The MTC experience has been up... and down. Wow. What an adventure. to answer Dad's question, It has been nothing like I expected. I guess I expected to take it slow, learning day by day the little things in portuguese and for it to be just like school. But its not like that at all. We have a class in the morning with a teacher and that class is mainly language study. But after that we have hours and hours of study time without a teacher. And as Irmaou (brother) staples says, "That is where the magic happens." That is true though. That time is when i have noticed the spirit can teach me the most..
To go off topic for a second i have the BEST district in the MTC. We are all so close and they truly have amazing testimonies. surprisingly Sister Eliason (megan) is not in my district. But she is in my zone. We see each other often but don't talk too much. But of course we play basketball together and show everyone how it is done. I introduced my self to the zone and told them i played basketball but that i was "better at it than sister eliason" everyone laughed and now I have to prove it haha. But i also have the BEST companion too. What in the world would i do without her. Her name is Sister WEaver. She is the most patient and kind loving soul ever. she really was put with me for a reason. When i get frustrated she is always right there to calm me down and tell me everything is giong to be ok. We both have strengths and weaknesses. And the best part is my weaknesses are her strenghts. I am bad at patience and loving all... but she has basically mastered those two qualities. It is great to be with her. We really balance each other out.
Oh Ohhhh... and on thursday i got assigned as the Sister District Training Leader. It is only for about 3 weeks but it has been amazing learning the responsibilities. And after getting that opportunity i have come to love the sisters in my district even more. And my companion is going to Portugal. Not cabo verde. there are 5 sisters in the whole mtc right now going to cabo verde and only 1 elder. hahaah poor guy. he calls me sister basket. (basketball.)
So moving on. We had our first investigator on Friday (sexta-feira) His name is Lucus! He is so kind and patient with us. He doesn't beleive there is evidence of a god, but he wants to. so that is a start. In our first lesson we decided to talk to him about praying and feeling the spirit. We gave him a book of mormon and some scriptures to read and asked him to pray about them. He said he would. I cried like a babay when i bore my testimony. It is amazing how i can feel the spirit in a different language. at that moment i knew that it is truly the spirit that teaches and NOT me. The spirit can touch him and help him understand even wehn he doens't understand a word i am saying.
Funny story tho... during the lesson i was trying to compare Lucus's own fathers love with the love of his heavenly father. so after i said that i was going to tell him that Heavenly Father loves him... But instead i accidentally told Lucus that Heavenly Fahter loves Lucus' Dad.... I didn't realize i did that until after the lesson. But oh well
The lesson went well until the very end when we didnt' know how to set up our next appt and when we couldn't figure out how to say goodbye or pleasure to meet you in a good way. so we kept dragging on and on and on. finally he asked to meet with us again... bless him hahaha
But General conference was amazing!!!! I learned so much. Honestly though i think i learned too much. There is so much to digest about it. But i think the theme i gained from it was that we need to truly come to know our savior and Learn OF him not just ABOUT him. He is our perfect example on how to live a perfect life. And i also got out that i need to stop looking at myself and look outward toward others. This mission isn't about me. It is about the people i will serve. And i need to lose myself in the work and then... only then... will i find myself. I hope we can all take this into account.
Last thing, I watched the General Women's meeting as well and focus of that was on temples. I encourage everyone to strive to obtain a worthy temple recommend and attend the temple often. There are so many blessings that come through that. I can't wait to go to the temple this afternoon. i have been waiting for this Pday specifically for that purpose... and maybe to email my family!
I also wanted to say that the Atonement is amazing. It creates an enabling power! Sometimes i get discouraged because i will think of alll the things i need to repent of and use the atonement for. But it is also there to enable us to do better. I can't complete this mission on my own. But i can with the power of the atonement. It is so real and infinite and eternal! I know this is long. I love you all. keep the prophet in your prayers.
Sister Johnson.
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