First Week at the Provo MTC

 Ever since I was a young and in primary, I wanted to serve a mission. I had always known that I was going to serve a mission like my brothers will and like my parents had. Being at the MTC this past week has had some highs and lows, but it has only reaffirmed to me that I am supposed to be here. I am so excited to serve and to wear Christ's name above my heart and to learn the Turkish language.

Speaking of the Turkish language, it is incredible to see how much I have learned in the past couple of days. I can say a prayer, ask basic questions, and even testify a little bit. Although it is difficult and even a little frustrating, I know that I could not be learning as fast as I am without the help of my Heavenly Father.

My companions are Sister Woodford and Sister Haun, who are both incredibly smart and awesome missionaries. They push me to be a better missionary and are the nicest people you will meet. Sister Woodford and I are both learning Turkish, but Sister Haun is learning Macedonian (and if you havent ever heard of that language, I hadn't either until I met her). I got pretty lucky with companions and my district. My district has 3 different languages in it. We have the Bulgarian speaking missionaries (they have 3 sisters and 4 elders), the Macedonian speaking missionaries (they have only one elder and Sister Haun in their group), and the Turkish speaking missionaries (there are only 3 of us). They are all incredibly nice and insightful. I have learned alot from them about being a good missionary. 

I have been able to see a lot of people from BYU that I know and my brother, Elder Jackson Calder, and my cousins, Elder McKay Horsely and Brother Calder Horsely. It has been so cool to talk with them and have them here. I am so glad that I have been able to be at the MTC at the same time as them.

It has been great to see my brother here before he leaves for two years to Sweden. He just got reassigned to the Salt Lake City West Mission until he can get his visa to Sweden and I am so proud and happy for him! 

The other day, we had a devotional with Brad Wilcox that was absolutely amazing. I actually met him while I was at BYU with my friend Kiera at a missionary devotional. Anyway, I was somehow feeling down that I haven't learned the entire Turkish language in a week and there were a couple things that he said in his devotional that really touched my heart. One thing was "By not compelling us to believe, the Lord leaves space for choice and faith...It helps us recognize our dependence on God." He talked a lot about "Why doesn't God just show himself to everyone?" and this explanation made me thing of how much I need to rely on the Lord and also how much he has blessed me with throughout my own life. Another one was that "God and Christ help us by stretching us out of our comfort zone...the upward path is always worth it because it provides changes. We are not only trying to go to heaven, but trying to grow to heaven." I totally understood this as I tried to teach the Law of Chasity the other day. Being at the MTC has definitely been a stretching experience as I try to learn Turkish and also remain a sane person. But this made me think that I am still growing. I am not going to be a great missionary overnight, it will take a while and I am willing to work for it. Last but not least, one of my favorite things that he said was "This is a GLORIOUS time of your life. It will be challenging, but these challenges will help you become closer to the Savior." The most important word I have learned in Turkish is "Kurtarıcı", which means savior. I love this promise and I promise you all as well that as you go throughout your own trials, even times that you are at your absolute lowest, you will become closer to Jesus Christ. He loves you with an infinite love and has provided a way for you to return to Him. I love Him and I am so glad to be a representative of him.

Thank you all for your prayers and thoughts! 

Sincerely,

Kızkardeş Calder

(P.S. I am sorry if some emails of yours are Jacksons! Email me if that is the case and I can take you off if you want. Also, if you want to add any of your missionary emails that are not on here, please email me. I am terrible with technology so I apologize!)