Anyways,
the 1st week at the MTC was crazy, fun, and everything in between. I am
having a hard time believing that I am actually here! Time flies by at
the MTC and it has already been a week! The first day was long but
everyday after that starts to get shorter and shorter. It was a little
scary to dramatically change the lifestyle I have been living, but
nevertheless I am adjusting, although by the time I am adjusted it would
be time to go to California. I was shocked by how quickly we would be
teaching real lessons. Maybe it is because I am teaching in my native
tongue or something like that. Now a little about my companion. My
companion is Elder Cornaby and he is from Mustang, Oklahoma so he is a
little ways from home. We were able to get along fairly quickly. One
major thing that is different from us is that I don't talk much and
Elder Cornaby loves to talk. We are both trying to work on these
differences so that we can equally participate in our lessons.
Unfortunately, Elder Cornaby had been feeling a little sick so we went
to the clinic yesterday to discover that he had some virus which is
really a cold. So we got to go to the BYU Pharmacy to get some medicine
for him and says he is starting to feel a little better.I was given the
opportunity to anoint some consecrated oil for him and I thought it was
great because I witnessed the zone leaders do the same thing for another
missionary in our zone. So for the rest of our district, we have 8
Elders and 2 Sisters. The sisters, Elder Mayo (like the spread), Elder
Smith, Elder Cornaby and myself are going to Riverside and Elder
Elliott, Elder Levis, Elder Wilson and Elder Bronson are going to
Ventura, California. Elder Mayo is our District Leader and he is an
awesome cowboy who knows when to have fun and when to study hard. Elder
Smith is a pretty smart and spiritual guy. So a funny story: Elder Smith
accidentally got mustard on the back of his pants and didn't notice
until class time and so now the companionship is called "Elder Mayo and
Elder Mustard". The sisters are probably the smartest of us all, but not
necessarily the most focused in the group. Sister Bradshaw always likes
to have fun and Sister Pitman actually got to serve 3 months in Twin
Falls, Idaho before coming here and we often look up to her to hear her
experience and words of wisdom. These Elders and sisters are going to
Riverside with me so we might be able to meet up again sometime. Elder
Levis is actually a convert was converted about 2 years ago and is the
only member in his family. He is an excellent example to all of us and
he is the one that keeps us focused. Elder Elliott is a sewing master!
He told us that he had sewn his shoulder bag and his scripture bag
because he didn't find anything he liked. Elder Wilson is more of a
geeky elder (not trying to make it sound bad of coarse) that loves to
talk but he is a little stressed about being here. Luckily, Elder
Bronson is a compassionate elder who sincerely cares for Elder Wilson
and is trying his best to help him out. Our roommates are Elder Frost
and Elder Williams (who are the zone leaders) Elder Young and Elder
Moss. Everyone in our room is just so excited to go serve their missions
(All to Riverside) and I love the environment they create.
The
devotionals we had so far were amazing! The first one was a special 4th
of July devotional that MY BRANCH PRESIDENT spoke at! It was a great
devotional about how America was a chosen land for the Restoration of
the Gospel. Afterward we did get to watch "The Stadium of Fire" that was
a few blocks down at BYU. It was Spectacular! There were some trees and
buildings in the way where the MTC Presidency wanted us to stay but it
was good nonetheless. The Sunday Devotional was amazing as well as the
mission conference. The best part was the devotional because it featured
Jenny Oaks Baker, a talented violinist as well as related to Elder
Dallin H Oaks. She performed some musical numbers with her family as
well as speak about giving 100% and sharing our talents. The Devotional
on Tuesday was also great. All the devotionals are great! We had Elder
Condie of the Seventy speak, along with Sister Condie, about the
converting power of the Restoration and our testimonies. But by far the
best was the "Characteristics of Christ" video by David A Bednar that
we watched. The spirit was so strong as he talked about turning
ourselves outward as Christ has done and to not think of ourselves.
I
am sad that I only get one P-Day at the MTC and the next one probably
won't be until next Monday, but I am glad to finally do laundry!!!
Unfortunately, the Provo Temple is closed this week so we didn't get to
go. 
We
were able to do service on Tuesday. We cleaned up the bathroom in a
different Residence hall and I am sure thankful that I live in a nice,
clean Residence as our room is the example for all the other rooms.
Well I miss you all. I guess I'll communicate with you again next Monday or something. Best of luck in your lives.
No comments:
Post a Comment