Editor's note: Roland will have but one more email opportunity from the MTC as he leaves for Texas on September 8th. This is your last chance to write him a letter before he leaves the MTC. Also remember that his birthday is on September 14. You should post any packages to him to the McAllen Mission Home. I will post that address after I look up the appropriate zip code. (At the end of this letter Roland says he won't have another email opportunity at the MTC, but if he leaves on the 8th as his address implies, he should have one more email opportunity.) If you send your letter via DearElder.com, they actually post the letters immediately to the MTC and he gets your email letter via Provo post. So, that is one way for you to be sure he gets your letter before he leaves Provo, even if he doesn't have another email opportunity.
Roland's letter:
Dear Family,
This week has been pretty normalish, except for a few instances, I guess. Most of them were at the beginning of this last week, right after I sent off my last email.
To start off, last Tuesday night we had Jeffery R. Holland come speak to us! It was awesome! One, because Elder Holland is known for his rousing speeches, and two, because he is the first member of the Quorum of the Twelve we've had speak to us. His remarks were filled with great quotes and inspirational reminders. He stressed that there are three things that missionaries don't do well. First, they don't study well together with their companions. Second, they don't plan well enough, really scheduling every bit of space and having backup plans for appointments that fall through or if something goes amiss. Third, they don't teach with the power and authority that is given to them in their calling. This past week I've been trying to work on all of these and really do as Elder Holland directed, and waste none of the Lord's time. He stressed the importance of exact obedience and how in order to teach with power and authority we need to obey all of the mission rules, so that the Spirit of the Lord can be unrestrained when trying to work in us. Probably the best two quotes that he gave were first, when speaking about mission rules, "You can't do it your way! This isn't Burger King! We don't hold the pickles!" And second, when speaking about diligence, "You've got to work hard and talk with everyone. Every step, every day, every person, all the way!". Those are just two among many, many good quotes that were given to us by Elder Holland, most of which are recorded in my study journal back in my class.
The other really cool experience that we had this week was our TRC (Teaching Resource Center) investigator. She was the mother of a young woman who comes regularly and volunteers at the TRC, but she herself had not come before. Elder Lybbert and I had a fantastic lesson with her about the Plan of Salvation and the Word of Wisdom. The Spirit was really strong, and you could visibly see it working in this mother. Her eyes would start to tear up and then she'd start crying when we were testifying of the life and sacrifice of the Savior, as well as the opportunity she has, through Him, to live with Him and her family forever. It was a great lesson and really was a great confidence booster for these last couple of weeks at the MTC.
I've only got a few minutes left on my email, so I'll relay one last short story and then send just one or two more in a letter home. I was talking to one of the Counselors in our Branch Presidency, who was talking about just how hard it was to walk so far every day in the mission field. Walking up to six or more miles a day really took a toll on his body, and he was trying to warn/scare us for how hard it could be. When I told him that I had done the Alonzo Stag hike in Virginia and had done 50 miles in a day, a surprised look popped onto his face and he said, "Oh, okay, well I guess you won't have a problem with that one ha-ha!" So, I'd just like to give a quick thanks to Rene and the Young Men leaders for getting me to go on that. And now that I have had that experience, I have no need to complain about how dead my legs are because I can always refer back to that experience and the fact that it doesn't hurt as much and I'll be able to walk the next day.
As far as the calling card goes, I can buy a $5 one here, which should be fine, but if Mom could send me the phone numbers and addresses for the kids that would be great. I won't have another chance to email before I leave, so I'll need that in actual mail. Also, the address for the mission home is: 200 W La Vista Ave., McAllen TX (and then the zip code for that area, can be Googled).
10 seconds, gotta go!
Love you all!
Elder Wood
August 31, 2010
August 30, 2010
August 17, 2010 (P.S. to written letter)
Oh. Tell Dad that I'm the second cleanest person in my Zone here at the MTC. The only one ahead of me is an Elder out of the Naval Academy, so he doesn't count. :)
Love you!
Elder Wood
Love you!
Elder Wood
August 17, 2010 (Letter posted to 4510 N. 35th St.)
Dear Family,
I did the big event of my being called to ZL in the Email home today, so hopefully in this letter I'll be able to talk about what has happened so far this week.
