Another one!

Hi Family, Yes! I am finally 21....to be honest I never thought I'd live to be that age. I was sure someone was going to dispose of me before then. It has been a crazy week. I was in a lot of Meetings this week. I don't mind meetings, but I'd rather be working. I actually am starting to enjoy teaching. I have taught several descent lessons now so my confidence is building. I am sorry to hear addie had her appendix removed. I hope someone showed her madeline. If not, Am you have my permission to borrow that. Give her a hug from me. I sure love that girl. Mother thank you so much for the package... Tate and Matthew have impeccable taste when it comes to Jewelry and Scarves. I love that you are trying to make me so feminine. Not sure yet if it is working. Haha just kidding. I actually love doing my hair, make up and accessorizing myself. It gives me time to think and ponder. I am sorry everyone is so sick. I must be having sympathy pains. I had to sleep all of Saturday because I was so ill. I kept passing out. I would stand up and have tunnel vision and fall back down. Doing better now. Prayer really works. Mother, you said you have been praying for our dear investigator. Thank you. We all are. We love her so much and truly hope for the best. We do not know the will of God, but we can be assured that he is always just and merciful. My package to you should get there wednesday, watch for it. I have some stuff in there that is interesting. haha. however, I hope you enjoy it. Mom, I will send you something to do with Chickens in a card for your birthday. Please name one borris! That would be legit. We are teaching some lovely people right now. I have to say Benton was right. I just love the people of Chicago. They have so many wonderful qualities . One lady we are teaching is probably the coolest lady ever. She can take a clipping of any plant and have it grow into a huge plant. She had a clipping from a California plant and made it grow in Chicago. That is nuts. I need to learn from her. Lacey is celestial. Her birthday is today, so I am trying to get something for her so she can have a wonderful birthday. I think she is about 24. She served in Uruguay, and her son Elijah was born the day I entered the MTC. Is that nuts or what? I thought it was awesome. We talked about how when I go home he will be entering primary. I kind of think it is awesome to watch his weekly progression because it reminds me of my own. Our members are awesome. They truly have so many good desires to be member missionaries. We help with the ward mission plan, and I was pondering as I did my hair what we could do to get them excited. The idea came to my mind to do what I call the 12 missionary keys to becoming closer to Christ. Yes, I hold copyrights. Each month is a key to coming closer to Christ. This month the key is the to being able to love as christ loves. We share Matthew 22:36-40, and then challenge each member to get to know a neighbor or in other words someone they don't know. The blessing that comes is the key. We learn to love others as we get to know them and invite them to come unto Christ. Each month has a challenge, a scripture and key or blessing. I thought up the idea, sister carlton brainstormed challenges and scriptures and our mission leader perfected it. Team work to the core. How do you like it? We have taught several members the concept, and they absolutely love it. They said, "that is easy". Our purpose is to show them that it is easy to be a member missionary. I was at mission counsel this week as well as new missionary training. Mother I cannot wait until your birthday. That will be my 3rd transfer and I will no longer be a "greenie". It blows to be so new. However, I have decided that the Lord is teaching me a Christlike attribute in each part of my mission. Charity is one that will be with me the entire time...but the emphasis right now is humility. Be thou humble, and the Lord thy God shall lead thee and give thee answer to thy prayers. D&C 112:10. There are many other scriptures that invite us to be humble. I am learning that humility is pretty dang hard, but extremely necessary. Mother, you will be a divine temple prep teacher. Are you still teaching Relief society? To be honest, I think they should try and make the Temple prep twelve weeks instead of six. I wish I had truly appreciated the temple more before I entered. However, I love it now. Tell the boys, the more they go before the mission, the more the mission will make sense. The more the spirit will work with in them. Mother, I am sending that address in the package. So, look for it. :) Thank you again for my flowers. You read my mind on the White Cardigen. I have been needing one. Well, the work goes forward. I love you lots. Love Sister Braten.