February 26, 2015
That title is the biggest joke I've ever seen but really though I finished my first month here at the MTC and it seems like the time has just flown by! I can't believe that Courtney is going to get here like a couple days before I leave! Tenny just got here a bit ago so that's way cool to see him! This week was a bit of a rollercoaster to be honest! The Finns who are basically like older brothers for me are all packed up because they are leaving on Monday and it's been really sad to see and to make matters worse I started thinking about when I leave and how I want to call home and I thought about talking to Grace and to be honest that's the first time I have cried at night since I have been here. Seriously talking about her kills me it's awful.
I finished the Rubiks cube which was awesome! So Sister Ariza has been having a really rough go of it. I guess she has something wrong with her gall bladder and she finds out tomorrow whether she has to go home for surgery or can stay here. I really hope she can stay because I love her! Our Branch President can really rub me wrong sometimes but I also know that he is guided by the spirit and that if I listen to him I can grow. He got up on Sunday and decided not to give his talk and just asked us to have faith and fast that Motra Ariza, McBride Nover (Sister McBride, in Hungarian the tags are backwards), and the Finns who are getting anxiety (a couple of them are really freaking out about leaving). It was a super spiritual meeting so our whole zone fasted the next day that the Lord will bless them and I know He will but I know a lot of it depends on his timing.
There's a group of Elders going to Brazil that are really cool but one of them has been talking to me about how he really struggles with the language and stuff and the other night he just started having a really bad anxiety attack. He is doing way better now which was great but man I just continue to thank Heavenly Father for a strong and healthy emotional and mental system that can handle stresses because it's a way bigger problem than I thought it would be here. I am also grateful for companions that I can get along with most of the time. One of the Estonians right next door to me who is really cool has had a really hard time with his companions. He is one of my better friends here but one of his companions has had a hard time with emotional issues and is just hard to be around him a lot of the time and the other just doesn't talk nor does he seem like he really wants to be here! He ended up staying in our room one night for a while and just venting with us which was good for him.
I am also no longer district leader (they switch at half) which has honestly been a little hard for me so far. I don't know I just feel like I have already built this relationship with everyone in my district where they can come to me and I can help them. I know it's an exercise of humility for me but I'll tell you what it really is going to be a little rough go of it for a bit.
We did another skype session yesterday with an Albanian and I really liked her she was mid 20's and had gone on a mission to Italy but she spoke pretty slowly for us and I could understand almost everything she said! She was working at a little kiosk thing while we were skyping so she would randomly get up and go talk to customers! and the branch president showed up for a bit! (she is his daughter). Afterwards our teacher talked to her and she said she felt like we had a lot of unity in our companionship which is good! On Tuesday we had the best devotional since I have been here! It was way awesome, It was Bishop Cousse a presiding bishop and he just talked about how missionaries are super heroes and he told a couple stories about families being converted to the church and how they will always remember that missionaries name. That was just a big testament to me that I could be that missionary for someone who in 40 years is like my family was converted by an Elder Guymon and he changed our lives! How awesome would that be! The generations of converts would just go on! I have had a few times this week where I have just really felt that burning in my chest of the spirit testifying to me that what I am hearing is true and I need to listen and it's the most awesome feeling! I love that we are able to have the gift of the holy ghost with us to always testify that what we are doing is right!
My favorite scriptures right now are in Alma 26:28-30 & 35-37...
28 And now behold, we have come, and been forth amongst them; and we have been patient in our sufferings, and we have suffered every privation; yea, we have traveled from house to house, relying upon the mercies of the world—not upon the mercies of the world alone but upon the mercies of God.
29 And we have entered into their houses and taught them, and we have taught them in their streets; yea, and we have taught them upon their hills; and we have also entered into their temples and their synagogues and taught them; and we have been cast out, and mocked, and spit upon, and smote upon our cheeks; and we have been stoned, and taken and bound with strong cords, and cast into prison; and through the power and wisdom of God we have been delivered again.
30 And we have suffered all manner of afflictions, and all this, that perhaps we might be the means of saving some soul; and we supposed that our joy would be full if perhaps we could be the means of saving some.
35 Now have we not reason to rejoice? Yea, I say unto you, there never were men that had so great reason to rejoice as we, since the world began; yea, and my joy is carried away, even unto boasting in my God; for he has all power, all wisdom, and all understanding; he comprehendeth all things, and he is a merciful Being, even unto salvation, to those who will repent and believe on his name.
36 Now if this is boasting, even so will I boast; for this is my life and my light, my joy and my salvation, and my redemption from everlasting wo. Yea, blessed is the name of my God, who has been mindful of this people, who are a branch of the tree of Israel, and has been lost from its body in a strange land; yea, I say, blessed be the name of my God, who has been mindful of us, wanderers in a strange land.
37 Now my brethren, we see that God is mindful of every people, whatsoever land they may be in; yea, he numbereth his people, and his bowels of mercy are over all the earth. Now this is my joy, and my great thanksgiving; yea, and I will give thanks unto my God forever. Amen.
One of my favorite things my mission president says mostly pertaining to girlfriends but I think it applies to everything is "Do you think God is going to withhold blessings from you for going on a mission? NO!" and I had never really thought about it like that. He isn't ever going to make our options worse for going on a mission which is really comforting!
I've really missed you all and love you so much! I get a little homesick a couple times per week and I really miss Grace but I'm good! One thing is do you think you could send me a little picture of Grace once a week, they don't even have to be current and if it's not easy don't worry about it but I'd love to see her! It sucks though every time I think of her I get choked up!
I got a package from the Fraga's! Did you tell them what to put in it because it had like my favorite stuff!!! I don't have their email address so will thank them for me!
Kyra Toyama writes me every week which is really cool, Emma Williams has started writing me, Austin, Cameron , Trevor, and I have a group message that we write in. This week in specific I heard from: Sarah Blake, Grayland Martin, Michael Hopper, Courtney Dittman, Taylor Thomas, and Britney Perez!
Thank you for all the love and the stuff you send! It means a ton honestly I really love you mom you are the best! I miss you tons!
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