April 23^rd, 2011 – Saturday

Hola!

It has been so crazy out here. We only get triente minutos to email home so this is just going to be a splurge of emotions and thoughts. I recognize so much I need to work on and the overload of the language lessons and gospel study is really intense. I love my companion, when I first walked in to my classroom after getting my name tag and the introduction process I didn’t realize how tall he is until he stood up. He is huge! 6' 7" and really nice. Both of us were initially concerned with how we would get along but we are very grateful that we aren't too bad.

I think one of the biggest things for me to learn in the MTC is to have charity. Today we had an amazing discussion and it seems that the key to missionary work with the investigators is to 1) listen to the spirit and 2) listen to the investigator. Growing up in the church with the family I do I feel I have had quite a bit of experience with the Spirit as for the listening to the investigator it gets a little harder because there is something that happens when you are listening with the spirit and to the investigator. You need both, if you do any violations to the priesthood power as found in D&C 121 then the spirit of the Lord is grieved and amen to the priesthood power of that missionary.

The first day my companion and I had the opportunity to teach investigators in a huge group. We had three different investigators each with different problems and concerns. It's interesting because the investigators were real, despite being a member they were retelling their personal stories through their acting, things that they actually faced. ….. My life has been so blessed and I never recognized what I have been treating so lightly as a member can cure the deepest heartache of an individual, the gospel of Christ or Evangelio de Cristo.

I have recognized that I have been so selfish even in trying to be selfless. In the classroom Hermana Anthony had a lesson on Charity and I recognized what Charity being a gift really means. It is not available through any facet of mind that can be created by man, it is only through the reliance on God and Jesus Christ that we can get this wonderful gift which is necessary for missionary work. I challenge all those back home to start your own missions of love and charity the most valuable lessons in life cannot be found within one's own head. I have sadly wasted a lot of time there and it will be a hard trial to get out of there. Asking for God's help is necessary.

As for the rest of the MTC experience it is crazy. I have never worked so hard! I sleep and dream of Spanish. Yesterday, my roommate said that I was speaking in Spanish! It's everywhere. We are already contacting and I take my dictionary practically everywhere. I have run out of time, until next time....

Hasta Luego! Amo Ustedes!

Elder Hanson