July 20, 2010

Hola!

This has been an interesting week here at the MTC. Things are getting pretty hectic as we continue to practice teaching lessons, door contacts & other things (not to mention Spanish) but everything seems to be going along okay.

I've been working hard to learn the language, but I still feel miles away from being able to go out and proselyte in the field.

I only have 2, maybe 3 more weeks as District Leader, which is funny because I feel like I'm just really starting to get in the swing of things. I taught a lesson last Tuesday after the devotional which went over exceptionally well. I had actually forgotten I was supposed to lead the District Review of the devotional until I was walking back to the classroom, but I lead the discussion as best I could & it ended up great! I have since heard from many of the members of my district that it was an amazing and inspiring lesson, which lets me know that the Lord strengthened me, and the Spirit testified, because there is no way I could pull off a lesson like that just off the top of my head.

Speaking of the members of my district, today is a suspenseful day because on missionary is finding out if he is getting reassigned to another mission and another is finding out if he is getting sent home or not, both for medical issues. Hopefully they will both be OK and be able to continue to serve. I guess we'll find out later today.

Most people at the MTC complain about the food here, but I haven't had any problems with it. The food is basically the exact same things we got at the Cannon Center at BYU. I may have gained some weight since I've been here, but not in the way you think! During the hour of gym time we have here each day, I've been busting my butt and getting back in shape. I've already put on a little bit of muscle mass and have gotten my cardio back up. It's surprising what you can do in one hour as long as you commit yourself and work hard the whole time.

I had a pretty fun experience on Friday as well. A teacher (actually the RM guy from "The District" movies) invited us to play street contacts for his class. Some of us were chosen to be kind and receptive while others were, well to be frank, mean. I got to be one of the mean ones. As the teacher put it, "on a scale from 1 to 10 in obnoxiousness, you should be about an 8." So we had some fun with some of the missionaries by making fun of them and being rude. But come, who doesn't want to have a little fun when you've been given a license to be a jerk? We're told to love everyone all the rest of the time, so this was quite a treat, I guess you could say.

Anyway, I know the Restoration & Plan of Salvation lessons by heart in English now and we're teaching La Leccion del Evangelio Restauredo (The Restoration) en Espangnol for the first time this Friday. So that will be quite an experience. Hopefully, we'll be able to get by without too many slipups and be able to bring the Spirit. (Editorial note by Mom. I have a hard time reading Roland's tiny handwriting, so you will all have to forgive the probable Spanish translation mistakes!)

Now it's time for my mini responses to the bazillion letters that were in the box you sent me!

Dad: my companion is fairly certain that his Great Grandad isn't Jacob Lybbert, but the close proximity and name relation would lead me to suppose that they are at least somehow related. It is kind of crazy how you could pull out a story like that from thin air!

Sarah: You will be getting a letter of your own from me since you Dear Eldered me!

Mom: The Crunch bars arrived just fine and will be given out to my district when we complete our first English Fast this coming week. It'll be a period of 2-4 hours where none of us speak English. The candy bars will be a good reward for a "fast." We're going to keep lengthening the time so we eventually go a whole day with no English.

My asthma is doing fine in this heat, but coincidentally last night I had a nightmare that I had a super bad asthma attack and couldn't breathe. Kind of scary, but it was just a dream so it's OK.

Oh, and those sour Twizzler things you sent me were delicious. Please send more when you are able to. Thanks for the box and all the love & candy!

Nathan: Congratulations on the 10 year anniversary! Kind of crazy that it was that long ago, though. I was only 9 or 10 when you got married. it's weird how I can still remember some of it (and all the sunflower stuff). Thanks for the advice on how to make the most of my mission. Maybe you should teach at the MTC because those are the three big bullet poings all my teachers have been hitting ever since I got here, haha. It was got to get some advice from you and maybe next time I'll be able to write you back in Spanish!

Christian: The three days of permamettings were kind of stressful, but now that I'm in the swing of things it's not too bad. I still have permameetings on Sundays because of the DL thing, but those ones are smaller and not quite so rushed and demanding.

Rose-Ellen: So far my comp is great! He lives in Moses Lake, went to Yakima (if that's how you spell it) Valley Community College and his ward is in the Spokane Mission (same as yours, I'm guessing). The Spanish is coming along well & I seem to be a little bit ahead of the curve in my district. I guess now I need to beware of pride, haha. I haven't gotten sick yet at all, so I'm grateful for the awesome immune system I'm blessed with. I'm grateful that I don't have any health problems potentially in the way of me being able to serve. Natalie and Becca seem to be doing well. It's too bad they probably won't remember me when I get back, but that's OK because I'll still be their favorite when the know me again. How did your eye surgery go? Which method did they end up using? Hopefully the one that allows you to heal quicker. Have any funny Becca/Natalie stories? Hope you're doing OK as a part time single Mom for the Summer!

