First week in the MTC! While there are some difficult things, I love the MTC!! I absolutely love my companion and district. My companions name is Sister Peterson and is from American Fork. She is pretty much the best. We have so much fun as we try to make sense of what is going on. In my district there are 4 sisters and 5 elders and we are all going to Vladivostok.....which is unusual. In all the other districts people are going all over (Ukraine, different missions in Russia, the Baltic's, etc.).
As expected, learning Russian has been difficult. That being said if one looks at how much they would learn in a regular classroom in a week and how much we know there is a huge difference. At this point I'm pretty confident in praying and testifying and I just need reminders on how to do other stuff like changing pronouns, past tense, etc. Pretty good for one week I think! From our second day we have been teaching an investigator named Lena. We really love her, but it is really difficult to teach her what we want with our lack of Russian. I think that has been really helpful in realizing that missionaries really do not teach. Sure, we are the ones saying the actual words, but without the Spirit it really does not matter what we say. I just keep reminding myself that as we struggle to speak Russian to Lena! During our second lesson one of the elders in my district told Lena that he loved her on accident and she burst out laughing. I guess I shouldn't be too worried about my companion and my lessons.
The best day of this week was, hands down Sunday. Our zone had Sacrament meeting where we sang in Russian and two missionaries gave talks in Russian. They are assigned randomly so everyone has to prepare a talk every week and see who gets picked. Later that night we went to choir practice because we are "a singing branch (zone)." I am so glad that we did! We sang "Precious Savior, Dear Redeemer." I don't remember who arranged this version, but Brother Egget directed it so you may be able to find it that way. It was so beautiful and Brother Egget talked about the Atonement in a way that brought the spirit so much. Then we had devotional and the Brother who talked was amazing. He talked about being a good missionary (of course). He kind of talked about how if you believe that you can be a good missionary and baptize lots of people you can make it happen. The Lord has prepared to people who are going to teach. I can't remember exactly what he said because I don't have my notebook with me, but it was amazing. After our district was talking and we were all so pumped to be missionaries and want to have enough members in Vladivostok for a stake or a temple. A big step from where we are now, but we all want it so bad.
After devotional missionaries watch a movie on Sunday night. Our district watched a talk that Elder Bednar gave at the MTC called "The Character of Christ." Safe to say it was life changing. It's all about how throughout Christ's life he always turned outward and was worrying about other people instead of about himself even when he was on the cross. As missionaries that is what we are striving to be like. This mission isn't about me. I have set apart these 18 months to dedicate 100% of my time to helping the people of Vladivostok come unto Christ and learn of gospel. I need to help them learn of the joy the gospel can bring them so they can make that decision for themselves if they will be baptized and follow Him. I don't know if you can find the talk outside of the MTC, but I recommend it!
I was going to send pictures, but the computer I'm on won't let me. Sorry! I'll send some next week.
Sorry if this letter is rambling, but I just want you all to know that I hope you are all doing well and that I love you all so much!
Love,
Sister Merrill
P.S All the mission presidents are here this week for training, so we will get to meet ours this week! We are all SO excited to meet the president and his wife!
As expected, learning Russian has been difficult. That being said if one looks at how much they would learn in a regular classroom in a week and how much we know there is a huge difference. At this point I'm pretty confident in praying and testifying and I just need reminders on how to do other stuff like changing pronouns, past tense, etc. Pretty good for one week I think! From our second day we have been teaching an investigator named Lena. We really love her, but it is really difficult to teach her what we want with our lack of Russian. I think that has been really helpful in realizing that missionaries really do not teach. Sure, we are the ones saying the actual words, but without the Spirit it really does not matter what we say. I just keep reminding myself that as we struggle to speak Russian to Lena! During our second lesson one of the elders in my district told Lena that he loved her on accident and she burst out laughing. I guess I shouldn't be too worried about my companion and my lessons.
The best day of this week was, hands down Sunday. Our zone had Sacrament meeting where we sang in Russian and two missionaries gave talks in Russian. They are assigned randomly so everyone has to prepare a talk every week and see who gets picked. Later that night we went to choir practice because we are "a singing branch (zone)." I am so glad that we did! We sang "Precious Savior, Dear Redeemer." I don't remember who arranged this version, but Brother Egget directed it so you may be able to find it that way. It was so beautiful and Brother Egget talked about the Atonement in a way that brought the spirit so much. Then we had devotional and the Brother who talked was amazing. He talked about being a good missionary (of course). He kind of talked about how if you believe that you can be a good missionary and baptize lots of people you can make it happen. The Lord has prepared to people who are going to teach. I can't remember exactly what he said because I don't have my notebook with me, but it was amazing. After our district was talking and we were all so pumped to be missionaries and want to have enough members in Vladivostok for a stake or a temple. A big step from where we are now, but we all want it so bad.
After devotional missionaries watch a movie on Sunday night. Our district watched a talk that Elder Bednar gave at the MTC called "The Character of Christ." Safe to say it was life changing. It's all about how throughout Christ's life he always turned outward and was worrying about other people instead of about himself even when he was on the cross. As missionaries that is what we are striving to be like. This mission isn't about me. I have set apart these 18 months to dedicate 100% of my time to helping the people of Vladivostok come unto Christ and learn of gospel. I need to help them learn of the joy the gospel can bring them so they can make that decision for themselves if they will be baptized and follow Him. I don't know if you can find the talk outside of the MTC, but I recommend it!
I was going to send pictures, but the computer I'm on won't let me. Sorry! I'll send some next week.
Sorry if this letter is rambling, but I just want you all to know that I hope you are all doing well and that I love you all so much!
Love,
Sister Merrill
P.S All the mission presidents are here this week for training, so we will get to meet ours this week! We are all SO excited to meet the president and his wife!