Last Letter from MTC, plus lessons in laundry, guac
The answer to last weeks question is... we pray to show faith
Next
time you hear from me I will be out in the field [in California]. The pday was great I
saw boo thang [Emma's boyfriend] and Miller shimai [One of Emma's companions] at the temple. For some reason I thought
she would be taller, but now I realize that because she was the same
height as you in the pictures that means she is short like you Emma [Emma claims she is much taller]. Elder
C was way sick so he slept for 4 hours. I did some good studying
and then I exercised a bit in the gym, our zone leader was also sick and
resting, so I took his companion.
I
discovered that doing the laundry is a lot of fun out here because you
start running out of clothes and now I am like YAY NEW SOCKS! Also just
watching the socks and shirts start to dwindle is a bit nerve wracking.
We
also discovered that the MTC has interrogation rooms like in the
movies, one way window, and microphones, so you can see and listen to
others teaching an investigator. It was very cool and a bit
uncomfortable when we took our turn teaching.
Also God has decided to bless me, it has rained three times so far and two of those were thunderstorms.
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So
someone found nerf guns in there narnia hole [little hidden cubbies in the dorms] so it is really exciting
over here. They also found a leprechaun hat and beard, just in case
people thought the MTC was magic, and makes 18 year olds mature, it can
only do so much.
I
also discovered that I like having set criteria, for those of you who
know me, I like to have a set series of steps to accomplish something. Here in the MTC and in the real world the Holy Ghost doesn't work like
that, and so teaching the gospel is a lot like English class, how does it
make you feel and what do you feel the investigators need to do here? For
those of you who know my grades in English you know how much I enjoy
those types of questions. But that is why we are here at the MTC.
Also i was going through the videos and do you guys remember this video from Elder E?
Sunday
was long and informative, I learned that there is no inadequacy, only
doubt, which backs up my theory that it is all in your head. So for
THOSE of you who worry about not being good, it doesn't matter if you
are good, it is the act of trying that really counts. Hence the
atonement we try but we really aren't that good, it is the effort that
we put in really matters. Even I with my incredible confidence I
sometimes think that I am not good enough. For those of you who
thought/think I am great at everything, Hahahahahahahahahaha. I am so
thankful for the Atonement of Jesus Christ, I know it can help relieve
us of our sins and the accompanying guilt.
Any
way, we were also reminded that before we cry repentance we must love
the sinner. Along with that we were told of the story of Lazarus, how
Jesus went and cried with Mary and Martha, even though he knew that he
could resurrect Lazarus immediately. That is the empathy and charity we
need to have ladies and gentleman. We also learned about how your future
is as bright as your faith, shout out to the Shining Star, got the sun
in your future.
Funny
stories that are related to the gospel. We were asked what is our
mustache? The speaker told of how he met a man who as an 18 year old
waiting his one year to go on a mission was told that he would be a
better example to the younger kids if he shaved his mustache he said no
and fell away from the church. Bishop Lewis, I hope you are taking
notes, as you read through my essays. I ask of you all, what is your
mustache? And what can you do to make it not your mustache?
The
other story was told by our district leader and he is famous for
telling irrelevant stories and relating them to the gospel. So he forgot
to assign someone to teach so he went with his companion to the
bathroom 10 minutes before during priesthood, and they came up with the
lesson. He told us a story of how he and two of his buddies were way
bored, so they decided to go cow tipping. They had never gone before so
off they went. They hopped the fence and looked around. Cows only nap on
their feet so he said they were incredibly unlucky to find one napping
off from the rest of the herd. Even more unfortunate was the fact that
it was the bull of the herd. They only realized that later though. So
all three are football players, two d backs and one lineman. So they line
up together about 15 yards away and run at the bull. As mentioned one
was a lime man and so he was much slower than the other two. So the d
backs hit the cow first, and it did not move. The lineman collided a
couple seconds afterward, and it still didn't move. The bull then woke up
and started chasing them. The d backs than dusted the lineman and
waited for him over the fence. He then told us that even though they hit
the bull at its weakest moment it was, Standing up strongly in the
inside. He said that similarly, Satan will hit us at our weakest moments
and we need to be standing up like a 2000 lbs bull, even in our weakest
moments. Everyone was floored, because not only did he tie it to the
gospel, it was actually was a really inspiring and good lesson.
