Week #5 - No Stranger to the Voice of the Lord

Provo MTC

Companions:  Elder Busby and Elder Sperry

Zone Leaders

                                                                                    Saturday, February 20, 2016

Hola Familia y amigos!

Well this week definitely flew by, time is just taking off! I don't know where time went this week. It was very eventful and at the same time I can't remember a asingle thing because we are learning so many different amazing things, but everyday seems like one day. I think this is how time is going to be in the eternities.

Elder William and Elder Keyser

Well to start us off, last p-day was probably the funniest day I have had since being here in the MTC. There are two Elders in our zone, Elder Williams(W) and Elder Keyser (K). They are hysterical together. They walk around wearing these sunglasses, fresh hair, fresh suits, they're so funny. They came down to the laundry room yelling, "we are going skiing AGAIN!! We just got half day passes to go ski in Park City we are pumped!(Side note- as missionaries we are not allowed to be involved in extreme sports or any winter sports) There were these three new Elders who were dumbfounded, "you two get to go skiing??" Elder Keyser" oh yeah, we go every p-day only during our exercise time though, there's a shuttle that takes you right up to the slopes, they have gear for you and everything. As missionaries you get a 40% discount too." Three Elders,"NOO WAY!! that's so awesome I wish we could go!" Elder Williams," oh everyone can go, you should just hit up your Branch President, he will hook you up with tickets." Poor new Elders probably asked their BP if they could go ski.

Elder Soper

Now the reason this week was so awesome is because we had an Apostle of the Lord come and visit us and gave a devotional, Elder Rasband. The spirit those men who are called of God carry with them is so powerful. Before he came he had us read one of his General Conference talks, Divine Call of a Missionary". All of you at home, read it. It's such a powerful talk and so many things to be learned about personal revelation. He had a Q&A and also randomly picked people from the congregation to talk about what they learned. We learned about how our calls are divinely inspired. It strengthened my testimony to know that I am going to Kansas because that's where the Lord needs me to be. I know that I was called to Wichita, Kansas Spanish speaking by a prophet of God. One thing that Elder Rasband said that I know without a doubt in my mind that is true is this,"The leaders of this ch urch are no strangers to the voice of the Lord."Jesus Christ is at the head of  The church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He speaks through a living prophet, Thomas S. Monson who receives revelation for all of us to guide us, protect us and lead us back to our Heavenly home. I wish Elder Rasband could have stayed the whole time and talked to us for hours.

Elder Murphy

Elder TiaTia

My companions, Elder Sperry and Elder Busby are the greatest, I love them so much. It's so crazy to think that this is our last week together in the MTC. I am so grateful for the many lessons that I have learned from them and for the great examples that they are to me. I am truly going to miss them when we leave for the field. I thank Heavenly Father every day for the wonderful companions I have. Spanish is coming along, we speak just Spanish now, everyday. It's amazing to see Heavenly Fathers hand in my studies. 

BEAUTIFUL!!
Picture doesn't do it justice.

Bishop Nelson HOOKING us up!!!!

We are finished teaching now for the most part. We are finished with Hermana Cortes which was sooo sad. she was so awesome and such a sweetheart. So cool to see the change that happened in her life. We don't know whether or not she will get baptized since we are leaving but she's set to get baptized. 

Hermana Cortes with Elder Busby, Elder Sperry and Elder Pilkington

Scripture of the week:

D&C 43:15-16

15 Again I say, hearken ye elders of my church, whom I have appointed: Ye are not sent forth to be taught, but to teach the children of men the things which I have put into your hands by the power of my spirit.

16 And ye are to be taught from on high. Sanctify yourselves and ye shall be endowed with power, that ye may be given even as I have spoken.

The book is blue and the church is true. 

Les Amo! Have a wonderful week.

Con Amor,

Elder Pilkington