Dear family and Friends,
I'm SOOO excited!   I thought I would be stuck at the MTC for a while, until my reassignment came in.  They said I would be going somewhere in Utah.  But then the MTC does this amazing thing where they can call through the intercom to a specific room; so the travel office called me out of class and I went to the travel office, and when I showed up they handed me a paper, and I asked: "is this my reassignment?" And, the man there responded, "No. Your visa came in.  You leave for Peru at 6 a.m. Monday morning." :D I was so excited. It was kind of like opening my mission call all over again! There is this phrase at the MTC. "You're one of the few to go to Peru."  Haha.. sounds lame, but! it's true.  So many people here have trouble getting visas.  My visa even came in before another person who submitted her paperwork before me.  I'm so curious as to who my companion will be when I arrive.  I wonder if they'll be native to Peru or if they will be a foreigner.  I kind of am hoping they speak English so that the English syntax will make more sense as I speak in Spanish, but I know I'll be grateful to have a native speaker as my companion so that I will be forced to learn the language faster.
Something else exciting was that we got to hear Sister Sheri Dew speak to us for Tuesday devotional.  :)  Afterwards I ran up and.. got stuck.. couldn't shake her hand, so I ran around to some other doors past a security gentleman who didn't do anything and shook her hand before she left the foyer. Haha.  She is very kind.  I don't honestly remember her whole talk that well, but I remember what she said after.  My companion told her how everything in her talk was just what she needed to hear, and then Sister Dew just said, "Well, that just means you had the Spirit with you."  I just feel really lucky I got to meet her because then the security guards were turning away everybody . When I think of her I just realize that so many things happen in our lives just so we are able to touch the lives of those around us.  She has made such an impact on so many of the single women of the church because of her powerful testimony. Of course I never want to be single, but when I go through hard things, at least I know that I can testify to others of how to get through it with the Savior.  Also, her response to my companion made me so excited for general conference in a few days.  It reminded me how the same words are said from the pulpit, but everyone ends up having their various questions answered.  It's all because of the Spirit.
Easter Sunday was fabulous. Flowers miraculously bloomed and the care packages were very much appreciated! I'll send a few pictures.  The wife of the first counselor in our branch even borrowed part of it for her family night lesson.  She said the grandkids loved it.  (Thank you Ericalynn and Nani and kids!)
So much happens in a week.

In the past 48 hours I've been tearing through scriptures, analyzing, and basically came to the same conclusion I always do.  Most of the time, when you get confused about something, it's because it's not truth.  Truth is simple and clear, and the fruit of it is peace and joy.  Every day I have a reason to smile. :) If you are reading too much into something, you probably are.  (duh!) wow... can you tell i woke up at 4 this morning on accident? haha!
My companion and I thought it was 5 o'clock when we woke up, so we got up and went to do our laundry and no one was in the laundry room ( which is weird.. normally it is packed) haha! So we got our first pick of washers and dryers.  One thing is for sure.  When I get off my mission I will feel like I'm wasting so much time just because everything is so scheduled.  Oh well, at least we get another hour to spend in the day responding to snail mail. :)
Always remember who you are.  Always remember God has a plan specifically for you. Always remember that God loves you and cares more than we can comprehend.  Miracles happen every day if you just keep your eyes open. :)
Can't wait to write you from beautiful Peru! 

Love Always,
Hermana Julia Chanel Bendixen

p.s. the one teacher is Hermano Clifford. The other picture is my adopted family (district) and my branch president and his first counselor.  Forgive my lack of makeup.  Don't ask me why we decide to take pictures after we've all been crying and saying goodbyes.  It's just because we love each other I guess so even though I cringe thinking about you all seeing my face in these, I'm smiling because I love everyone in them.