The pictures turned out and your mom was thrilled to see you. Said it made her cry! It seems that she had a bit of a teary time yesterday. And I have to admit some tears on the way out of the MTC. Hard to say why...when obviously it's such a happy and wonderful thing. But it's also a big thing, a close to the Spirit thing and a "it's going to be a long time til we see each other again" thing...speaking of both of our experiences. She was so happy to hear that you made it in okay.
I hope that you just take everything in, slurp up oodles of wonderful spirit-filled moments and that you tuck them inside for strength and remembering for those times when you'll need it most.
You have an incredibly lovely and beautiful spirit about you. ...I need to tell you that you are obviously a very well-adjusted young woman with a steady and calm manner and perspective. You come across as confident, assured, humble and self-aware. You're able to take care of yourself, but you seem to know when you will need to ask for help. I'm sure it took many years and some pretty rocky times to get to this point, and really, you are still at the beginning of your road in life. This is your second launchpad, really (after your time at SVU), and more than anything, this mission will help bring all those wonderfully positive strengths to the surface and you'll be able to use them time and time again to serve the people in your mission, and also your companions. You'll learn from them, too, and be able to work on your weaknesses to overcome them. I have every confidence, not only in your natural abilities, but also in your propensity to listen to the spirit, which will be the most important thing of all that you will do. If you ever feel tempted to re-visit old thinking patterns or get discouraged, remember that you are okay and wonderful the way God made you, and that this is who you are. He wants you to grow and improve, but there is never a need to change the essence of who you are. It's what makes you special and unique. It's what makes you Elizabeth. And she's a pretty awesome person. :) 
We have finally received our first letter. It brings back so many wonderful memories of being in the MTC and being blessed with the spirit always teaching and testifying of the truths of the gospel. Here is her letter I hope you enjoy her excitement as much as we did.
Dear Family and Friends, I don't even know where to begin! The MTC is amazing!!!!! :D I love it here. The spirit is so strong. Some of the missionaries in my district compare it to 1) Girls camp but with Elders or 2) EFY.
My companion is Sister Heintz. She is a blessing to me everyday. She and I work really well together and get along super great. We sing and joke and laugh (haha). We are also really close spiritually to our purpose as missionaries. Btw, she is from the very tip of California.
One of my teachers is named Brother Clancy. He served in the Minneapolis MN mission. We met him one night when he came down with his companion to help teach the ASL class. He was serving in Hudson at the time. Ona might remember him. He's really fun to work with. But so are all of the other MTC teachers too. Brother Parry and Sister Farnsworth are ones that my district work with regularly. :D They are both fantastic people.
We are sooooooo busy! But it feels like we eat all the time. We go from food to study back to food to more study and then food again to finish up our day with study. I'm never hungry, but don't worry....I do eat.
Yesterday was MTC hump day. Everyone in my district was having minor struggles. Thankfully our Elders are super in tune with the spirit and offered to give us Sisters a blessing. The spirit is so strong. Elder Sewell compared the Priesthood who give blessings to faucets. They all are different, but they each deliver the same message from the Lord that we need to hear.
Elder Sewell's companion is Elder Buchanan. He is our DL for our time at the MTC. We are also privileged to have the ZL in our district too: Elder Winter and Elder Kennedy. (I totally called it, btw.)
Our Elders are sooooo funny. But they are soooo spiritual like I said before. Our district gets along so well. We love each other and laugh with each other. We love circle time - this is where we gather as a district to discuss the spiritual aspects of what we are studying during our many study times.
Yesterday I got to be an investigator in an example lesson about prayer. It was so hard, but so interesting to re-learn about prayer and to think about how to teach it to an investigator. Thinking like an investigator is intense too.
It is Sister Metzger's birthday today. She is one of our Sister Trainers. Her companion Sister Kesner is super cute. They both have such a spirit about them. They are also really fun to work with. We all share a room in the dorm hall.
Yesterday we had gym time, so all the Sisters from our mission got to work out together. *Ow!* We are still feeling the squats and the lunges we did.
There are so many stairs on this campus btw.
This week we each had to prepare a talk on Repentance. It has been a fun topic to study for the past few days. The BD is so wise and so inspired. One of these days you all should study up on repentance starting in the BD the insights are so cool.
So, the first night we were here we got to witness live teaching sessions. We had three investigators we (and when I say we I mean like 100 or so) taught.
The first was a lady named Sara. She is so cute. We saw her later on campus and she compared being an investigator to being in the Hunger Games "Look there's one lets get her." She also compared it to Finding Nemo and the seagulls "Mine, mine, mine." Such great insights from an investigator about missionary work. She's super cute.
Then we met with a man named 3J. His spirit was so special because of the hardships he is facing in life. He had us sing I am a Child of God to him. It was a song sang at his brothers funeral. Sad...
Our final investigator was Carlo. He is Italian and loves the Happy Plan (the plan of salvation). I love the Happy plan too. He lost his wife and a child shortly after birth. It's no wonder he loves the Happy Plan so much. :D
It is so great as we are learning to see people through the eyes of God. The spirit is so strong when we are learning about them, thinking about them and praying for them and their needs.
Nathan, Ben - I have some helpful handy hints for you to prepare for our mission. 1st when you wear a suit, always, when standing, have the top button buttoned. 2nd keep your hands out of your pockets. 3rd stand up when people - especially important people like a BP, Bishop or Mission President - come to shake your hand.
I've seen Sister Harris a couple times since being here, usually at night. I'm so glad Sisters are allowed to hug each other, or I would die. One can't live without Sister Harris hugs. ;P
I wish I had pictures to send you, but I have been so busy that I haven't really had time to take pictures of everything and my camera is sooooo big. Remind me not to get such a big camera the next time. lols
Also, you should all begin using the word "Ripsnorter." It was used by one of the councilors in our Branch Presidency. :D It's probably one of the best words I have ever heard.
Anyways - Pday is Saturday in case you were wondering.
Tonight my companion and I will be teaching our Personal Investigator: Sam. We are so excited!
We pray all the time btw. Like - at least 30 times a day. Always praying for missionary work and the spirit and questions we are having about a gospel topic. EVERYTHING!!!! ALL THE TIME!
I'm excited to get out into the field and actively be teaching the people if Fort Collins. I wish I could read and write all the things that are in my heart and mind.
I love the gospel so much. I love the scriptures especially the Book of Mormon. I love having the spirit with me all the time. I love the power of prayer and how it has grown and changed in my life as a missionary.
I love you all and hope you are doing well. How are the missionary opportunities coming?
Someday I will read your emails btw. :P
Love,
Sister Bryans
PS. Calling each other Elder and Sister is super hard.... we fail all the time.
PPS. Sister Harris leaves next week.
PPPS. I wrote you and expect you to write me back.... I can actually read those letters after 9:30p at night.
I am so glad to know how the spirit is working in the lives of all the missionaries in the MTC but especially for my sweet daughter. I thank the Lord every day for this wonderful opportunity that she has been given. I know she is in his hands. Thanks to you all for your love and prayers in her behalf.
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