Brethren and Sistren,
Its been kind of an uneventful
week here at the MTC. But it is really crazy that we only have a week
until we are out in the field, where we have been assigned to labor,
doing the Lords work. Too bad I cant speak Portuguese (I wish I was
kidding). But really, Im ready to go and serve with all of my
heart, might, mind, and strength. Also, I may not be able to email next
week just depending on how things go with arriving at the Mission Home.
We will just have to see.
Whelp, here was my week.
Wednesday (August 22, 2018)
I
just had an amazing, humbling and powerful experience. (Sorry, I forgot
about this. I accidentally lied about the boring week.) Me and my
companion were talking about something and I had the impression to speak
boldly to him and testify about the Power of the Atonement and Grace.
That is really hard for me because I dont want to hurt their feelings.
But I felt peace and so I just started talking. I could feel that the
words I was saying were from God. They were so much simpler and kinder
and more powerful than what I was planning on saying. I dont know if it
helped but I know that I was blessed from it. "Be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the Lord." I
testify with all of my heart that as we are continually trying the Lord
will do wonders among us. I also testify that Grace and The Atonement
is not a checklist or a race. Our Savior is always there, helping us to
get through every trial, sin, problem and heartache. He will always be
there. I testify to you that when we simply begin to try and keep
trying, the Lord is with us, even carrying us to Salvation.
Thursday (August 23, 2018)
Today
the most exciting or unusual thing that happened was that I wasnt
hungry for the gross tuna and egg pizza that they serve so I had a
singular banana for dinner instead.
Friday (August 24, 2018)
Today was about the same day as yesterday. Nothing really happened. But we didnt have pizza for dinner so thats a good blessing.
Saturday (August 25, 2018)
Today
was a day to realize again, that love is the most important thing for a
mission. We just need to love these people so much because it isnt
about us, it is about them. You have to remember the eternal purpose of
what you are doing whenever you are feeling down or bored or
discouraged.
Sunday (August 26, 2018)
Today
was cool. I taught a lesson about obedience and I think it went pretty
well. A quick thought. I have often wondered how the Army of Helaman had
exact obedience. How were they perfect? Well, I dont know for sure but I
think it was an exact effort. That they did as much as they could as
well as they could and God did the rest. And that happened to be preserving all of their lives. So I learned from giving a lesson and I
think it went well. Also, the greatest thing that has ever happened,
happened. We had ice cream during lunch. Miracles truly do happen.
Monday (August 27, 2018)
During
one of our lessons today, Elder Abbot, very politely asked me to speak a
little less during the lessons. And I definitely do need to talk less. I
need to allow The Spirit to work through Elder Abbott as well and I
wasnt giving it that opportunity. Sometimes he may receive a revelation
about what to say but cant say it because I am talking. Also, the Spirit
is a still small voice so it, at times, needs silence to touch hearts. A
good lesson for me today.
Random thoughts:
- On an official looking paper I saw in a copy room here is said this:A Lei 82643/76 (In English) The Law 82643/76. In all probability, this means that the MTC gave the laws here a rating of 82643/76. I know that the Gospel is good and all but dont you think that that is a little prideful of them?
- There is a missionary here that is very hairy and every morning he feels the need to come into the bathroom without a shirt on. Oh, and he also always picks the sink right next to me. It is really hard to brush your teeth when the guy next to you has an impossibly thick amount of back hair.
- Do not ever try Onion and Queijo balls. They taste like Shrek vomited.
- We jokingly asked an Elder from a different district to read a letter from his girlfriend aloud in our classroom. But he actually did it. I wish I knew so much less about Elder Stephenson and Hannahs relationship.
- I made a 3-Pointer during physical activity without shouting "Kobe!" before I shot, so thats a miracle.
I
hope you all are doing well. I know that God will bless you in all
things as we try to follow the example of His perfect Son, Jesus Christ.
Pray for the love of all men, and have an amazing week!
Love,
Elder Allen
PS: I hope the first week of school for a lot of you was fantastic.
