Dear Family and Friends,

     Thank you so much for both of the emails, Mom! I love hearing about the hunt. Shaun said it was really fun! I'm glad Devin got an elk!! I can't believe Kevin asked Shaun, Brett and Tanner to be his groomsmen. That is so awesome!!! haha Another week has past here at the MTC! I'm just finishing up my 3rd week. Can you believe it?! I can't. I just want to update ya'll on whats been going on considering I was suppose to leave to Missouri last Wednesday! haha because of my "low blood platelets" I was delayed from my mission field for another 2 weeks. I just finished my 3rd week so only 9 days or so to go! Please pray that my platelet levels adjust and my appointment Thursday with the "blood doctor" goes well and that I'm cleared! However, I feel fine if your wondering! I'm just tired every once in a while, but I'm also constantly going from 5:30am-10:30pm every day so that could be a reason haha. They don't give me much time to heal, but that's why I'm putting faith in my Heavenly Father. I know he can do all things if I have a steadfastness in Christ! I'll get to Independence eventually. However; in the mean time, I have an additional assignment while I'm here! I have been asked by one of the District Presidents if I will do Visitor's Center Training! He called my Mission President and he said that that would be great! It's not changing my mission or anything except I might be able to do some Visitor's Center stuff in Independence during the summer when it gets a little busier. Isn't that awesome?! For training, I take a bus to Temple Square Wednesday-Saturday this week. I'm a little nervous, but then again. you know me. I'm pretty easy going so I'm ready for anything!

      About an hour ago I just dropped my companions off who are heading to New Zealand! There names were Sister Lamoureux and Sister Pierce. Now I have my 3rd set of companions! But for the first time I only have 1 instead of 2! Her name is Sister Clarke. She is so awesome. She's from Georgia, 6'2, size 13 shoe, and completely adorable and sweet. I'm really excited to work with her and get to know her. She's going to Napa Idaho on her mission. When my Branch President told us during Branch Counsel that I was going to be her new companion she said "Awesome! I can't wait to learn from her".. Can you believe that?! How sweet! Because I've been here for 3 weeks, I'm like a veteran. It's crazy haha. But I totally don't know everything, but I'm learning. Teaching is getting easier. We do alot of role playing here, which is a little different because they're not real investigators, but I know that once I get out in the field that I will love all the people of Missouri. I can't wait to share the Gospel! And I know that as long as I'm obedient, love the people, and have Faith in Christ, I'll find the words to say and they might fill the Spirit of Truth. I can't wait! This past week was ok haha. Alot of people don't like the MTC, but it's mostly because of their attitude. I love it! However, this past week I've been repeating classes I already had my 2nd week. I'm just redoing the cirriculum until visitors center training on Wednesday! I can do it! Even though, things have been repetitive, I'm still learning and feeling the Spirit every day. I get my 3rd set of teachers and 3rd district today as well! Elder L. Tom Perry was awesome last week and yesterday we heard from Mary Ellen Edmunds. She is so incredible and hilarious. 

      I'm loving life. There is no where I'd rather be. I love and miss you all! Dear Elder me, write me letters, send me food. haha jk Have a great week ya'll! I know I will!

Love, Sister Penman