NEWS
(INVESTIGATOR'S NAMES HAVE BEEN CHANGED TO MAINTAIN ANONYMITY)
June 17, 2013 - Devotionals, Swat/Firemen Team and Travel Plans!
HELLLLOOOO!!!!!! :)
Wow, I miss you guys! It's been over a month now, and It seems like both a year, and only a couple of days.. Time is weird as a missionary!!
First off, Happy Fathers Day Papi!!! I am so sorry that I didn't get to tell you on the actual Fathers day. I thought about you a ton yesterday, and I just hope all is going well! Sorry you have less kids around this Fathers day than ever before, just know we love you so much, and your Missionary Kids are praying for you every day! :) Thanks for being the worlds best Papi. I really have thought about how great of a father you are. I've talked to a lot of missionaries that weren't as lucky as I was, and it has truly made me so grateful for my Family. Thanks for making sure not only did we never go without, but there was always some silly humor around! Love you Papi! :)
Also, I'll just follow Sister Lago's example, and describe my Subject in the order that you see it!
First off, Devotionals! They are without a doubt the best things about the MTC. Every one is a new experience. Last night we watched a ton of old church commercials for our devotional. We laughed a TON, cried a ton, related it to companions, marriage, teaching, loving, and the spirit. It was such a nice break and refresher for the week! This last week, we have made a lot of history at the MTC. (They pretty much are naming everything we do with the word "Historic" before it.) For example, the Historic first Devotional at the Marriott center, that included the Historic First missionary migration from the MTC to the Mariott Center. (I think that was on the news this week, because there were a lot of camera crews around.) It really is a sight to see. THAT many missionaries walking in one big train. I swear, it's a longer line of missionaries than the Murray 4th of July Parade! ha! Also, there was the Historic Wednesday where we got almost 1,000 missionaries in 1 day. There's the Historic Choir that is about 1,400 missionaries big. But most importantly, there is the Historic Devotional coming up this Sunday. I'm so excited! I think they are calling it, "The Lord, Hastening His Work".. Or something along those lines. It's going to be SO cool seeing all those apostles and the Prophet! :) Plus apparently the apostles are going to be walking around campus this week.. That's kind of cool.. (I doubt they'll actually be just walking around in the open though).. Any way, there is such an excitement going on right now because of this next Sunday It's going to be crazy! Plus, there is going to be 2 huge sacrament meetings before the devotional where they have half of the missionaries at each. Can you imagine blessing/passing the sacrament for the prophet and all the apostles? phew! I can't! ha. I'm just excited! You better all be watching! I might be on TV! :) I hope I have the songs memorized if I am!
Next, is the Swat Team... So.. This is just an example of the fact that it's not ALWAYS studying and serious conversations as a missionary.. ha.. Every Saturday we get to do service. My district cleans the bathrooms in one of the residence buildings. Me, Elder Herring, and Elder Brockbank were on toilet duty this week. To clean the toilets, you spray them with this chemical (that shoots pretty far by the way), then you scrub them with the nastiest brushes alive, and then you get buckets of water and splash the toilets. You can imagine how the swat team and the firemen play into this.. But I'll tell you anyway. We tried our hardest to make it fun by pretending to be the swat team, and the firemen. We went in phases, in formations, beat all the doors down and killed all the bad guys (germs) with our guns. Then we had to put out the fire (the orage chemical) by getting buckets of water. We got WAY good at throwing buckets of water at toilets, let me just tell ya! We all decided, that if all bathrooms had drains in the floor, more people would clean the toilet that way! Ha. Ok.. Fine. it's lame. But it was funny. ha.
Oh... also.. WE GOT OUR TRAVEL PLANS!!!! HOLY SMOKES I'M GOING TO FRANCE! I'm going to send a bunch of pictures today, one of which is my travel plans, so you can look at my itinerary. But basically, I'm leaving next Monday (the 24th) at 6 am. But my flight doesn't leave until after 11. Anyway. We're flying through Chicago and London. :) I'm so excited! Really, It's making me so giddy to get out there! We've spent a lot of time talking to our teacher (Frere Smith) about what it's like right when you get there, and what the first day is like.. AH! It's too exciting. This is actually happening. Truthfully, for the longest time, the MTC felt like I just went to EFY or some church camp, and I was going to be going home at the end of it, but now that I got my travel plans, this is all getting so real. I'm not coming home after this. I'm actually STARTING my adventure. Words can not describe the butterflies I have. I'm going to be living in FRANCE for 2 years. That's so cool. Also, a it's a really long time. But I'm so excited for it! Bring it ON! So. because Monday is my P-day, They're letting me have a P-day this Friday or Saturday. (whichever fits better in my schedule, we'll see) So I should be able to write you again then. But,I should be able to call you around 10 o'clock that Monday morning from the Airport.. if not, a little earlier like 9:30. Which phone should I call, and is that time ok? I'll probably buy a calling card here to use at the airport, but who knows, maybe I'll get lucky and there will be a member at the airport that will let me call with their cell phone like Bri did!
