I know that I've been here for a while when I'm one of the "oldest" missionaries in the MTC. I can almost tell who the newer missionaries are just by the looks on ther face. They generally look a little bit tanner, have longer hair, and just look pretty clueless. It's funny that I start to think that I'm an experienced missionary because I've been in the MTC for almost 7 weeks...shows how isolated we can get here at time.
My district has been having some, well let's say interesting times here lately. We got a new district leader about two weeks ago, Elder Markham. Our old DL was pretty laid back (which is both a good and a bad thing), whereas Elder Markham is probably one of the most firm and decisive people I've meet here at the MTC. He had an "Emergency district meeting" Tuesday night to address the issue of the maturity of our district members. While he definitely had a valid point, his main complaint/concern was that someone in our district had erased a quote that he had written on the board that said, "Be who you were called to be". No, I probably would not have erased the quote, but at the same time I don't think that I would have gotten so worked up about it. Regardless, he had every right to point out areas where are district needs to work on. There's been quite a few "incidents" and behavioral patterns within our district that are without a doubt unbecoming of missionaries. I have done my best to stay clear of as much of this as I can, but you have to remember that as a missionary who should be with your companion at all times, you can't always do as Joseph of Old and flee from temptation (hope you liked that scripture reference). There have been times when I've wanted no part in certain activities or conversations, and I've asked my companion, who is almost always willing, to go to another room with me. That being said, I certainly and unfortunately cannot say that I have been perfect when it comes to being getting distracted. It can be harder than you'd think to stay focused in the MTC at times. However, I do recognize that I am imperfect and that the Natural Man in me has not yet been completely evicted. Because of this, I turn to the Lord and ask him to provide me with strength and willpower to stay focused, work hard, and avoid these distractions like the plague.
That being said, I'll try and talk about more positive things that have happened this past week. During some of my scripture study time, I have made it a goal of mine to try and open up my mind and my heart a little bit more to the promptings and teachings of the Spirit while I read. I've said this before, but I fear at times that my many years of classes, study, and discourses concerning the scriptures has led me to believe that there isn't much left to be learned. Oh how grateful I am to have been humbled (and I assume I will be yet again when I get into the field) since I've been here. Nothing can possibly ever substitute for being taught by a member of the Godhead, the Holy Ghost. Learning to listen and give heed to these lessons may be one of the greatest things I will ever learn during my time on this earth.
I guess BYU is just about to start back up again. Even being at the MTC, you can kind of tell. Provo is buzzing. Some of our teachers are taking leave for a few weeks to get settled into school, so our class schedule will probably be a little bit crazy. I'm pretty surprised that I haven't run into someone I know yet when they let us out for gym time or to go to the temple. It's a small world around here.
Nothing else too "different from usual" has happened around here lately. I sent some pictures home recently...they should arrive any time around now. About 10 Elders in our zone got their reassignments this week too. It was the district that Elder Miller was in. Elders Reynolds and Brown are both going to Detroit (they are actually there by now). Elder Miller would probably get a kick out of that. Others are going to Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Riverside, and St. George.
I will get to "host" incoming missionaries this week, which means that I help them unload their stuff front their car, say goodbye to their families, and show them around the campus. It's pretty somber to watching these missionaries say goodbye, but kind of nice at the same time that I never have to do that again. Should be pretty fun.
My time here at the MTC is quickly evaporating. I'm doing my best to stay diligent and preparing for the next chapter in my mission. All is well!
Until next time,
-Elder McKinley
My district has been having some, well let's say interesting times here lately. We got a new district leader about two weeks ago, Elder Markham. Our old DL was pretty laid back (which is both a good and a bad thing), whereas Elder Markham is probably one of the most firm and decisive people I've meet here at the MTC. He had an "Emergency district meeting" Tuesday night to address the issue of the maturity of our district members. While he definitely had a valid point, his main complaint/concern was that someone in our district had erased a quote that he had written on the board that said, "Be who you were called to be". No, I probably would not have erased the quote, but at the same time I don't think that I would have gotten so worked up about it. Regardless, he had every right to point out areas where are district needs to work on. There's been quite a few "incidents" and behavioral patterns within our district that are without a doubt unbecoming of missionaries. I have done my best to stay clear of as much of this as I can, but you have to remember that as a missionary who should be with your companion at all times, you can't always do as Joseph of Old and flee from temptation (hope you liked that scripture reference). There have been times when I've wanted no part in certain activities or conversations, and I've asked my companion, who is almost always willing, to go to another room with me. That being said, I certainly and unfortunately cannot say that I have been perfect when it comes to being getting distracted. It can be harder than you'd think to stay focused in the MTC at times. However, I do recognize that I am imperfect and that the Natural Man in me has not yet been completely evicted. Because of this, I turn to the Lord and ask him to provide me with strength and willpower to stay focused, work hard, and avoid these distractions like the plague.
That being said, I'll try and talk about more positive things that have happened this past week. During some of my scripture study time, I have made it a goal of mine to try and open up my mind and my heart a little bit more to the promptings and teachings of the Spirit while I read. I've said this before, but I fear at times that my many years of classes, study, and discourses concerning the scriptures has led me to believe that there isn't much left to be learned. Oh how grateful I am to have been humbled (and I assume I will be yet again when I get into the field) since I've been here. Nothing can possibly ever substitute for being taught by a member of the Godhead, the Holy Ghost. Learning to listen and give heed to these lessons may be one of the greatest things I will ever learn during my time on this earth.
I guess BYU is just about to start back up again. Even being at the MTC, you can kind of tell. Provo is buzzing. Some of our teachers are taking leave for a few weeks to get settled into school, so our class schedule will probably be a little bit crazy. I'm pretty surprised that I haven't run into someone I know yet when they let us out for gym time or to go to the temple. It's a small world around here.
Nothing else too "different from usual" has happened around here lately. I sent some pictures home recently...they should arrive any time around now. About 10 Elders in our zone got their reassignments this week too. It was the district that Elder Miller was in. Elders Reynolds and Brown are both going to Detroit (they are actually there by now). Elder Miller would probably get a kick out of that. Others are going to Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Riverside, and St. George.
I will get to "host" incoming missionaries this week, which means that I help them unload their stuff front their car, say goodbye to their families, and show them around the campus. It's pretty somber to watching these missionaries say goodbye, but kind of nice at the same time that I never have to do that again. Should be pretty fun.
My time here at the MTC is quickly evaporating. I'm doing my best to stay diligent and preparing for the next chapter in my mission. All is well!
Until next time,
-Elder McKinley
No comments:
Post a Comment