Sister McKelle Boren: September 30, 2013--Callused Knees. That's a real thing

AH I LOVE Y'ALL SO MUCH! My email was flooded with all sorts of glorious updates and it was like Christmas.

So this is my first p-day out in the field -- my last P-day was two weeks ago on Thursday. (P-days are on Monday's if you're wondering.) It's hard to update on 6 days let alone 10! I don't even know where to start.

The last few days at the MTC were prime time. I loved it there as I so exuberantly explained in my last email. We left at 330am to go to the SLC airport. Calling you guys (mom, dad, cade) was so fun. I LOVED hearing your voices. I didn't think I would get emotional at all, but I did! I never thought calling someone would be so thrilling.

I was travel leader for 30 people so that was very interesting. It was hard to keep track of everyone, but we all made it safe and sound! We walked out to where everyone was and President and Sister Anderson, and all of the AP's (including Elder Monson), were there to greet us before we even got our bags! They're so great. They herded us like sheep into a little area where we chatted and president pretty much just told us we are missionaries now and to act like it and start preaching the word! So that we did. We got our bags and very hesitantly started talking to people. We were there for HOURS because they had to shuttle us back and forth. (My desktop screen is changing backgrounds right now and one was of haystack rock on the Oregon coast and the other is of Moab. How funny.) Anyways, back to where I was, it was really scary and as Irfan would put it.. Nervousing. That reminds me! Will you send this to Kennedy and Irfan? I haven't heard from either of them. ANYWAYS, we talked to a bunch of people and placed a few BOMs which was cool. It's quite thrilling. It's crazy how much you have to rely on the Holy Ghost. He is the teacher, that's for sure. In the MTC, there was a talk we watched and Elder Bednar was talking about how all of the investigators he talked to said they didn't really know what the missionaries were talking about, but they let them keep coming back because they felt different/good. THE SPIRIT! THEY'RE FEELING THE SPIRIT! I just get stoked when people recognize it. Anyways, cool stuff.

Then we drove to Brentwood to the mission home. There are just mansions and mansions and mansions in Brentwood. It's crazy! That's where all the country stars live. I'm going to convert T Swift and Carrie Underwood while I'm here. Anyways, we took pics with president and sister anderson and then ate! It was so yummy. They spoiled us. And then we had meetings and paperwork and didn't get through with it all until MIDNIGHT. We were running on 2 hours of sleep and would only have 4.5 hours of sleep that night so it was a tiring day. We woke up and had breakfast and then drove to one of the stake centers (the temp is right next to the stake center, it's really small but super super pretty). We had training and then went into the big room where all of the missionaries were (I think there's like 250) and then introduced ourselves. We also read our letter in front of everyone saying where our area would be and who our comp is! I'm in Clarksville 2B and my trainer is Sister Gibson!! It was so fun! I also say Elder Ben Smith there!! He's waiting for his visa to Brazil and he's been here for 12 weeks I think. He's that one doctors son and Andy Smith's brother that Bri used to hang out with. I know mom is saying "wait do I know him?" in her head right now so that's why I had to explain haha.

We got our luggage and bike and then we went and drove to Clarksville! I got to see the skyline of Nashville. It brought me back to when we had our layover there! Clarksville is the northern part of Tennessee. Right next to Fort Campbell army base. So we see lots and lots of camo. Pretty much the only reason why a lot of people live there is because of the army. There's a lot of nicer medium income homes and also lots of humble apartments/trailer parks and such. I've seen/been in both!

Our apartment is actually super nice and spacious. Well, what I think is nice is probably different than what you do. I'm used to a van, you know. It's a little smaller than Bri and Joe's apartment!

My companion and I are getting along great! It's been hard though because I don't really love visiting and she does so we've done a lot of that. Way more than I would like to. We're working on it though. I just need to have confidence to say it's time to go! I'm just ready to spread the word like crazy and be efficient with my time, ya know?

Anyways, I'm typing really fast and I don't have much time!! But I want to talk a little bit about who we're working with. There's Chris Cannon, Reese Gordon, and some other people that we contacted knocking doors the other day. Chris grew up baptist and has a religious background. Sister Gibson knows more about him. We're teaching him the restoration tomorrow though. Reese has received all of the lessons multiple times. He's just stubborn. They're great though. I'm not really good at giving updates on all of this stuff because there is just so much. We work with A LOT of less actives. A lot a lot. It's been good though. The Hills came to church this week! We just need to find more people to teach. My worst fear coming true! We've been knocking doors next to LA homes and members homes and it's been good! We have some return appointments.

When I knocked doors for my first time it was all sorts of crazy. Real life! It's so funny, there was a point at the airport when I was talking to some guy when I realized that this was real life and these people are real! It's not just the TRC where you're constantly wondering if they're playing an act or not.

This work is fantastic and I'm in love with my mission already. Sorry I didn't have much time to write. All is well though!! Your emails made me SO happy. You're the greatest. All of you.