HALFWAY at the MTC!

Note: Dearelder.com - enter Provo MTC, Elder Lloyd, Unit 14, SEP23 and SINGAPR - type your letter and send! 

Hi Family and friends!!!!!  

Lu Zhang Lao ai ni! (Elder Lloyd wrote this in Mandarin; means something like Elder Lloyd loves you!)

I love you guys so much!!! This has been one of the hardest weeks, but it has also been one of the best! I feel like I've grown a lot this week, and I've never felt the Spirit so strongly! I'm so grateful for all of the prayers, support, Dear Elders, Emails, and letters. They make a huge difference!

Last Monday afternoon was awesome! I was able to let off some stress by playing basketball with Elder Pincock (started for PG), Elder Hibbert, and an Elder who played for SUU. We had a good game going, and it was a blast! A funny thing was that I habitually tried to dunk it after we finished playing, just like in the old days haha, (and i actually did it!)...anyways, dunking is definitely against the rules, but luckily everyone just cheered and I didn't get in trouble. That's about as disobedient as I've been haha. 

Something really cool happened during my afternoon class. We were learning about how to teach the Plan of Salvation, and I brought out the wooden diagram puzzle that Danny Cowser gave me. It turns out, one of my teachers, Brother Gerber, served with Elder Cowser! Brother Gerber is legitimately one of the best teachers at the MTC, and it was really cool to have something in common with him. We talked for a bit, and it really brightened my day. Our teacher bore his testimony about the importance of listening-listening to each other, investigators, and the Spirit. It was so powerful, and it made me feel a lot of hope and motivation.

Elder Li left for Singapore Last Week

Tuesday was kind of different because Elder G woke up with a terrible migraine. Lately, everyone in the MTC has been sick and missing class, so it wasn't a huge surprise for one of us to be sick, but it definitely wasn't expected! We had to miss class while he took a nap, but Elder P and I quizzed each other, and it was one of the best study times I've had so far. I also had the chance to finish Our Heritage Our Heritage, and I want to challenge you all to read it! it will strengthen your testimony of Joseph Smith and our church no matter what. Once you finish, try watching Holland's Mormon Message when he bears testimony of the Book of Mormon in conference. I did it on Tuesday, and it was one of the coolest experiences I've had so far! The Book of Mormon is the Word of God At the devotional, the Young Women's President spoke and shared some really cool stories from her kids' missions. One thing that stood out was to never let an opportunity for an eternal memory turn into an eternal regret. The Lord has called us to act on promptings, and he expects us to! I also had the chance to talk with Tanner after about some struggles, and we both helped each other a bunch. I am so grateful for his example and his testimony. The friends I have are one of the main reasons I am on a mission!

Wednesday was crazy as well! Elder G woke up feeling better, but while we were playing basketball in the morning, he got elbowed right above his eye and his forehad split open. We had to wait an hour and a half while he got stitches, and we were late to class. It was a little stressful, but I'm just very grateful that he's alright and that everything worked out. On top of that, a Sister in our district couldn't get out of bed because of sickness, and asked for a blessing. I am so grateful for the Priesthood and the peace that it can bring to us. Even if we aren't healed immediately, we can still learn from tough experiences and strengthen our testimonies. 

I also fasted on Wednesday, and it turned out to be a bad call because we had to host all afternoon in the hot sun! I started getting dizzy as well....let's just say our whole district has been feeling under the weather lately! Luckily, everyone is great now though! I was able to see a few friends while hosting like Ryan Stringfellow, and that really cheered me up! We were able to teach an investigator that night, and we tried to do it without any notes. We talked more on the Restoration and the Book of Mormon, and it was incredible to feel the change in our investigator's heart as we taught through the Spirit. Things like that make everyday worth it!

Elder Lloyd's desk; is that a ball on the shelf? :)

Thursday was incredible! I was reading through Alma in the Book of Mormon, and it just hit me how easy I have it. The Sons of Mosiah and Ammon and Aaron and many other missionaries had it so much worse! I can't imagine having the faith they did to go to the land of their enemies and preach for 14 years. Please ready through Alma 26 and 27 this week and consider how the Lord has blessed you lately. It'll humble you immediately. I am so grateful for the Book of Mormon and the blessings it brings. Every scriptures seems to help me. I also had the chance to read through a talk by Elder Holland called For Times of Trouble For Times of Trouble. It reminded me that self doubt comes from Satan, and that we only need to trust in the Lord. He was willing to give us everything, so why would he ever give us doubt? He wouldn't!  

