January 26, 2023
What a week!! I don't even know where to begin. So much has happened while being here at the MTC. The food here is actually not very good or as we all like to say, "Unequivocally NOT busting" Breakfast is probably the worst meal there and lunch and dinner are ok. I can usually find something that I like but it is hard. Elder Davis told us that he misses being able to go to the bathroom by himself, I think that this is directly related to the food, but I will let you interpret it.
We got into our normal schedule of wake up, class, lunch, class, dinner, jim aka gym, then bed. This whole week we have been able to really connect as a district. I love each and every member with my whole heart. This week at the temple we got to do baptisms for the dead. The spirit was so strong with everyone there. As an entire district we did over 50 ordinances and brought so many more people to Christ on the other side of the veil. I love that I can help in gathering israel. Last week we got a district leader, Elder Dodd. He has been really great and is helping us grow as a district. On Sunday we had beautiful church meetings that were based on faith in Christ and his atoning sacrifice. I loved every second of it. Sunday was a really big day because after church we had a class about eternal marriages and sealings in the temple. This class was specific to my district because of the program that we are in. After that we had what we call a go and do experience where we just studied and learned by the spirit telling us what to do. After that we talked about our experiences as a district and we talked about how the spirit knows each one of us so well and Heavenly Father knows what we need to hear at the right moment. By the end of our little meeting everyone was in tears, even the elders. It was so great to see that God knows us and knows our hearts. I know he knows you and what you need in your life, if you just let him guide you, you will find strength. As a district we decided to join the choir. We sang I feel my savior's love. Sister Lundberg and I found out that we sing better in the tenor section, so we decided that we would sing with the boys. We are going to be #tenors4life! Sunday was such a great day.
Another wonderful day I had was Tuesday, specifically the Tuesday night devotional. President Sephen Lund and his wife from the Young Men's general Presidency spoke to us.......AND BROTHER BRAD WILCOX WAS THERE!!! He was my EFY camp director back in the day and I was so happy to see him. He was also able share a few words about how there is no such thing as coincidences and that everything happens for a reason. I believe that 1000000% because it's not a coincidence that I am here when I am here and that I am with the people that I am with. God's hand is everywhere in our lives, we just have to look for it. President Lund talked about true happiness and how it's found in this gospel and I can testify of that. He also told a story about an encounter he had with President Nelson and how even though his daughter spilled orange juice on him, the prophet still was so christlike and he challenged all of us to be that way too. Sister Lund talked all about trusting in the lord and not just putting some stuff in his hands but all of it. During it we sang our song and it brought the spirit into our meeting. After the devotional our district had a devotional review that we left in tears again.
That night the elders in my district went back to their room and consecrated oil and you may not know why I'm telling you this but you will shortly see....
The next day my companion and I spent a lot of time with Elder Chennault and Elder Gubler, we really took our relationship to the next level, why? well you'll see....
During Choir Sister Lundberg and I sat by a convert from another district named Elder Kirkland and yes, you'll see why...
Yesterday my entire district got an email with our travel plans to Washington!! We will be flying out on February 3rd at 11:09am. I am actually super nervous to go but I know that as soon as I get there I will not want to come back. So after dinner I was super stressed and anxious but we all went to the gym and it helped relieve some stress but then later that night we talked how how we were feeling about leaving next week. That brought my emotions and high anxiety about leaving the comfort of the MTC next week. I started to have an anxiety attack so I got up and walked around and I ran into Elder Kirkland and he asked what was wrong and I told him what was up and he reassured me that everything will be ok and I just need to trust in the Lord. Elder Kirkland has a very strong testimony and he has shown me so much, he knew what to say. Eventually my companion convinced me to get a priesthood blessing. I was so scared that I wouldn't be able to feel better. Sister Lines grabbed Elder Chennault and Elder Gubler and we found a room to ourselves. During the blessing I felt a weight just lift off my shoulders and I knew that God loves me and he knew what I needed to feel and what I needed to hear. When Elder Chennault was done giving the blessing he looked at me with tears in his eyes and said "Those weren't my words" and I said "I know". Immediately after I felt so much better and I know that God loves me and I know that God loves and looks after each of you. Turn to God and he will bless you, he will make 'weak things become strong' (Ether 12:27) and he will bless your life. Matthew 11: 28-30 says,
"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Come unto Christ, find rest and become strong. I love this work and I know that coincidences don't happen, God happens! The elders consecrated oil for a reason, I got close to Elder Chennault and Elder Gubler for a reason, and I sat by Elder Kirkland for a reason. Everything is planned from the beginning of time. I love all of you and you have all helped me get to where I am today. I hope everything is going well wherever you are and have a great week!!
Here's a few pics from the week!! Also Ether chapter 12 has become the motto of our district here at the MTC.
-me playing ping pong in the rec room
-us all playing uno in the rec building
-Elder Peck and Elder Davis would rather eat pepper than the Unequivocally NOT busting food
-Book of Mormon read times
-Temple for Baptisms
-Me and Sister Lundberg got our picture taken by Elder Chennault
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