Hai, everyone!!
This is the first email I am sending out! I am super exited to share with you my first experiences at the MTC. For those of you who don't know, I am not in Singapore yet. For the first two months, I will be at a Mission Training Center (MTC), that helps us become missionaries. We learn how to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ, and for me, learning Malay as a new language! My emails will be seen as a travel log, but will be focused on the most interesting and important experiences.
Before I even arrived at the MTC, I got to see my brother Kyler who is on a mission in Colorado! Originally, my parents told me i'd be seeing my brother later on in the evening this past Monday. They told me we were waking up at 5:15am (having gone to bed at 2:00am the night before), to go hike with some friends. Well those "friends" happened to be Kyler and his companion! A companion is another missionary that is always with you. It was a wonderful surprise.
It was great to be able to catch up on the past two years! It was a little weird seeing him right next to me. It has only been through skype that I've seen him. For all those ladies out there, he is handsome as ever, and is a returned missionary! I got to spend the rest of my time in Colorado with Elder LaRose! I got to be with him and his companion, Elder Johns, at his apartment. In the morning we got to participate in the fourth of July parade! There were 40 or so missionaries walking the streets of Colorado handing out candy and pass along cards :) Pass along cards are simply little cards that have the website "www.mormon.org" on them. When people go to that website, they are taught all about our beliefs! If you haven't already, go check out that website! It will bless your life. There was one time where I got a Book of Mormon, and loaded a whole bunch of candy on top of it. I handed it to the nearest Singaporean-looking person. It was tons of fun!
The hard part was saying goodbye. I got to see him for two days, and then I won't see him again for another two years! He is a wonderful brother, and has been the greatest example to me and our siblings.
I was privileged to have my parents drop me off at the MTC. We got to visit the Provo Temple before saying goodbye. They have done so much for me over the course of my life. They have not only made me what I am, but who I am. They acted like I was dying, so yes they made my cry a lot haha. I am glad that I have parents who understand the purpose of a mission. and the responsibility I have to help others not only know who Jesus Christ is, but follow Him by being baptized and confirmed into His true Church. I love the quote that says a missionary is "someone who leaves their family for a while, so others can be with their families forever."
My view from the MTC - the Provo Temple
The MTC has been a bit of a blur! The first moment we got there, I received my name tag! I felt such calming power come to me as I put the name tag on! I am an official representative and emissary of Jesus Christ. This is my calling for the next two years. I will serve faithfully. Look, it is a Malay name tag!
We first went to our classroom, and our teachers did not speak a word in English. It was all in malay! So I sat there for about an hour, only recognizing the word "Elder" and "Sister" haha. My name is "Elder LaRose." Elder and Sister are titles, and are another word for "teacher." I felt so lost and confused, but I knew it is what the Lord has set for me to do!
My companion Elder Bowler from Las Vegas, Nevada
My District, along with my Branch President and His counselors
After our class time, we went to orientation. The mission president of the MTC greeted us, and we sang "Called To Serve." It is one of the greatest hymns we have about missionary work!
One thing I liked about the orientation is the new formula I learned.
This is a false formula: me + more = Christlike
This is the correct formula: me + Christ = more (more love, more trust, etc.)
No matter how hard we work, the greatest amount of energy needs to be focused on relying on our Savior. It is then that we can become as He is!
After the orientation, we had dinner. Don't worry mom, I didn't eat any junk food :)
We then went to a classroom and taught a "fake" investigator. An investigator is just a person who is interested in strengthening their faith and love in Jesus Christ. We teach them the proper way that they can grow in their beliefs! People were struggling with a belief in God, how families can be forever, and other things. The most important thing we shared with each of these investigators is the love that their Heavenly Father has for them.
We met our branch president on Thursday. A branch president is the presiding authority over a congregation. Most would think they are a Priest or Pastor in other Christina religions. Every sunday we will have church, and He will lead the meeting. I was assigned to be district leader over my district! A district is just a small group of elders that are going to the same mission. There are 8 in our district. I am in charge of being the mailman (giving the elders their packages and letters from home), and conducting meetings. I will also be helping those in my district with whatever physical, emotional, or spiritual needs they have.
We finally ended the night with unpacking! Today is now Friday, and I am still not unpacked haha. We are learning how to pray in Malay, and I am excited for Heavenly Father to help me learn the language!
Oh ya, I almost forgot again. IT WAS MY BIRTHDAY YESTERDAY!! I remembered it was my birthday when I was at dinner haha. I guess that is a good sign, I am fully emmersed in the work! Thank you to all who send me letters, it means a lot! And thank you family for trying to fatten me up while at the MTC. Krispy Kreme, cookies, packages of cookies, and candy. I will definitely need to share with everyone.
Love you all, and I will send another email next Friday!
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