Hi, this is Elora's Mom. I mentioned to her that there were several items in her family emails that she should add to her blog. She agreed and asked me to post them for her, so here they are:
From Week 1:
My companions name is Sister McDonald and she is pretty amazing. She's my complete opposite, to the point where she wanted to take 5 minutes prior to computer time in order to make an outline of her email to her family. I just write. We are both slightly OCD but in totally different ways and hopefully we don't start to drive each other crazy because of it too soon. I already feel like I know so much more than I knew last week. I walked into class on the first day and was greeted by two teachers who refused to speak in English. I'm now to the point where I can understand nearly everything there are saying. The craziest part of Tagalog is the over-abundance of letters. For example- Hi is kamusta, Savior is tagapagligtos, and the word for faith (which I'm really good at forgetting) is 15 letters long. Every sentence is one long tongue twister.
Another exciting, and complicated, part of being at the MTC is the roommates. Each bedroom has 3 sets of bunks beds, 3 desks, and 6 tiny closets. We store anything we don't need on top of the closets. Right now (and probably for a while according to the older girls) we have 2 empty beds, so there are only 4 of us. The room still feels crowded though. It only matters in the morning and night, we aren't really supposed to be in there the rest of the day, but there are still a lot of people in a room maybe twice the size of the room in my old apartment.
From Week 2:
I've had to learn very quickly how to get over being shy and my dislike of asking questions. The first few times we had a practice teaching session, I was almost to scared to function. Now- at least I say something. It doesn't always have to do with what the lesson seems to be about. Yesterday I even asked a question that seemed to have nothing to do with what we were teaching. I'm really glad I did because the person I was practicing with later told me that I asked exactly the right question to make him feel like I actually cared about him. I feel like I'm really far behind in this aspect of missionary work. All the other people in my district can sit down and talk to anyone about anything. I, on the other hand, can't even think of what to say when the "investigator" asks me a direct question. Starting the conversation is even harder.
Fortunately, there have been several things that have helped me a great deal. One of those things is the sisters in my zone. They are always willing to listen to me and many of the ones who have been here longer have advice on how they dealt with similar problems. My teachers are also really great. One of them loves to say "We cannot measure what is most important, so we try to make most important what we can measure." This reminds me that I need to focus on the things that are more difficult to measure and remember that they are more important. I can't let myself think that what I can measure is more important than internal things like how hard I'm trying and reliance on the Lord.
I really love being here. I'm learning so much about myself and about the Gospel. It's not easy, but I have a feeling it wasn't meant to be. I put my trust in God, ask him to help in the areas I'm no good at, and then I try my hardest to do my best.
From Week 3:
I'm getting better at socializing with people, the weather is getting colder, and people in the zone today are leaving (along with getting a new district in our zone so we won't be the new-be's anymore) We are also getting more sisters in our room- this means there will be 6 people in a room only a little bigger than my bedroom back home. These sisters won't be in our zone, we've speculated that they will be english speaking missionaries. But I'm still a little apprehensive about how cramped the room will feel.
A note of disappointment- the MTC normally has pizza every Friday night, which has been a nice carry over from home. This week- with no warning at all- they had teriyaki stix instead, it was incredibly disappointing.
This weeks devotional was given by Elder Bednar. This makes 4 apostles speaking at a devotional in a row. Our branch president said that one normally only comes every other month. It's been really neat. My favorite part of his talk was when he stated "I know some of you are thinking 'I don't think I can do this'... or course you can't... alone" It really stuck out to me and has definitely been pushing me forward this week. I definitely don't think I can do this alone. Fortunately I don't have to.
From Week 4:
So, This week was Thanksgiving. As much as I love Thanksgiving with my family, I don't think I will ever have a thanksgiving quite like this one. It was way amazing!
Elder Holland came to speak and brought all his children and grandchildren with him. They were so cute. His grandkids even got up and sang a song. He spoke on gratitude, families, and the Savior. The devotional ended up going 30 minutes over the length it had been scheduled to be, which is pretty crazy when it was only meant to be an hour. That afternoon, the missionaries got to participate in a service project where we cut out the piece to make backpacks for needy children. The pieces will be shipped to wards that will construct them, fill them with school supplies, and send them back to the church for distribution. There are approximately 2000 missionaries at the MTC, we made over 33000 backpacks, including cutting out all the pieces, placing them in boxes of 25 and preparing the boxes for shipping. It was so cool!
