Hallo Alle Folk,
Jeg vet ikke og Hvordan sier man huh pa norsk
I am
loving the MTC! My companions are great. Eldste McCourt is from Kennelworth,
Utah (That is right next to Helper which is right next to Price) and I still
have no idea where he is from. Eldste Garlick is from College Station, Texas
which is where Texas A&M is located. We have a great companionship and are
loving working together.
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| Eldste Garlik, Eldste Shanklin, Eldste McCourt |
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| The three amigos!! |
Alright so let us delve into Day 1. I got to the MTC
and it was all fun and games until I got sent to Norwegian class, where Brother
Leighton, he trained (meaning he helped Brady the first 12 weeks in Norway) Brady in Norway, was just spouting out Norwegian and
everyone just stared at him with mouths hanging wide open. Learning Norwegian
is hard but we can already understand a lot. We can pray, bear testimony, ask
questions, answer questions, quote scripture, and have conversations almost
always in Norwegian, it only took a week too!! I have learned more Norwegian in
a week than I did Spanish in four years.
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| Eldste Shanklin and the former Eldste Leighton (He was Brady's trainer in the mission) |
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| The Norway District |
I did get the package you sent me and
we have been eating the food, I will try to finish the thank you cards but it
may take a while and I don't know how long they will be hahaha!! It so great to
hear that everyone is doing so well!! I am a little bummed that the only people
to write me are you, Justin, and Macy (mom note: others wrote him but they were a little slow. He is also only referring to family members!) but hopefully more will write me next
week.
I was able to see Elder Brady a couple times before he left on
Monday so it was cool to be see him and to see how he is doing. You wanna know
something awesome, I met President Uchtdorf. It was so cool to see him in
person. He told us "They pray for us and there are angels round about that
will bear you up." It was amazing to be able to hear that from a prophet,
seer, and revelator.
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| President Uchtdorf with the infectious smile (way in the background) |
Finally getting to exercise was awesome, but I did get put
in time out because there is rule about no diving and well... sometimes you get
excited and then the next thing you know you are on the ground. When the new
missionaries came in yesterday we met an Australian one and he said to us
"Let's checkauey and go back to the server" or "Let's make a
u-turn and go back to the gas station." It has been a great week and one
full of spiritual learning.
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| The infamous map picture! |
I have been taught so
much about the spirit and have been truly humbled before the Lord. I have
realized that I can't do anything except it be through him. I have also learned
about the character of Christ. If you haven't take an hour during the day and
watch Elder Bednar's talk to the MTC called "The Character ofChrist". It is amazing to learn how Christ never turned inward and said
"Well look at all the hard things I have done don't I deserve praise or to
take a break." If we truly are to be a disciple of Christ then during
trials and hard times learn to turn outward and to help your fellow man instead
of turning inward and asking others to feel pity for you. Christ after having
fasted forty days and having been tempted of the Devil did not turn in and have
angels minister unto him but he knew John who was in person needed help so he
sent the angels there instead.
I enjoyed reading your letter, both the spiritual experiences you're having as well as the funny things that make life interesting. We have a visit from our home teachers this evening, and were happy to know that your brother will be "taking your place" at least for the summer. We're pretty use to and fond of having the Shanklin brothers come and visit us monthly! Brady asked if he could help do anything, and we had just noticed last night that the batteries had burned out in our clock downstairs. The only way Steve can change them is to stand on the sofa and that's a bit tricky with his oxygen and all. Of course, Brady could change them standing on the floor. Brady and Billy recognized each other and that was a happy reunion! Appreciated your words about "The Character of Christ," and think it's very neat you got to see President Uchtdorf. Pretty funny about your introduction to Donny Osmond! Keep up the great work and know that the Jensens are among those praying for your safety and success.
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