Wow...what a week it has been. So much, so fast, so great. It started out with a good meal, and a very quick tour around the important parts of campus, then it was right to drilling the Bulgarian alphabet--I am glad I studied before I came! On the first night we had a neat devotional called People and Purpose; basically, it was a room full of missionaries (maybe 70 or 80) working as one companionship to teach an investigator with a problem, trying to get to know that investigator, trying to understand the person before you begin teaching. I stood up in the first class rotation, and offered what I thought was a great response, full of doctrine and testimony. After I finished, she swiftly rebuked me, told me she hadn't understood a word I said, and that I should just sit back down. I was more than a little humbled. It was a good welcome to the MTC--it only took a few hours for me to start learning to become a better missionary!
My zone is the best--we are all serving in the Eastern Europe, Adriatic North and South areas
(i.e Slovenia, Czeck Republic, Poland, Turkey (one Elder), Bulgaria, Macedonia (one Elder), Serbia, Croatia, and countries in that area). They are all quality missionaries, though we are few (mostly owing to the fact that two large districts left for Poland Monday, reducing our zone by half), we are mighty. We have a good time together. My district--4 Bulgarians (one solo sister), and one Macedonian (Elder Rigby)-- is superb, and I love them all. They are all from Utah, except Elder Rigby, who is from Tuscon. My companion, Elder Taylor, is a great guy (as I said before). He was big into student council and that sort of thing, so he is great with people, and he also worked as a CNA before he came, so every morning his bed-making skills put us all seriously to shame. It's wonderful though--the MTC is an interesting place. For those who want it to be, it can be a life changing, skill-developing, testimony nurturing growth zone. For those who don't, it can be a boring place full of semi-unstructured study time. I pity those people who do not take advantage.
(i.e Slovenia, Czeck Republic, Poland, Turkey (one Elder), Bulgaria, Macedonia (one Elder), Serbia, Croatia, and countries in that area). They are all quality missionaries, though we are few (mostly owing to the fact that two large districts left for Poland Monday, reducing our zone by half), we are mighty. We have a good time together. My district--4 Bulgarians (one solo sister), and one Macedonian (Elder Rigby)-- is superb, and I love them all. They are all from Utah, except Elder Rigby, who is from Tuscon. My companion, Elder Taylor, is a great guy (as I said before). He was big into student council and that sort of thing, so he is great with people, and he also worked as a CNA before he came, so every morning his bed-making skills put us all seriously to shame. It's wonderful though--the MTC is an interesting place. For those who want it to be, it can be a life changing, skill-developing, testimony nurturing growth zone. For those who don't, it can be a boring place full of semi-unstructured study time. I pity those people who do not take advantage.
We went to LA on Tuesday, which was draining, but a good experience. We caught a ride with a bunch of Elders going to Philly and Georgia (I thought of you Father dearest!), at the enjoyable hour of 4:00 AM. It was just us new Bulgarians in LA though (the four of us), but we got to the consulate, charmed the Bulgarian customs ladies with our rudimentary Bulgarian skills, and then proceeded to sit in the airport for eight and a half hours. Lots of study time! Elder Taylor got the neat opportunity to teach a Chinese lady who was just coming off a tour of Temple Square practically the first three discussions (and to give her a pamphlet and a pass-along card), and Cectpa Thatcher saw an old friend on the tarmac of LAX, so it was a good day.
I have taught, in the first week, 3 lessons in only Bulgarian. I say "taught," but struggle would be a more appropriate term. The language is tough, but coming. I know the Lord called me, and I know he will not let me fail if I am diligent. It really is a pretty language. I can't wait to be able to express all of my feelings to those I teach--in the lessons, I feel like I am trying to swim upstream with my arms tied to my sides and both eyes closed. However, the honest truth is that the spirit is the teacher not I, and the best thing I can do for my investigators in not to become fluent in Bulgarian (though that would certainly help), but to live worthily enough to bring the spirit "unto their hearts" so that they may feel, know, and act on the promptings of the spirit drawing them closer to Christ. That's my purpose! The language will come, the language will come.
I really have felt conversion grow in just the seven (eight?) days that I have been here--I have so much to learn, not only in the language, but in how to discern the needs of investigators, how to feel the promptings of the spirit at all times, how to serve without thinking, how to lead with love in a Christ-like way (I got assigned to be a district leader for three--I think I already said that), and so much more. I read Ether 12:23-27, and it truly is my byword when it come to learning Bulgarian. I have been humbled by the language, and I am grateful for that. I love it though!
I love you all so much, hope I answered all of your questions Mom, and am sorry I didn't write to you individually family--I am still trying to get the timing figured out! The Church is true, Christ is our Savior, we can live together forever.
обичам те!
Elder Hardy
No comments:
Post a Comment