Dear Mom and Dad,
Life is pretty fantastic. I hope in the next 26 minutes and 8
seconds I can describe just a little bit of why I am so happy right now,
and I'll certainly try.
But first, I need to make a plea for a friend of mine. I was
talking to another Elder in our hallway a few nights ago--he's not in
our district, he's a week ahead and in another zone. But anyway, he
mentioned that not many people besides his family write him anymore,
which is rather sad. I said that I thought I could help him, at least
for next week. And thus, here is my request--would anyone reading this
with a spare ten minutes and a heart of gold mind writing to Elder Burt?
Only one letter is required, although he is a nice guy and he might
write back. I told him that I would tell everyone that his grandma died
and he really needed a word of comfort, so you could write with that
excuse if you wanted. Here's his info:
Elder Marshall Samuel Burt
MTC Mailbox #226
MEX--MCNW 10/04
2005 n 900 E
Provo, UT 84604
Muchas gracias!
First up--street contacts! Elder Lucero and I decided that, every
day (usually while we are walking back to our residence at night,
because while we may be awesome we're also kind of slackers), we would
'contact' two sets of missionaries and bear them our testimonies in
Spanish. The first time or two were pretty hard, we were psyching
ourselves up for it and talking about how important it is that we learn
how to do this, but we soon found out that it is easier than we thought
and a ton of fun. I think it's the most fun when we are talking is
Spanish to someone learning Russian or Chinese, someone who has
absolutely no idea what we are saying! And Elder Lucero is a natural at
street contacting. He has an amazing
I-want-to-get-to-know-you-and-share-what-I-have attitude that just
shrazzles during street contacts. And to think, just a few more days
until we will be doing this 1500 miles away, to people who don't speak
any English at all!
So, yesterday was my first all-Spanish day. I spoke only 7 words of
English, all by accident, and dutifully atoned for those 7 words with
pushups at the end of the day. I think it was a lot more frustrating for
the people around me than it was for me--once I got started, once I was
not letting myself even think in English, it just kind of happened. But
it also helped me see just how far I have left to go. I need to
communicate the feelings and ideas of my soul with people in this
language, and sometimes I have trouble explaining that I am ready to go
to lunch!
I want to write a little happy note about one of the Elders in my
district, Elder Stringham. Elder Stringham was the senior companion
these last few weeks, so I got to interview him to see how things are
going. Through this experience, I got to learn his back story. E'
Stringham has never been crazy into the church, although he has been a
member his whole life. Since the start of high school, he has been a
pole vaulter. This last year he focused on pole vaulting a lot. He's
good. I'm talking olympic good. Since he started really getting into it,
the olympics have always been his goal. Up until a few months ago, he
wasn't sure if he was going to serve a mission or if he would stay home
and train. But he prayed about it, felt like he should go, and here he
is! And now he is striving and trying hard to have the spirit with him
guiding his actions and his lessons. It's quite inspiring for me to see.
Devotional this week was Elder Russell M. Nelson. Yeah, that's
right, three apostles in the time we've been here, and apparently Elder
Bednar is long overdue as well! I'm so crossing my fingers. Anyway, he
talked about the Book of Mormon (in connection with this months Ensign).
My favorite parts were actually something that his wife said, and
something that he said not about the Book of Mormon. His wife talked
about obedience, and suggested the slogan "Not Even Once." I like it :D
What E' Nelson said that isn't exactly related to the Book of Mormon is
this: "You are never an annoyance or an inconvenience to someone you
are teaching. You are their link to divine glory. They may not know
that, but you do." Talk about inspiring!
One privilege that I think missionaries have more in abundance (or
maybe I'm just noticing this more now that I am a missionary?) are gifts
of the spirit. Along with the gift of tongues, which believe me is the
only reason I ever got past preterit vs. imperfect, I know that I have
been/am being given the gift of interpretation of tongues, the gift of
leading with love, the gift of teaching by the spirit, the gift of joy
in my work, and others.
Ah! Running out of time, only 9 minutes left. Better start typing faster...
An opportunity that we have once a week here at the MTC is to teach
in the TRC, where volunteers from around town come to hear a lesson
taught in Spanish (and other languages too, I'm sure). For the first two
weeks my mentality was kind of that these are members, they didn't
need a whole lot, and I didn't know Spanish very well, so I would make
sure to bear my testimony but wouldn't worry about it too much other
than that. I have since had a change of heart. I am a called and set
apart missionary with the mission and purpose of inviting others to come
unto Christ, of changing lives. This means everybody--investigators,
members, other missionaries, even my mission leaders and, I hope,
everyone at home that I am writing. With this attitude and decision,
this weeks lesson at the TRC was truly amazing! I love feeling like I'm
starting to figure things out!
Speaking of figuring things out, this week I also had a moment of
realization. I am doing really well here at the MTC. I am learning the
language quite well, being a district leader has stopped being such a
stress, I'm used to the sleep schedule and the work load, I love my
companion, the food is quite good if you do a little searching,
everything. As I see it, I have two directions I could go from here. I
could get complacent with how well everything is going, and slip into
mediocrity, or I could keep on striving and pushing for higher and
higher levels of excellence. Of course, I want to keep on striving for
excellence. I think right now, the way I can best do this is to reach
out to those around me, to love and serve and lift them as I myself
continue to progress. So that is my goal!
This is really such an amazing experience. I thought I wanted to
serve a mission when I came here a few months ago; I want to serve even
more now. I thought I could teach by the spirit and recognize the hand
of God in my lives; I feel like I am constantly engulfed in the spirit
now. I thought I wanted to be obedient and do everything my God has
asked me to do; now, I want to be obedient with all my heart and soul,
because I love my God and because I know I will only succeed in this
work with the miracles that He is prepared to give me when I obey.
¡Estoy viviendo la sueño! La iglesia es verdadera, estamos salvados
mediante Jesucristo, y estamos preparando el mundo por Su segundo
viviendo.
Con amor,
Elder Jason Ray