The French is coming great! I've had some 1 on 1 meetings with my teachers, and they've all been really nice about my French. I really have been so lucky when it comes to the language. I found that I spend most of my language study time helping the other missionaries to pick it up. I really am starting to love the idea of being a French Tutor when I get home. :)
So, the MTC really is amazing! Don't get me wrong, I want to get out of here so bad, but it's still been such a great experience. I've seen so many miracles already. Some of the lessons we have taught already have impacted me, and those we taught so much, the gift of tongues is a real thing, and I have seen that manifested EVERY DAY here. Plus little miracles, like Elder Leavitt's ridiculously purple sprained ankle that was bigger than a soft-ball healed in a matter of 4 days. (The medical people are amazed! They were thinking he might have to stay at the MTC extra time before he could go out with his leg like that) But within 4 days, he was jogging on it. Truly a miracle. Plus Adam and Cassie and their adoption finally happening. And Uncle Paul getting better. And many more!
Missions are incredible. I know that already. There is nothing I'd rather be doing with my life right now than serving the Lord. I know that countless blessings will come because of my service, and I pray that you all can see those miracles and blessings with me. I hope you all know how much I love you, and am grateful for you all. I certainly would not be the person I am right now if it wasn't for you, and I would in no way be the missionary and disciple of Christ that I need to be right now if it wasn't for all of you! I hope you all know how much I love this gospel. I'm so grateful for it in my life. I'm grateful for the simplicity that it is, and for the structure and assurance it gives us in our life. I pray that we all can be a little more like Christ this week, and remember our Eternal Father during this Fathers day week. I am so grateful for my Heavenly Father for the blessing and opportunity it is to make sacrifices, to have trials, to spread this message of Joy, to have all of you, and to know my Savior.
I love you all so much!
France, HERE I COME!
Love you!
Wow, I miss you guys! It's been over a month now, and It seems like both a year, and only a couple of days.. Time is weird as a missionary!!
First off, Happy Fathers Day Papi!!! I am so sorry that I didn't get to tell you on the actual Fathers day. I thought about you a ton yesterday, and I just hope all is going well! Sorry you have less kids around this Fathers day than ever before, just know we love you so much, and your Missionary Kids are praying for you every day! :) Thanks for being the worlds best Papi. I really have thought about how great of a father you are. I've talked to a lot of missionaries that weren't as lucky as I was, and it has truly made me so grateful for my Family. Thanks for making sure not only did we never go without, but there was always some silly humor around! Love you Papi! :)
Also, I'll just follow Sister Lago's example, and describe my Subject in the order that you see it!
First off, Devotionals! They are without a doubt the best things about the MTC. Every one is a new experience. Last night we watched a ton of old church commercials for our devotional. We laughed a TON, cried a ton, related it to companions, marriage, teaching, loving, and the spirit. It was such a nice break and refresher for the week! This last week, we have made a lot of history at the MTC. (They pretty much are naming everything we do with the word "Historic" before it.) For example, the Historic first Devotional at the Marriott center, that included the Historic First missionary migration from the MTC to the Mariott Center. (I think that was on the news this week, because there were a lot of camera crews around.) It really is a sight to see. THAT many missionaries walking in one big train. I swear, it's a longer line of missionaries than the Murray 4th of July Parade! ha! Also, there was the Historic Wednesday where we got almost 1,000 missionaries in 1 day. There's the Historic Choir that is about 1,400 missionaries big. But most importantly, there is the Historic Devotional coming up this Sunday. I'm so excited! I think they are calling it, "The Lord, Hastening His Work".. Or something along those lines. It's going to be SO cool seeing all those apostles and the Prophet! :) Plus apparently the apostles are going to be walking around campus this week.. That's kind of cool.. (I doubt they'll actually be just walking around in the open though).. Any way, there is such an excitement going on right now because of this next Sunday It's going to be crazy! Plus, there is going to be 2 huge sacrament meetings before the devotional where they have half of the missionaries at each. Can you imagine blessing/passing the sacrament for the prophet and all the apostles? phew! I can't! ha. I'm just excited! You better all be watching! I might be on TV! :) I hope I have the songs memorized if I am!
