This is my second week in the MTC, and I haven't changed my mind about this being one of the best experiences ever. According to one of my roommates, the MTC has a higher language proficiency rating than the DOD. Too bad I can't fact check! But a couple of people vouch for her. One of the elders is trying very hard to take advantage of us having no access to google: "Do you know how much breathing we do through our skin? 30%. Frogs do 70%!" This is also the same guy who is convinced there's some sedative in the Utah water. Haha
Our teacher showed us how Henry B. Eyring had made a prophecy about the gospel in Japan. "You are only seeing the beginning." When more people in Japan are taught the gospel, they will no longer be afraid to tell people what religion they belong to when at their school and at work. The people are often ostracized for their beliefs and they are some of the strongest members you will ever know, according to one of the returned missionaries. And let me tell you -- God has not forgotten His children. The prophecy about the gospel in Japan was given in 1998. 18 years later, and guess what languages are most taught in the MTC?
1. English
2. Spanish
3. Japanese
That's right -- a language that only belongs to this island that's smaller than some US states is the 3rd most taught language here. Wow!
2 Nephi 29:7
"Know ye not that there are more nations than one? Know ye not that I, the Lord your God, have created all men, and that I remember those who are upon the isles of the sea; and that I rule in the heavens above and in the earth beneath; and I bring forth my word unto the children of men, yea, even upon all the nations of the earth?"
This week I had a really cool spiritual experience. Our teacher wanted us to understand the concept, 'teach people, not lessons' so we spent three minutes asking our companions personal questions before delivering a short message. I said a prayer after asking the questions, and immediately had a clear idea of what to say, even though it was on a topic my companion and I had never discussed before. So I gave my message and she said, "That's great!" But then I guess the words sunk into her heart because a few minutes later, she pulled me aside and was a little emotional as she said, "You have no idea how much I needed to hear that. You teach with the Spirit, otherwise you wouldn't have known to say that."
Miller Shimai and I get crazy hyper at night right before bed. A few nights ago, for example, I was shining a flashlight in her face and she said, "Gaaaah. All I can see are these shining dots of light." "Oh see, it's the plan of salvation. The dot on the far right is the celestial kingdom, then terrestrial, then telestrial. That's how to teach investigators."
"Oh that's an awesome idea if I want to BLIND my investigators." "They are already blind to the TRUTH!"
Then yesterday Askew Shimai was looking at pictures on her Ipad as it rested on the railing overlooking the basketball court and Miller Shimai grabbed the Ipad, tipped it over the railing (she didn't drop it), and said, "Let's air drop that!" But besides how awesome Miller Shimai is, I could not imagine having a better companion than Sister Askew. I love her!
In between study time, our district has fun making memes. Here are a few:
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| The Elders in our District |
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| Our District |
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| My hair sticks to the walls. |
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| Fall at Provo Temple |
Sorry this email was REALLY long this week! Stay safe everyone!
Lots of love,