Anyway, I think that's all for the week, except for one last thing. Maybe Dad will know the answer to this, otherwise if you could, try to look it up for me. My other teacher, Hermano (Franklin) Ortiz, is from Honduras and I'm fairly certain he's like Honduran royalty. According to him, his whole family is in politics. People "know" his family in Honduras. He had trouble adjusting to being unknown in American and plans to return to Honduras and be President there. Oh, and he's loaded. His clothes are way expensive and he has a couple of super expensive watches. So, i'm curious as to the story of his family. If you could find out or like print of the Wikipedia article and send it to me, I would appreciate it.

Alright, well, that's it for now. I'm officially 2 weeks into the MTC and getting into the swing of things. Thanks for the letters and the package and please send more!

Love,

Elder Wood

P.S. We get new missionaires in our zone tomorrow, finally! We won't be the noobs anymore.

First Week in the MTC

Well, I have officially reached my first P-day, and I am also just short of a week here at the MTC. The experience has been great, but its definitely a lot of work. The first day arriving here was quite hectic, but somehow through the madness I was able to get situated and met the rest of the missionaries in my District. My companion is Elder Brock Lybbert. Dad would probably like him because he's from an area in Washington near Tri-Cities, Moses Lake. We are getting along well as a companionship so far, but its only the first week, and people don't really like to be confrontational early on. I'm sure something will come up that will cause a bit of tension, but I'm confident in our ability as a companionship to effectively sort those issues out.

As you might already know from the letter I sent to you ( I don't know if it's gotten there already ), I am the District Leader for my group of missionaries. So far it hasn't been too much work, besides a bit of organization, some meetings, and picking up everyone's mail each day. However, it might get a bit more difficult starting later this week because I am conducting interviews with the senior companions in order to see how the missionaries are meshing together. If any issues come up with that, I might have a bit more of a job ahead of me. I am excited for the opportunity I have to serve my fellow missionaries, and I know that the Lord is strengthening me as I try to fulfill my leadership duties as well as my regular duties as a missionary.

My teacher for class is Hermano Maughan, who is perhaps the greatest person on this earth. He served his mission in Argentina and he is a wonderful Spanish teacher. However, more important than his ability to speak Spanish is how well he knows how to invite the Spirit. His stories and testimonies are very moving, and the Spirit seems to follow in every lesson that he teaches. Even when he speaks in Spanish, saying things we don't really understand, the confirmation of the Spirit is felt by everyone. He recited the Joseph Smith story in Spanish, and even though I didn't understand every part, I know that what he said was true, and I hope to be able to bear testimony as powerfully as he can.

So far, learning Spanish has been a challenge, but the Lord has helped make me equal to the task. We have learned how to conjugate regular verbs, subject pronouns, and how to pray and testify in Spanish. I seem to be picking it up fairly quickly, and for that I am grateful. I cannot wait for time when I can speak Spanish fluently. It is truly a beautiful language, and I am eager to use it to further the work of the Lord. So far, this is my testimony in Spanish. I'll translate it afterward so that everyone can understand it.

Tango un testimonio de Jesucristo. Testifico que Jesucristo es nuestro Redentor y Salvador. Sé que somos encontrar la vida eterna a través de la expiación de Jesucristo. Testifico que Dios ama a usted y todo las personas de la tierra. Sé que las familias pueden estar juntas para siempre. Sé que podemos por medio del Espiritu Santo que José Smith fue un profeta de Dios. Sé que Thomas S. Monson es un profeta de Dios oy tambien. Sé que El libro de Mormón es un otro testamento de Jesucristo y contiene la palabra de Dios. Testifico que el Libro de Mormón es verdadero y contiene la plentitud de el evangelio de Jesucristo. Sé que esto es verdad al sentir de el Espíritu Santo. En el nombre de Jesucristo, amen.

I have a testimony of Jesus Christ. I testify that Christ is our Redeemer and Savior. I know we are able to find eternal life through Jesus Christ. I testify that God loves you and all the people of the Earth. I know families can be together forever. I know through the Holy Ghost that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. I know Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of God today also. I know the Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ and contains the word of God. I testify that the Book of Mormon is true and contains the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I know this is true through the Holy Ghost. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Anyway, now that I've said all that I want to, how is everyone doing? Has Utah been interesting for your visit? And how has the planning for the reunion been going? How is Allison and the rest of the grand kids? You should have a letter that has my address written in it by now or soon. Be sure to post that on the blog and then encourage anybody who wants to write me. I'll send pictures next week. Thanks a lot and write back soon! Oh and dearelder.com is great for writing me letters.

Elder Wood

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July 10, 2010

Dear Family,

This letter will again be short, but there are a few things I forgot to say that I needed to. First, if Mom would be willing to go buy me a pair of jeans (bootcut preferably) and send them to me, I would be very grateful. We're supposed to wear them during service activities and I don't have a set. So, that would be very much appreciated.

