Online MTC - Week 3

Our Brazilian MTC Teacher Brother Zamforlin

Hello again Everyone!

 

Yet another week has gone by and I am nearly halfway through my Online MTC experience. It's pretty crazy to think how fast time has been going by already. This week was pretty similar to last week with lots and lots of Portuguese training and practice missionary lessons. I have been making good progress with the language, but I think it's safe to say that I'm much better at teaching in English at this point. This was our last week with our English-speaking instructors, so it was sad to say goodbye to them. We start our three weeks of all Portuguese training on Monday which is pretty scary for all of us, but we are also excited for the adventure of nonsense in another language for the rest of MTC.

Our Brazilian MTC Teacher Sister Nascimento 

I've been trying my best to keep my routine even through a brutal cold on Tuesday and Wednesday. I've had to skip exercise a couple of days this week both because of the cold and, if I'm being honest, laziness. Nevertheless, I am still doing great with my daily routine and having a fantastic time with my district. Being a district of all Elders, we've become pretty rambunctious at times and I'm sure we tested the patience of our instructors often (I wasn't innocent). We mess around a lot, but still have very spiritual moments and learn well.

 

It's been interesting going through the MTC from home and online during this crazy time. I would be lying if I said it isn't a unique and challenging time to be a missionary, but I have been trying really hard to stay positive about all of it. I have complete faith that the Lord will provide for all of us. I am here, on my mission, at this time, for a reason, and I know better and better each and every day that this is my due time. The Lord chose me and every other Elder and Sister serving right now because he knows who we are, knows that we can accomplish this difficult task, and has reserved all of us to serve during this time and in this place. I am meant to be here, so I will waste no time complaining about my situation because "the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them." (1 Nephi 3:7)

 

As always thank you for all of your support and love for me and all the missionaries out there.

 

-Elder James

Anna Borrowman from the Vienna ward has been helping Elder Zimmerman
and I learn Portuguese on Sundays. Anna & Eden Walker came
by and brought us these great cheat sheets with Portuguese slang.

We had Brazilian food for dinner -
their cheese bread (pão de queijo) is the best! 

For P-Day this week, we visited the Eisenhower
Memorial in Washington, DC.