1st NY update from Olivia

Holy cow everyone. I am already here. I dont have much time to write, its been a long busy day so i will just try to hit the important stuff.

Left the MTC at 3:30am. I was the travel leader and so that was an adventure getting all the missionaries to New York, BUT thanks to the niffty travel skills my dad taught me it was a mission accomplished. I was about 10 minutes away from sleeping in the Detroit airport overnight, but some nice business man gave up his seat for a homely looking sister missionary (me). So i made it, and here i'll stay. 

President and Sister Morgan are AMAZING! It was so nice to be in a home again and have a home cooked meal. Mom, Dad, they remind me so much of you... dont really know why. My mission is an IPad mission and a ton of the work is online (ill explain more later). So i woke up to a brand new iPad this morning, weird....really weird but im excited to embrace it.

EVERYONE knows Dave Checketts so everyone thinks they know me and we try to figure it out but it just ends up the other person gets frustrated with my lack of knowledge about him and leaves the conversation. Ha, but he is a stake president in my mission so i cant wait to meet him.

MY COMPANION!! Her name is Sister Astle. She is wonderful. So bubbly and confident. I already love her. She is from Sandy! WOOT! She was actually called to this mission Mandarin speaking. Cool huh! So ill come home with some Mandarin under my belt. ;) She flipped when i told her that my 3 youngest siblings speak the beautiful language. 

My first area. I win it all. Everyone ive talked to tell me i am so spoiled. Im in Middletown for a good 12 weeks. It is the beautiful country side, so green and so vintage. I LOVE IT. The ward (i hear) is awesome! (side track: Grandma! I met Sister Davis, she is in my ward!!) Work is mostly reactivating. I know im gonna love this place more than i already do know and that's a lot. 

Today has been crazy so im feeling very anxious for things to become normal and finally have a home. 

JUSTIN! please write me! I am so excited for you. I had a little freak out session when i read that you got you call! Whata perfect place for you. You will be wonderful. KEEP GOING TO MISSION PREP. Happy (late) birthday. I love you.

Wow. So much to say. I'll tell you more next week and i'll send pictures. I love you all. Thank you for you letters, emails, prayers, and support. The gospel blesses families, i know it. Ciao!

Love, Sister Checketts