Online MTC - Week 6

 

Olá Everyone!

 

Well, Online MTC is finally over and I had a great experience. I am impressed with the amount of Portuguese I learned in such a short time over a computer. While I am still very far from being fluent, I can understand a lot of what people say and I’m able to come up with a simple response like 20% of the time. It was a great six weeks with my district and we grew really close. My companion and I are great friends now. He is temporarily assigned to the Washington Everett Mission, but originally called to Recife, so I hope that I get to serve with him again when we both eventually go there. The rest of the district was great and I can't wait to reunite with them one day after the mission. 

 

The last week was mostly like the weeks before with the same constant routine. The last day was Friday and it was sad to say goodbye to our second set of MTC instructors, but we are all very excited to get out and start our missionary work in the various places around the country. I'm flying out to the Texas Houston East mission on Monday at 1:00 pm, and I'm so excited to go. It will be sad to say goodbye to everyone, but it's been a blessing to spend a couple of extra weeks with family and friends.

 

On Saturday for p-day I got to go through the temple for the first time which was great! It was so nice to feel so close to the Lord in His house and receive my endowments with my family. We got to go to the temple in Philadelphia because the DC temple is still not open, so it was a long drive but well worth it. Harrison and Andrew flew in to visit and say goodbye before I leave which was super nice of them. Greg and Tiffany Kitchen came with us to the temple along with Bishop Borrowman, Taya, and Anna. I'm so grateful for their support and willingness to make the long trip for me. We all went to dinner at a Brazilian steakhouse after the Temple and Margaret came and gave me a nice tie in the Brazilian flag colors, which was very kind. It was a fantastic experience and I felt the spirit with me in the temple and throughout the rest of the day.

 

I'm so thankful for this opportunity to serve a mission in such an interesting time. I am well aware of the challenges that are ahead of me for the next two years, and the additional challenges that COVID-19 may cause. Nevertheless, I am optimistic and excited for the experiences I will have. Like I have said before, I am meant to serve in this unique time of what seems to be chaos and unrest because the Lord has commanded me to do so. I am unsure about my future, but I have complete faith that whatever happens, the Lord will provide for me and all of his children. I am extremely blessed to serve a COVID mission. People out there need help both temporally and spiritually now more than ever, and it doesn't matter where I go in the world because everywhere I go will have people that need my help; God puts people in our lives for a reason. This scripture has been a good reminder to me this week of part of my purpose as a missionary: "And that he manifesteth himself unto all those who believe in him, by the power of the Holy Ghost; yea, unto every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, working mighty miracles, signs, and wonders, among the children of men according to their faith." - 2 Nephi 26:13. 

 

As always, thank you all for the support for me and other missionaries. I'll email from Houston next week!

 

-Elder James