Welcome to Craig, CO

Hi Mom, I miss talking with you too. I was sad I couldn't talk to you but it's okay I didn't realize how much i would miss hearing Dad's voice until I heard him on the other end of the phone. So quick run down of Monday Feb 22nd We woke up at 2:00am finished packing and tidying up our room and were at the travel offices at the MTC at 3:35am we checked in and put all our luggage on a trailer and boarded a bus. by that time it was 4:30am. we then drove 10 minutes to get to a train station where we loaded our luggage onto the train and at 5:00am rode an hour to salt lake got everyone off with their luggage in under 3 minutes before the train left for the next station. from there we got on the trax and rode another 20 minutes to the Salt Lake City Airport. by the time our little group who were going to CO got all checked in and on our way to our gate it was 7:00am and our plane boarded at 8:00am. we took of, I had a little melt down on the plane after talking with dad and thinking about home. Then I fell asleep for the rest of the flight and woke up as we were landing. President and Sister Murdock met us there with the two APs (Assistant to the President) and we got our luggage and were on our way to the mission office where we had lunch and orientation until dinner time, where we went to the mission home and had dinner and a small devotional with President and Sister Murdock. then bed. 

The next day we weren't able to go to our areas because of a rock slide in the mountains so transfers were delayed a day and the new missionaries were put with other companionships in the area and we worked that day in Denver metro. in my little group we tracted most of the day. it was fun. definitely a learning experience. the next day after staying that night again at the mission home were able to go over the mountains, the car ride was about six hours long and we left at 7:00 am, around 1 pm we arrived in Craig, CO but I didn't get off because my companion was in Grand Junction so we continued on until Rifle were I got off and stayed with a couple Sisters while the 'transfer train' (of cars) went to Grand junction picked up my companion Sister Davis and brought her back to Rifle, that was around 5pm Wednesday, we hopped in our car a drove the two hours from Rifle back to Craig. 

So Craig...we are in charge of Craig 2nd ward and Baggs, WY. Craig is a coal mining town. So imagine Hortonville and then think smaller. Baggs is even smaller than that. the only paved road in Baggs is the main road and the church parking lot. Baggs has a total population of 440 people. So it's all really small but since being here we have found 4 new investigators so that's awesome. It's all definitely an adjustment and I have to sometimes keep reminding myself why I'm here. And that this isn't about me. I love hearing about everyone and the more emails you send me the better. It was hard having almost two weeks in between emails. It was rough. I felt a bit homesick yesterday and my companion let me have an hour to myself, in the car as we drove to Baggs to be sad and write in my journal. these past two weeks seem like forever. but like you said I will take it one day at a time. This past week has been overwhelming with all the things I need to learn and all the people's names I have to remember. but it will get better, I know that. Don't think that I'm not happy because I am, it was just a difficult day yesterday being in a family ward and not being with my family. That's all I got for right now talk to you next week :) 

Lots of Love, 

Sister Sanofsky

ALMOST TIME TO LEAVE THE MTC

Being at the MTC is really fun I've learned a ton and experienced so much in the short time that I've been here, even though it feels like a lifetime. We are able to teach investigators here at the MTC and we have had some amazing lessons with our investigators. I've really learned to rely on the Spirit and to think of it as not only me and my companion teaching our investigators but me, my companion, and the Spirit. 

Something that really hit me was that we need to as Missionaries teach to our investigators needs, we can't let our wants to teach every single principle and lesson override our investigator and their needs and what they need to hear at that moment. But that also with teaching by the Spirit we can't plan a lesson for our investigator, we need to put in the work and the time to know them and their needs and plan a lesson accordingly, but if during that lesson you have the Spirit and are listening to it's promptings the lesson you may think you where going to teach is not the lesson you will teach. And to act on those promptings whenever and wherever they come. 

It's definitely been a challenge learning everything and applying everything but even in this short week I've started to learn to rely on the Lord and that if I do my part and put in the time and effort that, if I ask, he will help me the rest of the way. 

I guess I'll end with something that my teacher, Sister Wyatt said, that through this journey we are not walking alone, that Christ is walking with us.  

Love Sister Sanofsky 

P.S. I should probably also tell you that I'm leaving for Colorado Feb 22 at 3:35 am so in like 3 days so that's weird to think about. So anything you are sending to me probably should be sent to the Mission home.

Hectic First Days in the MTC

Hi Mom, 

They wanted us to write to our families to let them know that we have safely arrived in the MTC. So yeah, I'm here. It's only been two days but it honestly feels like I've been her for weeks. The amount of information you get on the first day alone is a lot, and that's only half a day. A full day is stressful, hectic, overwhelming, but also spiritually uplifting, edifying, and kind of emotionally draining. 

So the first day i got out of the car and Sister Pierce (my Host) helped me with my luggage. I said goodbye to Cami and we quickly got on our way picking up my name tags and room key and MTC card, that gives me access to all the buildings and stuff. Next we got my books from the bookstore all the while Sister Pierce is rolling my suitcases and bags around showing me everything. Btw she is learning Japanese and had only been there for a week or so, and is staying for 9 weeks. Anyway then we went to my residence and I dropped my stuff off and she showed me to my classroom. where i met my district of 6 Sisters and 4 Elders. And our zone is two districts(classrooms) put together. There we met our Teachers, Sister Wyatt and Sister Steiglmeyer. And we where in our classroom until 9:30 at night and then we went to bed. 

Sorry this is all the time I have, I have to go eat Dinner. Sorry. I Love You and I'm learning and my testimony is growing daily, it's amazing. got to go. Email me Please!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love, 

Sister Sanofsky

Appleton to Provo February 10, 2016

ATW - Airport

Across from the MTC in Provo (Thanks Cami!!)