In the past week's Devotional on Tuesday there was a really good message. The speaker was Elder Evans of the first quorum of the Seventy. His message was mostly about getting our investigators to read the Book of Mormon from the beginning, as well as encouraging us to not being afraid to invite someone to be baptized. However, for me, the coolest part of Elder Evan's talk was in his testimony at the end. He said, "It is not faith for me anymore my friends, now I know." As a missionary I am called to strengthen the faith of others in Jesus Christ and his Atonement, but we are also counseled in Preach My Gospel that "You cannot convert someone beyond your own conversion."
I am grateful for the fact that I can say, "I know". When I testify of the Savior and his Atonement, I can say "I know". When I testify of the Restoration, I can say, "I know". And I'm grateful for that because it will help me to be a better missionary and also to be better at serving the Lord and bring more people back to Him.
This last week when teaching our "investigators" with Hermano Maughan, he had us do splits where companionships split up and taught different investigators. It was pretty interesting. I taught with Elder Covington and his "investigator", Yoel who had a drug problem. It was quite a challenge to try and teach to a new investigator with a concern I haven't ever really researched or studied for, but it was a great opportunity to practice and went over fairly well.
The other thing that was pretty cool for this week is that we had a new teacher for about a week, Hermano Solberg, who also served his mission in Argentina. This past week he has acted for an investgator for us too, "Bernardo". Bernardo is a very prepared individual who readily accepts most of our ideas like prayer, a loving Heavenly Father and the Restoration, but lacks faith a little bit because he gets very upset over small principles. For example, he had a big hangup with Nephi killing Laban in order to get the brass plates, and refused to listen to anything else until we could explain it to him. We did a pretty good job of it and kept the conversation from becoming contentious. It seemed to resolve his worries. Ultimately, he accepted the commitment to be baptized, which is awesome! Also, this past week with Hermano Maughan's "investigator" Jorge, we taught him about the Restoration and invited him to be baptized, which he accepted. Overall a great week for our practice investigators. I have learned a lot about teaching and how to help my investigators.
That's pretty much all of my lesson news for this week and other than that the only cool thing that has happened that I haven't mentioned concerns soccer. When I got to the MTC, I was horrible at soccer. For the past week or so I've been playing during gym and I have gotten way better. So far I have two goals and my footwork and passing are starting to get better. Hopefully I'll be decent by the time I get to McAllen so I don't embarrass myself in front of the Hispanic members :).
Anyways, that's just about it for the week. I hope everyone is doing well. Thanks for keeping me informed on how things are going. I hope everybody has a great coming week!
Love,
Elder Wood
I did the big event of my being called to ZL in the Email home today, so hopefully in this letter I'll be able to talk about what has happened so far this week.
In the past week's Devotional on Tuesday there was a really good message. The speaker was Elder Evans of the first quorum of the Seventy. His message was mostly about getting our investigators to read the Book of Mormon from the beginning, as well as encouraging us to not being afraid to invite someone to be baptized. However, for me, the coolest part of Elder Evan's talk was in his testimony at the end. He said, "It is not faith for me anymore my friends, now I know." As a missionary I am called to strengthen the faith of others in Jesus Christ and his Atonement, but we are also counseled in Preach My Gospel that "You cannot convert someone beyond your own conversion."
I am grateful for the fact that I can say, "I know". When I testify of the Savior and his Atonement, I can say "I know". When I testify of the Restoration, I can say, "I know". And I'm grateful for that because it will help me to be a better missionary and also to be better at serving the Lord and bring more people back to Him.
This last week when teaching our "investigators" with Hermano Maughan, he had us do splits where companionships split up and taught different investigators. It was pretty interesting. I taught with Elder Covington and his "investigator", Yoel who had a drug problem. It was quite a challenge to try and teach to a new investigator with a concern I haven't ever really researched or studied for, but it was a great opportunity to practice and went over fairly well.
The other thing that was pretty cool for this week is that we had a new teacher for about a week, Hermano Solberg, who also served his mission in Argentina. This past week he has acted for an investgator for us too, "Bernardo". Bernardo is a very prepared individual who readily accepts most of our ideas like prayer, a loving Heavenly Father and the Restoration, but lacks faith a little bit because he gets very upset over small principles. For example, he had a big hangup with Nephi killing Laban in order to get the brass plates, and refused to listen to anything else until we could explain it to him. We did a pretty good job of it and kept the conversation from becoming contentious. It seemed to resolve his worries. Ultimately, he accepted the commitment to be baptized, which is awesome! Also, this past week with Hermano Maughan's "investigator" Jorge, we taught him about the Restoration and invited him to be baptized, which he accepted. Overall a great week for our practice investigators. I have learned a lot about teaching and how to help my investigators.