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| New Haircut |
And
now for the apostolic lessons. We had Elder M Russel Ballard talk to
us, than we listened to an excellent talk by Elder Bednar, called how to
recognize the Spirit, and then Elder Neil L Andersen on Tuesday. I will
talk about them in that order. Elder Ballard talked about many things,
but he had some highlights including a new commandment. He asked us
where are our loyalties? Hopefully with God he said. So he instructed us
to lock our hearts and leave the key at home that way we don't fall in
love on our mission. Side note I personally had NO plans to do anything
of the sort, I am way to (im?)mature. Regardless he gave us the
commandment "THOU SHALT NOT FLIRT". I don't think that applies to y'all
back home. He then talked about how we needed to have Faith from the
crown of our feet to the sole of our head. I typed it wrong on accident
than decided to leave it like that so you guys know I haven't turned into a
missionary robot, we still make mistakes. My favorite part from him was
that he told us that when we pray every night, we should be able to
tell Heavenly Father that "I've done the best I can.
Elder Bednar talked about how to recognize the Spirit. He said "QUIT WORRYING ABOUT IT", direct quote.
Other
things that happened Sunday was the Kellen cam, and the guacamole
incident. During the Sunday devotional Kellen [Evan's cousin] had to sit next to the
piano so he could stand next to it as he played with the choir. But
there were to special musical numbers that used the piano so he was in
the frame for both numbers pretty much the whole time. Then when he
played with the choir the camera was on him most of the time, then on Tuesday
when he was singing with the choir he was in one of the shots. So single
most shown person on those cameras.
Elder Bednar
did say more but he said that multiple times and that was his point. He
said that is doesn't matter if it is the Holy Ghost, he said as long as
we "be a good boy, or be a good girl, honor your covenants, and keep the
commandments" you will do what is right. He said that we should go and
do and the Spirit will help, that we shouldn't be paralyzed wondering if
it is the Spirit because it doesn't matter as long as you are doing
good. He said that most of the time we will never know if it is the
Spirit guiding us as long as we "be
a good boy, or be a good girl, honor your covenants, and keep the
commandments". He also said "God shouldn't have to smack us with the
Holy Ghost" we know the correct principles, act on those and we can't go
wrong. He mention D&C 80 how at first it seems like just meh, boring
revelation but in the verse where he is given instruction on where to
go, it shows that we just need to go and do. So he challenged us to "GO
TO WORK"
He
also shared a funny joke from Elder Oaks who is actually funny, he just
knows that "general conference is not the place to pop off". It is
about a man who carried a pocket Book of Mormon in his breast pocket. He
as stood up by a robber and the gun goes off. The bullet hits him right
in the breast, but he doesn't die. He pulls out his Book of Mormon and
opens it, the bullet had stopped like so many others in the world by 2
Nephi chapters 12 through 27. If you don't get it ask my parents they
should know.
Elder
Neil L Anderson was here on Tuesday, and he brought his whole family
and introduced them to everyone. He had them stand up, and wave, and he
went around shaking peoples hands he sent his kids off like minions to
go shake hands as well, what a family man, #goals.
As
for the guacamole incident that occurred before the devotional during
dinner. So we were having grilled chicken sandwiches, and one of the
toppings available was guacamole. So have any of you wanted to have an
obscene amount? I know I have and this other Elder has. Because he had a
plate of guacamole for dinner. Because guac usually doesn't come in
large amounts you can't have alot of it in one sitting, but in the MTC
you can. Because of the amount of missionaries they have alot of guac so
this Elder who has always been told, like the rest of the world, to
save some guac for everybody else, went to town, a plate of guacamole
for dinner. So he set it down next to his companion and started to
calmly eat it with a spoon, and his companion lost it. He had a tray of
food and after the guac was set down he didn't eat another bite he
laughed so long and hard. And that was the funny part, was the one
companion was calmly eating his guac, and the other was roaring with
laughter. So people started noticing the dude who lost it and so they
started laughing and it sort of spread outward until even the food
servers had noticed and were laughing. Now I want a plate of guac.
