I survived 9 weeks at the MTC! hahaha, I really can't believe it has been
nine weeks! It seems to have flown by, but thinking back to June 29th feels
like a lifetime ago. I have learned so much here and made forever
friendships. I have been changed, and I know that I will take these lessons
with me throughout the rest of my life. I am so excited to go to Hong Kong!
This Monday, 3:30 am I will be with 5 of my best friends, preparing to move
to China for 16 months!
This week has been crazy. Our best friend district left Monday and Tuesday,
and we said goodbye to all of them. They left at 3, 4 and 5 am through
Monday/Tuesday night, so we were running on very little sleep. Both of our
teachers are also in California, so we've had substitutes. All our teachers
are amazing! Thankfully, both our regular teachers will return before
Monday, because I will miss them so much! The things they've done and
taught our district are truly amazing and selfless.
This last week has also been a little strange because it feels like the
last week of school. Anticipation, nerves, excitement...you know the end is
near! And you are all starting school this week!
Juan A. Uceda spoke at last night's devotional and these quotes really
touched my heart...
"The Lord speaks to us in silence. The most important voice is the
Spirit's, and he speaks to our hearts, within our souls."
I love that, because it says so simply and poetically how we can learn
from God and feel the Spirit. I know that when we are worthy and have the
desire for spiritual truth, the Holy Ghost will speak to us.
"My eyes have not seen God. But my spiritual eyes have seen His hands in my
life and my family's."
The best way for me to conquer discouragement is to be grateful. When
we notice Heavenly Father's many tender mercies, and allow them to
strengthen our testimonies, our faith will become unshakable. His love is
simply always there and His hands always outstretched. Notice it!
"There is power in you that you need to find."
This is so true. There are abilities I have found here at the MTC that I
never knew I had. There are many I still want to develop, and I have faith
Heavenly Father will help me develop them. We can pray for spiritual gifts
and increased abilities. If we seek in meekness and need them to serve
Heavenly Father, we will receive them. It's a privilege to be on His
errand. And we can know what that errand is through prayer and listening to
the Holy Ghost.
This week's email is simple. This week was one of much learning,
realization, growth, challenge, and joy. But what it really comes down to
is love. And love is simple. Christ has made it simple for us: love
everyone, use the Atonement when you feel you can't love, increase in love
for your God and for your neighbor all your life,* consistently choose
charity. *Trust in his grace and his capacity to fill you with charity. The
pure love of Christ is within all of us.Share it, develop it, and cherish
it.
--
*Sister Dopp*
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