Missionary Training Center

Week 1

Hello all! 

For those of you who don't know, I'll be at the MTC (Missionary Training Center) for six weeks before I go to Italy. Here I am learning Italian and how to teach. 

It's been a whirlwind of a week but my new favorite phrase is "C'e la fate!" which means "You can do it!" This week has been filled with many new challenges and also many new exciting things. I'm learning so much, but sometimes it is really difficult! But this phrase has helped me keep a good perspective and remember that I really can do this!

I know, however, that we cannot do it alone. During one of our meetings this week we watched this video clip. If you have second, I hope you'll take some time to watch it. 

https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2009-10-38-lifting-burdens?lang=eng

I love this quote from Elder David A. Bednar. He said, "We mistakenly believe that we must make the journey from good to better and become a saint all by ourselves, through sheer grit, willpower, and discipline. But the Gospel of the Savior is not simply about avoiding bad in our lives, it is essentially about doing and becoming good. And the Atonement provides help for us to overcome and avoid bad, and to do and become good."

I know that with the help of Jesus Christ and his Atonement, we can have our burdens lifted, we can be comforted when we are discouraged, and we can become who he wants us to be. 

I know that this is true, and knowing this has helped me so much this week! 

I love you all and hope you are doing well. :) 

Ciao, 

Sorella Kaitlin Carver 

MAR14 ITA-ROM

2005 North 900 East

Unit 92

Provo, UT 84602

My MTC Zone (I'm second from left, front row)

Provo Rooftop Concert

There are a ton of fun things to do and places to eat in Provo. 
One weekend the city was putting on a free concert downtown as part of the Provo Rooftop Concert Series. Montana and I walked down to it and grabbed a bite to eat and then met up with friends to go to the concert! 

We went to Zeek's Pieshake Parlour....and it was SOO good. Burgers, fries, and the best dang milkshake ever. We may or may not have stuffed our faces. It was that good. 

Provo Weather

Growing up in Florida showed my the wonders that the weather can create. Summer afternoon thunderstorms, crazy humidity, hurricanes, and on and on. 

Thankfully it only rained a few times this summer. #nocar #walkingeverywhere

We did see some pretty interesting weather though! I loved this one day where the fog/clouds totally covered Y mountain and Squaw Peak. It was kinda eerie but also pretty at the same time...?

Roomie Lovin'

I was blessed to have some pretty amazing roommates this summer. They were so supportive, loving, and fun. I know for a fact that they will be lifelong friends. 

Sarah's visit!

It's hard to believe that the far-out, crazy plans we started to make in the middle of our senior year actually happened. 

Having been best friends with Sarah since kindergarten, if there is one thing I can tell you about our friendship, its that we have some crazy dreams. Day trips to New Orleans and Birmingham? On the list. Open a cake stand at the farmers' market? It was a serious consideration. Site-see in Sand Fransisco? One day. (That one will happen.)

So when I told her that I would be attending BYU beginning in the summer term, the dreaming planning began. 

I'm so glad I got to see this girl before she started off to Orlando. I am so incredibly grateful for the continual love, support, and friendship she has given me. And I'm so glad I have the memories from that weekend forever! 

I picked Sarah up from the airport on Thursday and we spent the day exploring Salt Lake. We got lunch at the CUTEST little bakery ever. It was delicious, and we loved doing what we do best...eating trying new foods!

Eva's Bakery 

Hiking: The Y

BYU is in a bowl. 
And the walls of said bowl are made of mountains. 
It is (still) quite a shock for this Florida girl to wake up and see this every morning.

Anyways.....
The mountain directly East of campus has been named 'Y' mountain because, well, there is a 'Y' on it. Looks like this:

Yes. Those black dots are people.

Celebrating Independence Day!

I had an awesome Fourth and here are some of the pictures from it! 

I started out the morning going to the Freedom Fest Hot Air Balloon Show with the Jubecks, and then joined them for the parade downtown after.

Hiking: Mount Timpanogos

Not going to lie, this hike was one of the hardest things I have ever done. E v e r. 
But it was so worth it. 

Here are some of the facts:

• Total Elevation: 11,695 ft
• Distance: 16 miles round trip
• Water Consumption: 7 bottles
• Start time: 5 am
• Mountain View from the summit: totally worth it. 

Annnnnd now for a TON of pictures....

(Oh and I went with the Jubecks and a few of their family members! Super fun group!)

The Wests Make a Pit Stop

These crazies made a cross-country trip and were kind enough to stop by on their way south and see me! I'm so glad they did! And I'm super excited to go visit them in just a couple weeks!! 

We had an awesome dinner at The Black Sheep Cafe in downtown Provo. It was THE BOMB.

Hiking: Bridal Veil Falls

One of the first hikes I went on when I got to Utah was Bridal Veil Falls! I got to go with Jubecks and it was super fun. And just beautiful!