ohhhhh snap. hello hello hello. mijn geliefde familie. what an amazing family you are. seriously. amazing. ongelofelijk! firstly: THANK YOU. i am SO blessed. ahhhh! today has been extremely busy for me. doesn't even feel like p-day. we had the awesome opportunity to clean the temple this morning because it was closed, so we did that. turns out - vaccuuming is still not fun, even in the temple. haha. alas, it was very peaceful. i like wearing white scrubs whilst cleaning white bibles. anyshwaysss. i wish i had more time this week to write proper letters and things for you all. i am sending something tomorrow for you all. next week i will have more time and will try my best to make up for it. thank you for the awesome sinter klaas! it was awesome. those poptarts may have been one of three i've ever consumed. haha. but it made me laugh and think of good times. let me break it down now: HEAVENLY FATHER IS AMAZINGGGGGG!!!!! He is so good. He has blessed me in so many ways. i will name a few of the blessings i've recieved at the mtc. (btw - none of this would be happening without you all and your love/prayers/support) okay - i have met some of the GREATEST people in the world. people that i know with all of my soul i was supposed to meet and talk to. some sisters that i absolutelyyyyyyyyy know i have had the experiences i've had for them, so i can help them know how loved they are and that they are doing the right thing. countless experiences like that. so - other than my super swell companion who truly was sent to me to bless my life!!!! i have met a few other sisters that we have become so very close! that super sweeeet swell sister that is going to berlin, sister lesa young, a gem indeed, has become such a good friend to me. its amazing to meet people that you know you were just supposed to meet and we are here at the right time. it is a beautiful thing! i am getting along well with all of the new zusters too. this week has been a bit of a struggle with the elders. sometimes they say disrespectful annoying things about women and such and it is so sad to me. i am grateful to have such fantastic examples of truly good men in my life. ahhh! i have taken it for granted! i am used to having such kind and loving brothers and father who treat me and my fellow sisters so well! ahhh! what a blessing! i know these elders are only 19 - and don't get me wrong, i still love them. and there are a few who are truly angels sent from above to bless our district. but i have learned many good things from this past frustrating week - PEOPLE ARE GREAT. doesn't matter who you are. every soul is great. ignorance is where it starts. and also: charity never fails. seriously. it is ALWAYS about love. every single time. regardless of what happens, i have the opportunity to love people and make sure i am doing whats right. i know i have many weaknesses and so i want to look past others weakness and love them anyway. well - life is good. i am very happy. i can't believe i only have a week and half left! dat is heel gek! good gravy. only one more email from the motherland. k - well, i must be off now. unfortunately. :( i hope you all have THE MOST AMAZING CHRISTMAS EVER!!! i shall be thinking of you all. oh - i hope you know how much love i have for all of you. what a blessing we have to be able to love so many people.! hallelujah! tot ziens! :)

- lovessss, katelyn marie stout