Friday was amazing as well! I woke up feeling excited because I knew it was game day for my lil bro Llama haha. He's such a stud! I love you bro! We had to take a language assessment, and it was pretty humbling...I didn't do as well as I wanted, but the progress we've all made so far is astonishing! I also pondered all day about trying to pray and read with a question in mind. When we do this, we focus better and can more easily receive an answer. I loved reading Romans 8:24 to the end because of the promises we're given. 

Saturdays are always incredible because of TRC! We talked about how we can receive revelation through scriptures and prayer, and I was able to share a few experiences in Chinese. I could feel the Spirit so strongly, and it is so satisfying when the people you're teaching can actually understand you haha. We also worked on door approaches. It was very hard and realistic, and I realized that I need to be much more simple in my lessons-especially the first time I meet someone. Saturday afternoon, Brother Gerber taught a role play lesson to us as if we were the investigators, and it was fantastic. To hear him teach the plan of Salvation so simply and powerfully was incredible. I also realized I wasn't so focused on understanding him in Chinese, but I was focused on the Spirit. It was a huge turning point for me, and it helped me see how the Spirit can speak to anybody! I know if we are obedient we will be able to live with our families forever.

Sundays. I looooove Sundays! We started off with District meeting, and I was struck with the thought of how grateful I am for an great district. We have very few challenges, and I love everyone so much. In Sacrament meeting, President Teng and his wife spoke about enduring to the end. They shared a few stories, and I just love them! They are so kind and wise! The thing that stood out to me was that we need to have a vision of the end in sight if we want to make it there-we need to constantly be thinking of the Celestial Kingdom if we expect to obtain it! I also know that if we are prepared for our trials and challenges, we don't need to worry because the Lord will take care of us. 

Elder Lloyd's Companions

At the devotional, Stephen Allen [he's the Managing Dir of the Mission Dept] gave one of the best talks I've ever heard. He talked a lot about repentance and obedience, but he also talked about feelings of inadequacy. He basically told us all that it's normal to be tired, exhausted, depressed, and homesick-that's part of being a missionary. he then told us that being a missionary also requires us to have the faith that we will be able to overcome these feelings and spread the gospel so that others can have happiness eternally. It was incredible. I love the MTC so much! 

The Spirit at the MTC is unlike anywhere else, and I am so grateful that I have this opportunity. I am learning and growing everyday, and I feel like I finally am doing something worthwhile!

I love all of you guys so much!! Please continue to send the long letters or emails in Dear Elders so that I can read them in the middle of the week. Thank you for your love and support!

Elder Lloyd

MTC Week 3: Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring

The Singapore Zone

Hi Family!!!!!! 

I love you guys!! I was sitting outside yesterday looking at the blue sky and thinking that I should be playing catch outside or something...but I know this is where I'm supposed to be. 

I want to start off and thanking all of you for your letters, packages, prayers and example. I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH! 

Mmkay here we go...

A Little Light Reading

So last Tuesday was awesome!!! We said goodbye to Elder Roundy and a few other Singapore and Taiwan Elders who were leaving. I really looked up to them, and they were really friendly as well, so the quiet is somewhat awkward back at our little residence now. At the devotional, we talked about repentance. I was thinking that all of the prophets in the Book of Mormon seemed to have times where they really needed to repent...that's not a coincidence. If we are to have joy we need to repent everyday, multiple times a day. I also realized that we never really wrestle with God...it's a wrestle within our own minds about whether we are willing to change and allow God's will to be done. I also got a Mandarin Chinese hymn book!!!

Wednesday was another unique day because I got to host for the first time! I saw Elder Jowers and a few others from Bountiful and Woods Cross. It made me feel good to try and be positive as I helped show Elders around who had just left their families. It made me even more grateful that I had Abel to host me when I first arrived. I also received a package from my family with new scriptures and some sentimental things that reminded me of home and made me laugh (Buzz Lightyear ring in my old scripture case). It was an awesome day! We kind of got reprimanded for not studying diligently that night, but we repented and have made it a goal to work harder! No more jokes and uncontrollable laughter as a result of exhaustion!

