Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Week 1: MTC

I cant believe I had to wait a whole week to email! First off, the Thursday after I left was quite possibly the longest day of my life. THE LONGEST! Every minute felt like an hour that day just because it was such a change and I was completely full of adrenaline! I think back on this week and I cant even begin to know where to start!

First off, mom: I have literally got everything I need and more thanks to you and the countless shopping runs! I absolutely love and adore you!

That super strong spirit that we felt at my setting apart is here at the MTC as well, it seriously is amazing here! An apostle once said, "If you could see through spiritual eyes her at the MTC, you would see countless angels guarding and protecting this sacred place." I can totally feel that here! We are literally full of the spirit PURE JOY!

So my companion is Elder Nabrotzky, he is from Gilbert Arizona and he so cool! Funny story actually because we connected on Instagram before we came out and it ended up that we became companions!  We are both super confident in teaching and stuff, I don’t think its being cocky to say that we are the best companionship in the MTC aha ha ah ah aha jk jk jk jk jk jk jk but really.... So on Thursday me and Elder Nabrotzky were assigned to be zone leaders ha ha, we were both like what in the world!? But it has been awesome though and we are very honored to be trusted so much by the lord to lead our zone. Elder Nabrotzky is like that cool kid that everyone wants to be like. No lie he is awesome.

There are 10 of us in my branch a couple are going to Florida, two others going to Zimbabwe and 3 of us are going to Ghana! Man and boy did I luck out with my district, they are all so awesome and different so its really surprising that we get along so well aha ha. We recently have hit the point of insanity where we just erupt in laughter for no reason at all aha ha aha aha ha ah, seriously these Elders are some of the funniest people I’ve ever met.

So highlight of the week for me  was a video we watched called Character of Christ by Elder Bednar. it is straight fire fire fire fire fire fire!!! Like I almost burned to death because of spiritual overload. I seriously suggest that you try to fins it on lds.org cuz it is seriously awesome!

Me and Elder Nabrotzky have been teaching an investigator named Olivia and man is that awesome. When you are sitting there, testifying of eternal truths of this gospel, to someone who doesn’t know about them, boy is the spirit strong. At first its a little nerve racking to do but then once you get going, the spirit takes over and its awesome!

I’m really glad that I am at this MTC instead of Ghana MTC because there is so much here that I wouldn’t have been able to experience in Ghana!

It's so weird, I cannot remember song lyrics or tunes.... I feel like a piece of me is missing you know? but not like missing, but just put on hold for a little ha ha. WEIRD feeling, let me tell ya ha ha.

The biggest thing that blows my mind about being a missionary is the constant almost palpable companionship of the Holy Ghost. It’s incredible here. I really feel that I am coming to know Jesus Christ, what he feels like and how he feels about us when we use his atonement to overcome our challenges. it is so individual and so powerful. My relationship with the Savior is ever increasing as I study and testify about him.

Yesterday Elder Bednar came to the MTC and gave a devotional that was very powerful. Man when he walked in it was like the whole atmosphere of the room changed and you could literally feel that there was an apostle of Jesus Christ in the room.

I love being a missionary because I get to spend all day helping people to come unto Christ and to develop faith and trust in Him! What an amazing opportunity.

Elder Bednar brought up an incredible point in his devotional last night. He talked about how this church must be true because a bunch of 18 and 19 year olds are the ones being missionaries. It's like, "who’s hands should we put the fate of the church into?" "uhhh 18 year old kids....?" "Boy, thats a good idea lets do that!" It must be true because people are still joining even through it’s a bunch of kids out here telling people about is.

Ha Ha, I loved that :)

I just cant say enough how much I love being a missionary. I love being a missionary,  I love being a missionary, I love being a missionary, I love being a missionary, I love being a missionary, I love being a missionary, I love being a missionary, I love being a missionary, I love being a missionary, I love being a missionary, I love being a missionary, I love being a missionary, I love being a missionary, I love being a missionary, I love being a missionary, I love being a missionary, I love being a missionary, I love being a missionary, I love being a missionary, I love being a missionary, I love being a missionary, I love being a missionary!!!! This is the funnest thing ever! Elder Holland said, “You can’t invite them to come unto christ unless you are already there." That is what it feels like right now, and that is why I love being a missionary so much.

I feel like I’ve grown so much in one week. More than I have in the past year. I also feel like I’ve done more stuff in one week than I have the past year combined ha ha, I love this.

I love you family so much and am so excited to hear from you again next week! Love you!

Matthew 18:20 is how I feel right now and its such a powerful feeling. for those of you who are going on missions soon, I am so excited for you to  experience this!

Love you all!

PS: sorry for all of the spelling and typing mistakes, I’m a terrible typer without auto correct aha ah ah..... its really the little things that you miss....


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Quick Personal Letter to Dad:

DAD! I love you sop much and it is so good to finally talk to you! My pday is on Wednesday out here which is crazy cuz i had to wait for a whole week before i could email! Really missing you guys right now and I've realized that I’m so blessed to be able to have a family as awesome and stellar as ours! I seriously lucked out! Love you so much! I can email back and forth for the next hour if you get this in time :) Love you!

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Quick Personal Letter to Mom:

I love my mother! Wow, it's crazy to think that Iv'e only been out here a week! So much has happened here it blows my mind! I cant wait to talk to you in 12 days! I miss and love you so much, you don't even know! I think about you every day and am seriously just so blessed to have you. Boy did I luck out with my mom!


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Pictures sent this week from friends who saw Max at the MTC...


The MTC’s greatest companionship, Elder Nabrotsky with Elder Janda during service time last Friday.


Vern May (from our Max’s home neighborhood) saw Max on a temple walk on Sunday afternoon.

Tyler Roberts works at the MTC and was in charge of Max’s district for service on Friday. Tyler is in the Young Single Adult ward where Mike serves as the bishop.

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Some additional pictures that Max was able to email later in the day...