Well I am all finished with my first week of being a missionary and
being at the MTC. It has been a lot harder than I had expected.
I'll
start off by telling you about the stuff at the MTC. My companion's
name is Elder Price. He is from a very small town in Utah called
Kingston. He is an awesome kid. He has a sweet southern Utah accent and
loves talking about his farm back home. He is very smart and knows the
scriptures better than anyone I have probably ever met. He inspires me
to do better and study harder. Elder Price is also going to Atlanta. The
rest of the kids in my district are awesome. There are eight of us.
Four of us are going to Atlanta and the rest are going to Charleston WV.
They are all the nicest kids I have ever met. My love for them grows
each day. We are all very close and I am so blessed that I got a good
district and a good companion. My district leader is named Elder
Gautnavi (pronounced Now-ta-vigh). He is an amazing kid and has an
amazing spirit. He is a big Polynesian. He has worked hard so he could
come on his mission. He is turning 20 soon. He previously had a mission
call but had to decline it due to worthiness issues. I admire him for
taking care of things and being willing to come back on a mission. He is
very inspirational. Probably my favorite kid in my district is named
Elder Land. He is a big black boy from Wisconson. He has been a member
of the Church for two years. He makes me laugh every day and really
makes my time at the MTC easier. I am so grateful he is in my district.
He is the only member in his family. The rest of his family consists of
Jehovah's Wittness's and muslims. They do not condone him being here. He
is an inspiration to me and I would really appreciate it if you guys
would be willing to support him on his mission also. No one really
emails him, or sends him letters. I can't imagine how hard that would
be.
Now I will get to how I have been feeling in the MTC.
It is true, the MTC is like no other place on Earth. Our teacher told us
a joke the other day. He said what is the difference between the MTC
and prison... Prison you get a phone call. Hahaha. I can't tell you how
true that is. When you come on a mission they take everything you rely
on. Your family, your friends, your cell phone, and your music. They
take everything from you so you can learn to rely on the spirit and
Christ. I have been learning how to do that. It is nice to know that how
ever alone you are you will always have those comforters with you. This
first week has been really hard. The first couple days I have felt so
alone. It is difficult when everyone in your district gets mail and you
don't =(. Hint Hint. Haha. The first 5 days have been the hardest. I
have never really felt so alone that I have had to turn to Christ and
the Holy Ghost before. Usually you can just turn to your parents or your
good friends. I have realized this first week that I always do have my
Heavenly Parents with me and my good friend the Holy Ghost with me that
know me better than anyone. I am so thankful for that.
Through my time on my mission my main goal is to become
more like Christ. We watched this talk by Elder Bednar and it was
exactly what I needed. He talked about how becoming more like Christ is
going to be what converts people. That is what I am going to do
throughout my mission. I want to develop all the characteristics of
Christ. Throughout studying, praying, and being obedient. I have come to
realize my change. I am learning to love everyone regardless of their
circumstances. The love for people that already exists just keeps
growing. I know that this is where I am supposed to be.
I love you all. Please write me. While I am in the MTC you can send my letters through www.dearelder.com.
It is convenient because I get those letters the very day you send them
(If you send them before 4PM). For emails I can only write once a week
on my P-Day and I only have time to read, and write everyone in 30
minutes. So please try and contact me via the resources you have.
Once again, I love you all and you are all in my prayers.