That's pretty much all of my lesson news for this week and other than that the only cool thing that has happened that I haven't mentioned concerns soccer. When I got to the MTC, I was horrible at soccer. For the past week or so I've been playing during gym and I have gotten way better. So far I have two goals and my footwork and passing are starting to get better. Hopefully I'll be decent by the time I get to McAllen so I don't embarrass myself in front of the Hispanic members :).
Anyways, that's just about it for the week. I hope everyone is doing well. Thanks for keeping me informed on how things are going. I hope everybody has a great coming week!
Love,
Elder Wood
August 17, 2010 (Email from the MTC)
AWW! I can't believe I had to miss one of Dad's talks. I always enjoy hearing him speak and learning from his experiences. He's a great speaker and I can always pick out something to work on myself by the time he's done.
I'm sorry for all your computer troubles. That sounds like an annoying hassle. I'm glad something good came out of Christian's computer problems and that he'll be able to get it mostly restored. The new semester is coming up so hopefully it won't be a distraction to him. I'll get on sending you the papers about Grandpa Hall. Just be sure that you put them somewhere where I can get to them when I get back. I've enjoyed reading them very much. Well, now I guess it comes to the events of the week.
It was my first week not as District Leader. It's amazing how much more time you have when you're not running around doing interviews or filling out reports on Thursday night. However. . . that didn't last too long, because on Saturday night My companion and I (Elder Lybbert) were called as Zone Leaders. I thought that I would get a Sunday without any meetings, but the Lord has seen fit to have me humble myself in that manner and I'm now in even more meetings on Sunday than I was before! The ZLs before me, Elders Paulsen and Whitaker, were both really great Elders, and I learned a lot from their examples. Hopefully, I will be a better Zone Leader because of it. It's quite a change from being a district leader, in my opinion, because it really drives you to be the best example possible and to be friendly and loving towards everyone. I've always tried my hardest to get to know people and ben an example, but when you're responsible for introducing, befriending, comforting and training the new missionaries it gets a little bit more intense. I don't think I've ever been more concerned with how clean my room is, because as ZL my room is supposed to be the example for all the new missionaries that we will have coming in on Wednesday and also for anyone who chances to see it. So I've made a habit of never having a piece of clothing ouch the floor, and my bed is made as soon as I get up--which I'm sure Dad would appreciate. I'm looking forward to the opportunity to serve as a ZL because when I look back, the two companionships of ZL's I've had here were great examples to me and helped me to set the tone of my study and service for the first few weeks. I hope that I can do that same thing for the Elders we have coming in. I can remember just how much I looked up to the ZLs when I arrived.
That has been the big event of the week, and other than that it has been studying Spanish and teaching to "investigators". I'll relate most of those experiences through my letter home this week since I can write that with my journal on hand. it will help me to remember exactly who I've taught and what happened.
In other news for this week, on Sunday we had a big reunion and picture taking with the Elders in the MTC who were from my old BYU ward. It was quite remarkable to see twenty or so of my old friends who were now committing themselves to serving the Lord. I got a big group picture as well as one with Elders Moody, Johnson and Moss who are some of my really good friends. I'll send some copies of those pictures home this coming week to be put up on the blog.
Other than that, I'm not sure too much has happened this week. Due to my wonderfully limited email time, I'll be relating more of my experiences of the week in my written letter home. Thanks for writing me and keep encouraging others to write. I'm always happy to receive and reply!
Love,
Elder Wood
I'm sorry for all your computer troubles. That sounds like an annoying hassle. I'm glad something good came out of Christian's computer problems and that he'll be able to get it mostly restored. The new semester is coming up so hopefully it won't be a distraction to him. I'll get on sending you the papers about Grandpa Hall. Just be sure that you put them somewhere where I can get to them when I get back. I've enjoyed reading them very much. Well, now I guess it comes to the events of the week.