I'm looking forward to a cold December with lotsa snow- I'm so glad next December will be warm!
From Week 5:
This week has been super fun, though for the most part, it hasn't been too different from any other week. The strangest thing is that the group of missionaries in our zone who came in right before us are leaving today. This means that I only have 3 weeks left at the MTC and that there will no longer be anyone here older than me to look up to. Kinda sad- but super exciting anyways. I'm kinda starting to stress a little because I still feel like I'm absolutely hopeless on the language, but my teachers tell me that I'm doing great and not to worry. That and everyone says it doesn't matter how well you think you know it in the MTC, you never know anything when you actually get to the field.
For the devotional last Tuesday, Julie B. Beck came to speak to us. The coolest thing about her talk was when she shared her experience when her parents were mission presidents of the only Brazil mission. In about 50 years this country has evolved from not having a single church building within it's borders, to having around 25 missions, isn't that insane! Thursday was interesting because it was the first time we taught volunteers in the TRC in Tagalog. It was definitely scary and the volunteer asked a lot of questions I was lacking the vocab to answer.
Yesterday, instead of having a regular fireside, we watched the Christmas devotional. It was really neat and I'm so excited for the Christmas season. If you didn't get a chance to see it, you should try to. The first presidency shared some beautiful stories of looking past the presents and decorations and really remembering what the Christmas season is about.
A quick word in Tagalog, just for fun. Alam ko po na sasagotin ng Diyos ang mga dasal natin. Mahal niya tayo and gusto niya para sa maging tayo masaya. Maganda po ba iyen?
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Monday, December 6, 2010
The Miracle of the Philippines
December 6, 2010
One of the neatest things we discussed in class was the mission field in the Philippines. The Filipino people are super nice and love to say yes in order to make someone happy. They will never say something to intentionally hurt another persons feelings and they are incredibly friendly. Because of all this, the First Presidency of the Church has instated several restrictions on who the church is able to baptize. They want to make sure an investigator is sincerely interested in the church, instead of saying yes because they want to make the missionaries happy. They are required to have all the lessons before baptism, attend church consecutively 4 times, and even a few other things. The exact requirements aren't that important.
These requirements have helped the Philippines become the country with the highest retention rate! (meaning that the people being baptized are actually remaining active in the church) The Philippines missions also have a really high number of baptisms each month. The Gospel is spreading so fast to so many people. To me, this demonstrates just how prepared the people in the Philippines are to have the gospel in their lives. The field really is white, the people are ready, they are just waiting to hear the fullness of the gospel. I feel so privileged to have the opportunity to bring the message of the Restoration to them.
Mahal Kita!
One of the neatest things we discussed in class was the mission field in the Philippines. The Filipino people are super nice and love to say yes in order to make someone happy. They will never say something to intentionally hurt another persons feelings and they are incredibly friendly. Because of all this, the First Presidency of the Church has instated several restrictions on who the church is able to baptize. They want to make sure an investigator is sincerely interested in the church, instead of saying yes because they want to make the missionaries happy. They are required to have all the lessons before baptism, attend church consecutively 4 times, and even a few other things. The exact requirements aren't that important.
These requirements have helped the Philippines become the country with the highest retention rate! (meaning that the people being baptized are actually remaining active in the church) The Philippines missions also have a really high number of baptisms each month. The Gospel is spreading so fast to so many people. To me, this demonstrates just how prepared the people in the Philippines are to have the gospel in their lives. The field really is white, the people are ready, they are just waiting to hear the fullness of the gospel. I feel so privileged to have the opportunity to bring the message of the Restoration to them.
Mahal Kita!
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Gratitude
November 29, 2010
This Thursday was Thanksgiving. I had the opportunity to listen to several missionaries speak about what they are thankful for, and here are the two that stuck out to me most.
One elder who spoke is serving at the MTC mission. He has cystic fibrosis and didn't actually expect to live to the age where he could serve a mission. He spoke of how glad he was that he could wake up every morning, walk into a room, and spend the rest of the day on the telephone or chatting online with people who had questions about the church. His mission is so different from mine, and he had so much gratitude just that he could do it.
