MTC #1: So Much to Say, Not Enough Time

I had a pleasant surprise last night when I found out that we would actually be able to email you while at the MTC (contrary to what I thought the mission handbook said).

Unless you are a Peterson or are living the Peterson home, please please please include a return address on letters. On normal days, yes, I have NO time to write letters. However, Tuesdays will be my preparation days and I will have enough time to respond to some letters then. So please! Return addresses!

My companion's name is Elder De Menezes, and he is from Salvador Brazil. He's going to the Hiroshima mission as well, but speaking Portuguese, Spanish, English, and Japanese. I love him to death! He is so funny! "I don't-a-baleev it!" "Waaaaght!!??" "Elder Fart, you stink" Through my interaction with him so far, I have started to realize some of the reasons why we are companions. It has strengthened my testimony concerning our Heavenly Father's mindfulness of us and what we need. I got a little discouraged Thursday night, when we started teaching little pieces of the first lesson with our companion. Elder D is still learning English, so communication is a bit difficult sometimes. We play translation game just about every day in class. Thankfully, there's an elder from California (Elder Everts) who took three years of Spanish and speaks it very well. Elder D speaks Portuguese, but is very very skilled in Spanish as well, so it works out. I started thinking things like, "Why wouldn't H.F. call Elder D with Elder Everts?" and as I saw how good the other companionships were at teaching, "If I were with another companion, this wouldn't be nearly as difficult." But don't worry, it's all good. My last thoughts thursday night as I went to sleep were directed toward my Heavenly Father: "Tasukete onegaishimasu. . . Tasukete onegaishimasu!" ("Please, Please help me!")

Thankfully, another testament of H.F.'s love came through a series of events. Elder D was having a lot of difficulties trying to learn English, so we went to the bookstore looking for a Portuguese-Japanese dictionary. We couldn't find one, so we went and talked with a sister in the back. We found out that they forgot to give Elder D the books he needed. She then gave him a whole bunch of Portuguese-Japanese books, A LOT! I was so relieved, and as the days go by, more relief comes. I know that we are companions for certain reasons, ones that I'm discovering, and ones that I have yet to find out. The church is true!!!!

One thing that I was a little worried about was the teaching. In school, we're used to Teacher-directed teaching. However, here, a lot of the teaching is "Self-Directed" teaching. We get three hours a day of Missionary Directed Time. I have resolved to be better, to work on my planning skills so that I can be so effective. Elders Jemmet and Ward (some of the elders that taught me at the TRC) had only been here for a week when they taught me, and did an amazing job. Please pray for me to be able to be better at planning, and more obedient as well (I'm still working on that 10:30 bed time. . . Well, the other three elders in my Residence Hall are working on it as well ;)

Okay, in our room, there's also Elder Childs from Vernal (and Arizona, and West Virginia, and everywhere in-between) and his companion Elder Rea (the first Elder I interacted with after the meeting on Wednesday; miraculously, he's going to Hiroshima as well!) They both seem so familiar, in fact so does Elder D. Like before with the army, when things just click together, when the people I interact with are so familiar, I don't take it as coincidence. This is all meant to be.

I have had soooo many tender mercies, and chances to run into Elders I've known before. Elders Carter and Heath from the TRC, I was so blessed to see them, they taught with such a strong spirit. They left for the mission field today. I'm sad that I won't see them any more, but am so thankful for their examples, and am excited for them!

Ooh, and I saw Elder Patrick Walton for the first time Sunday night!!!! So cool! My high school buddy Elder Jonathan Horan (who has the same meal schedule with me!). This happens so much! I can't even say how many people that I have run into in this manner!!

I LOVE the MTC. It's kind of like a vacation like dad said. Compared to basic!! OH! Some Elders complain about how long the days are, and waking up at 6:30. I'm not being prideful about it, but for me, it's no big deal. Yes, I have some hard experiences, like communicating with my companion, but it's all good, because of the mountainous spiritual blessings I receive. Maybe this is like the Celestial kingdom. . . Hard work, but never-ending happiness. . . More to come next week!

I know this is where I'm supposed to be, and I don't really feel homesick.

My prayers and love to you!

-Pitason Choro ;)