Hi everyone! I'm definitely loving the mission so far. The second I got in I was taken to get my name card, supplies, i.d., etc. It really has been a great experience so far just having the whole day just be about the gospel, the world is pretty much shut out and I'm so grateful for that. It of course hasn't been easy trying to find where everything I need to know is the first couple days, but I'm a pro now so it's all good. My companion is Elder Bird, pretty much a Southern Elder from Bear Lake, Utah. He's a stud and pretty laid back like me so we work together sooo well. Oh my gosh, the FOOD here! Burgers, pizza, chicken, ice cream, brownies, doughnuts, anything you can think of, they have it. I'm stuffed every meal and I think by the time I leave the mtc next Tuesday I'll gain 20 pounds. It's just delicious. The second day I was called, along with Elder Bird, as Zone Leader! Pretty much, I'm in charge of a couple districts, which have 10 people each and I get a cell phone! (Except I don't really use it and it's for emergencies). If you still have no idea, as someone LDS and they can explain it better probably. My room is great, along with my companion, we're bunking with Elder Maynard and Elder Loveless who are also going to Philly! We pretty much call ourselves The Elder Squad and just have a great time together. All of them are just so spiritual and I learn so much about the gospel principles I really didn't look in certain perspectives. I have my own twin set of bunk beds because I was the first one there and there's 3 set of bunks. So the top bunk has all my stuff which is such a blessing. Seriously, the mtc is like college but all talking about the gospel and everyone is so nice. There's never any contention.
But yeah, definitely too many spiritual experiences to count. So I'll just talk about my favorite ones. First, President Packer of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles had his funeral on friday. It was just so powerful because the special message that this life isn't the last and that we can live with our Heavenly Father again and we can be with our families for all of time and eternity. But the best part is that we had a district discussion for an hour and everyone just opened up not only about the funeral, but there testimonies, and why they're here, and what their concerns are. We're all just a big family pretty much, like brothers and sisters. No, we actually are brothers and sisters which is such a blessing to me. I love my district to pieces. 8 elders, 2 sisters, 4 elders and 2 sisters to Philly and 4 elders to Billings, Montana. It'll be hard to say goodbye next tuesday, but that's for another time. Another experience, which it's not it's a person is Brother Ricks. He's in the branch presidency and the pres. was out of town so we have seen him a lot. In my first day interview he shared so many spiritual experiences with me on his mission in Tonga. And we have just clicked. He gave a sacrament talk on sunday and I just cried because his message was so powerful how we need to hold on to the Atonement or Christ's sacrifice when we are drained, physically, spiritually, and emotionally. He's the one who called me as zone leader because he trusts me to do my job taking care of the other Elders which I will do while I'm here, no matter what. Last night we watched a talk by Elder Bednar called the character of Christ which you can only see in the mtc. Such a powerful message which was we need to think of others, not ourselves. It's great to have a testimony, but he said it just isn't enough to get through in life. Only if we believe, follow, and act like Jesus Christ can we make it through our toughest moments. Because we put off the natural man, our own desires and sorrows and focus on others, which is what He did in His life. In the garden, on the cross, and even now with all of us today. He loves you, never forget. I went to the Provo Temple today and I just enjoyed every second, the spirit was just so strong within the walls and I needed that time to relax and ponder how I can be like Him.
Thank you all so much for the support I appreciate it, I will definitely respond to all of you when I can. Love you all
Elder Cortes
No comments:
Post a Comment