Updates from February in the MTC

I think I'm getting the hang of this blogging thing. (As soon as I typed that Melanie quickly pointed out several edits)

Here are a few tidbits from Scott through the month of February.

February 3, 2011

I am doing great just kinda hangin’ out. Now that I am about three weeks in I don’t really know what all to talk about

This last week has been great. German has been coming along really well. I learn new words everyday and am at the very beginning of understanding sentence structure. It’s so fun to be able to communicate and tell jokes and stuff in Deutsch!

One of my teachers and I talked about applying all we learn in class and from out books to real life. Just like applying everything we practice at football practice we have to apply to a game.

That’s one thing I have kind of had to get used to. At home I always had someone to talk to, and have great "life" conversations ya know? Here I don’t really. We are always doing stuff and when we do have time to talk I usually have to be the listener.

An elder here really said something that hit home. He told me about an experience he had and at the end these words echoed in his head-- "Genuine Interest, Divine Love."

We took a ton of pictures; some of the Elders got some cool ones of me doing a backflip in front of the temple. haha suit and all! (note: pics coming to blog someday)

I have really understood that my mission started the day I got here. I’m not teaching real investigators, but we say things the volunteers and our teachers really need to hear sometimes.

Something we should clarify here. There are a couple of edits that we take some liberties with. I’m sure Scott will forgive us.

February 10, 2011

Things here are pretty grand just kinda tryin’ to work on deutsch as much as possible. I don’t really know what all to write.

I got some letters and goodies from some friends, which was very cool. Thanks to all! (note: subtle hint)

I see Jacob Hatch almost every day along with Spencer Shumway. It’s a lot of fun.

We just got back from the temple, which was way sweet. One of the Temple workers I talked to for a little bit gave me some great advice. He told me to write down why I am going on my mission today, while I am excited. So when I get out in the field I can see what I said, and the commitments I want to keep and what not. I think this is great advice because I just need a hard copy reminder of why I am out here and what I know I can accomplish and what this is going to set me up for.

Everyone should read Preach My Gospel from front to back. You don’t have to be a prospective missionary or anything. It is GREAT instruction to live a better life and to help those in need.

I saw brother and sister Jay and Ruth Naylor and the temple last week! They are so awesome.

I saw Sister Dresden today! She tried to give me a huge hug but I snuck my hand in just in time to remind her, haha.

I haven’t seen anyone on my temple walks or anything, which is good.

I really do like getting mail... that would be great. (note: more direct hint)

Oh! I rolled my ankle. It’s broken but I will be ok for my departure date. sorry... (note: this was the only thing he said about it in this email. After a quickly composed letter, a few days later we found out that it was only rolled and wasn’t too bad)

Oh Little Allie wrote me! I love getting her mail! I hope she answers me back too.

I haven’t been able to write back to Mike and Beth, Michael and Marc, tell them sorry and thanks!

Practice having a good attitude. It’s so easy to get mad and down on yourself in here. Practice before you enter so that you can be that much further ahead when you get in here.

This email was a reminder to us to spread out the mail so stuff comes bit by bit throughout the week rather than putting all of our letters in one mailing. I’ve been gradually going through my mission journals and I was surprised to be reminded how much a good mail day can make your day. Ah, the little things.

February 17, 2011

Ya sorry about last email, I didn’t break my ankle just rolled it. I laughed when I got a letter like 6 hours after from mom asking about it. (note: read the last letter if this makes no sense)

This last Sunday was awesome! We had an amazing devotional. It was actually Shelly Heaton’s dad who gave it. He brought up a whole bunch of VERY recent convert missionaries and asked them questions and stuff. It was so cool. We really got to see how the Lord answers prayers and prepared people to hear the gospel. I enjoyed it.

Then on Tuesday, we had Elder Pearson come and speak to us. He is from the 70, and spoke last General Conference. He and his wife spoke and it was absolutely amazing!!!!! Everything I ever have believed in and then more! It was such a great reminder and such a great meeting for ALL of the missionaries here.

Sister Pearson talked about how if we have a good mission or not all depends on how we look at it and how we want it to be. It’s all about attitude! What my farewell was on. She really just slapped everyone in the face and said that "if you don’t like it, change." It’s our decision to be happy.

I am loving my teachers. One in particular has really been able to relate to me with how practicing German and sports is similar. He also notices when i get frustrated at myself and says that’s how he was. I hope I can speak as well as him after my mission.

 I know that the Lord prepares us for things without us even knowing. Its been so nice to be able to say to myself, "ok the lord is giving me this trial so that I can learn," and then be done whining and moaning about it. It’s so cool in here.

The Priesthood is real. It is the least used tool we have and it is the most powerful. Everyone who reads this, know that the Priesthood is there for you to use and to bless your life with according to God’s will. Don’t ever be afraid to ask for a blessing. God wants us ask him and we will receive.

Write me back! (note: command)

And finally for February…

February 24, 2011

Elder Smith got transferred into another district because another missionary went home. So now it’s just Elder Owen and me.

It’s so cool being able to understand a new language. I love it! Someone should learn so that when I get back we will be able to speak and laugh at the jokes we make in German no one else gets. haha.

I can’t really remember exactly what I wanted to type about today darnit. (note: ever since Christmas in AZ and we kept hearing the boys' cousin, Cruise, say “darnit” it’s been a thing.)

Thanks so much to EVERYONE who is writing me letters. It means a lot. (note: guilt comment)

This last Tuesday we all were expecting an Apostle to be the speaker and we were so sure! And it wasn’t. But it was exactly what we needed to hear. It was Elder Kearon, I don’t know if you guys remember but he gave the talk in Priesthood Session a little while ago about playing without shoes and getting stung by a scorpion. Well, he talked to us about how to be good missionaries. It wasn’t like criticism though. He first was so thankful and shared some stories about his conversion process and it was really cool. Then he just kind of reminded us of what our responsibility is here as Disciples of Christ. It was great.

Then on the Sunday before, we had the first or second counselor speak to us. Except he didn’t speak to us. He and his wife decided to have us sing the whole time and they spoke in between stuff and just made us realize how powerful music is. I LOVED it. They asked missionaries to give the songs they wanted to sing and we all sang them. The spirit was so powerful, and since then I have liked to actually read the song and see what we are singing ya know?

I decided that my two most favorite ones now are "I Need Thee Every Hour" because I do need Him every hour. It’s a really Humbling song, and it keeps me that way. My other is "I Believe in Christ." Because the sister that chose to sing it brought up the point it says. "I believe in Christ so come what may." I love that line so much, it doesn’t matter what is going to happen, I believe in Christ so come what may. He will bless you with everything you need. He cares more than we do.

You already know this about me but my favorite things to read is Psalms.

I saw Elder Saguibo yesterday! So fun to see him!

All of his personal letters are just as upbeat and happy.