We have started learning Spanish and I can now offer a rudimentary prayer entirely in Spanish. It is remarkable how much you can learn when you are guided by the Holy Ghost. I am quickly adjusting to my role as District Leader, and through the Lord strengthening me, I am able to do more than I ever would have been able to on my own before.

I know that God loves each and every one of us, and knows us individually. I am grateful for the love He shows to me, as well as the love He manifests to everyone by listening to their prayers and the sacrifice He made in sending his Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to die for us. I know that we all have the opportunity to live with Him again, and that there is nothing He desires more than for us to be with Him.

Again, a larger letter will follow after Tuesday with questions for the family and more information about my situation here at the MTC. Until then, know that I love you all and I am very happy and engaged here at the MTC.

With love,

Elder Wood

First letter, July 9, 2010

Hola! This letter is short and I'm sorry, but time is sparse here and you'll be sure to get a longer letter soon. My P-Day is on Tuesday, so you should have one soon after that. To summarize my first 2 days here at BYU . . .

I am a District Leader and a Junior Companion. My Companion is Elder Lybbert, who Dad would like because he is from Washington--Moses Lake to be more precise, just an hour outside the Tri-Cities.

My MTC mailing address is:

Elder Roland David Spencer Wood
MTC Mailbox # 271
TX-MCAL 0908
2005 N. 900 E.
Provo, Utah 84604-1793

For now that's all I have to say, but you will get much more on my P-Day. Say "Hi" to the family for me, I love and miss you all.

With love & Care,

Elder Wood

P.S. I am expected to leave for Texas on September 8th!

Off to the MTC, July 7, 2010

First Trip to the Temple Pictures

My Farewell Talk

Hello brothers and sisters. My name is Roland Wood; I have been in this ward since I was born, just a short 19 years ago. I have come to the point in my life where I have the opportunity to serve as a full time missionary for the church in McAllen, Texas. I leave in just a short week and a half, and I am grateful for the chance I have to speak to you today. And, since I will be spending the next two years of my life focused on missionary work, I figured that there would be no better topic than that to speak about to you today. I speak mostly to those younger than me, who may have a mission in their near futures, or have committed to themselves to serve the lord. However, the principles and values of laboring in the Lord’s vineyard apply to all of us.

After His Resurrection, the Lord commanded His disciples to "go . . . and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost" (Matthew 28:19). This is the importance of missionary work. The chance and obligation that we have to share the gospel with those willing to hear it. To do all that we can build up the kingdom of Israel and bring God’s children closer to Him. This responsibility is extended to all able bodied young men and the opportunity extended to all who wish to make use of it. We all have the chance to strengthen our testimonies and the testimonies of others by proclaiming the truth of the gospel and the reality of the atonement of Jesus Christ.

We have all learned that every member is a missionary, and we can all be instruments in the hands of the Lord. I had a friend in high school, who, throughout the course of our years and classes together asked me a lot of questions about the church. I always answered his questions as best as I could, and I should give due credit to my youth leaders and parents who taught me the answers to those questions as I was growing up. Often I thought that my friend was just searching for the parts of our religion that seemed peculiar and different to the outside world, so that he could get a grasp on exactly what made Mormons so different. I figured that it was just a simple curiosity. That he didn’t really internalize or remember a lot of the things I said. However, after my year at BYU, I came back and had a quick visit with my friend. What he told me during that visit stuck with me a lot more than I think he thought it would. He told me how he was sure that one of his friends was dating a Mormon girl, even though she had never told him outright that she was one. He said that she didn’t drink coffee, alcohol or smoke, was more modest than 95% of the other girls at his college and made a point of going to church every Sunday. He put two and two together and figured that she was LDS. This surprised me because even though I thought that my friend hadn’t really been listening during all those short discussions we had, he really did remember our talks about the word of wisdom and other LDS things peculiar to the rest of the world. Sometimes people that we don’t think are listening really are, and are much more prepared to learn about and listen to the gospel that we think they are.

As a high school student having conversations during lunch, I was able to have a missionary experience, which stands as evidence that we can all be effective missionaries if we are willing to share what we know and believe. We can all apply to ourselves Mormon’s description of his calling as a missionary. In 3 Nephi 5:13 he says, “Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life.” I love that verse because of its simplicity and truth. We can all be disciples of Jesus Christ, full time and if you will, part time missionaries. However, the difference between full time missionaries and part time member missionaries is in the occupation, not in the opportunity. It can be difficult to muster the time to get away from family, friends, work and other commitments in order to make room for missionary work. As busy adults with families and young adults with obligations like school, it is impossible to dedicate all of your time and be a full time missionary. But we all come across friends, colleagues and acquaintances that are curious about the gospel and they afford us the opportunity to teach someone about the word of the Lord.

