MTC Letter #6

Oct. 15, 2010

Hola!

This week has been pretty normal again. These scheduled weeks without being able to “get out” are hard! But, I just keep focused on the now, and just remember that if I stay focused the days go much faster! This upcoming week marks the 2/3 of the way done with the MTC. It’s crazy to think that I’ll be in Chile in around 3 weeks. It still feels like I just got here.

I’ve started becoming friends with more of our zone and they are funny Elders. It’s good to be able to make friends here, as it makes not being with my friends at home much easier (Friends, you still beat them of course :)). Elder Ah Mu is 22 and worked for the government as part of explosion removal (or like that nature, don’t know the exact term). I play volleyball with him almost every day. Elder Jensen went to Utah State. I had seen him a few times from the friends on the floor under us. Elder Fuller is just a funny elder and always makes everyone laugh. Those are a few of the elders I’ve become better friends with. As for those in my district, I’m really good friends with them. Elder Chaparro is from Smithfield, Utah, and I’ll probably be seeing him at Utah State when I get back! He’s a funny elder as well and is always helpful. Elder Pilcher is from California and is really diligent. We’ve been able to share stories from home and help each other out with missing home and such. Elder Belliston is from American Fork and is a good leader and diligent. Elder Williams is from Heraman, Utah (south Salt Lake) and has the goofiest personality. He always does things that are hilarious and make everyone laugh. My companion, Elder Mortensen, is a good elder and a convert of around 2 years. I love helping him out with Spanish and such. We work well together. Elder Alston, my other companion, is funny as well. Sometimes a little too sarcastic, but he has a good heart. I help him to get up so that we are on time for personal study and he helps me a lot with Spanish. So, that’s the people I’m around, basically 24/7.

Our TRC last week went well. We taught the Plan of Salvation really well as a companionship. But the best experience of the week would have to be with our progressive investigator. Progressive investigators are teachers who don’t give you feedback after a lesson, and you go back as much as possible to teach them more. Basically exactly like an actual investigator. Super helpful for the field. Her investigator name is Stephanie. Her story is that she had Mormon friends in high school and liked being around them, but fell away after they left for college. She had gotten a Book of Mormon, but her mom threw it away. So when we taught a lesson, we focused a lot on the Book of Mormon. The lesson was awesome and super spiritual. When I bore my testimony (a few times) about it, I had never felt the Spirit so strongly than in that room. I knew that we followed the promptings of the Spirit in that lesson and it was awesome.

We left her with a commitment to read Moroni 10 and pray about the Book of Mormon. Afterwards, she came out of character (which you’re really not supposed to do) and said, “Elders, you hit that spot on. That was exactly what she needed to hear.” So cool!

Dad – Thanks for the DearElder, I got it at a good time. I’m glad that the funeral went well. I wish that I could have been there. Your talk was really great and reading it made me feel like I was there. That’s awesome that your co-worker was able to do that! (He raced in Kona, Hawaii in the Ironman in memory of Greg Whittle, Brad’s brother that died in a car accident the week prior to the race.) It’s starting to get cooler here, finally. I didn’t like the heat!

Mom – How was Kona?! You lucky duck! How did Kirill and Trista’s athletes do? I hope that you had fun and that the family is doing well! Oh and make sure you forward the emails when you get back, thanks!

Trinette – I’m glad you got the letter! Thanks for the reply :) And Happy Birthday!! I’m glad that you were spoiled :)

I hope life is going well for everyone! Remember to be optimistic and stay happy in everything you do. Love and miss you all!!

Love,
-Elder Whittle