Starters:
In just one week of being a missionary and staying at the MTC, I feel like I have already dramatically changed. I can see this so because......... I JOINED THE CHOIR. Yes, me, Sister Krizzle Ray joined the MTC choir and performed at the BYU Marriot Center at the Tuesday night devotional. Anyone watch it? I heard I was on screen! Lawlzies. I dunno though, so let me know on that one ;) Maybe you find it online somewhere. (SINGING TAKES LESS COGNITIVE ENERGY THAN PERSONAL STUDY AKA READING lawlzies)
My tagline for the MTC- BYU Catering: Hope you like cantaloupe and honeydew.
Most confusing thing I have heard at the MTC: "I like your shoes." (While wearing my ugly missionary shoes on day 2. I have not worn them since but I'm sure I will when I ride bikes and walk alllllll day :D)
We study the "fundamentals" a lot and they are constantly being referred to as that. So... what was my first thought. When Michael Scott has everyone in the conference room and is teaching about the fundamentals. "Cuz it's mental if you don't have a good time." Then the group grumbles and said he should have gone with a "fun" pun. LOL
Best Quotes:
"Being at the MTC is like drinking water from a fire hydrant. You get some water, but mostly it just hurts your face. LOL (I later learned that "It just hurts your face" was really "It just squirts your face." But.... I thought the first one was more appropriate. LOL. Yes. The MTC does hurt my face sometimes lol.
Staying calm: "we can only live in one moment at a time... Ask yourself, 'What is the decision that needs to be made right now?'" SPOT ON FOR MISSIONARY LIFE. I just try to not get stressed because then you can't have the Spirit with you to help you. AND YOU NEED THE SPIRIT :) Also, at the beginning of the week, I had to play worst case scenario in my head because I got a little stressed when on the first day I thought I lost my key and on the second day I thought I lost my scriptures LOL. Great start to the week. LOL BUT REALLY. Because then I learned that life is challenging and you need to be patient with yourself. My worst case scenario always ended up in me having to pay for something so I didn't think it was that bad. Example: I lost my key, I have to tell someone, they tell me I have to pay for it, I pay for it. I know my lil mommy and daddy would rather pay for it, or use my funds from what I have saved, then to have me be stressed out and cry and cry. Same with the scriptures. I was like welllllll.... if I needed, I would just get new scriptures. Hope that makes sense. Lol
Confidence: "Your calling [as a missionary] gives you authority; keeping your covenants gives you power." We talk a lot about how we need to teach with power and authority and it is so cool that all of us missionaries have been able to be called by a prophet of God to do missionary work. I love it sooo much.
Patience with companions and others: "Be kind regarding human frailty." Sometimes we need to be more patient with others and ourselves. I am learning that very, very quickly. I love all the Sisters in my room. They are all great. I think 3 are from Utah, 1 from Ohio, and 1 from Boise, Idaho. 4 of us are 19, 1 is 21, and one is 20. Just for statistics lol.
LOVE THIS: "Modesty is essential to being worthy of the Spirit." This really,really changed my perspective on modesty, and I hope it affects anyone reading this as well.
People I've Seen While at the MTC:
Elders: GM, AB, AW, SG, MJ and yes...... my very own cousin DMCO!!!
Sisters: LS, CU, AH, AT, RT, and NK.
Seeing people from either BYU or Vegas is one of the most exciting and happy things of EVERY DAY. It is so good to feel of love from home (or from my BYU "home").
MTC ADVICE:
Sisters: Dress modestly. Seriously. It's kinda weird if you don't. At the MTC, you can't work out in spandex, leggings, etc. Just so you know.
Buy those cool clips so you don't have to get magnetic indentations on all your beautiful clothing. That can be bought here at the MTC for like less than two bucks. So good.
English speaking: If you want to have big PMG, then bring a big PMG. :)
Everyone: MEMORIZE MY PURPOSE. It is on the first page of chapter one of Preach My Gospel. It is quoted at least once every day. It isn't long at all but we say it like all the time.
Play the name game. Since you don't know anyone's first names, it is totally fun to ask people what name you look like. :) Someone said I looked like a Katie. Close... lol.
High Point:
"Characters of Christ" talk on Sunday (I'll talk about that more later)
Low Point:
Eating fries, just fries, for dinner dipped in philly cheese steak cheese. LOL.
Faith Promoting Events:
An Elder in my district was sharing a time he felt the Holy Ghost present in his life. He started to tell the story that President Monson told in April General Conference. The story was about how the screens and stuff weren't working for the Kansas City Temple Dedication. Well, look it up if you don't know the story. This Elder in my district shared that he was one of the youth praying that everything would work out. It was so cool to meet someone who had such a powerful experience. Powerful enough for the Prophet of the Church to share it in General Conference. So powerful.
Companionship prayer has been a new experience but it has really helped my companion and I grow closer together. I really like the scriptures found in Matthew 18:20 that talks about how when 2, or 3 people are gathered in His name, then the Spirit will be there. I know that is true. It has been such a powerful experience praying nightly with someone. It has really drawn us closer to our Savior and to each other.
"Obedience brings blessings; exact obedience brings miracles." If you are in the MTC, you have heard this quote. It is said all the time. But I believe it to be true. We went to a meeting for new Sisters and it was quite amazing. Usually it would be such a hassle to go and learn about the rules but I found it really interesting and I was glad to learn what the MTC expected of us. The even cooler experience was that after the meeting, so many Sisters went home and tried to improve on being more exactly obedient. I went home and cleaned my area, flossed my teeth, and made my bed. I saw other Sisters in my room shave their legs (lol, yes we are supposed to do that- thank goodness), change clothes, and become closer to being more exactly obedient. The missionaries here have such great faith and I am so happy and grateful to be able to be a part of something so much bigger than my self.
EXERCISE. Seriously. This has been the biggest blessing in my life. Trust me, I am no work out aholic, but it keeps me sane here. Luckily, they have indoor volleyball. I have played every time we have had gym time and it has been sooooooo amazing. The Elders in my district play with me too and it is soooooooooo fun. They have a great industrial scale here and I have weighed in at the exact same weight as always. LOL had to throw that in there. Only a few more days here at the MTC to gain weight, so I am trying my best to avoid that. There is quote that says something about how physical activity helps to combat depression. I know that is true. If you are having a hard time staying happy, do something active. It is sooooooooo great for me here.
"Characters of Christ." This was a talk that we got to watch on Sunday night. It was given by Elder Bednar some years ago to the group of MTC missionaries on Christmas day. It really focused on how we must have the true character of Christ in order to be good missionaries. We need to continually turn outward to others, instead of inwards to ourselves. It is such a powerful message. We need to really focus on others when we are feeling down or discouraged, and also when our lives are perfectly good. I can't even express how good this talk was.
Okay, well in closing... my experience at the MTC has been so rewarding. Yes, I'm tired. Yes, I'm sore. But I love being here sooooo much. I have been so blessed to be called to Raleigh and it is so hard to believe that I will be there in less than a week. I love all the things I have learned this week. We have done a lot of role playing and teaching and it has really helped me grow as a person and as a missionary.
Thanks for all the support. I got so many letters this week and 2 packages too. Sooooo thankful for that. Keep sending the love because you know I will reply!!! :)
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