Missing their Brother Who Flew to Singa

Thursday was tough because we taught two lessons back to back. Our first investigator was super stubborn, won't pray, and is stuck on the question why do I need God if I'm already happy...it's a tough question to try and answer in English let alone Chinese!!! We've done our best and pray for guidance each day. Our second lesson went really well, and we shared the first vision and committed our investigator to read the BofM and pray to know the truth. Good lessons make my whole day a million times better!!! We also learned how to teach about the Sacrament this day...it made me feel so grateful for the knowledge of the Atonement and the Savior.

Friday was awesome!! We worked super hard to find scriptures on prayer for our tough investigator and I really like 1 Nephi 15:11. We also met a teacher from Singapore! His accent is super weird, and he's really quiet, but it was incredible to ask him a few questions. He said that every Asian loves Americans and will tell us we have great Chinese if we are able to say Ni hao haha. He said after living there for fifteen years the heat never got better....uh oh for sweaty T Lloyd. It was also a sad day for our district because nobody got any mail friday or saturday...we jokingly said that we need to remember who we are and what we stand for because after three weeks on a mission, nobody else will! That joke cheered us all up and got us laughing for a bit. 

Ahh ... Best Brothers!

Saturdays are wonderful because we have TRC. We taught someone who had just received his mission call the day before, and his Chinese wasn't great either. As a result, we both laughed at each other, and we finished by sharing our testimonies. It was super powerful to hear his conversion story. I also loved sharing Alma 37:36-37 and Enos 1:2-8 ish. Both scriptures talk about prayer. I know that we need to pray in order to progress and have a relationship with God. We also taught our more willing investigator later and he told us he'd come to church with us. That made all of us very happy, and once again, made the day even better!!

Sunday might have been the best day in the MTC yet. We watched the District movies and Mormon Messages in the morning while we wrote our talks in Chinese. In the middle of studying, our Branch president called me out and asked if I would accept the calling of district leader. He complimented me and gave me a lot of confidence. He also told me how important it is to lead by example and pray specifically for people and blessings. I've made it a goal to do better at being completely obedient and more in tune with the Spirit so that I can help others. 

We had the coolest devotional ever that night too! Jenny Oaks Baker, Elder Oaks' daughter, was the speaker. She's a Juliard graduate and played the violin better than anyone I've ever heard. She would talk for a bit and then play a song with her children http://youtu.be/9e3ckk1q9sQ. She shared multiple testimony building experiences, and her music made us all cry. She smiled the whole time, and she just emanated the love of Christ. It reminded me of Ali so much!! I'm so grateful for a wonderful sister who is a great example to me. One of the last songs Sister Baker played was Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring... http://youtu.be/NBrCa6GXzrU  it reminded me of guitar and Christmas and family. It was just an incredible night. I was absolutely speechless.

Throughout this week I had many amazing experiences. I want to invite you all to read Alma 17-19 this week! It is so incredible to ponder about how much the prophets in the Book of Mormon sacrificed. I know that any of the trials I have are insignificant compared to the pioneers and the things that went on during the time before Christ. 

I am so grateful for all of you, and I love you all with all that I have!!! 

Elder Morrell

Elder Hibbert - 6'9" BB Brother

Elder Jowers - Armenia Bound

Mandarin Brothers!

Anziano Jorgensen - Italia! 

LIFT UP YOUR VOICE!

Hi Family!!!!! This week has been even better than the last!!! I LOOOOVEEE THEEE MTC!!!!!!!!!! Yessirreee. This week had so many awesome things happen!!!

I want to start out with saying how grateful I am for all of the letters, support, Dear Elders, and packages. Seriously. The smallest things get me through the super long days here!!!! Thank you with all of my heart. Everything at the MTC is amplified ... the good feelings, the Spirit, the church movies, the talks, the lessons, the scriptures, the prayers ... Everything is just taken up about ten notches! It's such an amazing feeling all of the time!