It was my first week not as District Leader. It's amazing how much more time you have when you're not running around doing interviews or filling out reports on Thursday night. However. . . that didn't last too long, because on Saturday night My companion and I (Elder Lybbert) were called as Zone Leaders. I thought that I would get a Sunday without any meetings, but the Lord has seen fit to have me humble myself in that manner and I'm now in even more meetings on Sunday than I was before! The ZLs before me, Elders Paulsen and Whitaker, were both really great Elders, and I learned a lot from their examples. Hopefully, I will be a better Zone Leader because of it. It's quite a change from being a district leader, in my opinion, because it really drives you to be the best example possible and to be friendly and loving towards everyone. I've always tried my hardest to get to know people and ben an example, but when you're responsible for introducing, befriending, comforting and training the new missionaries it gets a little bit more intense. I don't think I've ever been more concerned with how clean my room is, because as ZL my room is supposed to be the example for all the new missionaries that we will have coming in on Wednesday and also for anyone who chances to see it. So I've made a habit of never having a piece of clothing ouch the floor, and my bed is made as soon as I get up--which I'm sure Dad would appreciate. I'm looking forward to the opportunity to serve as a ZL because when I look back, the two companionships of ZL's I've had here were great examples to me and helped me to set the tone of my study and service for the first few weeks. I hope that I can do that same thing for the Elders we have coming in. I can remember just how much I looked up to the ZLs when I arrived.
That has been the big event of the week, and other than that it has been studying Spanish and teaching to "investigators". I'll relate most of those experiences through my letter home this week since I can write that with my journal on hand. it will help me to remember exactly who I've taught and what happened.
In other news for this week, on Sunday we had a big reunion and picture taking with the Elders in the MTC who were from my old BYU ward. It was quite remarkable to see twenty or so of my old friends who were now committing themselves to serving the Lord. I got a big group picture as well as one with Elders Moody, Johnson and Moss who are some of my really good friends. I'll send some copies of those pictures home this coming week to be put up on the blog.
Other than that, I'm not sure too much has happened this week. Due to my wonderfully limited email time, I'll be relating more of my experiences of the week in my written letter home. Thanks for writing me and keep encouraging others to write. I'm always happy to receive and reply!
Love,
Elder Wood
August 28, 2010
August 10, 2010 (Hand-written post from the MTC)
I got Mom's package from Houston just now, and it is possibly the best thing I have ever received! It's like Christmas! The highlight has to be the University of Texas Snuggy, but everything in there was great, even the socks! Thanks so much for sending it. It made this P-day into a great day overall. My companion, Elder Lybert, and I are both grateful for the Texas map shirts. They're really cool.
I am now wearing the UT Snuggy, and it is possibly the best thing of ...my...LIFE! I don't think I can express just how much joy this brings me.
However, now that I am done pontificating about my wonderful presents, I can get into what has happened so far this week. Our teacher, Hermano Ortiz left this week for Texas, since his family lives there. Apparently, this is a very important time for his family and they need to be together. So we'll have substitutes for the next 3 weeks, but Hermano Ortiz will be back for our last week at the MTC.
We picked up a new "investigator," Maria at the Teaching Evaluation Place and we meet with her on Fridays. She moved here from Mexico and has two young daughters. Her husband just left her and her parents died, so her faith in God is failing. Hopefully we will be able to help rebuild the foundation of her faith through the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. We'll see how our next few lessons go. Our first lesson with her was okay, but a lot of it was really just getting to know here. We didn't have too much time for a message.
Oh, our first new substitute here at the MTC for Hermano Ortiz is Hermano Solberg from Mesa, Arizona. He served his mission in Argentina the same time as Hermano Maughan. Our first day with him was pretty intense. We learned a lot of grammar principles and then the second day (and for the rest of his time with us) he was a new "investigator," Bernado. Bernado is a divorced, retired, 55 year old man with two kids and a firm belief in God. He is devoted to God because he says God has saved his life on three separate occasions. So teaching him will be interesting and hopefully soon we can bring him into the Church.
On Sunday we had President Jackman speak to us at the Devotional and his remarks were interesting. But it was also really cool that he served part of his mission in McAllen, Texas. However, the coolest part of Sunday was right after the Devotional. Movies play in different places on the campus afterwards and the Joseph Smith movie was playing in one building across campus from where we were watching the Devotional. We knew it would be packed so we sat next to an exit and as soon as the Devotional was over we exited. As a joke, with a few other companionships, we started to run. I thought it was pretty dorky, but then after rounding the first corner we ran into about 30 other missionaries who were running. There was another mob of joggers just behind them. We got some of the last seats in the room for the movie. It was a really great experience. However, I will always remember seeing so many young men rush to see, testify, and tell about the story of Joseph Smith.
