Looking Forward

 Hola mis amigos,

My district and I have entered into our final full week of MTC, and a week from tomorrow we begin to leave. 

We had another Helping Others activity (Teaching Resource Center). My companion and I taught about the attributes of Christ, and the principle's importance to enduring to the end. The lesson was good, and the people we taught were very nice. I was especially glad to find out one of the two people taught served in Salt Lake City West, which was my brothers mission. It was very sweet.

This last Sunday felt very Sunday in the best way. The new counselor in our branch and his wife gave incredible talks. She talked about the great and dreadful day of the Lord in the context of us leaving to come to the MTC and us leaving for the mission field. We are doing such great things and will do much greater, but those transitions are truly dreadful and very full of nerves. But she emphasized that she was grateful for the dreadful moments for they bring about the great. This was very similar to what my mom had told me earlier. And being reminded of that I guess goes to show nerves don't define everything. Which is something I have to tell myself often... and i guess i have to hear often too. It'll sink in though, probably, hopefully. 

One sister in my district gave a very sweet story about praying to receive a Dad when she was a child, and her testimony of faith. Now she has an incredible Dad whom she loves very much. And afterwards the leaving district sang a child's prayer. The song was so perfect after the sister's testimony.

Yesterday I bequeathed the packets of talks, bookmarks, and laminated cards that my mom made for the missionaries in my district. I was very nervous. (This story put here now seems very ironic after the whole try to remember the good despite nerves thing.) In hindsight I think I was afraid to admit that well... I was a person, and that I have a mom who I like quite a bit. This worry of being recognized as a human being led me to believe it was better to present them to everyone at once, so I only had have the spotlight for so long. So I took hold of my courage and called out, "I have something for you guys!" And proceeded to hand them out. 

Everyone was so appreciative, and loved what my mom had done. Overall, 10/10. It was later that night when I realized that is what makes my mom such a good teacher (and my Dad but that's not the subject). It's all about love, and sharing that love. I've been so worried about all sorts of questions—whether I bring the Spirit with me, how to teach, what to say, and how to best remain in the background; however, I think I was starting to forget to love. I remembered its importance, but it just had started to slip on the priority list. Thankfully I have an incredible mom who is a prime example of love. I'm proud to say love is back to #1.

And yes I'm aware this is a little scattered, but this is what my brain is like. Like a refined rat trying to find a nice stanky Brie in a maze full of different types of cheese, but the rat can't smell well at all. 

Hermana d'Evegnee