I love you guys so much! I miss you a lot, but I know this is where I’m supposed to be. Last Tuesday, we challenged the other district to a soccer game and killed ‘em (not that we kept score haha). We also studied super hard all day, taught a lesson, and it went terribly. I was a little sad, but I knew that the next day would be better. At the devotional Tuesday, we sang Sweet Hour of Prayer, and it was just incredible. I seriously want to sing my testimony all of the time. Song is so powerful!!!!! The speaker spoke about temple covenants and how we all visited the temple before we came to the MTC. It made me think of my family, and the first time I went through the temple with them and my friends in Bountiful. I know that those covenants we've made are very sacred and promise us incredible blessings if we do our part. Mormon Tabernacle Choir

Wednesday was awesome too!! I finally memorized the First Vision and My Purpose in Chinese!! We also had garlic toast steak sandwiches for lunch ... I might have eaten three of them. Best thing I've eaten here so far!!!! While I was chowing down, Ryan Curtis came up and tackled me from behind. Two seconds later I was hit in the side by Clayton! It was so good to see them!! I'm so lucky to have all of my friends as examples here. A few minutes later, Mike Hibbert sat down next to me and we talked the rest of lunch. What a day!!!!!

John 3:16

 神shén愛ài世shì人rén，甚shèn至zhì將jiāng他tā的de獨dú生shēng子zĭ賜cì給gĕi他tā們men，叫jiào一yī切qiè信xìn他tā的de，不bù至zhì滅miè亡wáng，反făn得dé永yŏng生shēng。 

Later that night, I had a tender mercy... my headphones I was practicing Chinese with had a one second delay. When I'd whistle into them it would sound super cool and echo!!! Haha! I definitely did that a little too much, but I think the happiness I gained made it worth it :) 

Thursday was great, but it was a super long day. One bright spot was finishing service early and having time to take a five minute shower and play around a bit before class. We picked up a basketball hoop from another Elder, so we've been playing PIG in our room at night. Good stuff. While we were walking from class, there was a semi-good looking sister who has certainly caught the eye of one of the Elders in my district. I told him if you don't look once you're not a man, but if you look twice you're not a missionary. We all had a good laugh because the line was from one of the general authorities that had given a talk here a while back. 

Friday was awesome and ended well!!! Saturday was the best day in the MTC I've had so far!!! We had something called TRC at eleven that we've never done and hadn't prepared a lesson for. You're supposed to teach a member a more in depth lesson and work harder at developing your conversational Chinese during TRC. I was super nervous. So around 11, we went in and taught two twenty-three-year old BYU students who served in Taiwan. They were super personable, and I was speaking Chinese I didn't even know! The Spirit was so strong! We shared our favorite scriptures, and one of them bore their testimony about Ether 12:27 and weaknesses on your mission. At the end he asked me if I was leaving this week, and I was like I've only been here for two weeks! He was amazed at how far we'd progressed in our language. It was awesome. He also said his biggest regret was worrying too much on his mission... I've gotta work on that! 

After we taught the two students, we went to another room and taught two twenty- something year old girls from Taiwan. We started in, got to know them a bit, and then tried to share some scriptures and bear our testimony of prayer. Halfway through, we asked if they knew Nephi 3:7, and one of the sisters was like, no, do you want to share it? It turns out, she wasn't a member, and she was going back to Taiwan that night. I freaked out!!!! I can't believe they trusted us with an actual real investigator after only a couple weeks haha. We buckled down the rest of the lesson and tried to be very sincere in our testimonies and questions. She prayed at the end, and it was very powerful. Just an awesome experience.

Later that night we started teaching the Plan of Salvation to one of our "fake" investigators that we teach about every day. It was super hard to try and remember all of the new vocabulary, but I still felt the Spirit. I'm so grateful for the peace this gospel brings-especially in families. Another great thing Saturday was the arrival of Ali's letter from July! She sent me an amazing talk and shared some very personal things that helped me deal with some problems I've been having. It was incredible, and definitely an answer to my prayers.

Sunday was the day that I once again realized that the MTC is just the closest thing to Hogwarts in the world! It's magical haha. At choir practice we sang Nearer My God to Thee. It's in my top two, and it was the coolest version I've ever heard. The choir director shared a story about what the song is about, and it made the song a million times better and more personal. Jacob is just amazing!!!! At the devotional the speaker (Richard Heaton) invited a convert to share his story and testimony. It was so powerful and so true. I was just overcome by the Spirit. I also said bye to Bleak and Cheney...it was sad but super happy too. I love those guys!

