blessings from Heavenly Father, our progression is greatly due to our teachers. Every time they teach I am reminded of how great they are. They are loving, funny, faithful, and care about us. Brat Tribe especially, I found a note is my suit jacket one night, it was a note from him about my lesson with Olek (his alter ego mock investigator.) It said, Elder Kimball great work, you are an amazing teacher. Love, Brat Tribe. They are super motivating and encourage us all to try our best. Siostra McAdams is also amazing and Brat Jensen has started to teach us a lot more now. 

Speaking of support, thank you so much for all of your support. I feel of you love, prayers, and support. I love receiving letters and dearelders - they really do make my days and I enjoy reading all of them. They help me feel connected to all of you. 

The weather has drastically changed. It was lovely, sunny weather for a while and now all of a sudden it's become a frozen tundra. The mountains all around us are covered with snow, it's cold! 

General Conference is the next two days! Never have I ever been so excited for General Conference in all my life. I feel so lucky to be able to experience it here in the MTC. I have never looked forward to hearing the new temples announced or number of missionaries serving because it hasn't ever meant so much to me. Everyone here is excited! We all go to the hall where we have devotionals and watch it as an MTC. I would like to echo my sister Sister Kimball. Go into conference with questions in mind. Do this in all study of gospel principles (praying, reading scriptures etc.) However, especially now as we have the divine opportunity to hear from our church leaders search for the talks and ideas that have been prepared with you in mind. When we have specific questions we get specific answers. As Kristin said, have spiritual questions as well as questions for life in general. General Conference is a semi-annual broadcast worldwide where the leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints address the globe with inspired words. I invite everyone to watch some of it, it is a great experience. Anyone can view it on lds.org.

I love you all. Work hard and be grateful. Be kind and loving! 

Love, 

Starszy Kimball