Kumusta!

I came to the MTC during the best week of the year. The prophet and all 12 of his apostles were here most of the week for a mission president seminar. 

On Sunday, Quintin L Cook spoke to us, and all 12 apostles attended the devotional. I sang in the choir. It was pretty humbling to think I was bearing my testimony through song to all the apostles. 

On Monday, Elder Utchdorf and his wife waved a group of us over and shook hands with some of us and asked us where we were going. He then looked us all in the eyes and told us he loved us. 

On Tuesday, Elder Gong came up behind Sister Gee and I while we were studying and told us he was proud of us.

The MTC is a weird place. Needless to say, the spirit was so strong here with all those amazing people walking around.

It really is like nothing I've experienced before. All the teachers are recently returned missionaries of at the most 3 years, so all the staff is basically the same age as the missionaries. It's the coolest place. My favorite part is how many flowers and beautiful study areas they have for the missionaries. It makes me so happy.

This week we have been teaching an investigator named Flora, she's a student teacher but she really is from the Philippines and barely speaks English. We thought she was an investigator for the first 4 lessons, but we found out that she actually worked at the MTC. I'm actually really impressed that the teachers pulled that off and I'm really grateful that I got to feel what it was like to teach a real investigator. Yesterday was our last lesson with her, and we are so sad. We love her so much. It was probably the best lesson we taught so far and about 90% was in Tagalog. Our grammar was probably horrendous but still.

Speaking of Tagalog: AHHH! They are really pushing this batch of missionaries hard. The last district that left the MTC was almost fluent, according to my teacher. He said that they are trying a new curriculum on this district, so we are memorizing twice as many words a day than that previous district. In one day I memorize 40-80 words. Today, the count is 75. 

pray, study, repeat

The Gift of Tongues is REAL. Yesterday I was shocked to find myself saying our companion prayer in full Tagalog and the words just rolled out of my mouth. I can't explain the kind of power that comes through faith and prayer. "I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things."

The people of the Philippines are such a spiritually prepared people. The week before I came to the MTC there was 1 Tagalog speaking branch. The day I came in they had to make 2 more. Now there are 120 missionaries at the MTC that are going to the Philippines, and that doesn't even count the ones that are at the Manila MTC.

District 16-A

I think I have been more spiritually edified in 10 days at the MTC than in the whole time I have been a member of this church. I LOVE being a missionary. I sometimes feel bad that I cant relate to all the home-sick missionaries but I am so blessed to be in such a holy place surrounded by strong people, and I could not be happier.

That being said, being a missionary is stressful. Luckily, the MTC provides us with $8 a week to spend on ALL the necessities like laundry detergent, study materials, ice cream, etc

Manna for the soul

I just want to leave you all with my testimony about personal revelation. If you learn how to receive revelation, God will speak to you. Be diligent in studying the scriptures and share the content of your heart with God, and you will be guided in all aspects of your life.

Remember to email me! I don't have any contacts so I can only email you if you email me first:)

Paalam!