After the devotional we watched the Testaments. I've seen it before, but I learn something new every time I do something here in the MTC. While watching it I really just felt how blessed I am to have the family I have. I am so lucky for parents that have sacrificed everything for me to be happy. I love you :)

This might be bad doctrine...so I'm sorry if this is wrong, but something hit me yesterday. I was thinking back to the difference of testimony and conversion. I think Satan probably had a pretty strong testimony-he knew God existed and loved us and is our Father, but he wasn't converted because he wasn't willing to act on that knowledge and follow our Father's plan. We need to be more willing to act and submit to the Spirit's promptings. 

 

Thank you again to everyone who continues to support me in so many ways - I am so blessed and I love you so very much.

Read Jacob and D & C 121-123...think of actual people writing the Book of Mormon and sacrificing their lives for us. It is so humbling.

I love you all!!!!!!!

THE ARTICLES OF FAITH

Here's just a flavor of what Elder Lloyd is learning in the MTC. The following are the Articles of Faith from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - 

13 Articles of Faith

耶穌基督後期聖徒教會之信條

Yēsū Jīdū Hòuqī Shèngtú Jiāohuì zhī Xìntiáo

1. We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
我們信永恆的父上帝，和祂的兒子耶穌基督，及聖靈。 
Wǒmen xìn Yǒnghéng de Fù Shàngdì, hé Tāde'érzǐ Yésū Jīdū, jí Shènglíng.

2. We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgression.
我們信人為自己的罪而受懲罰，並不是為亞當的違誡。 
Wǒmen xìn rén wéi zìjǐ de zuì ér shòu chéngfá, bìng bù shì wèi Yàdāng de wéijiè.

3. We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
我們信由於基督的贖罪，所有人類都可以藉著對福音的律法和教儀的服從而得救。 
Wǒmen xìn yóuyú Jīdū de Shúzuì, suǒyǒu rénlèi dōu kěyǐ jièzhe duì Fúyīn de lǜfǎ hé jiāoyí de fúcóng ér déjiù.

4. We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
我們信福音的首要原則和教儀為：第一，對主耶穌基督的信心;第二，悔改;第三，為罪的赦免的浸沒洗禮;第四，獲得聖靈恩賜的按手禮。
Wǒmen xìn Fúyīn de shǒuyào yuánzé hé jiāoyí wéi: dì-yī, duì zhǔ Yēsū Jīdū de Xìnxīn; dì-èr, Huǐgǎi; dì-sān, wéi zuì de shèmiǎn de jìnméi xǐlǐ; dì-sì, huòdé Shènglíng ēncì de ànshǒu lǐ.

5. We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.
我們信人必須藉著預言和具有權柄之人的按手禮，蒙神召喚，才可以傳講福音和執行其教儀。 
Wǒmen xìn rén bìxū jièzhe yùyán hé jùyǒu quánbǐng zhī rén de ànshǒu lǐ, méng Shén zhàohuàn, cái kěyǐ chuánjiǎng Fúyīn hé zhíxíng qí jiāoyí.

6. We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.
我們信存在於原始教會中的同樣組織，即有：使徒，先知，牧師，教師，祝福師等。 
Wǒmen xìn cúnzài yú Yuánshǐ Jiàohuì zhōng de tóngyàng zǔzhī, jí yǒu: shǐtú, xiānzhī, mùshi, jiàoshī, zhùfúshī děng.

7. We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.
我們信，說方言，預言，啟示，異象，治病，譯方言等恩賜。 
Wǒmen xìn, shuō fāngyán, yùyán, qǐshì, yìxiàng, zhìbìng, yì fāngyán děng ēncì.

8. We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.
我們信翻譯正確的聖經是神的話;我們也信摩門經是神的話。 
Wǒmen xìn fānyì zhèngquè de Shèngjīng shì Shén de huà; wǒmen yě xìn Móménjīng shì Shén de huà.

