I don't even know where to start. Actually, yes I do. This is pretty funny. Literally everyone in my whole district has received multiple letters and packages from their families. If you don't know, they hand them out in class so you know who gets letters and who doesn't. So now I am my district's charity case because I haven't heard from any of you. They give me candy and hug me and stuff so I feel better. I did receive one letter from Elder Schumaker and that was good. I hope you know this is all very very light-hearted, because I am really enjoying myself here, but I really want to hear from you!! This week has been so hard, and it would've been nice to hear from you guys. I know it has only been a week, but it feels like I've been here way longer than that. Anyways, if you have some spare time, I'd love to hear from you. Even just a short note. Letters are THE BEST. And so are pictures! (I also wrote a letter yesterday saying almost this same thing, but whatevs).
Thanks mom for emailing me!! It was so good to hear from you. How's life?? Tell me everything.
Caden, you are a stud muffin. I'm so happy homecoming was fun! AND you scored two touchdowns, are you kidding me?? You're awesome. Tell me about it!!
Brance and Aspen, how are wedding plans going?? I want an invite! You guys rock.
Bri and Joe, how's work and school?? And Boone doggy? Anything fun going on?
Natty what are the future plans looking like now? SLC or what?
PAPA how's work going??
I'll try to write letters to you individually even if it is just short and sweet.
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The first few days of the MTC were super long, but I was super jazzed on life and loved every bit of it. It's like college, but it pertains to people's eternal salvation so definitely more important. And I loved college so the MTC is like spiritual college heaven. Yes, you are very closed off, and I miss being proactive and I miss backpacking, hiking, and climbing, but all of that can wait. I am just so happy here. It's the best kind of joy.
The first day was good. We met a lot of people and got to know each other in the district. They give us these red dots so everyone knows it's our first day. I lost track of the "welcome to the MTC" well wishes. Everyone is just so Christ-like it's nuts.
It is DEFINITELY not all roses. I've never felt more inadequate in my whole life than I did the 3rd day here. I'm in a trio so it is a very interesting dynamic. We taught our first (fake) investigator and it was awful. Sister Lamb and Sister Wheelwright were really quiet and I'm super passionate/loud so I pretty much dominated the lesson and they hardly said a word. We've had to work on that. Anyways, it was hard, but also an amazing experience. After all of us beating ourselves up, we went in a room and kneeled in companionship prayer. It was.. ridiculously cool. Heavenly Father pretty much just chastised me and it was super awesome. I was being very selfish and he made it known in a loving manner. It was all about me and how awful I did and what I'm going through, when everyone here is going through the SAME thing and I ended up forgetting how the investigator must feel and their needs and wants. Which is the most important. I forgot my purpose. To invite others to come unto christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end. I can't even describe it. SUPER cool. Just so cool. God works in mysterious ways.
My teachers are super awesome. Brother Bryner, and Sister Vuki are just the best ever. I have learned so much while I've been here. I can't even put it in words. I've learned how to rely on the Holy Ghost in a way that I had never been able to before. I have never prayed so hard in my life. And I understand the atonement in a very different way. Christ suffered for EVERYTHING!!!! When we're feeling inadequate, when you have doubts, when we are having a hard time, when we are in a bad mood-- He knows. He is there. He will help you. You just need to act by reading the scriptures to find answers and praying before and after. Personal revelation is a fantastic thing and glorious way for our Father to communicate with us. But He isn't just going to throw it in our faces. Where much is received, much is required. TRUTH.
After our first awful teaching experience, we have gotten much much better. The Lord has edified us like mad. "In God's strength I will boast; for God can edify all things." It's been amazing to see the progress in one another. Our second lesson was fantastic. The spirit was so strong and we were able to really teach our investigator personally, not the lesson. The next few times we have taught Him have been good, but we have finally figured out how to make it better. It's super cool how you just keep learning and learning and it just never stops.
I'm almost out of time but let me share a funny story and also a spiritual experience at a conference on Sunday.
So last night Sister Hulme (not my comp, but in my zone) and I decided that we would wake up at 530 to shower and such. Well Sister Hulme wakes me up and says it's time to shower. So I went over and got my stuff and went in the showers. Then Sister Lamb comes in the bathrooms/showers and tells Sister Hulme that it's actually FOUR IN THE MORNING. So she tells me and I was like WHAT ARE YOU SERIOUS? Anyways, it was super funny in the moment. Sister Hulme had her clock set on eastern time zone. Hilarious. I'm very scattered and tired today so this email probably doesn't make sense. Oh well. Got 1.5 years to make em better!
My whole district is super tight. We do everything together. We have so much fun together! They're great. All the sisters are going to Nashville and 3 Elders are going to Australia and 2 Elders are going to Texas. Did I tell you that 28 people are flying out on Monday with me?? PS- My flight is at like 6am so I'll be calling around then I think. Also, I'm the trip leader for all 30ish people so that'll be interesting.
On Sunday we had a video we watched of a talk by Elder Bednar called "The Character of Christ". Read it. It will change your life. The difference between us and Christ, is when we are faced with struggles and hardships we always think about ourselves and how sad we are that things aren't going the right way, or a lesson didn't go well when Christ turned outward and helped others. Love, service, compassion. He gave an analogy of the cookie monster. How all he wants is cookies for himself. And how all we want is our own happiness. "Quit worshiping self, and turn to God." He also talked about how when we get back from our missions, there is a 60% chance that we will be inactive sometime in our life. (Anyone in that age range actually.) If one of the 12 apostles broke off from the church, would our testimonies be waned? Who are we REALLY converted to? The programs the church offers? The people? The leaders? The scripture? Or are we focusing on being converted unto the LORD. If all of our friends and family fell away, would we too? It provoked a lot of self thought. Why am I really a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? Desire + diligence = developing a character of Christ = every gift that God has given his children is possible to obtain. EVERY gift. Powerful. Read it/watch it this talk.
Every night Elder Eyring prays for correction, direction and encouragement. I thought that was super cool. I can't remember if it's Elder Eyring, or another general authority, but all the same.
I am a representative of Jesus Christ. He lives. He is our savior and redeemer. Our Father in Heaven wants the best for us! He loves us more that we can comprehend. We are HIS CHILDREN. If we go to Him in prayer, with faith and desire, He will strengthen us. The Book of Mormon is the word of God!! So many simple truths in that amazing book. Joseph Smith restored Christ's church. He wasn't a perfect man, and neither are we, but he was guided by the Lord and His heavenly angels to bring to pass this great work. Thomas S Monson is our prophet called of God. He receives direct instruction from Him. I love this gospel and the happiness it brings!
I know this was a very preachy email! I want you all to know for yourselves that these things are true. Ask in kneeling prayer! He is waiting for you to talk to Him about any struggle.
This gospel is true and pure. I am so stoked about it. I literally just want to share it with the world! Can't wait for Monday! I don't feel ready in the least bit, but I will be strengthened.
Love you guys!!!! Please email me on your personal accounts so I can write back personally! Also, I really really really love letters. Really. (Brance, tell them how fun it is.)
Love,
Sister Boren
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