First week in the MTC

Whatever you think the MTC is like, it probably isn't. A lot of that is based on the fact that it changes according to your attitude. As for me, it's getting better. The first couple days, I felt like my head was in a vice, being squeezed harder and harder. It wasn't so much because of learning Spanish or scripture study "todos los dias" as much as it was the sheer quantity of people, most of which seemed pretty outgoing. It was a major sensory overload. But it's not so bad anymore. I'm not spending the whole day wishing I could go back to my room and get some Tylenol. I was also wondering how in the world I would deal with having a companion, regardless or who she is. It's getting better in that department too. I'm lucky to have a companion who is understanding and supportive. We had an opportunity to talk about our strengths and weaknesses and I was able to make sure that she knew that the occasional lack of conversation does NOT equal dislike. I'm working on talking more, but I need to take baby steps.

My district is awesome too. We all get along really well and work together well. The elders are hilarious. And it just so happens that one of the elders likes Dream Theater and Rush and plays the drums and bass guitar. :D Of course none of that matters as a missionary, but that's still awesome. I'm definitely glad because we missionaries spend the vast majority of our time together in one classroom every day to study the language or the scriptures.

Learning Spanish has been going really well for me. All the Spanish I learned several years ago is coming back to me and I'm remembering a lot of what I learned in class such as how to pray, bear my testimony, and how to teach the gospel in Spanish. It's been seriously unnerving teaching a Spanish speaking "investigator". I can usually only pick up every other word or so. But he agreed to be baptized! :) But I think our district might have it easy.

The only problem with Spanish is that I get to help out the people in my district with their Spanish. It's not bad in and of itself, but I hope no one resents me for that fact. I get the feeling that I come off as "too talented" and it's hard for people to see that I have just as many weaknesses as anyone else. No se... All I can do is keep saying "Thanks, no problem, anytime, feel free to ask for help". No one is going to see right away that I have a hard time keeping afloat in a conversation, in Spanish or English. I just don't know what to ask people or how to see people's needs.

But there's been an interesting coincidence that I'm pretty sure isn't a coincidence. Everyone's on to me...
My Dad, stake president, MTC branch president, and my spanish teacher all gave me the same counsel though only one of them knows me well and none of them know each other. They all blessed me that I would have empathy and compassion, or told me that I have that potential in me. I find that interesting since that isn't one of my strong suits though I want it to be. It will be interesting to see how that pans out as I do my best to be obedient and serve the Lord.

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