Alright so if you're wondering why it's livin' on a prayer it's because WOAH we're halfway there. 5 weeks has just flown by here. And also every day in the MTC you're living on a prayer.
So the beginning of the week started off the best way possible, with In-n-out. My best buddies snuck some in-n-out over the fence and so a major major shoutout to them. It was so fun to see them again and to actually eat real food. I really can't thank everyone enough for the love I've felt while I've been here. Shouts out Core Four / Core Foreign.
The days here in the MTC are slowly started to mesh together so at this point I barely remember what happens on certain days. The new Elders and Sisters have finally started talking to us and they're so sick. We were all sharing stories of girls and adventures back home until like 11:30 last night which isn't the best thing to do but it was cool bonding will a lot of them. On Thursday we taught TRCs again and that was a blast because you basically get to talk to members of the church that speak Russian and teach them a short lesson. I love it. Also on Thursday we had our halfway party with our district where we ate a bunch of food and we showed each other pictures and stories from home.
Speaking of the Russian language, I'm absolutely in love with it. I don't really think about how much I enjoy it because most of the time I'm working on it or stressed with it but when I reflect on the week I realize how much fun I'm having and how much I'm really enjoying learning this new language. I'm surprised at how much I know already and how I can hold a gospel oriented conversation. Right now I'm working on memorizing the first vision.
Okay so Sunday was probably one of the best days of my life no joke. We started off the day by going to church and it was testimony meeting. (we bear our testimonies in English). I was already feeling the Spirit so strongly before testimony meeting began and I just felt so good. Then there were some amazing testimonies that were said and I bore my testimony and I couldn't even help but bawl on the stand of how much I love my Savior and the ability that we have through Him to change who we are. At some points it didn't even feel like it was me speaking because it felt so powerful. Then we had District meeting where we talked about our purpose as Missionaries and then a lesson in Priesthood about the Priesthood haha. So instead of lunch on a fast sunday they have another devotional and it was just some people from the MTC presidency and they talked about teaching lessons. We then had choir and it was one of the best choirs we've ever had. If I didn't already tell you Brother Egget is one of my biggest role models here, he's the choir director. He'll go off on these long stories about past missionaries and they're so cool. At the end he invited the other choir director to bear his testimony on prayer and it's this really old guy that's been through a lot and he could barely get through his testimony because of his tears. He talked about losing his son and his wife and it was one of the most spiritual moments for me here. Then we finally ate dinner and went back for another devotional. This was by Jenny Oaks Baker and she's like this famous violinist and so that was really cool to listen to and she talked about overcoming trials. Then we were told to stay in our seats and for movie time we would all be watching The Character of Christ by Elder Bednar which we've all seen already so we were a little disappointed but THEN after it's over one of the counselors comes up and says "We have a special surprise for you today, Elder Bednar and his wife are here to take and answer questions." ELDER BEDNAR. I lost it. It was literally an answer to my prayers because I really wanted to see a general authority while I was in the MTC and it happened to be one of my favorites. I took 2.5 pages of notes and I learned so much from him it was amazing. One of the longest and one of the greatest days of my life.
Monday we got Chick-fil-a so that was AMAZING. Definitely the best meal they've had here so far haha. No one is safe here from the wrath of the MTC food.
Yesterday we had our devotional and we listened to this guy from the seventy. I can't remember his name but it was super good. Him and his wife are from Kenya and it was really cool to hear their conversion story.
My challenge to you this week is to read 2 Nephi 33. It's some of the last words of Nephi and there are so many cool things to find. If you have a question about life or if you're struggling right now then I encourage you to read it.
I love that I'm learning a new language because it forces you to teach the most basic of doctrine. I love the simplicity and the complexity of the Gospel. I love the happiness that it brings and the way it changes lives. I love all of you and I want you to know that the Savior loves you no matter what. Pray always to Him; a prayer is just beginning once you say Amen.
Я знаю что бог любить нас и Иисус Христос наш Спаситель. Я люблю вас!
-Старейшина Whiting
p.s. send me your address if you want a letter.
p.p.s another major shout out to Carter, Preston, Claire, and Hudson and the whole English fam. Thank you so much for the letter I love you all and I can't wait to come back and see you all grown up.
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