The Mission Officially Begins

Sister Pratt left the Missionary Training Center in Provo, UT at 6 am on November 28. She is now in the mission field! We received an email from her mission president, President Bruce Winn. He said that she is in high spirits as she anticipates the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead and he is impressed by her desire to serve.

Her first day included an orientation at the Brookshire Ward building, breakfast, a brief interview with President Winn, administrative paperwork, assignment of her companion, and lunch. After lunch she participated in an extreme street contacting experience before going to her assigned area to complete the day.

Her assigned companion and trainer is Sister Yates and her assigned area is Woods Cross, UT.

We have not received an email from Sister Pratt yet, but we believe it will come next week on her assigned preparation day.

President Winn, Sister Winn, and Sister Sarah Jane Pratt

Thanksgiving Email

I hope everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving! We all have so much to be thankful for.

Sister Pratt was able to email us on Thanksgiving, but it was a busy day for her and Sister Hansen. The Missionary Training Center had a special devotional and Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints spoke.

Here is her email from this week:

Happy Thanksgiving! This week has been yet again another powerful spiritual learning roller coaster for me! I love the gospel! In each of our lessons this week the spirit was truly present! The power of prayer is forever in my heart! And yes mom, this week I have been singing 'Let the Holy Spirit Guide'! We only have a week left. But I'm so ready to keep learning and reading the scriptures. The Book of Mormon has a special spirit when you are open to the spirit! Mom and dad, how is the Book of Mormon reading going! I really do promise you that it will bless your lives even more by reading from the pages. Also to my sibs! Do it! Look for ways to apply to your life now, school, work, friends, children?!!?! Ha.

Today we had to wake up at 4 am to do laundry because of our special devotional. It took us three hours! But I loved every moment writing letters and what not! Our devotional was spirit filled...sitting at the foot of yet another apostle was a blessing! Elder Jeffrey R. Holland! So much insight on my life and more, the blessing of serving a mission is reality and no I will not be the same Sarah Jane when I come home...I know I'll speak kinder and love more, and have lots of patience! I wait every morning for Sister Hansen to get ready but sit and read the Book of Mormon just like we did when we were getting ready for church when we were younger! I love the teachings you taught us mom and dad!

Everything that you all have said in a letter has been much needed for me! We are so close and I love it! I love you all! Extra hugs and kisses this special week!!!

Love your daughter and little sister,
Sister Sarah Jane Pratt

Ps. We leave Nov. 28 at 6 am! Yes in a van/bus! Totally Awesome!
You might miss your dad, but you are aching for your mothers! - Elder Holland

Please Note:
Sister Pratt will be leaving the Missionary Training Center in Provo, UT on Wednesday, November 28; therefore, please write letters to her mission address which is below. Thank you!

Sister Sarah Jane Pratt
Utah Salt Lake City Mission
3487 S 1300 E West Entrance
Salt Lake City, UT 84106

Sister Pratt's First Email

Yep, that's right, we received Sister Pratt's first email yesterday (November 15). We now know that she will be emailing us on Thursday because that is her preparation day (a day for missionaries to take care of personal needs, such as writing letters, emailing family, washing clothes, getting a haircut, cleaning their apartment, shopping, etc). When she begins in the mission field (Salt Lake City, Utah) this will probably change.

Here are a few things from her email this week:

• Her companion is Sister Hansen from Arizona.
• Sister Hansen & Sister Pratt share a room with two other Sisters.
• Her coordinating sister and Zone Leader's are serving in the Netherlands. (Andrew served in the Netherlands, so she talks to them frequently since she has a connection with them)

"The Elders in our district are the best! They show so much respect by standing up when we walk in the classroom, holding the door and thanking us for just being here. Yes, they are still 19 but their testimonies are so strong! All our families very but we are like family already. I will finish in 18 months! I love the gospel of Jesus Christ."

Here are some pictures:

Myself (Anna-Marie), Diana, James, Liam, and Sister Pratt right before we dropped her off at the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah

Elder Pfister, a Young Single Adult from Akron, OH 

(Sarah and I have spoken with him at Young Single Adult activities)

Sister Pratt's mission 

(Utah Salt Lake City Mission)

Sister missionaries!

Missionaries at the Provo Temple

More Sisters!

Sister Pratt & Elder Christensen (from the Perrysburg Ward, he will be serving in California)

Today I checked my email and I was so happy to see that I have my MTC mailing address! I can't believe this is happening... me, Sarah Jane serving a mission! This wasn't in my plan. But it was in Heavenly Fathers plan and he knows what's best for me! Four more days til I report to the MTC and only two more days til I fly out to Utah! I think I should start packing right about now?!!?! Ha.  

Sister Sarah Jane Pratt 

MTC Mailbox # 163 

UT-SLC 1128

2005 N 900 E

Provo, UT 84604-1793