Hola Everyone!
The MTC is getting a whole lot better! My district is really
starting to love each other, I'm starting to get to know my zone, and time is
starting to fly by!
My favorite part of the day is gym, time when our whole
zone, which is about 20 Elders, goes outside and plays soccer. We have a
competition between the veterans and the new guys, and right now we are tied at
two wins a piece! Last game we played it was tied 1-1 when I passed up to Elder
Cullimore, who knocked it in for the goal right as gym time ended. A perfect
buzzer beater! We're technically not supposed to keep track of score, but when
the score is 2-1, it’s impossible not too. The majority of our zone leaves next
Monday to go out into the field which is weird because when they leave, it
means I'm about half way done with the MTC. We also get 8 new missionaries
today, all of which are going to go to Argentina ,
none to Buenos Aires
Now for the things that I learned this week: Last week was
dedicated to my learning about how my savior loves me, and also each and every
person on the Earth. This week, was dedicated to how much I love him. I never
really thought about it before. I just went to church and did what I was
supposed to. But this week, the Zone Leaders handed us a talk by Elder Jeffery
R. Holland about feeding his Sheep. It talked about how after Christ's
ministry, Peter and the rest of the apostles went back to fishing. After a
skimpy day, they began to turn back when a man shouted to them from the shore.
He said "Children have you caught anything?" They replied with a NO.
To make the story shorter, the man on the beach was the lord, and after casting
their nets where he told them, their nets were so full the ships began to sink.
When the apostles returned to the shore, they greeted Jesus, happy to see him.
Then Jesus asked Peter, the chief apostle, "Do ye love me?" Peter
answered "Ye Lord, Thou knowest I love thee," Elder Holland added
this to the conversation. "Then why are you here. Why are you back to your
nets? Isn't it obvious that if I needed fish, I could get fish? I need you to
go, and teach my Gospel to the Children of men. I need you to feed my sheep.”
This story stood out to me because it caused me to ponder on
the thought if I really loved my Savior. I really searched deep in myself to
find the answer. In the end, I began to feel a love for my Savior that I have
never realized before. I understood that he has done so much for me in my life,
that it would be selfish and rude not to return the favor and feed his sheep.
"Because I have been given much I too must give." I love that hymn
and it reminds me that I can give myself up for a little bit in order to have
other's lives changed forever.
I also learned about the healing power of my Savior's
atonement. Yes, through his power we can be forgiven of every sin that we have
ever committed, but it also heals us when our hearts are broken, comforts us
when there is no light, and strengthens us when we are weak. The Savior
suffered for our sins, our sorrows, and our pains so that he can be there for
us when we need him the most. I wish I could give each of you a portion of the
Love of our God and our Savior, but I can't. I can only tell you that if you
pray to feel his love, you're heart will feel like a shaken up can of coke with
a hundred mentos stuffed inside. (Don't ask how the mentos get there, I just
wanted to use an analogy of an explosion).
The longer I stay here the less the MTC seems like a prison,
which is good. I can't wait to go into the field because it sounds like so much
fun! I do know that I have a lot to learn, because everyday I learn something
new. I know that when I get out there, I won't know any Spanish, but that's ok,
because I know that I can say what I need to say, and my Savior will help me
with everything else, as long as I try my very best! I love you guys and miss
you.
Oh, and I tried to translate Taylor Swifts "22"
last week.
But I'm getting better, here's another one!
"Con o Sin
tu, Con o Sin tu, no vivo, Con o Sin tu"
(With or without you, With or Without you, I do not live, With or Without you)
Hopefully its better!
Love,
Elder Stephen Chipman
PS: I have pictures. I just need to figure out how to send them. They
are kinda strict on how I can send them.
No comments:
Post a Comment