First Week at the MTC

August 11, 2018

First Week at the MTC

Well everyone, this week was the first week at the MTC. And I can't say I haven't thought about coming home. It is so stinking hard, but I'm doing my best to just put my head down and keep working. The minute I walked into the MTC I immediately felt a special spirit and calmed down and the tears from leaving behind friends and family went away for a small moment. My thoughts are pretty jumbled right now so just bear with me.

First of all, the cereal bar at the MTC is a lie. They have all the generic brands like the Marshmallow mateys and all that garbage, very unfortunate. Most the food is sub par though honestly. The AC there is really nice and that's nice when we are in our church clothes. Anyway, on my first day I walk in the cafeteria for dinner and Elder Justin Garvin came up behind me and said, "Has anyone seen an Elder Johnson?" I turned around and gave him a big hug, something I just really needed that day. I also got to see some of my other good buds, Elder Higbee and Elder Miller, which was also really nice.

So far we have been straight grinding Spanish. At least six hours a day and let me tell ya, I am killing the game. Because of my previous Spanish studying in school, I am already pretty far ahead. All of the Elders use me as a tutor and ask me questions about the Spanish they're learning. El don de lenguas is a real thing, and as it says in my patriarchal blessing, has really helped me out. Us Elders are already praying in Spanish and bearing our testimonies as well which is pretty cool.

Scripture of the week: D&C 121: 7-9
I was in a meeting having a really tough time. I couldn't stop thinking about my family, friends, and my girl all back home and it gave me the nastiest knot in my stomach. Then during a workshop an Elder stood up and read this scripture and said, "My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; And then if tho endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes. Thy friends do stand by thee, and they shall hail thee again with warm hearts and friendly hands." Hearing that brought immediate calm to all my body. It helped me get through that day.

--Elder Jake