Day 28, Provo Utah MTC

Hola familia y amigos!

The race begins!  We all type as fast as we can for the next hour!

   

This week was great, as usual.  Here are the highlights:

Wednesday my district leader gave me a package slip.  I sprinted with Hermana Easter to pick it up, but we couldn't spring back because I had to carry a very large, heavy apple box! Later that night when I opened it, I actually screamed for joy when I saw and watermelon (written in a black on the watermelon was “We will be eating this tomorrow too, but it will not be the same without you!  We love you!  Love from….) and strawberries from my family!  So the 4th was awesome!  We had the watermelon and strawberries with my zone for a picnic!  We all got sack lunch, sat outside, and enjoyed a beautiful day.  It was seriously the best watermelon I have ever had.  After lunch we got to play softball and an intense game of 4 square.  Yes it was intense!  The rest of class that day was good but then at 7:15 pm we got to finish early and go to a special program.  We had a short devotional on patriotism and how thankful we are for the country.  Which truly, I am truly thankful for.  I love this country and am so proud to be an American.  Anyhow then we got to watch a movie: 17 miracles!   It was so good!  But my second favorite part (the first was when I got the watermelon) was that we got to stay up past our bed time!  We got to stay up past 10:30 pm to watch fireworks and eat ice cream!!!!!!!!! Yay!  Thank you family for my 4th of July gifts, I truly missed you all too.  I felt so loved though, and am so thankful that you thought of me!  I hope you all had a great 4th; I enjoyed hearing about it from Mom.

Other highlights:

I found out the Elders gave me a nickname on day one-Hermana Manzana (Sister Apple).  Apparently everyone got a kick out of the fact that I introduced myself as being from "Wenatchee Washington, the Apple Capital of the World".  And they enjoy the fact that I very devotedly eat an apple almost every single meal, but at least once every single day!  Apparently everyone has been using my nick name but just didn't tell me!  I think it’s hilarious-I'm proud of my roots!

I got a bunch of letters this week!  It is like Christmas when we get a letter or a Dear Elder.  Keep them coming!  I love to hear about how everyone is doing.  I got to show off Landon's letter to all the missionaries in my zone.  They were jealous of how cool my little brothers are. 

On the sad side, Hermana Mackay left for the Mexico MTC to teach there.  We did get a new teacher though who is awesome-Herman Harris.  He is actually related to the Harris family in Wenatchee, and served with Brian Nygard in Uruguay. Small world!

I apologize that this so random, but really things are about the same here in the MTC.  Life is good, the church is true, and the Lord continues to bless me every day. 

We continue to teach our "investigator" Sabastien.  He is great.  At first, he wasn't to sure about taking the discussions because he is young and feels that his life is pretty happy.  As he continues to read the Book of Mormon however, he has expressed that each day gets even better.  The gospel truly does bless our lives.

We study our brains out here, but I love it.  Lately I have been studying the apostles in the New Testament.  One of the favorite things I studied was the epistle of Paul to the Colossians.  Paul is a stud, I'd love to be able to share the gospel with same kind of power that he has.  (It makes me love the name Paul even more, besides it being the name of my Great Grandad, Derek's middle name, and my future husband's name).  Anyhow, I love in 1 Col 1:9-11:

    

  "For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding....Strengthened with all might according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness.”

    I love this scripture because it's how I want to care for the people I will teach.  The gospel is such a blessing; it truly does bring peace and joy.  I feel that in my own life every day, and have felt the love of my Savior since I was little.  I want to share that happiness and that love with others.  I already have such a great love for them, just as Paul had for the Colossians.  What is amazing is that I only feel a fraction of the love that our Heavenly Father has for us. 

   

He loves us so much.  In verse 25 its says" Whereof I am made a minister according to the dispensation of God which is give to me for you, to fulfill the word of God".  Of course this is Paul speaking, but it also applies to me.  Heavenly Father wants us to have his gospel.  He has wanted that from the very beginning, and so He has called prophets, apostles, and even missionaries at each time, or dispensation, so that He can guide his children.  It is my privilege to participate in this work, and to help share His gospel with his Children in Alamabama.  I know this church is true, and I am very grateful for the opportunity I have to share it.

    Well that's about all for this week.  I wish you all the best, and send my love and prayers your way!  Thank you for all your love and support, I am truly blessed.

Hasta Luego!

Con amor,

Hermana McClune

PS I get to see Hermana Merrill everyday!!!