The other was a Sister from Asia, I'm not sure which country. She had written her testimony with the help of her companion, she gave it in broken English asking for help on how to pronounce words, and the spirit of her testimony was so strong. She spoke of how she knew God loved her because he sent his son to die for her. She knew that Christ suffered so that she could be clean. And she was so thankful for all of God's creations that make her happy. Her testimony was short and simple, it took her a long time to say it all, she stumbled over words I have long thought are simple. But she had such a strong desire to share her gratitude with us that it didn't matter what she sounded like.
I'm so thankful for these missionaries, who helped remind me of the blessings in my life.
Ingat
(Take Care!)
This Thursday was Thanksgiving. I had the opportunity to listen to several missionaries speak about what they are thankful for, and here are the two that stuck out to me most.
One elder who spoke is serving at the MTC mission. He has cystic fibrosis and didn't actually expect to live to the age where he could serve a mission. He spoke of how glad he was that he could wake up every morning, walk into a room, and spend the rest of the day on the telephone or chatting online with people who had questions about the church. His mission is so different from mine, and he had so much gratitude just that he could do it.
The other was a Sister from Asia, I'm not sure which country. She had written her testimony with the help of her companion, she gave it in broken English asking for help on how to pronounce words, and the spirit of her testimony was so strong. She spoke of how she knew God loved her because he sent his son to die for her. She knew that Christ suffered so that she could be clean. And she was so thankful for all of God's creations that make her happy. Her testimony was short and simple, it took her a long time to say it all, she stumbled over words I have long thought are simple. But she had such a strong desire to share her gratitude with us that it didn't matter what she sounded like.
I'm so thankful for these missionaries, who helped remind me of the blessings in my life.
Ingat
(Take Care!)
Friday, November 26, 2010
Speaking 2
November 22,2010
First- I just thought everyone might want to know that dear-elder letters are not printed on Saturday or Sunday. This means that if you send me a DearElder Friday afternoon or over the weekend, I usually do not receive it until late on Monday evening and at that point I usually don't have time to respond to it. So- if you want me to write you back within a week of sending me something, send it before noon on Friday so that I receive it Friday night.
So- as I mentioned in my last post, I got to speak last Sunday. While speaking I was scared and mostly just trying to focus on what I was saying and making sure I said anything I felt prompted to bring up. Several people mentioned how great it was and how they really felt the spirit. I didn't quite understand what impact I had until several days later.
On Wednesday night we had a practice session with another district in our zone. We were paired up with another companionship, we taught them and then they taught us. I didn't speak up much as I was teaching but when I felt prompted to (or when I had nothing else to say) I bore testimony about whatever my companion had taught on. After the lesson, one of the elders asked to speak to me. He explained how just two weeks ago he had received news that his best friend passed away. The grief and pain from this news caused him to begin to doubt the reasons he was here and the truthfulness of the church. He told me that he had been ready to go home.
Then he said "You have a very powerful spirit when you teach. I felt it when you spoke last Sunday, reminding me of truths I had forgotten and testifying of things I had doubted." He explained how I re-ignited his testimony and gave him reason to stay. When he and his companion then took their turn teaching us, the spirit was so strong. I know that the things he was testifying of are true. More importantly, I know he believes them.
I didn't think I would have the opportunity to change someone's life before even leaving the MTC. I'm so grateful I had the chance to help someone make that decision to stay and continue on their mission. I believe many of the missionaries stop and have to make that choice. They realize it is a lot harder than expected, they miss friends, and they have to find their own motivation to continue. I know I had to make this choice, the choice to stay where I knew the Lord needed me. I'm so glad that I did, that I stayed and spoke and helped someone else when it was his turn to decide.
First- I just thought everyone might want to know that dear-elder letters are not printed on Saturday or Sunday. This means that if you send me a DearElder Friday afternoon or over the weekend, I usually do not receive it until late on Monday evening and at that point I usually don't have time to respond to it. So- if you want me to write you back within a week of sending me something, send it before noon on Friday so that I receive it Friday night.
So- as I mentioned in my last post, I got to speak last Sunday. While speaking I was scared and mostly just trying to focus on what I was saying and making sure I said anything I felt prompted to bring up. Several people mentioned how great it was and how they really felt the spirit. I didn't quite understand what impact I had until several days later.