Next, is the Swat Team... So.. This is just an example of the fact that it's not ALWAYS studying and serious conversations as a missionary.. ha.. Every Saturday we get to do service. My district cleans the bathrooms in one of the residence buildings. Me, Elder Herring, and Elder Brockbank were on toilet duty this week. To clean the toilets, you spray them with this chemical (that shoots pretty far by the way), then you scrub them with the nastiest brushes alive, and then you get buckets of water and splash the toilets. You can imagine how the swat team and the firemen play into this.. But I'll tell you anyway. We tried our hardest to make it fun by pretending to be the swat team, and the firemen. We went in phases, in formations, beat all the doors down and killed all the bad guys (germs) with our guns. Then we had to put out the fire (the orage chemical) by getting buckets of water. We got WAY good at throwing buckets of water at toilets, let me just tell ya! We all decided, that if all bathrooms had drains in the floor, more people would clean the toilet that way! Ha. Ok.. Fine. it's lame. But it was funny. ha.
Oh... also.. WE GOT OUR TRAVEL PLANS!!!! HOLY SMOKES I'M GOING TO FRANCE! I'm going to send a bunch of pictures today, one of which is my travel plans, so you can look at my itinerary. But basically, I'm leaving next Monday (the 24th) at 6 am. But my flight doesn't leave until after 11. Anyway. We're flying through Chicago and London. :) I'm so excited! Really, It's making me so giddy to get out there! We've spent a lot of time talking to our teacher (Frere Smith) about what it's like right when you get there, and what the first day is like.. AH! It's too exciting. This is actually happening. Truthfully, for the longest time, the MTC felt like I just went to EFY or some church camp, and I was going to be going home at the end of it, but now that I got my travel plans, this is all getting so real. I'm not coming home after this. I'm actually STARTING my adventure. Words can not describe the butterflies I have. I'm going to be living in FRANCE for 2 years. That's so cool. Also, a it's a really long time. But I'm so excited for it! Bring it ON! So. because Monday is my P-day, They're letting me have a P-day this Friday or Saturday. (whichever fits better in my schedule, we'll see) So I should be able to write you again then. But,I should be able to call you around 10 o'clock that Monday morning from the Airport.. if not, a little earlier like 9:30. Which phone should I call, and is that time ok? I'll probably buy a calling card here to use at the airport, but who knows, maybe I'll get lucky and there will be a member at the airport that will let me call with their cell phone like Bri did!
The French is coming great! I've had some 1 on 1 meetings with my teachers, and they've all been really nice about my French. I really have been so lucky when it comes to the language. I found that I spend most of my language study time helping the other missionaries to pick it up. I really am starting to love the idea of being a French Tutor when I get home. :)
So, the MTC really is amazing! Don't get me wrong, I want to get out of here so bad, but it's still been such a great experience. I've seen so many miracles already. Some of the lessons we have taught already have impacted me, and those we taught so much, the gift of tongues is a real thing, and I have seen that manifested EVERY DAY here. Plus little miracles, like Elder Leavitt's ridiculously purple sprained ankle that was bigger than a soft-ball healed in a matter of 4 days. (The medical people are amazed! They were thinking he might have to stay at the MTC extra time before he could go out with his leg like that) But within 4 days, he was jogging on it. Truly a miracle. Plus Adam and Cassie and their adoption finally happening. And Uncle Paul getting better. And many more!
Missions are incredible. I know that already. There is nothing I'd rather be doing with my life right now than serving the Lord. I know that countless blessings will come because of my service, and I pray that you all can see those miracles and blessings with me. I hope you all know how much I love you, and am grateful for you all. I certainly would not be the person I am right now if it wasn't for you, and I would in no way be the missionary and disciple of Christ that I need to be right now if it wasn't for all of you! I hope you all know how much I love this gospel. I'm so grateful for it in my life. I'm grateful for the simplicity that it is, and for the structure and assurance it gives us in our life. I pray that we all can be a little more like Christ this week, and remember our Eternal Father during this Fathers day week. I am so grateful for my Heavenly Father for the blessing and opportunity it is to make sacrifices, to have trials, to spread this message of Joy, to have all of you, and to know my Savior.
I love you all so much!
France, HERE I COME!
Love you!