First week in the MTC!

 

Hello family and friends!

 

The day has come to write everyone an e-mail! I have prayed that I will be able to convey all the things I want to in the hour they give me. The MTC is SUCH a wonderful place!! I wish I could stay here forever! Okay, not really; but I do hope that I can strive to always have this spirit with me. After my mom and dad dropped me off last Wednesday (my sisters were at girl's camp) I was directed into the main building of the MTC with my host. After we arrived inside, my host took my luggage and I went through a line (a rapidly moving short one) to recieve my name tag, key, schedule for the day, and a map. I met back up with my host and we went to get my books. Upon leaving the bookstore, I was taken to my classroom to meet my district and my companion; both of which I love sooo much :) My companion's name is Sister Stewart. She is from Layton Utah and is 19. The interesting thing is that she's going to the California, San Fernando Mission. She is the only Sister from my district not going to the Oregon, Portland Mission. We, and especially I, will miss her dearly!! She has such a sweet spirit and knows a lot about the gospel. Her comments always uplift me and she always knows what to say when I don't. We work very well as a companionship and get along SO well!! We have lots of laughs but also know when and how to stay focused.

 

That first day we dived right into missionary work! (All 900 new missionaries!) Our schedule is very very structured here at the MTC! There's hardly any free-time and even when there is some, it's still very purpose centered. I barely find time to write in my journal! Don't worry, I'm keep ing this study journal and I write EVERYTHING...basically. That night, we (as a new group of missionaries) participated in a teaching experience where we had an investigator and the audience collectively were the  missionaries. It was great to be able to listen to everyone's approaches on teaching the investigator. The rest of my days have been filled with class, gym time, personal study, companionship study, and service projects. The days run together and time is flying but I love this time I'm able to be here! You really have no idea what the MTC is like until you experience it for yourself. No matter how much people tell you about it, it's different to experience it firsthand.

 

Two Elder companionships are going to the California, San Fernando Mission along with my companion and the rest of us (one Elder companionship and two Sister companionships) are going to the Oregon, Portland Mission. It's sad to think about parting from these wonderful examples of missionaries. Missionary work is so completely different than I originally thought; I had it all wrong! We're not just teaching others the gospel so they can hear about it. We're discovering their needs so we can help them on their path back to their Father in Heaven. I was all stressed beforehand about learning and knowing the doctrine, but we keep it simple here and really just try to tailor our message in a way that's uniquely personal to them. Also, I've learned that if you don't have the spirit with you, YOU WILL FAIL. The Spirit is so important because Heavenly Father knows EXACTLY what they need! I've learned already so much about recognizing the Spirit. Practicing with role playing in different scenarios has helped a ton! On some occasions, we just have to go knock on a (classroom) door and talk to the 'investigator' (an actor/actress) behind it! They stay in character so well! I know these experiences and this time at the MTC will help SO much when I get to the field!  Speaking of the field, we recieved our travel plans a few days ago! We fly to Portland on Monday the 17th at 7:30am. So family, expect a phone call around 6 or 7 in the morning. Sorry I don't know more specifically what time :P And my mission president advised us to keep it short--five or ten minutes. The purpose of the phone call is to let you know I'm safe, I believe we'll also call when we land. I'm excited to speak to you in person and express my excitement about missionary work vocally.

 

Speaking of purpose, my life has so much purpose! Purpose adds so much meaning to day-to-day living! I have so much energy! I'm never really tired even though the days can get long. Exercising every day helps as well as going to bed exactly on time; obedience brings blessings and exact obedience brings miracles :) Even if you're not a missionary; remember you're all children of God and our purpose is to get back to Him and be like Him. I encourage you to let purpose fuel your actions! Once in awhile I think about how hard it would be to learn a language and I get chills; this feels as if the Lord is gently reminding me I'm called to Oregon for a reason. I defintely have a deeper respect for language learners!! I'm overwhelmed as it is! It's hard work but it's a good hard :)  I think my time at Utah State prepared me because I was in the elementary school all day and class at night.

 

Here's one experience I had with following the Spirit: During Zone Teaching, our teacher had us paired up with someone other than our companion. We were instructed to teach a principle of the gospel to them and commit them to live it. After we taught, they were to bring up a 'concern' they had. Our teacher told us to pause after they expressed their concern and just really focus on the Spirit and what the Lord would have you tell them. The first time around, I paused but still just continued with what I was already planning to say. My words came out jumbled and my message was clouded. The next time we practiced, I paused and really really tried to listen to what it was I should say. A miracle happened and the words she needed to hear were placed in my mind. It wasn't what I was planning to say and it came out stronger and bolder. The Sister I was working with said she noticed a world of difference! I have had many experiences with this now and have more fully begun to recognize the spirit. The Spirit also helps me not be as nervous and stressed.

 

I really actually enjoy the food here! I may be the minority but I don't think it's bad at all! I get apple juice for almost every meal :) My only complaint would be the instant mashed potatoes, yuck! :P Other than that it's a great variety and mostly healthy.

 

Well, I love you all!! Thanks for all your love and support!

 

Love,

 

Sister King

 

P.S. "Christ did it alone so we wouldn't have to." Remember that! Rely on Him!