We
weren't able to walk in the parade, with so many missionaries they
don't do that any more. But they do have missionaries in the Provo and
Orem areas walk, or so I've heard. Who knows! Anyway we were able to
watch the Stadium of Fire fireworks on Saturday
night which was a really cool experience. We got out of class early to
be able to go to an international celebration of freedom devotional.
Basically it was a devotional, but the man who spoke was really
interesting. He talked about Columbus and his take on religion and how
in the end he was one of the stepping stones to bring the restored
gospel to the Earth. I was so captivated by what he was talking about.
During the devotional there were a bunch of Elders behind us making
noises with their mouths and it was so annoying, Sister Rhoton finally
turned around and said, "Can you please start acting like missionaries,
because we are trying to listen right now." It was super funny. But at
the same time very needed. There are times that I look around in the MTC
and I see boys that have just graduated high school. But then our
spiritual times where I see boys who are growing up and are trying to
help other Come unto Christ. Some times I even forget that they are
younger then me. Honestly that point of the devotional made me grateful
for the Elders in my district. But at the same time it's weird to think
that most of them are Dallin's age.... like my teacher graduated the
year before me and is only 8 months older then me. So weird right?
Right.
My foot is doing a lot better. I was
able to receive a blessing and honestly that has made all the
difference. The doctor basically ended up saying that my nerve in my
foot is just closer to the surface, they see it a lot in runners, so he
suggested that I wear moleskin on the inside of my shoes so then it
doesn't irritate it as much. But since the shot and the blessing I have
been doing so much better, seriously the pain was unbearable. But I feel
great as of now, you know, except the charlie horses I am getting at
night, but that is a different story, and hopefully that will begin to
be resolved tonight!
So I have a fun adventure that I went on this week. So I went to the podiatrist on Wednesday, then on Thursday
Sister Sorensen really wasn't feeling good so we went back to the
clinic here at the MTC. I was waiting in the waiting room for probably
an hour and a half waiting for her to come out, and I was the only
missionary in the waiting room that could speak English. When Sister
Sorensen finally came out this lady starts asking for a companion for
this sister to go to an emergency orthodontist appointment. And Sister
Sorensen and I just look at each other knowing that we were the only
ones understanding her so I was pulled away from Sister Sorensen in
order to go with this sister. Apparently Sister Schultz (the sister that
I went with) had her companion in the clinic, but she was in her own
appointment and the orthodontist that she needed to go to had an opening
in 5 minutes.
So we were put in a van and I left Sister Sorensen behind. They needed
to get Sister Schultz to the orthodontist that day because she was going
to Germany on Monday
on her mission. It was actually a really fun experience, but a really
scary experience. I missed Sister Sorensen so much, by the time we got
back from this experience it had been 2 and a half hours! We literally
ran into each others arms. I love Sister Sorensen so much, I have no
idea what I am going to do when I have to leave her side tomorrow.
The
other day we were learning more about different things that
missionaries do and they started talking about church tours- did you
know that was a thing? I didn't! So we got the opportunity to practice
giving a church tour on a computer program that the church has. And
guess what? It's our stake center in Cedar Hills! Weird right?! My
teacher Brother Griffiths was demonstrating a tour and I was like wooah
this church is way familiar then he showed a picture of the outside and
sure enough it was in good old Cedar Hills! It was pretty funny.
This
is a funny story. The other day while we were eating dinner the Elders
in our district were talking to the Elders sitting next to them. And
they were asking them where they were going and what language they were
speaking- normal questions in the MTC. And the Elders responded, "We are
speaking Braille." The Elders in our District totally believed them and
it was the funniest thing. No they are not actually speaking braille.
No one speaks braille.
I had a cool little
thought come into my head the other day- The Lord has been preparing me
my whole life- the MTC was here to give me confidence. I think this is
totally true. And honestly this has been the best experience of my life.
I am really nervous about tomorrow,
but I know that there is so much more waiting out for me in Oregon that
I can't wait to be able to get out there and serve. Also there was a
quote that I heard the other day, "He who talks the most, learns the
most." That has been so true in the MTC. My whole life I have felt like I
don't have a way with words and in class I don't like making comments
or asking questions. But here in the MTC I have learned how to ask those
questions and be able to have the confidence to say what I want to say.
I love that.
I saw the other day the girl that
I spoke with in sacrament meeting for my farewell. I really honestly
can't remember her name but it was fun to be able to see a familiar
face!
Fast Sunday
was an interesting experience in the MTC. I have been so used to coming
home and eating after church, but here we were able to fast for the
total 24 hours. It was actually very humbling, and we were so busy all
day that it made it easier to be able to not think about eating all day.
It gave me time to be able to think about my Savior and the sacrifices
that he has given for me. The other day one of the missionaries told us
that if we are going to count down our missions- which they actually
tell you not to do. But if you do count up the fast Sundays, so
inactuality I only have 17 more Fast Sundays! Weird right?
This
week we weren't able to teach investigators a lot. Jessica, who was our
only TRC (Teaching Resource Center) investigator for the week was sick
everyday. But I was still able to learn something from her. I was able
to learn how to love her even though we only had a short period of time
and I loved that! Although we didn't have many TRC's we were able to
teach our teachers which is always a good experience. The MTC is a place
where it can feel like everyone has multiple personality disorder
because everyone pretends to be non members, it is actually pretty
funny. But at the same time it can teach more then I ever expected!
Yesterday
we did a really cool thing where we just went outside and just
listened. It was supposed to teach us to listen to the spirit and
honestly it is a good exercise. Sometimes we have so many things going
on around us that we forget that the spirit talks to us in just small
and simple ways. So it is good to get away from the crazy things of life
and to be able to take a deep breath and relax.
I am so excited to head out tomorrow! Packing is going... well its going. But you know it will be there. I am so excited to talk to you tomorrow,
nervous but excited!! I love you, thank you so much for the love and
support that you give me. I am so grateful for all the prayers and all
the love. I pray for you every night and hope that everything is going
well at home. I love you!-
Sister Harrison
#OregonBound
