Tuesday, July 5, 2016

Week #3

Our 4th of July was really nice, it was our last day of classes so pretty chill. Although we started doing "Cold Contacting" which is basically you go up to someone and just start talking to them about the gospel. And I got so nervous! I didn't know what got over me, I was talking to people in my district when we were practicing and I was still nervous. It was a moment to me where I realized that Satan is everywhere. Satan is the one putting these thoughts and feelings in my head. Because in reality I have been preparing for this mission my entire life, so why would it be now that I am having a hard time talking about it. I know the answers to all the questions I just need to act. And thats what I am here to do as a missionary, and once I had that realization I was able to more easily talk about this gospel, and I am so excited to be able to share it with the people in Oregon.

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

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