So it's my first week in the
Provo MTC as a Missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day
Saints and can I just tell you, WOAH. It's been absolutely incredible. I
can't even put into words how much of a miracle this place is. IT'S A
MIRACLE. Like, if the church were not true, this place would be the
worst learning institution EVER. Everything is based on the Spirit. You
can't go five minutes without opening your scriptures or praying. All
the teachers are recent RMs, and they just teach us based on our needs
as they are inspired. There's no curriculum other than Preach My Gospel,
which is AWESOME. And our teachers know SO MUCH. They can answer any
question we have! There's so much to gain here. In addition, all
application of what we learn in through the Spirit.
But
let me start at the beginning. Wednesday was crazy. I loved it.
Apparently it was really hard for most people, but it was great for me.
Homesickness, or something. We learned lifetimes in just that one day,
but mostly it's all a blur. New missionaries are like deer in
headlights.
Thursday was
Learn to Study or Die day. We had like ten hours of study time, not
exaggerating. All the other missionaries reassured us that this is the
worst day at the MTC, but I didn't really feel it. Yeah, it was intense
and crazy and all but I didn't think it was that ridiculous.
Friday hit me hardest. I was sick most of Thursday and was feeling better on Friday,
but it's when the exhaustion hit and we taught our first investigator
and realized how much work we had to do. Even then, though, I didn't
realize what was going on.
What
was going on: I was roadkill. Like, TOTAL roadkill. It wasn't until
Sunday that I realized how miserable that first week had been. We had
been warned and it's SO TRUE: Everything goes downhill if you can make
it to your first Sunday in the MTC. Easy-peasy after that.
My companion
is Sister Bean and I'm SO MAD I forgot to bring my stuff to the computer
lab, so I don't have any pictures for you. But I will hopefully get
those out soon :) Sister Bean is amazing, I love her. We compliment each
others strengths and weaknesses really well. She's obedient and
determined. I push up her self esteem when she's feeling inadequate, and
she does the same for me :)
Anyway, not a lot of time and I think it's important that I get some things out for anyone preparing to serve:
First off, STAY AWAY from the orange juice and chocolate milk. It tastes great, but it will make you sick all day. Trust me.
Also, Sit back and enjoy the
ride your first few days. Be serious, but don't let yourself get
overwhelmed, cause it's pretty easy to be. Just take in what you can and
the rest will come later.
YOU
ARE NEVER RESPONSIBLE FOR AN INVESTIGATORS SALVATION. If after all you
can do, they don't join the church, that's their choice. It doesn't fall
on your head, even though whenyou love that person as much as you will,
it will feel like it. Know how to gently but firmly pull yourself away
from a situation that would otherwise tear you up.
So
yeah, everything else sprouts from those things. It's not about
teaching the gospel. It's about teaching people. It's not about bringing
people into the church, it's about bringing then to Christ. KNOW what
your purpose is. Live it.
So
yeah, life is great, and EVERYONE should experience the MTC for at
least three days. You learn and grow so much. And I've literally learned
more in three days that I normally learn in a full semester of school,
or multiple years of Sunday school. The only way cramming that much info
into your mind and heart that fast is possible is because THE SPIRIT IS
HERE BECAUSE THE CHURCH IS TRUE. That is all.
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