The Awesome MTC!

Wow,

So the MTC is one of the most incredible places in the world. I am absolutely loving it here even though it is very difficult at times, it is difficult because you have to undergo such great change in such a little time. I would like to just share as many experiences as I can about the MTC and the lessons I have learned before my time runs out:

My Companion: Elder Benson

If any of you have problems with people you are around constantly find those things that you both can agree on whole-heartedly (the doctrine) and don't get caught up in the nit pick (the organization). Elder Benson and I have recently begun to realize this and have found that we both have our opinions about how to order the lessons and present the material (organization) but we never have problems really with the message we want to give (the doctrine). One of the key ways we agree about the organization is that we think what would be best for the investigator through this method we usually can throw out our own personal biased-ness and more effectively teach to the investigator

Investigators:

So I am amazed at how much a companion can help and hinder I have been so blessed to have the companion I have. We both strengthen each other so much in everything we do. When we face trials we face it together. One of the latest pushes for us has been our investigators. We love them so much!!! In our zone we have a huge focus on teaching mock investigators. However, these investigators are actual people. All the "Maestros" (teachers) here are usually rather recently returned missionaries and each of them focus on a different person from their mission to be as an investigator for us. We have two more additional investigators that are Elders in our district: Bobby and Franky besides teachers: Andres (Special note: we had his baptismal interview last Wednesday so we won't teach him anymore. AKA our teacher left), Fransisco, Jose, and probably my personal favorite Brady. Each of them have their own story but Elder Benson and I have found a new sense of drive and purpose as we have thrown out any other topics really and solely focused on these investigators, this has been our stability. We used to have a little bit of trouble finding common ground but with investigators and sharing the gospel we both have such a desire to share.

Franky and Bobby:

These guys are brothers living rather close by each other. One of the great things about the Hispanic culture is their love for family. But they have been a major focus for us as of late. Franky is incredible and is soaking up everything like a sponge. Our greatest trial with these guys and probably with a lot of our investigators is how the gospel applies to their life. We had an amazing lesson about two days ago where both Elder Benson and I bore powerful testimony through the power of the spirit and both of them felt the spirit. This doesn't mean that they will necessarily receive the message though. My companion and I are both worried about Bobby and his progression, commitments are the problem.

I will have to tell you more about the others later I am running out of time.

So I have seen a lot of my friends here at the MTC. I am out of time though....see ya! Love you all sooo much!

-Elder Curtis Hanson