On Wednesday night we had a practice session with another district in our zone. We were paired up with another companionship, we taught them and then they taught us. I didn't speak up much as I was teaching but when I felt prompted to (or when I had nothing else to say) I bore testimony about whatever my companion had taught on. After the lesson, one of the elders asked to speak to me. He explained how just two weeks ago he had received news that his best friend passed away. The grief and pain from this news caused him to begin to doubt the reasons he was here and the truthfulness of the church. He told me that he had been ready to go home.
Then he said "You have a very powerful spirit when you teach. I felt it when you spoke last Sunday, reminding me of truths I had forgotten and testifying of things I had doubted." He explained how I re-ignited his testimony and gave him reason to stay. When he and his companion then took their turn teaching us, the spirit was so strong. I know that the things he was testifying of are true. More importantly, I know he believes them.
I didn't think I would have the opportunity to change someone's life before even leaving the MTC. I'm so grateful I had the chance to help someone make that decision to stay and continue on their mission. I believe many of the missionaries stop and have to make that choice. They realize it is a lot harder than expected, they miss friends, and they have to find their own motivation to continue. I know I had to make this choice, the choice to stay where I knew the Lord needed me. I'm so glad that I did, that I stayed and spoke and helped someone else when it was his turn to decide.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Speaking
November 15, 2010
This week has been pretty great, other than the fact that it's cold and rainy. But ignoring the weather, I had the opportunity to teach again, which was a little easier than last week, I got to speak in church on Sunday, and I got 4 letters just on Monday and it made me feel super special.
So- the most exciting thing, speaking in church. At the MTC, the branch president announces the topic of the following week, everyone is supposed to prepare something, and we don't find out who speaks till after church has started. This week I was called on. The topic was faith in Jesus Christ, something I've been studying a lot since I've come into the MTC. I walked up to the pulpit, shaking like I leaf, and started to speak. I'm really glad I didn't pass out.
I spoke of how faith in Christ is a form of confidence. It is having the confidence that you can do something despite your inadequacies because you will receive the help that you need. Confidence that no matter how hard it is, you can make it through because He is with you. Faith is displayed through our diligence. When we have faith that God will help us through our trials, we also need to diligently press through our trials and try to overcome them. He can't help us if we sit on our rears and wait for the trial to go away. That was what my talk was on. I finished with a short testimony in Tagalog- Alam ko po na mahal ako ng Diyos dahil sa ang anak siya ako. (I know that God loves me because I am his child)
Mahal Kita!
This week has been pretty great, other than the fact that it's cold and rainy. But ignoring the weather, I had the opportunity to teach again, which was a little easier than last week, I got to speak in church on Sunday, and I got 4 letters just on Monday and it made me feel super special.
So- the most exciting thing, speaking in church. At the MTC, the branch president announces the topic of the following week, everyone is supposed to prepare something, and we don't find out who speaks till after church has started. This week I was called on. The topic was faith in Jesus Christ, something I've been studying a lot since I've come into the MTC. I walked up to the pulpit, shaking like I leaf, and started to speak. I'm really glad I didn't pass out.
I spoke of how faith in Christ is a form of confidence. It is having the confidence that you can do something despite your inadequacies because you will receive the help that you need. Confidence that no matter how hard it is, you can make it through because He is with you. Faith is displayed through our diligence. When we have faith that God will help us through our trials, we also need to diligently press through our trials and try to overcome them. He can't help us if we sit on our rears and wait for the trial to go away. That was what my talk was on. I finished with a short testimony in Tagalog- Alam ko po na mahal ako ng Diyos dahil sa ang anak siya ako. (I know that God loves me because I am his child)
Mahal Kita!
Monday, November 8, 2010
SMILE!
November 8, 2010
This past week has been really great. The best part was Tuesday night. Each Tuesday there is an MTC devotional, and this week Elder Russell M. Ballard came to speak. He spoke a great deal about how the most important thing we do is communicate. If we don't communicate, how can we tell people about our wonderful message. For a long time, I felt like I was listening to a talk saying everything I already knew I needed to do, but I didn't feel like I was getting any advice on how to do it. Then he said something that has stuck in my mind ever since. "The most powerful thing you have is your smile."
Now- I have trouble talking to people. I hate asking questions. But I can smile.
