I'm a Missionary!

Hi! I'm a missionary! This is crazy. Well, I got here Wednesday afternoon - I was so so nervous. The Unsicker's picked me up from the airport and then we went to eat at Cafe Rio. Then we went to take pictures at the temple. We got in the car and I pretty much thought I was going to throw up. But there was a super nice sister at the MTC to help me out and take my bags. I got my name tag and books and everything. It's weird to see "Sister Coltrin" on a name tag... I will send pictures some other time, I had a hard time logging in so I already don't have a ton of time.

The first day was sooooooooooooooooooooo long. I cannot emphasize that enough... Waking up at 2:30 in the morning, flying half the day, and then learning was overwhelming a little bit. At the end of the day I laid down and passed out on the spot. We learn so much here! So on the first day all the new missionaries went to a big orientation meeting - I saw Elder Wade there. I have seen a lot of people here from my freshman ward too. Speaking of that, Sister Hutchings is my companion! She was an RA in my freshman ward! We get a long really well. Our district is awesome. There are 12 of us all going to Las Vegas together, 8 sisters and 4 elders. The sisters definitely are the majority here, it's so awesome!

Yesterday (my first FULL day) was great. We did a few more orientation things, and then we learned about our investigators that we will be teaching tonight. We planned out a lesson and then took turns teaching the other companionships. It's crazy because even though they aren't a real investigator (they are our teachers), we still think about them all the time and about their needs. I saw Sister O'leary at lunch! We were so happy, we hugged twice. I also saw Sister Christiansen at dinner! We ran to each other and basically cried. I can't wait until Emmi and Alyssa get here.

There are 6 sisters in my room, including me. They are all going to Brazil, but just got reassignments yesterday because their visas are not here yet.  Two of them got reassigned to the Lansing Michigan mission, so look out for Sister Dixon and Sister Emphy! They are really sweet.

So, my P-Day here is on Friday (obviously). Sister Hutchings and I "slept in" until 6:30 today. Surprisingly it isn't that hard to get up early here. I thought I would die, but I've been fine.

I am supposed to get my flight itinerary today.  I think we leave on the 12th. Sorry, I don't have that much to say... I've only been here for a day and a half hahaha.

Mom, tell Sister Fulmer to email me! Or give me her email address... Or just tell her that there are two other sister that I know that are coming out to Lansing (at least for a little while).

The MTC is good. The food is like freshman year all over again because it's basically the cannon center. I'm never really hungry here though. We are booked every minute of the day, I've never been so busy. It's awesome though.

Our zone leaders took us on a little tour last night and showed us this tree that smells exactly like cream soda. Seriously, EXACTLY like it. So weird.

Anyways, I hope you are doing well and are having a blast without me (impossible)! I love you!

 

Love,

Sister Coltrin

Address and Email

My address starting May 29, 2013 will be:

Sister Cassandra Nicole Coltrin
Nevada Las Vegas Mission
9270 S Maryland Pkwy
Las Vegas, NV 89123
United States

My email address will be:

cassandra.coltrin@myldsmail.net

I would love to hear from you!

The Call

I hadn't ever really considered going on a mission until my best friend/boyfriend, Carson, got his mission call.  I didn't grow up with brothers that would be leaving on missions, so I had never really thought about a mission at all.  After a while I started thinking how awesome serving a mission would be - just focusing on sharing the gospel with people, but turning 21 was so far away and I had no idea where I would be at that time.  I told Carson that "if I could go on a mission at 19, I would go, no doubt."  Of course the next week was General Conference weekend, and President Monson announced the mission age change for both boys (18) and girls (19).  The Spirit was overwhelming and I knew instantly that I was supposed to go.

I turned in my papers on January 15th and received my call on the 25th.  For those of you who don't know me, I am terribly impatient and let me tell you - those 10 days were the longest 10 days of my life.  I didn't get any homework or studying done all week!  But it did finally come, and I was able to Skype with my parents, aunts and uncles, cousins, grandparents, and have close friends come to my apartment to be with me when I opened it.  I was so nervous, my hands were shaking!
But I was very excited to find out where the Lord wanted me to serve.

After struggling with that large white envelope, I read...

Dear Sister Coltrin:

You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  You are hereby assigned to labor in the Nevada Las Vegas Mission.  It is anticipated that you will serve for a period of 18 months.

You should report to the Provo Missionary Training Center on Wednesday, May 29, 2013.  You will prepare to preach the gospel in the English language.

I know that this is where I am supposed to be, and this is what I am supposed to be doing.
I am so excited to go serve the Lord in Las Vegas!

Love, Cassie