Week 3: Home MTC

 October 26, 2020

Today was just another day, and we had a much different TRC with someone named Vanessa. We taught 0% of our planned lesson, and just talked with her about families and how the Gospel of Jesus Christ can comfort her through hard times. But that's probably how lessons will go sometimes in the field. 

Today was my first day as District Leader, and it was just as easy as I thought it would be. Well, I can't think of anything else to write that I haven't written several times before, so until tomorrow. 

October 27, 2020

Today we really seemed to grow closer together as a district. These really are a bunch of great guys, and every time we share our thoughts and spiritual experiences, my testimony is strengthened. 

It was a pretty relaxed day today, so I had a lot of time to think of all the things that I am missing out on, haha.. but seriously I feel better when I'm busy and keeping my mind off things. And tomorrow will definitely be one of those days.

October 28, 2020

Today was really busy, so I kept my mind busy and the day was over before I knew it. The days at the MTC have started to melt together, and it honestly feels like I've only been a missionary for a few days. Sometimes I wonder if I've left anything behind that I'll regret. But if I remember just two weeks ago, I had nothing to do and was in the worst limbo. There's nothing for me to stay home for, besides the comfort of my own bed or being with my family. I know as soon as I get out there I'll miss home, but for now I'm starting to be eager to. It'll be awesome to have a companion that I actually physically meet, even though Elder Holmstead is great. It also would do me some good to get away from the constant reminders about the things I'm giving up, or the things I can't do anymore. 

But I am growing spiritually. I've never been this spiritually in tune. My testimony is growing and so is my experience. I'm just going to continue learning, so I can prepare myself for when I get to the field and actually start learning how to be a good missionary. I wish I had some more interesting things to write about, but that's about all I have for now. 

October 29, 2020

Today was a solid, busy day. We had a full schedule, and I was exhausted by the end of the day. I can't believe that it's been two weeks already. I find that a good half of the time me and Elder Holmstead are on a zoom call, we're laughing. Maybe that's just because we're weird missionaries. But tomorrow is our last full day of class, and I'm nervous and excited. I ship out on Monday, so here we go. 

October 30, 2020

Today was my last full day of classes, and I really have improved drastically since my first TRC. It was our last class with Brother Taylor, and he really was a great teacher. Elder Holmstead and I did our last TRC today, it was really good and natural and I feel like we did a good job helping Micah along in the Gospel. I am well aware that TRC experience is less than actual field experience, so I'm excited to see how it's really done. 

I actually got a referral today from this random couple at the Sunglow Cafe. They started talking to me and when I got up to leave, they told me about Jim Baldwin in Ventura. So that's a good start.

October 31, 2020

Today was Halloween obviously, and we packed most of my stuff already. Just some stuff in the laundry and stuff I need to wear left. It's starting to get really exciting, and I'm really curious to see how I'll actually be living as a full-time missionary for the next two years. I'm just trying to figure out how much I don't know yet. I hope I get a good trainer, because from what I've heard, there are some "sub-par" trainers in the mix. Apparently my friend's trainer is really anti-Trump and politically minded, which kind of got me thinking about the whole idea of politics in the mission field. It's perfectly fine to have your political views before or after the mission field, but I think the focus on political issues should more or less stop. I can understand following the lock-down situation to see when you can go proselyting, but beyond that, it should stop. I also heard about this from another friend about her companion, so perhaps it's not an isolated event. But anything that can drive a wedge between you and your companion or hinder the Spirit through contention should be left behind when you leave. I'm applying this to myself as well. I would listen to podcasts for hours a day to get my political fix, but I am leaving that behind now. I've also never been very good at being politically inactive, but now is the time to try.

Another thing I don't understand is how active members of the Church can stand for or support something like abortion. I know there are many circumstances and situations that call for the mother's choice whether or not to have an abortion, such as a potentially life-threatening delivery. But the Church's stance is very clear. My point is, my opinions must be the same as the Church's, and perhaps they always should be, because it is the one and only true Church of Jesus Christ. It's His name we wear over our heart now, not Trump's or Biden's. I hate to talk so much about politics as I'm a missionary now, but I feel like writing what's on my mind right now. It may be an election year, but there'll be all the time in the world to fill our heads with politics after our missions. I'm going to do my best to keep my focus and love and serve everybody as Jesus Christ would, no matter what sign they put on their lawn.

November 1, 2020

I can't believe it's November already, it seems like I got my call in August only a week ago. But today was my last day with my family. It has truly been a blessing to spend an entire two and a half weeks with my family as a missionary. But I'm ready to get this ball rolling.

We finished packing tonight, and it's an interesting thing to have your life in three suitcases. Even though I'm ready to leave, I do think that once I get out there I'll miss everything about home, because it seems to be unavoidable. But I can do this. It's something I've been preparing for for a very long time. Tomorrow is going to be absolutely nuts, and it's late, so until tomorrow.