Week 4

This week flew for me. I only have 2 more p-days in the MTC (missionary training center) then I go! I was only able to take one picture this week because my batteries died Monday. The picture I did take is significant, however, because at the beginning of this week we had a Mission President conference and All 15 General Authorities were here! From Sunday to Tuesday they were training the incoming mission presidents and in our Sunday Devotional they all attended! I can't accurately describe the feeling that hit me when they all walked in... It was like a wall had slammed into my very soul.  Elder Quentin L. Cook spoke, and the first thing he spoke about was referring to the church by its proper name instead of "Mormon" or "LDS church" to investigators. He also spoke of when he was on his mission and about how he and Jeffery R. Holland were Companions! I hadn't known that. At the end of the devotional, while we were waiting for the New Mission Presidents and their wives to leave, we all started singing "Called to Serve" together. No one told us to, and it was powerful. I took the picture to capture the date.

In the choir here, we have over 750 missionaries every time. Tuesday for Choir the Director took us through a bunch of hymns and told us the meaning behind them. He told us a way understand Kolob (Abraham 3:18), about how the tune for "We thank thee O God for a Prophet" was originally for a funeral song; "The Spirit of God" talks about priesthood keys, and why "Come thou Font" isn't in the Hymn book (it was one of the least sung hymns, so they took it out to make room for new hymns. He said he was pretty sure it would be in the next edition).  "I am a Child of God" and "O my Father" talk about both our Heavenly Father and our Heavenly Mother. It blew my mind. I didn't realize how many people didn't think we had a Heavenly Mother. The director also pointed out that the reason we are here is to become as God is. It is the eternal cycle. When we do become as He is, we will create worlds of our own and have Heavenly children of our own.  That's why we must be married to get to the Celestial Kingdom! Heavenly Father wants us to be as He is!!!!!

Something he said was "We are all gods in training right now." that puts a smile on my face every time I think about it.

The Tuesday devotional was focused around trials and faith. In it, the speaker shared a poem that was carved into a wall by Jewish refugees during the Holocaust:  

"I believe in the sun

even when it is not shining

And I believe in love,

even when I don't feel.

And I believe in God,

even when he is silent."

I really liked it.

I'm happy to be here... Earlier this week I realized truly what a sacrifice it is for investigators to give up so much. I felt a little of that when I wanted to talk to you, or Dad, or Davin, or Dakota, or Jessica, etc. That hit me harder than I expected, how much I am going to miss you guys further down the road. But I chose to come here. Agency is an ENORMOUS part of our Plan of Happiness. No one knows us better than our Heavenly Father, and I know I was called to be a missionary, and I know for a fact that God qualifies those He calls. So who can stand against me, right?

I pray for y'all, every day. And I know y'all pray for me. It will be hard, I know it will. But all things are possible through Christ. He is our best example and I know I can't even come close to Him. But I'll try ;)

Love you guys! Nos vemos!

-Elder Sharp