San Diego: Sister Whitcomb has arrived

 Dear Parents, 

We are so grateful that your sons and daughters arrived safely in San Diego today.  They were a bit weary due to early morning travel, but we were able to feed them lunch, get them some rest (along with a letter written to you), and some training.  I was able to individually meet with each of our new missionaries and am so impressed by their dedication and desire to follow Jesus Christ.  Tomorrow morning, we will assign them their first area and missionary companion.

Thanks so much for your love and support of these great missionaries.  It is truly our privilege to serve alongside them.

May God's choicest blessings be with each of you and your families.

Best regards,

Jonathan S. Schmitt

President, California San Diego Mission

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Missionary Training Center: check

I made it to the MTC!!! The plane ride was long to Utah but it was super nice to be greeted by my brother and sister in law. Then my favorite part of the next day was making a video about how I felt for my mission, Kristine is awesome and I love her lots!!! 

 I thought I would be more emotional when being dropped off at the MTC but, Roger and Kristine could tell you, I've never been so happy in my life!!! Being able to be surrounded by all of these worthy missionaries was such a treat. My host was from New Zealand and had an amazing accent!! 

 I then got to meet my district and teachers. I was so amazed at how instantly I was comfortable with my district. There are 4 Elders and 4 Sisters. 5 of us are going to San Diego, CA and the other 3 are going to Washington DC North.

my companion: Her name is Sister Carlson and she is from Provo. When I first saw her she reminded me immediately of Renee Carver. I absolutely LOVE Sister Carlson and I can't believe how easy it was for us to connect. We laugh all the time together. She is so amazing and unique. She knows a little bit of Japanese which she speaks randomly, she taught me how to say yes, thank you and you're welcome. She also knows ASL and I can now sign "Sister Whitcomb" and "Sister Carlson." 

I also saw Elder Bird and took a picture with him; I love seeing people I know!! I came after him and I'm gonna leave before him!! I have less than a week to go in the MTC. 

On our third day they gave us our travel information!!!! It's such short time period in the MTC, in fact this is the only email I will send from the MTC. And guess what!! For the first time in Provo MTC history today there will be 52% Sister Missionaries and 48% Elders!! Sisters rule the MTC and I get to be one of them!!!

SURPRISE!!!!!

We finished up the photo shoot once we got the cue to come home.

Mama C still had no clue what was going on,

and once she opened the door.....

SURPRISE!

I couldn't of been more pleased with her reaction and I was so grateful that so many people showed up!!!!

We made probably one of the best desserts of all time.

Chocolate chip cookie dough on the bottom, next layer is Oreos, then brownie batter.

That's right, it was delicious.

She's pretty cute. 

It was the first surprise party I have ever planned and it definitely was a success.

I might think about doing this on a regular basis.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAMA C!!!

I hope this is the best year yet!

Love,

The Future Sister Whitcomb

Happy Birthday Mama C!

Our dearest Mama C just turned 19!!

About a week ago I asked Mama C what she wanted to do for her birthday.

She responded with:

"Nothing, I don't like birthdays very much."

After she said that I knew she had to have the best birthday ever!

With the help of my wonderful roommates we were able to pull off the perfect day for Mama C.

We cooked her stuffed french toast for breakfast

and Enchiladas for dinner.

And the night before we went to Buffalo Wild Wings.

(Her favorite restaurant.)

After she got out of her classes we were able to get her a free facial.

Then we went home, ate enchiladas and watched her favorite movie.

By the time the movie was over we had to get her out of the house so our other roommates could set up the surprise party for her.

Mama C is an excellent photographer, 

she has expressed an interest to have a photo shoot with us.
So while everyone else was setting up for the surprise party, Black Widow and I took Mama C on a photo shoot.

Idaho is beautiful and so we had many locations to go take pictures.
First we went to the temple.

Black Widow can get pretty goofy. But we love her for it.

I love the Rexburg Temple. It's so beautiful inside and out.

Next stop was a dirt road.

We've determined Black Widow could be a model if she wanted to be.

I don't think I could be a model, but I do love to make a photo shoot fun!

 

I personally like to call Rexburg, Sexy Rexy. It's gorgeous. 

Our last stop before the surprise party was a lamp post. 
(I know our locations aren't super creative, but our photo shoot couldn't of been more fun.)

Black Widow and I have been friends for a long time and I am so grateful for her, life would be boring without her.

I love this birthday girl and I'm super grateful I had the chance to be her roommate for a year.
She has been through a lot and is an inspiration to me.
I'm so glad we were able to make this day special for her, she deserves it.

Stay tuned for the surprise party!!!

Love,
The Future Sister Whitcomb 

Dear Sister Whitcomb...

Uncle Ben and Aunt Joy were the gracious hosts of my mission call opening.

It couldn't of been more perfect.

I had family and friends present, both in person and through Skype.

I was nervous, excited and full of joy.

I'm so glad the best moment of the night was captured on video.

(I love this view because it not only gets my reaction, but other peoples reaction as well)

Dear Sister Whitcomb,

You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the California San Diego Mission ... You Should report to the Provo Missionary Training Center on Wednesday, May 13, 2015!!!!!!!!!!

The best letter I have ever received.

And I was so happy to share that moment with people I love.

San Diego here I come!! I can't wait to meet the people and share this gospel.

The gospel has changed my life and I can't wait to see the miracles it can work in other people’s lives. 

And a big thank you to Mama C for the video and all the pictures!!!!

Love,

The Future Sister Whitcomb