Alright, so I had an entire email typed then decided to scrap it. Had two larger thoughts I wanted to share.
CCM First Full Week
Alright I actually don't remember how much I explained about the nights here. If you guys have seen Zootopia, you might know the scene I am talking about. They are trying to break into that big building to find the otter, so to get past the wolves they start a night howl or whatever. This is fr Mexico City every night. Once one dog barks, it's game over. 3am dogs are going nuts and they gotta have the amplifier like Max in the Grinch. No dog should be able to bark this loud. T he dog barking+firework combo is unmatched I promise. Not to mention, the blinding light beam that goes through the curtain and only hits me. I will just say it is the Light of Christ. Nonetheless we get our 8 hours in.
Schedule
It's Groundhog's Day here. Sometimes literally 😬. But anyway. Every day is study, food, class, food, class, study, sleep. PMG class is really starting to get lethal. I can't lie. Those three hours are starting to be days. However, starting next week, it turns into another Spanish class. This can't come any quicker. We also have about an hour to go play whatever we want. They basically have everything. Pickleball, basketball, ping pong, volleyball, soccer, you name it. It's probably here. Played some ping pong today and really felt in my element. Sunday we also had a drumstick type thing from the cafeteria. I can't describe the joy this gave me after a 20-hour fast. Also, the mystery meat tacos were unreal today. So many wins. Love to see it. Yesterday was our first day of service. Set up some classes and cleaned some windows. It was very easy. The only downside was all the mosquitos. The abuela was loving my broken Spanish. I try my best and that's all that matters.
We did endowments in the temple today and it was so cool to do in Spanish. Luckily, they had English subtitles to understand. Other than almost passing out standing up, it was an incredible experience. The Celestial Room there is so pretty. Doing it with 60 other missionaries is also such a cool experience.
I am halfway done with MTC and I really can't believe it. Part of me feels like it's been so fast, the other feels like it's been forever. My district is so dope and we have some good laughs. Elder Redd and Elder Raban are comps in my district and really keep the mood high. They are so funny very grateful for them. I'm so excited to get out into the field and have my first area. Just got both my rabies shots, so I think I'm good to go up to any pooch I see on the road. I may just bring one back with me. As much as I hated Bear's non-stop barking in the house, I do miss his premium physique and personality.
Now onto the thoughts.
Thought #1
They won't care how much you know until they know how much you care.
This message was shared with me this week and this one hit hard. It was honestly a little bit of a reality check. As I was reflecting on my study, I realized that at times I was going through the motions. I was reading but I wasn't studying. The scriptures tell us to feast on the words of Christ. When we do, this it makes all the difference. We begin to find meaning in the words we read and find ways to apply them in the ways the scriptures are meant for. Anybody can memorize a couple phrases and say them to someone. But nobody wants to listen to someone who doesn't care. The best teachers are the ones who can speak from experience and through true faith in what they believe. I may not have all of the attributes necessary for conversion, and I may not have all the knowledge for the questions I will be asked. However, “A broken heart and contrite spirit” go a long way. I've heard this everyday five times a day for three weeks already. I know that as I go forth with these things, the people placed in front of me will be touched with the Spirit as the Lord guides me in the things to say. I know that at the end of the day, if I know I care, and the Lord knows I care, I will be able to fulfill my missionary purpose.
Thought #2
Service
So, I have the great opportunity to be a house leader which means I get to run the devotionals every night and get to share a thought quite a bit. I had one stick out to me really hard and really felt I should share. A couple of months ago my family and I had the opportunity to all be together. One of the nights my dad asked us to go around the table and give a piece of advice. The one that stook out the most was the best thing to do when you were feeling down was service for someone else. At first, this took me by surprise. When I think of being down, I think of needing others to help. I think of waiting for the acts of others or waiting for it to pass by. But I decided to try and put this into my own life. I quickly realized there is nothing that could be more true. When you take the time to express gratitude or give an act of service for another, multiple things happen. You begin to see God's hand in your life; you see all the things to be grateful for and the gifts you have been given. Your problems diminish. But it's not a one-sided deal. It may seem that your 1-to-5-minute act is small, but it is not. A 5-minute act can affect the receiver for months. But what's crazier than this is you end up helping yourself more than them. You are filled with the love of Christ. Sometimes all it is a quick call or a quick text or a small gift. But the return is exponential. A small act goes a long way. There is so much to be grateful for but not enough people being told they are the reason for it.
“...when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.”
Missing everybody a little more this week but so happy to be out here.
Love, Elder Wilde
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