Tuesday Night - Elder Neil L. Andersen came and gave an amazing devotional on the temple and the ways we sometimes take for granted the messages and purposes of the temple. However, the real way I felt the spirit that night was through the after-devotional part. Elder Andersen went around and shook hands with as many missionaries as he could before he had to leave. I didn't get to shake his hand, but I shook Elder Brian K. Taylor of the Seventy's hand, and I got to shake the hands of Elder Andersen's Grandkids, by far the most awesome handshakes. Elder Andersen got to the International Missionaries and started shaking their hands.... many of them started to cry before he even shook their hands.... For many of them this was the first time they had ever seen an apostle, let alone someone high up in the church, and for him to come and shake their hand testified to me of the power of the apostles and their commitment to the Lord's work. the choir started spontaneously singing along to the organ, and eventually everyone was singing, I cried a little bit. The spirit was there, you could totally feel it, it was amazing!
Wednesday - We hosted the International Missionaries today and early arrivals. It reminded me of leaving when I first got to the MTC. It was nostalgic ( can I even say that yet?) of my first day, tears and hugs goodbye, but we made the Elders and Sisters feel as welcome as we could, and it reminded me of my purpose here, and I wasn't sad for them, but happy they made the decision to come out here at the cost of two years of time with their families to serve the Lord completely.
Thursday - So much happened. We learned about the 1700 "Tree Missionaries" out by Payson and Eagle Mountain out trying to bring the message of water to the forest there. We at the MTC said lots of prayers for those firefighters and their dedication to keeping everyone safe and sound. Many times the blaze could be seen by us, from across the pond. We were very happy that they were all safe, and that Tommy came home from fighting it safely.
Friday - Sgt. Green, as I've started calling him is the little army man sent with me on my mission by my parents. He'll come all the way to Vietnam with me and hopefully back, unless someone else requires his services. Well, I almost went goodbye during lunch when he fell out of my pocket. I found him and stuck him back in. It's my little reminder of home, and I realized how I don't send very many pictures of him home, so here is one of him enjoying conference music (At the end of the email)
Saturday - Our teachers talked about the Doctrine of Ease. During Christ's temptation during his 40 day fast, the real temptation was the Doctrine of Ease. "You're hungry, turn these stones into bread so you can eat, jump down from this building and angels will catch you and many will be converted" "Say you will serve me and I will give you all on this earth" The Devil tempted Christ with that which was easy to obtain for him, and would've made his ministry or his life on Earth much simpler. The last temptation was the devil's last attempt, and he offered Christ that which he had created during the 6 creative periods of the world. The Devil knew this, but wished to catch the savior off guard. Do not fall into the Doctrine of Ease, don't think that because it is easy it will be a better alternative than what you originally planned to do. We cannot apply the doctrine of ease as missionaries or as members of the church or even as Christians, it is simply impossible and not what the Lord intends of his Servants.
On a happier note, today was zone volleyball, queens and kings rules, so that was awesome. Chi Vu, one of the sisters in our district has been called the khmer killer because of her awesome volley ball skills, she can spike, set and do the whole nine yards on her own and still come out on top. It's awesome, we love her and her help in carrying some of our lack of skill.
Sunday - The Sabbath is always special, this week we talked about the Doctrine of Christ. Enduring to the End is always a topic that sticks out and was talked about almost all Sunday in lessons, talks, and the devotional. The Devotional didn't go as planned, and the media people messed up a few times, and President Martino looked like he was going to kill a few media people. We all silently prayed that the media people would be spared the MTC President's wrath for a little bit. We watched a movie on a talk titled "Open your mouth" by Elder Holland. Missionary work does not happen if we keep our mouths shut and decide to not proclaim the Gospel. Missionary work comes when we talk to everyone, regardless of what they think of us.
Monday - We cleaned our residence building assignment for service, and I found that through the Ashby and Baker lines I'm related to two of my building supervisors. Brother Arnett through 11th cousins through Sara Jones, and Brother Reese through Dagett family lineage as 10th cousins. that was super cool just to see how our culture is about families, and that the LDS faith revolves around the family and the central role it plays in shaping our communities and our societies.
Today- Just another busy day! As always lots of emails to send and lots of people to talk to, so not much else today, if we have an amazing speaker it will be included in my next week email, promise! Crossing fingers for another apostle here in the next 5 weeks we have at the MTC!
I love you all!
Anh Ca Ashby
Pictures:
Sargent Green
Sargent Green
Trapping Elder Buhler in bed with ladders
Anh Ca Mclain's awesome silly face
Crazy Happenings in Class!
Anh Ca Mclain's awesome silly face
Crazy Happenings in Class!
How our room looks with the light off and the flag hanging up!
Neft Gun needed to finish our zones wild west duels. (please send)
Neft Gun needed to finish our zones wild west duels. (please send)
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