Last Full Week at Preston MTC!

Sunday, January 28 , 2018 

Sunday time.... I didn't have to give a talk [when I actually wanted to.] The topic was service, which was my farewell talk. After church we had 4 hours of nothing and it was cool to just sit around with friends and talk. I've been making Sister N. tell me in depth plots to movies we've seen so she can practice her talking [in english] and it's super fun! Afterward, I told everyone about a nightmare I had a day ago and spooked everyone. Then we had an FHE and listened to Pres. Bunker talk to us how important perception and effort is. Then watched a talk by Elder Ballard where he taught the "word of Christ" is a seed and it'll grow if you let it. Later, we had a district meeting and made all the sisters cry again when I gave a speech about how amazing they are, how individual they are, and how God has given us all individual talents that will be revealed on his timeline. They all wanted to hug, so me and Elder H. had to stay out.... Then we all went to the Cafe to have an apple eating comp. You had to eat all the apple except the stem, yes, even the core, the fastest. I came in second, we're gonna do this twice a day until we leave to see if we get faster. Miss you guys lots <3

Monday, January 29

Today we went proselytizing in Manchester again. We walked around for a while, saying hello to almost everyone. One guy we said hello to, kept walking, so we figured that he wasn't interested but he turned around and got our attention. We then started talking and I asked if he's ever heard of "Mormon's"? He said he's seen our church. I then asked what his religious views were. He said that he believed in an after-life and stuff but doesn't trust churches because they've been "created by man." I then was thinking,  "well I have a answer for that!" and taught him a quick restoration lesson. We left him with a restoration pamphlet and a Book of Mormon with my testimony written and folded the corner and told him to read Moroni 10. He was literally a person put in our path. I left him with my email so I hope I hear from him soon! We then talked to a few more, gave out cards, but no more Books of Mormon. When we got back to the MTC, we had normal classes and role played lesson 4.

Tuesday, January 30

PDay!! Also, the last time I can go to the temple for two years 😢

I wore my watch through the session today. This morning, around breakfast, I had an anxiety attack but when I got into the temple, and felt at peace,  I checked my watch heart rate and it was spiked during my little attack but got stable, low and normal! I guess there’s science for the temple :-) After, I did some emailing, then lunch. My district, with a few more, when into town (Chorley.) I bought some vitamin D supplements because there is absolutely NO sun here! I’m starting to get used to the money here and being at peace with how expensive everything is.After that we headed back, changed into shorts, and Elder M. and I played ping-pong for an hour and a half waiting for a good time to use the computers. Then we emailed, had dinner, then normal class. After class, Sister N. saw that I had mail! Thanks Brittany! You’re so kind. Sisters C, N, and I had another apple eating competition. This time they were red delicious. The skin hurt more but I tried for first with Sister N.

Fun times. Almost 2:00.

Just found out Elder O’ got dear John'd , sorry 😢

Wednesday, January 31

January 31, 2018 Today was one big gaff! I asked the MTC president to be our ward member in one of our lessons but I didn’t tell my teacher ( brother Wilford) ( also the person we teach). When he opened the door to the training room, seeing us with President Bunker, he jumped and it was super funny. I played it off as I introduced them on Sunday and asked if you could come to a lesson. We taught the word of wisdom. Wasn’t the best lesson, but I got some good pointers from the MTC president. Later brother ____? taught some good study stuff he learned from Elder Bednar. He said that I should read through the book of Mormon with one topic and a if you sub topics with a different color for each. So I’m doing lesson three (G.O.J.C.- Gospel of Jesus Christ) then grab a new book of Mormon for each read-through. Then there was a devotional by the local 70, Elder Hearst, and he did a really good object lesson on the atonement. If you nearly destroyed a 20 pound note, you can always give it to a bank and get the brand new perfect 20 pound note. Then a good theme of love. I enjoyed it.

Thursday, February 1, 2018

Didn't really do much today other than do learning in class. We did cleaning for our service, but you don't care about that ;/   We read in the Book of Mormon in 1 Nephi 11 and found our new fav. Nephi quote of "He said LOOK, and I LOOKED" We all had some giggles for 10 minutes, like normal. Elder H. and I taught a lesson and it went better than normal. Today was kinda just chill.

Friday, February 2

Today's groundhog day! and boy does it feel like the days are repeating. It's wake up, eat breakfast, study til 10:15am then exercise till lunch then sit in class until bedtime. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love everyone here but I am SO excited to get out of the MTC in a few days. Today though we had a workshop about expectations and how they're like a balloon. Then the teacher popped them. It was depressing but super real. Later we had member lessons where local members can come to the MTC and be taught by ya boi. We taught some kid that was 16, I didn't have a plan but I just wanted to ask if he had any questions then have a conversation. He had a tough question of how to react to atheists, and others, trying to tell him of his beliefs. Our answer was [about] how the spirit can't lie, so if you feel it when you’re 15, it will [still] be true when you're 50. I then told him a simplified story of Lehi's dream and those that were in the "great and spacious building" and how he always needs to be holding on to the Iron Rod and taste the desired fruit.

Saturday, February 3

I finally finished Alma! Feels like I’ve been in Alma for years. During exercise we all played volleyball and I took off my glasses while playing and it was super hard because the ball would kind of just phase in when it got within 15 feet of me. Then lunch, and another in-field orientation. Then I got to Skype call Tanner, Hailey, and Mari and it was super cool! I didn’t teach good at all cause I just wanted to chit chat and I was still in shock. But it was really fun being able to somewhat teach the restoration and giving them commitments they better keep! I love them so much and it was so hard to not talk to my mommy. I MISS YOU ALL SO MUCH!  But I’m out here for more than myself. For our lesson today we learned about church building tours for investigators. It was super cool to learn how much this can help investigators show up on Sunday. I also had to say goodbye to brother Mann. He only taught us for less than a week but I really liked a lot of his honest study tips that are really helpful because I want to learn all I can. Efficiently. Peace out Brother Mann.