1st week @ MTC

Something that is interesting to me is something President Welton (my branch president) said:

"This is where you are suppposed to be. You are not meant to be anywhere else."

This stung my heart because even though I have some really hard moments, I know that it is true.

 

Wow! Where to start!?!?  I have timed e-mail time. The countdown is at 28 minutes so I'm going to try to get this all in. :)

The MTC is different than I had expected. But I don't really know what I expected so it isn't good or bad.  I feel so blessed to be here.

I have two companions. Sister Pederson and Sister Beirman. We're the only Sisters going to Brazil right now so we are in a tri-companionship.

I have learned soooo much. I can already put sentences together in Portuguese! Isn't that crazy?? The language is hard and it's really frustrating at times, but we've bonded because of it. We've already been teaching an investigator, Hugo (you-goo) and he doesn't speak any english. He knows a few words, but not really. So we've had to teach him portugese by the 2nd day. Is that insane? No need to think about it... the answer is yes. The biggest thing I've learned with teaching in new language though is that we are not preparing our lessons to teach Hugo about the gospel. We are preparing the Lord's lesson's to testify of simple truth's to Hugo. We had a fireside last night in which the speaker stated, "The most importamnt 2nd language you can have is the language of the spirit." 90% of all the missionaries here are learning another language for there missions and we are all going through the same trials but the most important thing to remember is that my Portuguese may not be good enough, but the spirit IS.

Hugo is not going to understand the gospel by the facts we put into his head, but by the spirit we bring in to put in his heart.

 

We directed not to listen to personal music while at the MTC. This is because we learn so much that when we have personal time we need silence to help it sink in and feel promptings of revaltion by the spirit. And it is so true. But because of this when we sing hymns in meetings and such it is such a special experience.

Yesterday we sang "All is Well". Is that the title?

"Why should we think to earn a great reward? If we now shun the fight." This line knocked the wind out of me. Heaven is a great reward. Eternity is a great reward. How can I say I deserve any of it in times of selfishness or causual behavior about the Lord's commandments.

 

I don't know if my visa is coming soon. :( But I am content where I am if I need to stay here the full 9 weeks. Visa's are backed up to Brazil like CRAZY. Please write me!

I miss everyone!

 

Love Sister Barlow