Week 1/104

March 15, 2016

Hi Everyone!

I am absolutely loving the MTC! This week has been like drinking from a geyser. I have learned so much, and I'm still learning every day. We have class time for six hours a day, personal study for three, and and teaching for the rest of the time for a full 16 hour day. I know the only way I'm able to make it through each day is because of the companionship of the Spirit.

The day I got here was really confusing. It was basically being guided around the MTC by random missionaries that I'd probably never see again to get my things all situated, including picking up my nametag. To answer your question, mom, Yes, I have gotten used to being called Elder Grover, but what I haven't gotten used to is seeing that name on a black tag. It's so unreal!

I met my district later that day. They are Sister LeBaron from South Jordan, Sister Riker from Virginia, Sister Burgess from Hawaii, Sister Abrego from Canada, Elder Chandler and Elder Oestreicher from Texas, and Elder Siebers from Logan. Elder Siebers is my companion, and he and the first two sisters are all going to Tempe together! We've only been together for one week, and we already love each other and work together so well.

One of my favorite parts of the MTC so far is the class time. We have two teachers, Brother Jolley and Brother Ahlstrom, and they're both amazing teachers! Brother Jolley just got home from his mission in Tempe three months ago. We spend about two hours talking about teaching investigators, an hour reading the Book of Mormon, and two hours teaching investigators. Two of them are most definitely role plays, but the other two could potentially be real investigators. It was surprising to me that we got into teaching right away, but I've learned so much about teaching by the Spirit from them, and I absolutely love it!

Also, you don't need to worry about me being fed, because every meal is basically all-you-can-eat meals of all sorts. Today we had Navajo Tacos, and it reminded me of Mom's cooking. It was nice to be reminded of home, but in case you're worried about it (and don't take this the wrong way), I don't have time to miss you guys. It was awesome to hear your story about Vicky at Wings and Waves! I'm so glad to hear that you guys are looking for opportunities to do missionary work!

One more story: this week our district was assigned to give a sacrament meeting to the MTC cafeteria staff, and I was asked to play the piano. It was easy enough to choose an opening and closing hymn, but I didn't have any sacrament hymns to draw from, so I had to learn one. I chose Hymn 173, "While of These Emblems We Partake". Of course, I was nervous, since I only had one day to learn the hymn. But as I practiced, I was blessed with better sight reading skills, and after only a couple read throughs, I had it memorized. I was confident until Sacrament meeting, where I pretty muched botched it, but I kept trying. I was disappointed and confused, because I was sure the Spirit was helping me, until a sister came up to me after sacrament meeting and told me she felt the Spirit the most during the Sacrament Hymn, because I kept trying. I was so humbled to know that the Spirit was working through me, even though it wasn't the way I expected.

I love you all, and apologize for the lack of pictures. I couldn't get them uploaded, but I'll have them up next time. I promise I am taking them!

Love,
Elder Grover