So I'm out in the field now. Not in Chicago proper, but a small community nearby.
The plane ride in was awful, and I got sick. Airline hostess has been permanently stricken from my possible job options. We ended up only delayed an hour, disembarking around 2:30. O’Hare is very big. We only got to see a small part of it, but it took the plane forever to taxi around to our gate. The Mission President, his wife, the three assistants (don't worry, One of them was in training to replace one other, who left for the field today.) and two service missionaries (both older women) met us there, and then took us out for pizza.
Yes, Chicago style pizza is awesome.
After the pizza, the assistants took us on a tour of the area there. While interesting, I must admit that Chicago has no more appeal to me than Salt Lake or Seattle. It's really just another city. Of course, the driving sleet might have detracted from its brilliance. Or something.
We got to the mission home late, (we missed the first train) and soaking wet (from our half hour tour; even my supposedly waterproof gloves were soaked through) and were interviewed by president Doll, who is much more easy-going than I anticipated, as is his wife. We stayed the night there, and received the bulk of our orientation this morning. We met our new companions (My new companion is Hermana Secrest), and I've been introduced to my new apartment.
About the mail thing, they do not want us using our apartments as addresses, so continue to send things to the mission office. Please use US postal for letters, as those can be quickly forwarded to the correct address. Packages can only be forwarded to me if sent US postal and if I'm living at a member's house. (I'm not. Send the packages however you like.) I will receive packages at zone meetings and conferences.
I'm so sorry about not writing last week. It was my "teaching week.” Classroom instruction was reduced to two hours, with the rest of the time being for MDT (Missionary directed time) or teaching. In a lot of ways, teaching was easier than learning. We did 26 lessons last week, which was one above our goal.
I just want to take a moment and thank you for all the support you've been giving me. All your advice and love help me so much.
Wish you were here.
Hermana Maren Jones
