One week at the MTC is officially down. I can honestly say that this has been the hardest experience of my life! Thank you for everything you have sent! Especially the Canadian advice Payt! Haha, oh and Alex, great job on the football stuff! Addison, I love the book, it's on my wall. My comps and district are awesome. We're all so different, but we can learn a ton from each other.
The first day was so crazy. In about two minutes, they slapped on a name tag, took my luggage, got all of my info, showed me my room, introduced me to my companion, to my teacher and showed me my classroom. It was so stressful that I was sitting there completely overwhelmed, and I was LITERALLY dripping sweat. I wanted to start crying and call my mom (ha ha). Then I realized that I somehow lost the small packet of everything that I needed to survive here at the MTC. At this point, I was ready to rage. I was grabbing desperately for my cell phone to call my mom (ha ha). But immediately, the teacher pulled me aside and settled me down. I think he noticed that my suit was wet with perspiration! It was quite an experience.
For the next three days, I kept my cool and learned a lot. But I spent most of my time thinking about myself and my family. I kept asking myself how I had gotten into this (ha ha). Then I watched a talk from Jeffrey R. Holland "Miracle of a Mission". I truly believe this talk was for me. Elder Holland literally threw down the most powerful talk/testimony I'd ever heard! He said that this is the most important thing I'll ever do! This is the most important work in the entire world! He said whenever we were down and wondering why it was so hard, and why people weren't flocking to the font, it's because salvation is not cheap. It will never be easy, and it is not supposed to be. This was where everything began to click for me. The next morning , I was still so tired. If you work hard here at the MTC, it is truly the most spiritually, mentally, and physically draining experience ever. I was running in circles in the class studying just to stay awake. I asked one of the veteran missionaries (he's been here two weeks) when did he get over the tiredness and how did he deal with it. He said, "you don't get over it" (ha ha) But he showed me this scripture, D&C 127:4. After reading this, I decided that when I'm down I just need to "redouble my efforts" (easier said than done).
There has also been some funny experiences here at the MTC. I got rocked in basketball by some Studly's, so I gave up basketball the next day and dominated some nerdy missionaries in four square. Then our district leader (my roomy) got the Swine Flu. They tested us for it, gave us some pills so we don't get it, we call 'em birth control pills. I've made many good friends with Elders that I wouldn't usually get to know. And I've learned to love goofy scripture jokes.
Oh! I also placed my first Book of Mormon. Everyday we get a little time to call back people that have called about church commercials. So I called this man, but it was the wrong number (ha ha). But I just told him I had a quick message and I laid down a two minute testimony, and asked him if he would like a Book of Mormon. He said that he would love one, so I got his info and sent it! It was one of the coolest things ever! And I'm pretty positive he will get baptized. I'm really pumped because from the couple minutes I talked to him he seemed like the "enduring to the end" kind of man. Honestly, this has been the biggest emotional roller coaster of my life. I've never cried so much for my friends and family, but I honestly have cried more over the Spirit that I've felt here. Everyday, I have the best spiritual experiences ever. Yesterday, I was making phone calls again, and I placed six more Book of Mormons! Two of the ladies that I placed them with talked to me for close to thirty minutes each. I gave both of them the first lesson and quoted the First Vision from memory. It was the coolest thing ever! Right then, I knew there was no better work than this. I also know that I would never be able to teach like that without the help of the Spirit. This place is so hard, but so amazing! I know this is where I'm supposed to be. It is the hardest thing I've ever done, but it's worth it! I love you all so much and thank you for all your support. The letters and packages are so amazing and I cannot believe how blessed I am.
Sorry I don't have time to write anyone else. PLEASE send all your stuff through Dear Elder.com or the mail. I won't have time to read or even look at the email. The package was AWESOME. You never cease to amaze. Thank you so much. Good luck with everything. I love you all. I'll look forward to your letters.
Love, Chandler
