8.5.17

It sounds like you had a great time taking Devin and mom out. Devin still looks like he has not grown too much, hopefully he’s a big boy by the time I get back.  He’s super cute though. It’s really strange being away from home, but the last 2 and a half weeks have blown by so fast. 

Before I answer any of the questions you sent i just wanted to go over my week a little bit. By the way I’ll be sending some pics in another email home today. all the pics are on my Tablet so I will send them later. It’s so wonderful being in an environment where all of the elders and sisters share the same standards and beliefs as I do. My week was really good though. Me and elder Paskett were teaching our fake investigators this week. We taught 3, Debbi, Austin, and Linda. It was obvious that they were members, but we still got to practice teaching them the first 4 lessons of preach my Gospel. Practices helps a lot because it builds your confidence. Another thing that i have learned that helps is prayer and really listening to the spirit to guide us what we say. It was neat to be able to get them to commit to living different commandments. I can tell that by bringing souls closer to Christ, we will want to rejoice just as much as they will. 

A real experience that me and another elder had was pretty cool. His name is Elder Belton,( he's in my district) and we got to set up a time to skype with this 15 year old boy named Ethan for 45 mins. ( We met Ethan while we were at the referral center he lives in Canada) He had a really interesting story and background of all these churches he has been to. It was really exciting and nervous to talk to a real person who was interested in learning our beliefs. One issue was that he read out of a bible that wasn’t the king James version. And the other one was that he was really devoted to Catholicism, and believes that the Pope and only the pope has the priesthood. He also believes that the spirit, Jesus, and heavenly father are one. We want to talk to him one more time on Monday before we leave.  We did get a chance to share about the apostasy and the restoration and he sounded interested. We sent him a free book of Mormon and i told him to download the LDS gospel library app so he can take a look at anything he’s interested in.

That was the highlight of my week because it showed me you can always learn something new and every person that I will have to be done differently.

Before going into the MTC I wish i would have had a chance to look at other Christian denominations and what they believe just so that i could be more understanding when talking to others. But since I’ve been here, my faith has defiantly increased and I’ve come to love the Book of Mormon. Being able to read it every day is a huge blessing and keeps my faith and testimony growing.

I have 3 teachers, I’m in something called a pilot program and so it’s very different from other missionary’s. they have class for  hours a day while we have class for 2 hours and then 4 hours of coaching or teaching TRCs. I’m sure you could look it up if you want to learn more ;)

The teachers names are Christanson, Dahale, and Simpson they are all return sister missionaries. they have been back for a year or so.

my favorite part about the mtc is how pure and spiritually clean it is. No foul language and a very holy and spiritual place to be all day.  my favorite part of the day is studying the book of mormon and also playing four square. my whole district loves playing four square, we are all really close. The other night i had a long day, so i had my Comp, give me a blessing as well as the other elders in the District. I felt the power of the priesthood and being worthy that night. i was just having trouble being tired in the afternoons and trying my best to sleep. so that’s been a big change , but i know that through the Lord i can adapt to this new schedule.

 

I haven’t been able to help with any tours, probably cause i leave next Tuesday. I’ll send pictures when I get my tablet. I love you all, have a great week!