Oh my goodness I've only been
here 2 days but it feels like 2 weeks! This place is so incredible and
the spirit is so strong and the people are so nice and the food is so
good and the gospel is so real! I've felt god's hand in so many ways
since arriving and it all just helps me gain a stronger testimony that
I'm doing what he wants :)
First minute at
the MTC: I meet elder Barnett, my roommate from BYS last summer, and my
"randomly" assigned escort. It was so awesome to talk to him and see
the missionary he is becoming, and to know that the lord is looking out
for me :)
My companion: Elder Olausson. Wow. He
is such a spiritual beefcake (inside joke). We are very different
people, but I think that makes us an even better companionship. He is so
good at following the spirit and I know I'm gonna learn a lot from him!
Also, he is REALLY good at being on time to everything...so I guess I
know what I need to work on while I'm here :P
Other
elders in my room: Elder Heller and Elder Miskovich. Both incredible
missionaries and examples to follow. I really like Elder Heller, we have
a lot to talk and laugh about, and it's a good thing too, because he is
a grizzly bear. Literally. He snores. so. loud. I couldn't fall asleep
the first night cuz I was laughing too hard. Haha he brought earplugs
for all of us, which was awesome, except we all overslept our alarms the
first morning and almost missed breakfast! Haha I only say that about
him because I already love all my roommates like brothers and we share
such an incredible spirit :)
The food: GREAT. Seriously, so good. and YOU CAN HAVE SECONDS AND THIRDS AND FOURTHS AND yeah :D
My
district: incredible. I was so blessed to have an entire district
completely focused on serving the lord. Last night, we had a district
meeting where we met our branch presidency (I honestly couldn't ask for
anyone better) and their wives (one of them has a really cool british
accent) and then had a powerful testimony meeting! The spirit was so
strong and I felt such a strong love for everybody there :) I have
learned so much from everyone and we all continue to strengthen each
other and I just know we're all gonna be FANTASTIC missionaries :D Which
is great for me, because I was assigned to be District leader over
these guys! I was so excited and so humbled to be asked, but I know this
will help prepare me for the mission field :) Also I get to be in
charge of picking up and distributing all of our mail, which is pretty
much worth it's weight in gold here...haha!
Since
being here: I've met so many incredible people! I've run into both
SIster Tilby and SIster McCuen who I knew from home! It was fun to see
them and see how they are progressing towards their missions :)
Side
note: calling everybody "Elder" is really hard. Saying "guys" "man"
"dude" "bro" "bruh" "broski" and nicknames are all discouraged here and
I'm still getting used to that...haha but I'm working on it! "Exact
obedience brings miracles" :)
I hope everybody
is doing well! If you guys have had any cool testimony building
experiences, or super embarassing date stories, or a good joke, or a bad
joke, I'd love to hear them! I don't have a ton of time to email, but
I'd love to hear from you guys! Haha I love and miss you all, but I know
I'm doing the right thing :)
I love my savior,
and even in the 2 days I've been here have felt his love so strongly
for me too! I love the scriptures and the fact that I get to read them
so much every day! I love the spirit and how much it has helped and
guided me so far! I can't wait to be a representative of the savior and
every day I'm here I get more excited to serve him for 2 years!! To
quote my brother
The church is true
The book is blue
See ya in 2!
I am so pleased with who you are, Nathan! Just reading your blog lifts me. I hope you received the letter I wrote the first day in the MTC. I sent it via dear elder but did not have your unit number. I am glad the food is good..both viddles and spirituals..love you..Grandma Snowder
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