So I decided to spend Wednesday making sure I smiled at people, Then Thursday I decided to make it a little more challenging by saying Hi as well(or rather, I said Kumusta! because that is hi in tagalog). Now- well, I'm still not a particularly great communicator but at least I feel like I'm getting a little bit better.
For those of you who want an update on the language- I'm LOVING it! It's so much fun. I really believe that my calling to speak a foreign language was inspired. A- learning Tagalog gives me something really fun and academic to do, I feel like I'm back at school. B- it let's me stay here for 6 weeks longer than English speakers so that I can get better at the previously mentioned communication problem. It's a crazy language with over 20 ways to conjugate verbs and the sentences are structured the way Yoda would say them, but I'm having so much fun!
Mahal ko Kayo (I love all of you)
This past week has been really great. The best part was Tuesday night. Each Tuesday there is an MTC devotional, and this week Elder Russell M. Ballard came to speak. He spoke a great deal about how the most important thing we do is communicate. If we don't communicate, how can we tell people about our wonderful message. For a long time, I felt like I was listening to a talk saying everything I already knew I needed to do, but I didn't feel like I was getting any advice on how to do it. Then he said something that has stuck in my mind ever since. "The most powerful thing you have is your smile."
Now- I have trouble talking to people. I hate asking questions. But I can smile.
So I decided to spend Wednesday making sure I smiled at people, Then Thursday I decided to make it a little more challenging by saying Hi as well(or rather, I said Kumusta! because that is hi in tagalog). Now- well, I'm still not a particularly great communicator but at least I feel like I'm getting a little bit better.
For those of you who want an update on the language- I'm LOVING it! It's so much fun. I really believe that my calling to speak a foreign language was inspired. A- learning Tagalog gives me something really fun and academic to do, I feel like I'm back at school. B- it let's me stay here for 6 weeks longer than English speakers so that I can get better at the previously mentioned communication problem. It's a crazy language with over 20 ways to conjugate verbs and the sentences are structured the way Yoda would say them, but I'm having so much fun!
Mahal ko Kayo (I love all of you)
Monday, November 1, 2010
Magandang Araw!
November 1, 2010
That means "Good Day" in Tagalog. Tagalog is officially the funniest language in the world. A few reasons why include the fact that araw (day) rhymes with the word cow, ng is both a letter and a word, the word diyan sounds something like jen, and the word Hi is Kumusta (nearly 4 times as long). But I've really loved learning it so far. It's the hardest thing I think I've ever done but it's so worth it.
I'm totally loving the MTC. The people here are super nice, our zone is huge, and so many of us are going to Iloilo (my mission). 28 new missionaries came in on Wednesday, so there are a ton of us all on the same page. Life is kinda crazy, and the schedule is way strict, but that almost helps make it more fun. We spend most of our time laughing or rambling in unintelligible, poorly pronounced Tagalog.
To finish off- here is the most important thing I think I've learned while being here: Alam ko po na totoo ang simbahan ni JesuCristo ng mga banal sa mga huling araw. Alam ko po na tunay na propeta ng Diyos si Joseph Smith. Nagpapasalamat ako na Aklat ni Mormon. (I know the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is true. I know that Joseph Smith is a real prophet of God. I am thankful for the Book of Mormon)
Mahalakita!
(I Love you!)
That means "Good Day" in Tagalog. Tagalog is officially the funniest language in the world. A few reasons why include the fact that araw (day) rhymes with the word cow, ng is both a letter and a word, the word diyan sounds something like jen, and the word Hi is Kumusta (nearly 4 times as long). But I've really loved learning it so far. It's the hardest thing I think I've ever done but it's so worth it.
I'm totally loving the MTC. The people here are super nice, our zone is huge, and so many of us are going to Iloilo (my mission). 28 new missionaries came in on Wednesday, so there are a ton of us all on the same page. Life is kinda crazy, and the schedule is way strict, but that almost helps make it more fun. We spend most of our time laughing or rambling in unintelligible, poorly pronounced Tagalog.
To finish off- here is the most important thing I think I've learned while being here: Alam ko po na totoo ang simbahan ni JesuCristo ng mga banal sa mga huling araw. Alam ko po na tunay na propeta ng Diyos si Joseph Smith. Nagpapasalamat ako na Aklat ni Mormon. (I know the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is true. I know that Joseph Smith is a real prophet of God. I am thankful for the Book of Mormon)
Mahalakita!
(I Love you!)
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