That's all I've got for this week and I'm just about out of time. Thanks for the package and I hope everyone is doing well!
Love,
Elder Wood
I am now wearing the UT Snuggy, and it is possibly the best thing of ...my...LIFE! I don't think I can express just how much joy this brings me.
However, now that I am done pontificating about my wonderful presents, I can get into what has happened so far this week. Our teacher, Hermano Ortiz left this week for Texas, since his family lives there. Apparently, this is a very important time for his family and they need to be together. So we'll have substitutes for the next 3 weeks, but Hermano Ortiz will be back for our last week at the MTC.
We picked up a new "investigator," Maria at the Teaching Evaluation Place and we meet with her on Fridays. She moved here from Mexico and has two young daughters. Her husband just left her and her parents died, so her faith in God is failing. Hopefully we will be able to help rebuild the foundation of her faith through the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. We'll see how our next few lessons go. Our first lesson with her was okay, but a lot of it was really just getting to know here. We didn't have too much time for a message.
Oh, our first new substitute here at the MTC for Hermano Ortiz is Hermano Solberg from Mesa, Arizona. He served his mission in Argentina the same time as Hermano Maughan. Our first day with him was pretty intense. We learned a lot of grammar principles and then the second day (and for the rest of his time with us) he was a new "investigator," Bernado. Bernado is a divorced, retired, 55 year old man with two kids and a firm belief in God. He is devoted to God because he says God has saved his life on three separate occasions. So teaching him will be interesting and hopefully soon we can bring him into the Church.
On Sunday we had President Jackman speak to us at the Devotional and his remarks were interesting. But it was also really cool that he served part of his mission in McAllen, Texas. However, the coolest part of Sunday was right after the Devotional. Movies play in different places on the campus afterwards and the Joseph Smith movie was playing in one building across campus from where we were watching the Devotional. We knew it would be packed so we sat next to an exit and as soon as the Devotional was over we exited. As a joke, with a few other companionships, we started to run. I thought it was pretty dorky, but then after rounding the first corner we ran into about 30 other missionaries who were running. There was another mob of joggers just behind them. We got some of the last seats in the room for the movie. It was a really great experience. However, I will always remember seeing so many young men rush to see, testify, and tell about the story of Joseph Smith.
That's all I've got for this week and I'm just about out of time. Thanks for the package and I hope everyone is doing well!
Love,
Elder Wood
August 10, 2010 (Email letter from the MTC)
Dear Mom/Family/Friends,
This week here at the MTC has been pretty interesting. I got released from my District Leader calling after serving about 5 weeks, which is the normal duration of that calling here at the MTC. Everything is going pretty well here and things are coming along nicely. I'll be writing an actual letter home later today which should have more of the experiences of the week in it since I have my journal on hand when I'm writing it.
I haven't received Mom's package from Texas yet, but I'm sure it will get here soon. I'm excited for whatever is in it--candy, blankets, whatever!
I'm really excited for Mark to get here. I've talked to a bunch of our old friends from BYU and we're all waiting to see him on Wednesday. Most of the new missionaries all file in like a bunch of confused tourists during diners on Wednesday nights, so I'll be watching for him to come in. I'm also very curious about this new haircut he has, and I'm sure it will be quite a laugh. However, even funnier I think, is that I've heard that when the missionaries going to Peru arrive there they shave their heads first thing. I don't think words can express how much I'm waiting to see a picture of Elder Johnson with a buzz cut!
As far as Christian's job goes, I hope he will have better luck this time with the Census. Hopefully, he'll get some better hours and the fact that it si only in Provo should help with the job a bit. I can't wait for the moment when he knocks on one of his friend's houses and has to chastise them about not filling out their census forms.
A lot of the people here come from part-member families, or families that were less active at one time. It has made me really grateful that I come from a family that is strong in the Gospel and have all faithfully fulfilled their callings and assignments. Mom, good luck with your meetings with all the other wards. I know you're doing a lot of good and people you may not even suspect are grateful for your performance and faithfulness in serving within the Church.
I am really glad that Jonathan and Emily are doing well It is awesome that Jonathan is receiving such great acknowledgment and respect for the work that he does. It's always great to have such hard workers in your family who set an example for you of how to buckle down, work hard and provide for others. However a more important accomplishment than his job is his new baby girl! It's amazing how big she is. I'm fairly certain that Jonathan and Emily are going to have the biggest grandchildren out of anyone, but who knows?
