Dear Family and Friends,
Wowee!! Two whole weeks as a missionary down! I made it. Honestly, I am soo happy, beyond explanation! Before my mission, I loved the gospel, but being here in this hallowed place (haha the MTC), as a missionary, I have found that my understanding of the doctrine of Christ and the love of my Heavenly Father has grown immensely in my life. Being a missionary brings me so much joy! I am on the Lord's errand and that is all I have to worry about.
The first couple of days here at the MTC were what they describe as being similar to attempting to drink from a fire hose; there is just so much information being thrown at you. Ha Ha! I have learned more than I could ever imagine. The spirit seems to work in many different ways, and at the MTC, it seems to work in similar ways, but revelation comes at a more excelled rate, and I love it! Revelation has grown to become my best friend, along with praying! I have prayed a lot more and with more intensity as a missionary than I ever have before. The more time I spend out, the more I begin to feel positive in my ability to be a successful missionary. "Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life!" (3 Nephi 5:13)
Often, I lay in my bed at night and ponder what my life was like before my mission. I find myself thinking about how nervous I was the night I was set apart as a missionary, and here I am! A two week veteran! haha ;) I am so proud of myself to have made it this far. I have learned so much and I feel like a renewed person! Reading the Book Of Mormon as a missionary compared to when I was back at home, means so much more to me now. I have been able to pick little things out in my daily reading that I have never before noticed. It's amazing! The spirit as a missionary is simply MAJESTIC! That is the best word I could think of to even come close to describing the beautiful power of the Holy Ghost. I feel Him near me everyday as a minister of Christ. Miracles are happening!
My companion, Sister Ward and I spent last week teaching our very first REAL investigator! Her name is Kitty, she moved here from China to go to BYU. Growing up as a Buddhist in a different country, she obviously had tons of questions about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She came to the MTC to learn more about what missionaries do and find answers as to why there are these so called "crazily-happy Mormons" in all of her classes. During our third time teaching her, she bore her testimony during the lesson about Heavenly Father!! My companion and I about fell on the floor! The spirit was so strong! We also had her pray at the end to know if the BOM is true. WOW, so this is missionary work. This small taste has been amazing, and if it is like this in the field aka out in Missouri, then I am sure going to love these next 18 months!!
By the way, being a missionary is seriously the most incredible thing in the world, but I'm going to be honest, it is HARD! Someday's I feel like I have been ran over by a huge train! I have never been so exhausted in my life! (Bedtime is definitely my favorite!!) But, being able to wake up every morning knowing that I am a minister of Jesus Christ and having him on my name tag, makes up for all those frustrating times. Even though the work is difficult, I would not trade this opportunity for anything! No regrets!
Yesterday was Sunday, and I have to say, Sundays are pretty awesome here at the MTC! It is a full day of inspiring and tear-jerking devotionals. I got the chance to watch a broadcast by David A. Bednar given a couple of years ago called the "Character of Christ." It talks about turning outward, towards others and putting off the natural man. I loved it so much! You should all try to look it up. Really inspiring! The church is true! I know it now more than ever! We are all children of god, He loves us, and He truly answers our prayers!
Love, Sister Timothy
Wowee!! Two whole weeks as a missionary down! I made it. Honestly, I am soo happy, beyond explanation! Before my mission, I loved the gospel, but being here in this hallowed place (haha the MTC), as a missionary, I have found that my understanding of the doctrine of Christ and the love of my Heavenly Father has grown immensely in my life. Being a missionary brings me so much joy! I am on the Lord's errand and that is all I have to worry about.
The first couple of days here at the MTC were what they describe as being similar to attempting to drink from a fire hose; there is just so much information being thrown at you. Ha Ha! I have learned more than I could ever imagine. The spirit seems to work in many different ways, and at the MTC, it seems to work in similar ways, but revelation comes at a more excelled rate, and I love it! Revelation has grown to become my best friend, along with praying! I have prayed a lot more and with more intensity as a missionary than I ever have before. The more time I spend out, the more I begin to feel positive in my ability to be a successful missionary. "Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life!" (3 Nephi 5:13)
Often, I lay in my bed at night and ponder what my life was like before my mission. I find myself thinking about how nervous I was the night I was set apart as a missionary, and here I am! A two week veteran! haha ;) I am so proud of myself to have made it this far. I have learned so much and I feel like a renewed person! Reading the Book Of Mormon as a missionary compared to when I was back at home, means so much more to me now. I have been able to pick little things out in my daily reading that I have never before noticed. It's amazing! The spirit as a missionary is simply MAJESTIC! That is the best word I could think of to even come close to describing the beautiful power of the Holy Ghost. I feel Him near me everyday as a minister of Christ. Miracles are happening!
My companion, Sister Ward and I spent last week teaching our very first REAL investigator! Her name is Kitty, she moved here from China to go to BYU. Growing up as a Buddhist in a different country, she obviously had tons of questions about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She came to the MTC to learn more about what missionaries do and find answers as to why there are these so called "crazily-happy Mormons" in all of her classes. During our third time teaching her, she bore her testimony during the lesson about Heavenly Father!! My companion and I about fell on the floor! The spirit was so strong! We also had her pray at the end to know if the BOM is true. WOW, so this is missionary work. This small taste has been amazing, and if it is like this in the field aka out in Missouri, then I am sure going to love these next 18 months!!
By the way, being a missionary is seriously the most incredible thing in the world, but I'm going to be honest, it is HARD! Someday's I feel like I have been ran over by a huge train! I have never been so exhausted in my life! (Bedtime is definitely my favorite!!) But, being able to wake up every morning knowing that I am a minister of Jesus Christ and having him on my name tag, makes up for all those frustrating times. Even though the work is difficult, I would not trade this opportunity for anything! No regrets!
Yesterday was Sunday, and I have to say, Sundays are pretty awesome here at the MTC! It is a full day of inspiring and tear-jerking devotionals. I got the chance to watch a broadcast by David A. Bednar given a couple of years ago called the "Character of Christ." It talks about turning outward, towards others and putting off the natural man. I loved it so much! You should all try to look it up. Really inspiring! The church is true! I know it now more than ever! We are all children of god, He loves us, and He truly answers our prayers!
Love, Sister Timothy