I have never before had the opportunity to have a sister. That is excluding dogs which are quite good as far as sisters go but have relatively little to say in the way of actual words. At the MTC though, I gained many, many beautiful women who I now consider to be my sisters and some of my best friends. It is funny the way and quickness with which girls you meet at the MTC become your sisters. First, they merely have the title of sister written on their name tag but later, and not much later may I add, they begin to actually be your sisters. People you have never even met before quickly, within days and sometimes minutes really, become some of your favorite people in the world, and it is wonderful.
I quite like these girls. Each and every sister I besistered (it is like befriended but with sisters) while at the MTC has made a beautiful and permanent change in who I am, who I want to be, and how I perceive myself. They each face challenges, varied in nature but none of them less important or difficult than another, with a strength and courage that literally floors me. And somehow, these amazing women seem to see some sort of strength in me. As I receive letters from them weekly and somehow accidentally see them at the temple I am repeatedly edified by their spiritual strength and general ability to make me smile no matter what. They often even make me laugh which I suppose seems no giant feat as I am more often found laughing than doing anything else, but I promise, I have quite a refined palate as far as humor goes. These girls are amazing, through and through. I am quite lucky to know them.
Now, for the elders... I have had the experience of brothers in my life, and mine are quite as amazing as they come so the elders I encountered had a huge expectation to live up to. And they quite did. The elders in my zone were kind, considerate, and always awesome. I felt like they were always there as a positive force in my life, and I love that. They will do amazing things as missionaries, I am sure of it. I consider myself very lucky to have gained the relationship that I have with the elders I have met, my dear brothers from other mothers, they are as topnotchity as they come.
I hope to always remain friends with everyone that I encounter on my mission, and I am pretty good at friend keeping so I expect it to happen. Much love all.