9. We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.
我們信神已經啟示的一切，及祂現在啟示的一切，我們也信他仍要啟示許多有關神的國度重大的事。 
Wǒmen xìn Shén yǐjing qǐshì de yīqiè, jí Tā xiànzài qǐshì de yīqiè, wǒmen yě xìn Tā réng yào qǐshì xǔduō yǒuguān Shén de Guódù zhòngdà de shì.

10. We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.
我們信以色列的真正的聚集和十支派的復興;錫安(新耶路撒冷)將建立在美洲大陸;基督將親自統治於地上;並且大地將被更新且蒙得樂園的榮耀。 
Wǒmen xìn Yǐsèliè de zhēnzhèng de jùjí hé shí zhīpài de fùxīng; Xī'ān (xīn Yēlùsālěng) jiāng jiànlì zài Měizhōu dàlù; Jīdū jiāng qīnzì tǒngzhì yú dìshang; bìngqiě dàdì jiāng bèi gēngxīn qiě méng dé lèyuán de róngyào.

11. We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.
我們要求依照我們自己良知的指引，崇拜全能的神的特權，並容許所有的人都有此同一特權，讓他們自行抉擇崇拜的方式，處所，或對象。 
Wǒmen yāoqiú yīzhào wǒmen zìjǐ liángzhī de zhǐyǐn, chóngbài Quánnéng de Shén de tèquán, bìng róngxǔ suǒyǒu de rén dōu yǒu cǐ tóngyī tèquán, ràng tāmen zìxíng juézé chóngbài de fāngshì, chùsuǒ, huò duìxiàng.

12. We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.
我們信我們從屬於國王，總統，統治者和司法長官，要服從，敬重和維護法律。 
Wǒmen xìn wǒmen cóngshǔ yú guówáng, zǒngtǒng, tǒngzhìzhě hé sīfǎ zhǎngguān, yào fúcóng, jìngzhòng hé wéihù fǎlǜ.

13. We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul--We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.
我們信我們要誠實，真誠，貞潔，仁愛，善良，並為所有的人做有益的事;實在我們可以說我們是聽從保羅的忠告──我們凡事相信，凡事盼望，我們已忍受了許多事情，希望凡事都能忍受。任何善良，優美，好名聲，或值得讚揚的事，我們皆追求之。 
Wǒmen xìn wǒmen yào chéngshí, zhēnchéng, zhēnjié, rén'ài, shànliáng, bìng wèi suǒyǒu de rén zuò yǒuyì de shì; shízài wǒmen kěyǐ shuō wǒmen shì tīngcóng Bǎoluó de zhōnggào──wǒmen fánshì xiāngxìn, fánshì pànwàng, wǒmen yǐ rěnshòu le xǔduō shìqing, xīwàng fánshì dōu néng rěnshòu. Rènhé shànliáng, yōuměi, hǎo míngshēng, huò zhíde zànyáng de shì, wǒmen jiē zhuīqiú zhī.

Joseph Smith
斯密約瑟 
Sīmì Yuēsè

MTC Week #2: A BILLION TIMES BETTER!

Hi Amazing Family!!!

Doubles Partner Elder Eyring Headed to Melbourne!

Man oh man, I miss you guys so much! Being here teaching everybody about families makes you love your own a whole lot more. You guys are awesome! :)

So this week was a billion times better than last week!!! Thank you so much for the packages and mail!!! 

The learning/teaching routine is that we sit in a classroom for 16 hours and study on our own with some dictionaries and books with gospel terms to learn the language. Three hours a day a teacher comes in and helps you if you have questions. Weird right? It's all up to you to work hard and memorize vocabulary and grammar. 

On Tuesday we got to hear from Elder Groberg (The Other Side of Heaven movie), and it was incredible. I sat on the second row behind his family, and I felt the Spirit the whole time. Some things that stuck out to me were to bear your testimony all of the time. Love the people all of the time because you never know how far your good influence will spread (just like Brother James). Seriously though, reach out to everyone and anyone and then some more!!!! The devotionals here are so amazing; everything is just better when you're a missionary because the Lord gives us a lil extra! :) 

I lost my companion last week to the fast track.

He's leaving to Singapore next week, and is all on his own companion wise. He'll be leaving with Elder R and a few others. He’s going be great, and I can't wait for him to let us know how it is!!!! I'm now in a trio with two other awesome missionaries so it's like a plus plus plus!! I love ‘em.

