Last Sunday was Easter, here at the MTC, it was such
a wonderful day. Never have I had a more meaningful experience with the
Sacrament. Every week should be just as meaningful, but due to my weaknesses
I'm not always paying attention, or feeling as grateful as I should for the
Savior's sacrifice. But just imagine sitting in a room of 3,000 people who have
committed to officially take the name of the Savior upon themselves, even
wearing His name tag, and spread the most glorious message this world can
imagine: that He Lives! That He died so that all of us can return to God and
have a chance at eternal progression and eternal joy with those we love most. Bishop
Causse of the presiding bishopric came and presided at our Sacrament meeting
and spoke to us. I thought that that might have been a tender mercy for Carolyn
who was leaving to France the next day to hear his suave French accent. He
spoke about President Mckonkie's final testimony: "I will not know then
any more than I know now that Christ is my Savior" (not exact I know). It
was an indescribable feeling to see 8-10 sacrament tables prepared, to feel the
small sacrifice that my mission is for Him, and to know that I truly have begun
a miraculous relationship with my Savior. To know that I really do know in my
heart, because of the experiences I've had, that Jesus Christ is with me, that
only through the enabling power of the Atonement am I lifted from my natural
state to an ability to be like Him, and to really feel that His presence is
beginning to be in my heart. He asked us, "Do you know Him? Do you know
Jesus Christ?" Based on the small interactions I've had with Christ
throughout my life and especially here over the last 3 weeks, my soul is just
filled with so much joy to realize that my conversion to Him is going to
continue to grow. He has provided ways for me to covenant with Him, tie myself
to Him, to let His character fill my heart as I empty out my own selfish
desires. The Plan of Salvation is incredible. I don't comprehend why He loved
us so much. But it was consistent with His character to complete His perfection
by expressing ultimate devotion and love for His Father by giving His life for us.
My favorite part of the week is Wednesdays. Why? Ice cream. The wrap bar turns into an ICE CREAM BAR complete with 12 flavors, hot caramel and fudge, and brownie toppings. (they have other toppings too but I don't notice them next to the brownies.) Why do I so look forward to ice cream day? Because 1) it is the only day I indulge my sugar cravings. No Melissa, I will not get fat. but boy do I make up for the other 6 days of the week when I eat my ice cream on Wednesdays. and 2) they serve ice cream to welcome in all the new missionaries. Do the new missionaries realize that ice cream is only served one day of the week? No. They do not realize this. Do they think I don't know they are scared spitless? yes they do think I don't know how they feel. Do I eat my ice cream with a smug grin on my face at the false promise of comfort and happiness said ice cream gives these new missionaries? yes. A super smug grin. It is the most uncharitable feeling that I have all week.
Spanish is continuing to be the most fun challenge I've ever accepted. I know I've said that I have really been blessed in learning it. But lest you think I am super fluent, just remember it's all relative. I'm learning it faster than many, though any native speaker generally can't understand me. I speak caveman Spanish. It's awesome though. I managed to crack a couple jokes in Spanish yesterday which is a super big measure of success to me. The best feeling is when I realize a fast Spanish sentence just came out of my mouth and I didn't have to split hairs over it first. My district is doing an English fast today--only speaking Spanish--and it has really helped me embrace how much Spanish I know and run with it. we learn so fast here due to the spirit. Even Espanol.
love,
hermana Carter
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