The weather here is nice, cool but not too hot, even though we're indoors most of the time anyway. I'm normally outside for gym time one hour a day and then outside for maybe two of the four hours I have for study time every day. It really is a beautiful summer here, especially with the mountains and the great weather. I know Texas will be hot, but hopefully I'll be able to be focused enough on my work that the heat won't bother me too much. With five weeks now here in the MTC, I'm getting the urge to go out and get to work, but I know that I'll need the extra four weeks of Spanish practice. Hopefully, I'll use them to their fullest potential.
Anyways, like I said, you'll get a snail mail letter with more of the experiences in the week, but until then, just hold tight. The Gospel is true and is the most important work now and in eternity!
This week here at the MTC has been pretty interesting. I got released from my District Leader calling after serving about 5 weeks, which is the normal duration of that calling here at the MTC. Everything is going pretty well here and things are coming along nicely. I'll be writing an actual letter home later today which should have more of the experiences of the week in it since I have my journal on hand when I'm writing it.
I haven't received Mom's package from Texas yet, but I'm sure it will get here soon. I'm excited for whatever is in it--candy, blankets, whatever!
I'm really excited for Mark to get here. I've talked to a bunch of our old friends from BYU and we're all waiting to see him on Wednesday. Most of the new missionaries all file in like a bunch of confused tourists during diners on Wednesday nights, so I'll be watching for him to come in. I'm also very curious about this new haircut he has, and I'm sure it will be quite a laugh. However, even funnier I think, is that I've heard that when the missionaries going to Peru arrive there they shave their heads first thing. I don't think words can express how much I'm waiting to see a picture of Elder Johnson with a buzz cut!
As far as Christian's job goes, I hope he will have better luck this time with the Census. Hopefully, he'll get some better hours and the fact that it si only in Provo should help with the job a bit. I can't wait for the moment when he knocks on one of his friend's houses and has to chastise them about not filling out their census forms.
A lot of the people here come from part-member families, or families that were less active at one time. It has made me really grateful that I come from a family that is strong in the Gospel and have all faithfully fulfilled their callings and assignments. Mom, good luck with your meetings with all the other wards. I know you're doing a lot of good and people you may not even suspect are grateful for your performance and faithfulness in serving within the Church.
I am really glad that Jonathan and Emily are doing well It is awesome that Jonathan is receiving such great acknowledgment and respect for the work that he does. It's always great to have such hard workers in your family who set an example for you of how to buckle down, work hard and provide for others. However a more important accomplishment than his job is his new baby girl! It's amazing how big she is. I'm fairly certain that Jonathan and Emily are going to have the biggest grandchildren out of anyone, but who knows?
The weather here is nice, cool but not too hot, even though we're indoors most of the time anyway. I'm normally outside for gym time one hour a day and then outside for maybe two of the four hours I have for study time every day. It really is a beautiful summer here, especially with the mountains and the great weather. I know Texas will be hot, but hopefully I'll be able to be focused enough on my work that the heat won't bother me too much. With five weeks now here in the MTC, I'm getting the urge to go out and get to work, but I know that I'll need the extra four weeks of Spanish practice. Hopefully, I'll use them to their fullest potential.
Anyways, like I said, you'll get a snail mail letter with more of the experiences in the week, but until then, just hold tight. The Gospel is true and is the most important work now and in eternity!
August 3, 2010 (hand written, posted letter)
Dear Family (or Everybody),
I trust you got my email, which had my response to some letters and emails, so this letter will just be me telling my stories from this week.
My first story from the week is about our TRC (Teaching Resource Center) on Wednesday. We had to follow up on commitments with an "investigator," get to know them and their family and arrange to pick them up for Church, all in Spanish. Overall, it went really well! Our Spanish was great, and then at the end we taught him the second lesson about the Plan of Salvation in English. The lesson went over really well too, and the "investigator" told us how much he felt the Spirit. it's always really nice to see just how far you have come as a missionary and see how your teaching skills have improved.
