August 11, 2011

Dear family!

Things are wonderful here at the MTC!

Dad asked to hear more about the new program. Honestly I don't know how much is new since I never really was part of the old curriculum. As far as I can tell they focus a lot more on speaking and less on grammar. My teachers double as progressive investigators and only speak English when we are studying gospel and even then less and less. I am going to get some new books this week. after that I may be able to explain a little better.

One thing that has changed is that the TRC (training resource center) is no longer actors. Apparently it used to be volunteer members pretending not to know anything. Now however they encourage the members just to be themselves when they talk to us. We genuinely try to get to know them and share a message from the lessons that we think can benefit them in their lives right now. It sounds kind of weird and even the lady we were with was a little bit confused. BUT, That means that I have already had my first REAL missionary experience! The sisters name was Harmana Busby. We got her to talk a lot about her family and how she knows Spanish. Before we actually got into some lesson I remembered a question that I had written out in Spanish earlier: what is most important in your life right now? If she was not open before now she really was! She started by saying we would not even want to know! But then went on to tell us about an accident she had several years ago. She had a blood vessel explode in her brain and is lucky to be alive. This has left her with other health issues. In the last few minutes of the visit my companion shared with her a favorite scripture of his from Romans. I don't remember the exact reference but it was something to the effect of God does all things for our good and he has a purpose for everything. This scripture really touched Hermana Busby! She wrote it down and was really surprised she had not known of it before.

REAL missionary experience. I was led to ask a question that opened her up to something she needed help with and one of my companion's favorite scriptures just happened to be what she needed! This experience has made me lose all nervousness at talking with real people! I can’t wait to go back to the TRC and after that get to Argentina!

This week I saw Brynn Secrest! Although she is not a Secrest anymore. She teaches Portuguese in the building next to mine. I also saw Masalt Martinez! He is lucky with his perfect Spanish he is only here three weeks.

My favorite teacher here is Hermano Russel! He reminds me so much of Alex! In fact, he went to Mexico on his mission and is studying to become a director. Alex- give me your email address so I can get you two in contact. He actually said he would like that because he needs a good producer! He is one of the people here who has expressed the same passion for the gospel that me and Alex have shared with each other. I will also try to get his Email.

Gabby! I eat a ton of really good food here! There is always plenty to eat. Some of my favorites have been Navaho tacos and cheese steaks! I have not actually gained any weight yet and am getting back into shape. My companion helps with that since he is super disciplined in everything that he does. He is also very muscly.

Shannon, we focus on the doctrine of Jesus Christ here at ton. Faith in Jesus Christ and his Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end! Personally I have been really interested in the study of faith here in the MTC. Faith really is the greatest super power of them all in my mind. Faith is a principle of power and action. I have heard amazing stories about missionaries’ exercising faith while I have been here. I am striving to have the same faith even before I leave the MTC.

Occasionally me and my companion have disagreed lately. We are trying to both take a step back and listen to the spirit when this happens. We both tend to think we know what is best. My companion is also very outspoken and a little bit of a hot head at times. I am practicing humility and love for my companion. We do get along but he has some interesting ideas about the gospel and how we should be doing things in the mission.

I started teaching Juan (hmo. Russel) yesterday and he is extremely receptive to the gospel! It’s really fun to be teaching someone who does not have many serious doubts. He feels like the type of person who would have been prepared by the Lord. I look forward to teaching people like him when I get to Argentina!

My Spanish is coming along. I can follow almost everything here but still cannot quite get across everything I would like to be able to say. We have been practicing condensing the lessons and not teaching them in such a drawn our way. Alex was very right about people having problems with teaching short. My companion, especially since he can speak good Spanish, sometimes tries to be very eloquent. I am learning the importance of plainness and simpleness in teaching.

I am so happy to hear that you guys got my letters! I was not sure they were arriving. Thank you all so much for the letters! They are wonderful to get in the middle of a long day! Keep writing and I will too! Oh, And tell Dan I need him to write as well! I am excited to here he is applying to ACC!

I will try to see if I can get some pictures to you next week!

Love you all sooooo much! Can't tell you how grateful I am to have such an amazingly strong family!

-Elder Green