Well, here I am in my last week at the MTC. I can hardly believe it and now I'm starting to feel like I want to hide under my bed and skip my flight so I can stay here and learn how to speak Spanish and be a missionary. Yikes! But it is time to go. It is hard to believe I have been here for 2 months already. I am going to miss a lot of things here at the MTC, I really had a great time and learned a ton. I finally smelled the cream soda tree last week and they are right, it really does smell like cream soda but you also look like a total idiot sticking your nose up a tree. When in Rome. I also finally cracked one of the really uptight teachers around here with my sweet wit...and my awesome new bible jokes. I'll share my favorite with you. You might want to sit down - Who was the most profitable female in the bible? The pharohs' daughter. She went down to the bank and took out a profit. hahahahahaha. Oh man. That one slays em. Once again keep in mind I have been trapped in the MTC for 2 months, things are super funny now.
We were at the gym, walking around the track and practicing Spanish vocab the other day when some of the Elders were sprinting by us and taunting as Elders do. I told the Hermanas the next time they come around lets just start running too. I have no idea why. Again, being in the MTC for 2 months does something to a person. Anyway they came around and were about to pass us when we all started running so obviously the Elders started running faster...and then so did I. I got right up on their heels and they turned around with sheer panic on their faces and picked up the pace...now it was go time! For one full lap I was giving them a run for their money and they were totally horrified. It was so awesome. I probably broke some rule about competition or scaring the Elders. Oops. It reminded me of the time I almost beat Gavin. The look on a guys face when a girl can run just as fast or faster than them is so priceless. hehe. Good times.
I just finished memorizing the first vision in Spanish. It was taking me forever, so I decided to put it to a beat and that worked except now when I say it, it's got a sweet rhythm. Oh well, the Latins will love it. And me. Hopefully. Yesterday we taught a returned missionary volunteer and he asked how long I had been here because my Spanish was pretty darn good and I was so excited! I think he was just being nice because I am pretty sure at times I was not making any sense whatsoever and possibly even speaking Italian. Luckily we had a substitute teacher the other day and he taught us all the secrets to Spanish. He finally showed us the magical, conjugating pattern and how all of those tied together. It was like a light bulb went off and I was super excited all day. Now I just have to be able to actually put it into practice...which happens to be the hard part of Spanish.
During Music and the Spoken Word this Sunday, the awesome voice guy was talking about taking a look at the world around us. How often do we get out and take 'field trips' to explore what is right outside our door. He reminded all of us to slow down and enjoy the beauties. I really liked this. As I look back just a few months ago I can see how fuzzy things had become to me. I let my eyes be ever so slightly clouded by that jerk Satan. It's clear now as I am about to leave the MTC, how much I can appreciate this place and what it has taught me. I want to soak up all the spirit and knowledge I can because I know things outside these doors are not cozy. In fact, the work we are doing is nothing near easy, but it's glorious. Elder Holland speaks of this work and said it is hard because, "salvation is not a cheap experience." It is certainly true and as missionaries we are to take this non cheap experience and share it with people who have no idea why they need it. It's hard, overwhelming and exhausting, but the rewards are endless. In this work, we are all asked to take small steps towards Gethsemane before we can find the joy and everlasting peace that the Gospel of Jesus Christ brings. It is like that famous saying whose author I can never remember (if there is a real author and it is not just Mormon folklore), "I never said it would be easy, only that it would be worth it." I can add my testament to this now without hesitation as I am being prepared to bring this message to others, my own understanding and testimony has been solidly fortified. There is no greater glory than through Jesus Christ and as we come unto Him and ye shall want for nothing.
Wish me luck in Cali!
xoxo,
Steph
You are just awesome! You will do great and i cannot wait to hear about your first few days. You are 100% right about the MTC being such an awesome place---and so right about how when you are there you just lose yourself into the Spirit. Que Dios le bendiga, hermana. Le esperamos lo mejor.
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