So, the TRC went over well, but the more interesting story from the week was our lesson with Hermono Maughan as our investigator "Jorge." His family was killed in a car accident by a drunk driver, and we've been working to help him feel peace and happiness again through the Plan of Salvation. We taught him about the ability to live with his family again and the peace that forgiveness can bring. We had some scriptures and questions prepared for him, which highlighted the necessity and joy of forgiveness as well as the effects of the Atonement and the importance of following Christ's example. The lesson went over well both in the aspects of having the investigator feel the Spirit and speaking our Spanish well and understanding Jorge's Spanish. We committed him to pray for peace and strength as well as coming to church with us this Sunday. Overall it was a really great lesson that strengthened my confidence in the help of the Lord as well as the growth of my Spanish abilities.
This last Sunday here at the MTC was Fast Sunday which means that we had Mission Conference. All of the Presidency of the MTC spoke, but I think by far the most interesting talk was the talk given by President Smith (the President of the MTC). Basically, to sum up his talk in one sentence, he reminded us that our loyalty is first to the Lord, second to our Mission President and third, to our District/Zone leaders. It was a nice message because it reminded me that as District Leader, my loyalty isn't to protect, coddle or shield my missionaries, but to further the work of the Lord. I only have about a week or so left of being District Leader, but I intend to fulfill my duty to the Lord with all my heart, might, mind and strength until I am released from my calling as a missionary.
The Gospel is true. There is no more simple statement than that to declare the truth and necessity of my purpose. I will do all in my power to bring people to a knowledge of their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the reality of his infinite and atoning sacrifice. I will strive to bring all people to the possesion of a real and powerful testimony of the truth of the Gospel. Bringing them to faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ, repentence, baptism, the receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost and encouraging them to endure to the end is my great honor and responsibility. I am excited and ready to declare the truth of the things revealed to Joseph Smith and declare the presence of a true Prophet on the earth today.
It's good to hear from everyone and I hope everybody will continue to let me know what's happening and going on in their lives. I hope everyone has a great and productive week!
Love,
Elder Wood
I trust you got my email, which had my response to some letters and emails, so this letter will just be me telling my stories from this week.
My first story from the week is about our TRC (Teaching Resource Center) on Wednesday. We had to follow up on commitments with an "investigator," get to know them and their family and arrange to pick them up for Church, all in Spanish. Overall, it went really well! Our Spanish was great, and then at the end we taught him the second lesson about the Plan of Salvation in English. The lesson went over really well too, and the "investigator" told us how much he felt the Spirit. it's always really nice to see just how far you have come as a missionary and see how your teaching skills have improved.
So, the TRC went over well, but the more interesting story from the week was our lesson with Hermono Maughan as our investigator "Jorge." His family was killed in a car accident by a drunk driver, and we've been working to help him feel peace and happiness again through the Plan of Salvation. We taught him about the ability to live with his family again and the peace that forgiveness can bring. We had some scriptures and questions prepared for him, which highlighted the necessity and joy of forgiveness as well as the effects of the Atonement and the importance of following Christ's example. The lesson went over well both in the aspects of having the investigator feel the Spirit and speaking our Spanish well and understanding Jorge's Spanish. We committed him to pray for peace and strength as well as coming to church with us this Sunday. Overall it was a really great lesson that strengthened my confidence in the help of the Lord as well as the growth of my Spanish abilities.
This last Sunday here at the MTC was Fast Sunday which means that we had Mission Conference. All of the Presidency of the MTC spoke, but I think by far the most interesting talk was the talk given by President Smith (the President of the MTC). Basically, to sum up his talk in one sentence, he reminded us that our loyalty is first to the Lord, second to our Mission President and third, to our District/Zone leaders. It was a nice message because it reminded me that as District Leader, my loyalty isn't to protect, coddle or shield my missionaries, but to further the work of the Lord. I only have about a week or so left of being District Leader, but I intend to fulfill my duty to the Lord with all my heart, might, mind and strength until I am released from my calling as a missionary.
The Gospel is true. There is no more simple statement than that to declare the truth and necessity of my purpose. I will do all in my power to bring people to a knowledge of their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the reality of his infinite and atoning sacrifice. I will strive to bring all people to the possesion of a real and powerful testimony of the truth of the Gospel. Bringing them to faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ, repentence, baptism, the receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost and encouraging them to endure to the end is my great honor and responsibility. I am excited and ready to declare the truth of the things revealed to Joseph Smith and declare the presence of a true Prophet on the earth today.
It's good to hear from everyone and I hope everybody will continue to let me know what's happening and going on in their lives. I hope everyone has a great and productive week!
Love,
Elder Wood
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