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| Flying out with Zak, his "first companion" 7/17/13 |
Kumusta everyone! Man has this week been weird. From going to living the life as normal south Orange County kid to being a dedicated servant to the Lord, there has been a lot of changes in my life.
Well, I miss you guys. I never realized how much I loved my family until Thursday when all the guys were talking about their families. Of course I boasted about having the best family! Sometimes I get a little sad when I realize I won't be seeing you for a long time, but at the same time a calming peace fills my soul and I know I am in the right place. The Spirit is so strong here and it is so fun learning to live and feel by its promptings. It's so incredible and the 11 guys in my district have really bonded so well! A district is the group of missionaries who came in on the same week and that are going to the same place on their mission. There are 6 districts because the missionaries going to the Philippines stay here for 6 weeks, so that makes a district for every week if that makes sense. The 6 districts make up a zone. The people who have been here 6 weeks get sent to the Philippines and then a new wave of kids (like me) are brought in and replace them. Our district is seriously so fun! we have the coolest people and they love me! The California thing is a topic of interest to everyone haha! My district I guess is unlucky, we have all guys and the girls supposedly "keep you on track" and make things more fun. I think that's the biggest lie ever though! We may get off topic in class every once in awhile but we have so much fun! Out of the 11 guys, 8 are from Utah and it is fun to make fun of them and compare lifestyles. All the guys though are so cool, there isn't one kid I don't like! Our teacher is Brother Moffet, who served a mission in the Phillipines from 2009-2011. The first day I was the first person to class and he and Brother Cook, another teacher, were there waiting. I have never been so lost. They just went off in Tagalog and were having me say things back although I did not understand a single thing they said! And literally, for the past 3 and a half days I have been here, they have said no more than 10 words in English. It's amazing how much it helps you learn the language!
So a little about my schedule. Every morning you wake up by 6:30 (my companion and I and our 2 roomates wake up at 6 to get to showers). From then until 7 we get ready, say our morning prayers, and maybe squeeze in some scripture study and anything else until we have to report to our classroom. When our district is all at class, we have an opening prayer and song (in Tagalog, which is hilarious because we barely speak the language and we don't know what songs are which). We don't have a teacher with us at this time so we are on our own to organize and stay on task. As a district we then walk over to breakfast at 7:30. Food is so sketchy here. It seems good but your stomach does not agree at all! Especially since you're sitting in a class all day, the food seems to tell us it does not like that. Elder Prousse, a missionary back home before I left told me they put laxitives or however you spell it in the orange juice. I love orange juice and my district had talked about this unfortunate thing because they too like OJ! Yesterday I decided to take one for the team and try it.... Good news! It didn't do anything! I took the leap of faith and benefited everyone so I would say it was worth it no matter the outcome. After breakfast we have Language study from 8-11. This is terrible. You're tired and full and Brother Moffet will not speak any English so you just sit there and understand nothing! I am learning slowly but it is definitely a struggle. After this the day gets mixed up as you have personaly study, doctrine study, more language study, with lunch and gym thrown in, maybe a meeting or fireside, and then dinner. After dinner you have more study time and then you plan for the next day and are back at 9:30 to prepare for bed. Yesterday we had our first gym time and you just feel so terrible from sitting so much and then trying to exercise! We also taught our first investigator yesterday.... Most awkward situation of my life but then again it is for everyone else in the district because no one else knows anything yet! The whole MTC experience is seriously so fun though, I feel like I am just at some camp with a bunch of my best friends.
I've also seen so many people I know! After getting dropped off at the MTC by the shuttle that picked us up from the airport, Zak and I were quickly seperated. It was a very emotional moment for me, he's like a brother to me and just going through this whole process together made it that much more difficult. Unfortunatley I haven't seen him since. BUT! In the commotion of getting taken into the buildings and getting checked in, I run into RYAN KNECHT!!! He was a host who is supposed to pick up missionaries off the curb and get them where they need to. He ran over and gave me the fattest hug ever and he took the place of my host since we knew each other. It was so comforting because as you would expect I was freaking out at the time. Since I have been here I have seen many others including John Calkins, Riley Jones, Jordan Sale, Max McCusker, and Sarah Darby. This has really helped me feel at home. It's just so nice to see not only these people I know but also all these other kids who have given up their youth to serve our loving Heavenly Father. I met so many cool guys outside my district, including one from Florida. He waited for the shuttle with Zak and I at the airport which was about 2 hours and then was with us for the hour ride down to the MTC. He reminded me so much of the group of Mormon guys back home. He fit in so well! Connor, Trevor, Cody, Tyler, Ty and any of the other guys I'm leaving out, you wouldve loved him! Guys like him have made this journey exciting. Everyone here is so nice and sincere and it's the best to talk to them and hear their stories. I also met Elder Baylon. He is from San Diego but he came and found me because he knows Sheridan Hoffman and is going to the Philippines so she told him to find me when I arrived. He has really taken me under his wing and we hang out a lot. He is in my zone but a higher district because he has been here longer than me but I guess they have a thing for rapping. I have been admitted to his crew and am known as Maxlemore when I spit. Anyway, people love us and the guys who have been here longer in the zone talk to me a lot because of this. At least I think.
Salamat (thanks) to those who have written me! Physical letters are so good here. They rejuvenate you so much and bring you joy you need. I have gotten more letters than all other 10 guys in my district combined. It really means a lot to get this encouragement and comfort so keep it coming!
I only have an hour of computer time so I need to close quickly but just know I am doing fantastic. I miss you all so much but I know I am where I am supposed to. There is no greater joy than serving God and the peace and comfort that comes from it is astounding. Alam ko po na totoo ito. (I know these things are true; my butchered and limited Tagalog testimony) I love you all.
Mom, please forward this to everyone who has requested to recieve my emails in my myldsmail account along with everyone else because I dont have time to do it by myself. Thanks! Until next Saturday, Kitakitz (BYE)
Oh, and I'll add pictures next week!
To write Max:
Elder Max Benjamin Moncur
AUG28 PHI-LEG
2007 N 900 E Unit 88
Provo, UT 84602
E-mail:
max.moncur@myldsmail.net
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| MTC Companion: Elder Miller |
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