WEEK 1 FROM THE MTC

With my companion, Hermana Woodward.

Hola Familia!!

Que pasa?? Life is so good.

Mom, you know how you always say "nothing to write home about..." Well I have SO much to write home about! The MTC computer has a little timer in the top corner and it is giving me anxiety because I feel like I won't have nearly enough time to tell you all that I want to! Well most importantly, I LOVE YOU! Thank you so much for the love and support. Being in the MTC has been the hardest thing I have ever done in my whole entire life (Even harder than Robert's power hour at boxing), but it is the most rewarding opportunity ever. I can't remember what I told you in my first letter... so I'll just do a quick overview of it all.

Day one we walk into our first class and Hermana Haws (mi maestra) only spake espanol! I picked up a few words here and there, but for the most part it was really overwhelming. However, by the end of the day we had the missionary purpose memorized in Spanish and had learned some general conversation starters. By day two I could kind of bear a super basic testimony and say a prayer. I have a strong testimony in the gift of tongues. There is no way missionaries would be able to pick up on languages this fast without immense help from our Heavenly Father. All of the days kind of run together in my mind... so if this letter is all over the place... perdonme.

Sundays are a really special day here in the MTC. We get a lot of time for personal study and lots of meetings. The sisters go to the broadcast of Music and the Spoken Word while the elders go to priesthood. I honestly thought Mo Tab was trying to make me have a breakdown right there. First they sang “Called to Serve’, which is sort of obvious. Then they sang ‘Come thou Font of Every Blessing’... THEN, right after Music and the Spoken Word, we sang ‘As Sisters in Zion’ for the opening song. Man oh man. Music is so powerful. There are so many emotions that are tied to songs that just the tune can have the greatest effect. Relief society was awesome. President Jean Stevens from the General Primary presidency spoke and it was so powerful. Ultimately her message that the way to be the best missionary possible is to have every action you do be motivated by love; whether it is for an investigator, your companion, or for God. Also she said something I really liked; "If you aren't happy with your lot in life, build a service station". Service helps us focus on others rather than on ourselves. Then we had sacrament meeting and that was the coolest experience because everything was done in Spanish. The best part was the sacrament prayers. As Hermana Haws always says "The spirit is the same in Spanish". That might seem silly to say... but it is so true!! It doesn't matter what language it is, or if you even fully understand what is being said... what matters is that you can still feel the spirit. In class we talk a lot about how we should teach lessons. The ultimate thing I've learned about teaching lessons is that I don't teach the lesson. Honestly. It is all on the spirit that is doing the teaching. We are constantly encouraged to not just ask investigators questions, but to ask inspired questions.

On Friday we taught our first lesson to an investigator, EN ESPANOL. That was crazy. We have been teaching him all week and he is getting baptized!! Granted, he is only a pretend investigator, but still... It was the greatest feeling in the whole wide world when he said "quiero bautizada"!!! Anyway. I love it here. My zone and district are amazing! There are six hermanas and six Elders in my zone. Three Hermanas are going to Texas and everyone else is going to Chile. It is so hard. I never believed Scott when he said that it was hard but it really is so emotionally and physically draining; but I love it.

La iglesia de jesucristo es verdadera. Nuestro Padre Celestial es muy amoroso. I am short on time... I HAVE SO MUCH LEFT TO SAY!! but just know that I love you. Remember who you are and all you stand for. Make good choices. Reemplaze miedo con fe.

Con Amor,

Hermana Draper

 

My district at the Temple Walk.