First week at MTC

I have survived my first week at the Provo MTC much more boldly than I had expected. My experiences here are so incredible and uplifting. I am constantly learning and developing my faith. Oddly enough, I do not feel overwhelmed with the Spirit as much as before because it is literally always with me. I being able to grow closer to my Heavenly Father. I have had a few tough times, but that is because my weak points are without a doubt more magnified when dedicating every waking moment to the Lord. Every moment of our day is planned for us and it exhausting, but well worth it. I am constantly learning, studying, or teaching. I absolutely love my companion. She is so sweet and rad. Her name is Sister Brentlinger and she is from Georgia, sadly enough she is called to serve in another district after we depart the Missionary Training Center. Now my district on the other hand is wild as a group. District is basically the "team" or "group" that we are always studying and working with. There are three other companionship's besides my own, two sisters and two elders all together. To highlight a few main points so far, this past Sunday was spiritually enriching by far. It was Fast Sunday, where once a month we do not eat for two consecutive meals and pay that money to the Lord and pray with real intent about something specific. Fast Sundays in the MTC are really specially because we have a mission conference for everyone on campus. It was amazing. I cried during the talks and testimonies that people shared. One testimony was from the first missionary to ever come from Syria. His testimony talked about the hardships that he went through while in his country because he was LDS. His whole family converted to the church a few years ago and the nation took his father away for it. He talked about the many struggles they went through for their faith, but they continued to be obedient to what they believed. Because of their faith, they witnessed many unbelievable miracles within their family and it brought tears to every single missionary's eyes in that conference center. That Elder's testimony is a true representation of faith in the Lord and I dearly admire that. Every time I pass him on campus I feel overwhelmed with the Spirit. There was another testimony about a sister missionary that served a few years back, she had no father and her mother was ill yet she decided to serve the Lord for eighteen months. Her mother was expected to pass within the eighteen months while she'd serve, and yet her mother supported and wanted her to go and do the Lord's work. Her mother passed six months before she was to return home, and was able to fly out for her funeral, but she then made the choice to go back to finish her service. It was a true testimony of dedication and  of one who could persevere. Later that day my district and I were able to walk around the Provo, Utah temple. It was magnificent and true beauty. Words are indescribable of how I feel when I am at the temple, whether it is inside or outside. Yesterday my companion and I were able to teach our first real investigators. It was almost like a practice for what it would be like out in the field. Yet they were actually interested in what we had to say. The first one was rather distracted during our lesson, and she thought it was humorousness to mock us a bit. The lesson was pretty short so that's about all that happened. Our second investigator of the day which happened in the evening, was a miracle. His name is Eric, and he was truly interested to learn about the Gospel. My companion and I were a bit unsure of what we wanted to teach him exactly, so we prayed before hand of the things that we needed to speak of. And it came true!!!!! We knew exactly what Eric was looking for and what he needed to hear at that time. And we were able to feel the Spirit and know that he could recognize it as well. It was by far one of the best experiences that I have ever lived. After the lesson my companion and I literally jumped for joy and was smiling like bafoons. That feeling that I had felt in that moment is a feeling that I never want to forget and is my goal to continue to reach throughout my mission and my life. The feeling of accomplishment in knowing that you brought another one of God's sheep closer to Him. The feeling of helping someone recognize their true potential of a child of the Lord. We are so excited to continue to teach Eric and to see his progression in the Gospel and towards the light.

Today is my first Preparation Day, that is a day where missionaries are able to do laundry, and write home and pretty much have time to prepare themselves for the rest of the week. The thing that I am most excited for today, besides reading my email, is being able to go to the temple with my district and participate in the sacred ordinances performed there. I absolutely love my district and every single one of their testimonies. They are all wonderful inspirations to me in their own unique way. My lovely companion teaches me all the time and helps me better understand certain aspects of the Gospel. Every time I have a question I turn to her and she always has an answer. She is an individual that I deeply admire because of the way that she views things. She is very selfish in her own unselfish way. For example she likes to provide service to make her feel better. The other sister companionship in our district, Sister Kakuschke and Sister Clifton, are very querky in a very special way. The four of us together are a hoot, and trouble!!!! The elders on the other hand are very interesting creatures. Are zone leaders, Elder Medeiros and Elder Mickelson, are often either timidly quiet or the center of our conversation. Then there is Elder Vance and Elder Harris, oh where do I begin. I don't even know what to say, there is soooo much about those two. Pretty much in a nut shell Elder Harris is the clown, and Elder Vance is the quiet kid in the corner, literally. Each one of these servants of our King has a tremendous testimony that makes each of them glow. I wouldn't dream of being with any other missionaries while growing in the MTC. There is a reason I was put with them, and I'm pretty sure I'm quickly finding out what it is.

My companion recently had the brilliant idea to do service for our fellow district men. We wanted to be able to truly love them in and out so we have been secretly writing a letter to each of them the past few days and to see their reactions is worth it. I love every minute out here, even if every minute is planned, and I know for a fact that I am suppose to be out here doing what The Lord wants me to do. It is a true blessing in itself to be the best disciple of Christ that I can be. I have a true testimony of my faith in Jesus Christ and all of the wonderful blessings that come from it. I have learned that no matter where I am or what I do that Heavenly Father will always be there and will love me for who I am. We are all His children, and He knows each and everyone of us personally. I know that my Redeemer Lives! I know that He restored the Gospel to the earth and that it was the right time. I know that I was chosen to be in the latter-days to help His lost sheep find their way back home. I love my Heavenly Father and my beloved brother, Jesus Christ, with all my heart and I will do anything for them. That is why I am here on my mission, I am here to serve them and make them proud. I say these things in the name of the Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

3 Nephi 28:10