I feel like I say this every week, but this week went by so quickly!
It seems like every week, some big change happens here, and this week was no different haha. We had to move residence halls. Which means we had to pack everything up, and move from one end of the MTC to the other. Apparently it was for construction, but I'll let you know what I think it was in a few minutes. Our room got to all stay together, but another room in our district ( that had four elders in it) was split up into two other rooms with random people they didn't know. The rooms are pretty much the same, and the view is so much better. We can see a picture perfect view of the Provo Temple ( i took a picture, but I forgot my camera in my room this morning :/) But the bathrooms are so ... unique. I wouldn't say the smell of the bathrooms are the best, but maybe the second best ;) ;) ;). And the walls are yellow haha. But what can I do. I didn't really mind moving that much. However, two days after we moved, the sisters had to be kicked out of their buildings because of BATS. They only had a few hours to pack up and move into OUR OLD BUILDING haha. I suspect that the MTC knew that they were going to have to move, so that's why they kicked us out haha. I felt bad for them though, and we helped them carry their suitcases and things all the way across campus.
We got our flight plans this week, and we leave next monday for the airport at 350 am. We'll fly on a German airline to Chicago, and then to Germany, and then to Portugal. The trip will take a little over 24 hours. After getting my flight plans, I got super nervous. Like, really scared. It started to hit me that I'll be living in a foreign country, talking and teaching in a different language for two years. Two days ago though, our teacher told us that she would like us to think of a question or concern about our mission, and then read in the Book of Mormon for half an hour. My question was :" How can I not be so scared of living in Portugal for two years". I got my answer in 3rd Nephi 11(?) verses 25-26 that talked about being called to minister, and to not take anythought on the morrow. I have such a bad memory, sorry, so I can't really remember the chapter or what exactly it said. But to me, it meant, not to worry and that I would be taken care of. I love the Book of Mormon so much! It truly has so much power, and I know that we can find peace and happiness in reading it. I have started reading it in Portuguese from the beginning, and I feel like I am reading it for the first time, because I am learning so much!
We taught over skype this week a real person from Portugal! She didn't speak any english. Honestly, I thought it went so badly. The connection was so bad, that she couldn't see us or hear us sometimes, and we couldn't see her nor hear her other times. We finally had a few minutes at the end where it worked, but I felt like a failure because of my portuguese. We had planned on teaching on families and how the gospel blesses them. But she was the only member in her family of 8 kids. We didn't really get a lesson in, and all we really told her was that she was being a good example to her family, and that her family will receive lots of blessings because of her. We asked her to continue being a good example, and that everything will work out. When we got back to the class, guess what? Our teacher had talked to her and told us that she told him, that what we told her was EXACTLY what she needed to hear that day. I was both shocked and not shocked. This taught me that if we try our best, and try to teach a lesson with the spirit, the person we are teaching will hear what they need to hear. God is on our side as missionaries, and he wants all of his children to feel his love. I'm so grateful that I have the opportunity to teach others and bring others closer to Christ.
I feel his love for me everyday, and I feel so blessed to have the knowledge that I have of the truth of this work.
The next time I email will either be this saturday, or when I get to Portugal!
I love and miss you all!
Com Amor,
Elder Barker
No comments:
Post a Comment