Well Hello there guys,
Andrew
I hope that things are going super well at the house and that everyone is having a good time!! Thank you so much for all the letters!! They have been great, and have uplifted me a lot, even when they're just a quick message! This MTC experience has been so great!! Super difficult, but i'm loving it! When I left you guys the first day the took me inside and we went through a bunch of small little setup things before we were brought to our room. I'm in building 5M on the second floor in room 235. When I got to my room I ran into two of the guys in my district. Elder Ostler, and Elder King. They're both super awesome and super hilarious, great guys to have around. We then had to drop our stuff grab our notebooks and scriptures and we went straight to class. I walked in and met my companion Elder Fialho, he's from Idaho and is definitely one of the more interesting kids that I've had to deal with in my lifetime. It was super crazy though, we immediately were immersed in Deutsch. I was so surprised because our teacher was just speaking and German to us and I had no idea what he was saying, so he would write on the board for us answers to our questions, but once something was written down, he made sure that we were using it while we were speaking. Let's just say I know how to ask how something is said auf Deutsch really well now. I'm sorry that I haven't been able to write earlier or send any letters but things have just been so crazy busy that I haven't even had time!! It's finally P-Day and we're getting a break from the daily grind of things so i'm finally able to write some letters! The MTC is wonderful and i'm so excited for Steph and Amy! The spirit that is felt her is so profound and just absolutely wonderful!! I have been a little surprised at how much flirting goes on though. My companion will often make us late for things because he seems to think that meeting girls is more important. It's been a difficult run on things with him, but I know that the lord put me here for a reason and so I will continue to work as hard as I can to make things work here. Oh gee, this language training though can take it out of you!! On our third day we had to teach a lesson to an investigator auf Deutsch!! It was quite the experience! Meine Mittarbeiter decided that he just wanted to wing his end of things and so I ended up having to teach the lession alone which really was physically and mentally exhausting. I don't know how to work with him though because I'll say something and he'll disagree with me and then he'll say that we should do exactly what I had said in the first place. It gets extremely confusing but I've learned that it's better to just sit and listen and wait for him to come to the same conclusion instead of trying to force anything. It does feel like a waste of time but at least it lets the spirit stay with me instead of leaving because of contention. I am asking for some tips though, on how to deal with it. Because he's scrapped our lessons twice for some really interesting reasons. I actually was cracking up because he said that he wanted to talk about prayer with the Book of Mormon and i thought it was a great idea, so we prepared the lesson and then halfway through he starts saying that we should be talking about baptism instead of prayer. He tells me he is against planning often and that he feels the best way is to wing it. I'm having trouble knowing what to do, I figure i'm doing the right thing by just listening but I'm still extremely confused, and when we have companionship inventory I do exactly what I'm asked to but he just throws everything I say to the side and then tells me that i'm too difficult to talk to and that I'm always imposing on him. I have kept control but I worry that I am going about things the wrong way with him, I'm not so good at this stuff haha. So I would be happy to hear some suggestions!
Well, I don't want this to seem like some doomsday letter, but i want you guys to know that I have learned so much. God is real and his son Jesus Christ died for all of us. Even when we are low or when we fall he will always be there to pick us up!! Don't ever forget that sacrifice because he will never forget about any of you! I'm so grateful for this opportunity to serve the lord, what a blessing this gospel has been in my life. I truly have felt his spirit and I know that he is helping me through each day and to do better in all that I do, I wish I could write so much more but i'm running out of time on the computer so really quickly, you guys are all so wonderful, be strong and carry on. Keep practicing that German dad, In Frankfurt their accents for Ich and such is like a cat hissing. So practice on the girls when they decide that they don't want to do their chores and such. Mom, keep your chin up and keep smiling. The lord has great plans for you indeed, your trials are never in vain. Push through and you will be blessed immensely. Allison, keep rocking on those digs of yours and keep your spirit strong. Jon and Morgan, you've got such great attitudes about life and if you continue to work together and love each other you'll be the best parents your kids could ever have. Steph, keep preparing and search for the spirit. Let him guide your steps and always stay away from temptation, even if that's just being angry. It's been crazy how much control i've had to use in the MTC but as I have i've been blessed. Jen, work hard in school and at home. Help mom and dad out in any way you can. It's always easy to be selfish, but it's when we serve others that we truly feel the spirit. Amy, you're a hard worker and a smart girl. Be prepared for the MTC, I don't feel it will be much of a challenge for you. Love your companion and always seek guidance from the lord. Ah gee, this gospel is so wonderful, sorry I got so preachy but I felt I should say it. Love you all, thanks for everything! Talk soon!