Another
good quote from the choir director "women, the men are out singing you
how often does that happen? Write that in your journal. I can't tell
them to be less awesome, you sisters need to step it up."
Also
we were shared 1 Corinthians 13:11 twice dad, and I thought of you both
times. LOVE YOU πππππππππ It was used to teach us to act our
calling. Especially since iT WAS YOUR BIRTHDAY ON
SUNDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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I
WILL HAVE ICE CREAM IN YOUR HONOR, (I did, three bowls of it) to be
exact. As for a gift I give unto you that scripture. But also I love
you, so keep it breezy and don't cripple yourself while I am gone.
Yet another thing I learned from Elder Bednar "A testimony is not just what we say it's what we are". We need to make sure we practice what you preach.
To
prove my maturity my companion and I decided to be funny. So we had
just got back from a lesson on how to teach priesthood class on Tuesday,
since we are teaching Sunday. President Stucki was hilarious making fun
of Constantine the roman emperor and some other stuff. And than he told
us not to say anything he talked to us about in our lessons. So we were
back in our room and changing and we hear a knock. Elder C decides to be funny and says in a high pitch voice, "who is it?". We
here nothing so he says it again, "who is it?". I decide to join in the
fun and knock back. Than I decide to pop one of those big packing
material things. A minute later, we hear urgent pounding on our door. We
open it up to see half of the floor outside our door looking worried.
They said, "that was President Stucki" and we were like "naw", and they
were like "no really he is down a couple dorms checking in on people"
and we were like, "no he is not" and then he walks out from the room a
couple room's down. So we hurried back into our room and shut the door.
We saw him later and he wasn't bothered at all. Thank goodness it was
him and not one of the more serious leaders.
I
saw both Jacob and Daniel and got to have nice long chat with them, you
will receive pictures. I also saw and had a brief chat with Sister
A. I also have been eating meals with Daniel because our districts
sit near each other, every time I talk to him he reminds me of how funny
he is. I am going to miss his pretty face in Cali. Also Wednesday
during lunch I was not having those lines, so I had byu creamery ice
cream, 3 bowls of it to be exact, my district would not believe that ice
cream is good for you, but I'll show'em, I'll show'em all! (Insert your
best evil cackle, it must be loud enough for your whole house to hear
it.
So we were talking
about the atonement and someone asked the very Oh so good rhetorical
question, "How many drops of blood were for me?". That was quite the
wake up call. It really ,makes you want to be better.
We
were talking about funerals for who knows what reason and we all
decided the best type are the Viking funerals. I want one now, but Elder
W was like I want mine, to be done over the Niagara falls while "Duel of the Fates" star wars episode 3 song when Obi Wan and Anakin are
fighting, it's good you guys should listen to it) was being played,
full blast. So then that got us to the topic of what we would do if we
had the force. An Elder W yelled, "I would take this stinking
splinter out ". He was digging at with scissors, but unfortunately that
surgery did not do so well. It came out a couple days later, but he was a
grumpy man while it was still in his hand.
I don't
remember if i have mentioned it or not, but my branch president is
awesome, everytime I see him I ask him how he is doing, cause i learned
some manners from my mom, and his reply is always the same, "BEST DAY
EVER!". I hope that I can be like that and I hope that y'all try to
achieve that as well.
Lastly,
I got to explain who Erica is. She is awesome. She started off scared
of God and was able to learn that he loves her. She is still a bit
scared of praying but she is. Unfortunately we can't teach her anymore
but, she promised when she goes back to Brazil she will talk to the
missionaries more. I also shared with her this video and it made the
both of us cry. The video gets me right in the feels. Love you Josh!
What do we need to repent of? (And to those of you who say sins, I say to you what is a sin?)
Also
do you guys like the spiritual mixed with the funny or would you
rather, me put the funny first and the spiritual afterwards, so you are
left with the Spirit?
Elder Bearman
My MTC stay is over
Elder Bednar taught "quit worrying about it"
Just "be a good boy"
Still no oranges but the pineapples are great
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