Spreading the gospel is a sometimes difficult and strenuous task, but there is no more important work in the world. And as the messengers of that word, there is are many responsibilities we have, and things that we can do in order to help spread the gospel of Jesus Christ even more quickly. Service is perhaps the most notable and effective way to get people to open up and talk about what they believe. By providing service, we are able to help and support our fellow men, serve God and establish bonds of fraternity and trust. Sharing the gospel is always easier with someone who you know and understand, and it helps to invite the spirit into whatever discussions you have.

There was a house across the street from ours in my neighborhood. The owner of the house was unable to care for the lawn adequately, much to the dismay of many in the neighborhood who found it an eyesore. However, on one of their p-days, the missionaries at the time came and spent the day helping my dad clean and care for the lawn. One of my neighbors up the street saw the two young men working and noticed that one of them was wearing a BYU t-shirt. Making the connection between the school and our faith, she figured out that he was a missionary. Word quickly spread through our neighborhood about the Mormons who worked to clean up the unkempt yard, and that single act of service has done more to advance the cause of the missionaries in our neighborhood, than anything my family has ever said about them.

Another story of service rendered was actually service provided to me that I will never forget. I had just gotten my license, and had a lot of things to learn about driving. Running errands one day, I noticed that the tank was dangerously close to empty, and I was worried that I might not be able to get home, or even much further, on what I had left. So I pulled into the closest gas station, only to realize, that I had never actually pumped gas myself. After working with the machine for a few minutes, I was stumped, and my confusion must have showed somehow, because the gas station attendant proceeded to come out, and teach me how to use the machine and fill up the tank. Afterwards, on my way out of the gas station, there was heavy traffic going one way, and, being a new driver, I couldn’t find a large enough opening for me to be comfortable making a left turn. After a little while of waiting, the gas station attendant came out again, marched into the street, and stopped traffic one-way for me, giving me the opening to leave. Although this encounter was fairly grandiose and uncommon, random acts of kindness can create a lasting impression on their benefactor. I know that I will never forget that experience, and that although I can’t remember the attendant’s name, if I ever run into him somehow, he will be sure to receive profuse thanks and probably a meal. By living as kind and compassionate disciples of Christ, those small things that we do to help others can often mean a lot to those that we are helping. And although we may not give them the first discussion afterwards, a friendly encounter can be remembered, appreciated and expanded upon for a long time.

As missionaries, we should keep our eyes open for those who may be ready to receive the gospel. It is our responsibility to bring people to Christ and to teach them about the atonement, the restoration, and that they will be able to return to their father in heaven. We should not be ashamed or bashful about the things that we know to be true. If we are comfortable and sure in our testimonies, then we have nothing to fear when the opportunity to explain our beliefs to others.

Another task that we all can help with is to support and connect with the members of the ward. Those who are new, just moving in or have just joined the church could always use a friend, and the community of the church is strengthened when we extend our friendship to any and all that we meet. In his recent Ensign article, “Faithful Friends”, President Henry B. Eyring stresses the importance of being a good friend to those that could use our companionship. He says, “Living prophets of God have asked us to be faithful friends to those who come into the church as converts, and to go to the rescue of those who have drifted away. We can do it, and we will do it if we always remember the Savior.” The savior is the perfect example of a true friend, and if we remember and strive to emulate him, we will show greater charity and love for our fellow men.

Also, as faithful latter-day saints, our commitment to live the tenants of the gospel can be an effective missionary tool in itself. Other people see us living our lives differently, apart from the standards of the rest of the world. Having a positive example gives some people a good impression of the church as well as giving some a buddy to help them rise above the morals of the world. As we live our everyday lives, people take notice of the things we say and do, and that is another way we are all representatives of the church of Jesus Christ. It doesn’t matter if you wear a white shirt and a nametag, as soon as someone knows that you’re Mormon, they can look to you for an example of what your faith is all about. This is an encouragement for us to live worthily, but also a motivating factor, knowing that your good deeds and high standards are being noticed and respected.

There are currently 344 missions with 51, 736 full time missionaries. These are both impressive figures, but there is a way to look at them that makes them much more astounding. There are currently 344 missions, but with members spread all over the world. There are currently 51,736 full time missionaries, and ideally 13,824,854 part time missionaries and members who are working to spread the gospel to all nations and all people through their faith, example, and willingness to share the joy of the word of the Lord.

Brothers and sisters, I know that as we strive to share the gospel, as youth, members and missionaries we will be blessed for our work as well as our chance to bless the lives of others. We should be willing and ready to share the gospel, with the statement of Paul prepared in our minds. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth…” (Romans 1:16). I am confident and sure that the powerful examples of our youth and members make a positive impression on those we come in contact with. And that as we strive to be friends to those in need, we will strengthen our testimonies as well as those we try to help.