Wednesday, while playing soccer, I kicked the ball right at the corner of the goal and happened to hit one of my friends in the face. It broke his tooth and I felt super bad! He got it fixed though, whew :) We also had a Malaria appointment where the doctor sat us down and told us all about it. It scared me a little bit. We have to do a bunch of stuff and take pills with weird side effects everyday, but I know I'll be alright because I'm an experienced medicine taker (thank ibuprofen and sports for that)!

One of the highlights of the week was singing I Know That My Redeemer Lives http://youtu.be/uPkJaeRfIhk. It's now my favorite hymn. I can't get through it without crying!!! Singing is probably my new favorite way of bearing my testimony, and I just want all of you to try and sing extra loud on Sundays, alright?:)  

Trio Companionship

Thursday was fun because we got to clean toilets!!! Yep. That's right. During cleaning you get to go on your own, and it was nice to take my time and just ponder about some things. Who knew that cleaning would be a better part of the day? We finally had our first good lesson Thurdsay too! We taught the investigator how to pray and explained that God loves him. I understood quite a bit of his Chinese, and he understood us! We finished with our testimonies, and they were simple and strong. It was just awesome. Those are the moments that make you want to keep working harder and harder.

On Friday, we worked hard to prepare another lesson on baptism for him, only to find that our investigator has become our second teacher!!! So now both of our teachers will teach and be our investigators while we role play; it's good and bad. Hopefully, they'll better see what we have to work on. I also made about 100 flash cards. 

The 

language 

is 

tough!!!!

Elder Porter - Samara Russia Bound!

Saturday was the first day that I didn't run out of energy!! I think I'm finally adjusting. We sit down all day, but I normally am so tired by the time five o'clock rolls around. Saturday was different! I was happy and whistling and everything was grandiose :)  I finished Saturday by going to weigh myself. I gained seven pounds in one week. Someone in our District gained 11. Wowza. I've been jumping rope, pushups, situps, pullups every night, and lifting/running every single morning, but I guess that doesn't makeup for the full day of sitting and eating. I’m not worried though because I think I'll sweat it off the first day I get to Singapore haha!

Sunday was amazing!!!! Fast Sunday!!! WHOOOHOOO. I didn't even get hungry, and we all fasted for like 24 hours. We're all setup in different branches based on our languages for Sacrament meeting, so I had a chance to bear my testimony in Chinese. It was super duper scary, but I felt so good after!! I was on the pulpit looking out at everyone, and I just saw the power. We are doing a great work here. I didn’t understand everyone, but I understood the spirit. I hope the people of Singapore can feel the spirit, and not listen to the language as well!. 

So Many Mandarin-Speaking Friends!

We walked around the temple, and I said goodbye to Mckay [friend leaving for Thailand] before dinner too. I'm so proud of him, and I can't wait to be in that position in a couple months!!! We finished off last night by watching Joseph Smith. I've seen it before, but this was something completely new. I thought that I was doing a good job handling some of my trials (like Chinese or leaving my family), but after watching that, I realized that I have it so easy!! Joseph sacrificed absolutely everything. It was so humbling, and so motivating to watch. I challenge all of you to watch it again and say a prayer before to try and bring the Spirit. I

This week, try and read the scriptures with a purpose. Read with a question in mind, or do it for somebody else. It's amazing how much more you can learn when you do it that way. Also, read Alma 34:32. Repentance is not a bad thing! It's a good thing that's supposed to help us. Do it everyday, multiple times a day, and you'll be so much happier.

Elder Luker Thailand Bound! 

I love all of you so much!!!! And Dad, I wanna play football haha [Note, just for fun; missing this time of year.] It's hard not to get homesick sometimes, but I know this is where I'm supposed to be. One thing that stood out to me this week is just how lucky I am to have so many people praying for me and loving me. I am the luckiest. Zai jian!!!!

Thank you all!! I love you so much!! I literally have the best family in the world!!

Lastly, thanks for the Dear Elders, those make my day!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Mandarin Elders & Friends Perkins and Humphries

Friend Elder Roundy - Headed to Singapore Next Week!

Elder Luker Teaching the Secrets of Clean Laundry!

Best Friend and Taiwan-Bound Elder Redding