Provo MTC: Week 6

 Hello po!!

We've made it to week 7 of the mission and week 6 in the Provo MTC finally! It feels like I was born and raised at the MTC at this point. I can't remember a time before missionary life. We only have 2 more weeks here which is crazy, it's a bit scary only because my Tagalog is sakto lang (just alright) but I'm so excited!

Word of the week: Baka (cow) 

ESPN Top 10 Highlights of the week:

10. I tried cutting my hair and actually ruined it. I didn't have time to finish the cut before it was lights out time, so I had to stop half way through. I was rocking a bowl cut for like a solid 2 days. Luckily, I was finally able to fix it and I'm back to looking pogi (handsome).

9. Last week my trio companion, Elder Anderson, left for the Philippines and now we're back to just me and Elder Cockrell. Honestly a duo is so much easier, but it was a good experience being in a trio.

8. It snowed on the mountain last week which is crazy, probably the last time I'll see snow for the next 2 years 

7. We played some Texas hold 'em with candy and snacks. I know playing this in the MTC is crazy, but we were bonding as a district so its ok right??

6. I got some packages which had a lot of treats, a handmade pen, a new camera, and other things that made my week.

5. We met a older Filipina lady who works at the temple, so we were able to speak Tagalog with her. She was so nice and loving and she was so happy to meet us. It was super cool! 

4. We went to Cane's on P-Day after the temple and got legit food after a week of the soggy sloppy joes and powder made eggs.

3. I've been getting into tie trading here. It's actually such a big thing at the MTC. There's a whole market and I think I've been figuring it out.  Sock/Knit ties are so in style right now, but I've made some solid trades and gotten some fire tires. It's honestly one of highlights of my nights.

2. We had 2 Tagalog lessons, the second one was sooo funny. I don't know why, but I just burst out laughing midway through because me and my companion were giving the most broken Tagalog lesson ever. The teacher, imitating an investigator, said it was ok and he gets it more often than you'd think. We recovered and delivered a pretty solid lesson, but it was hilarious to be struggling so hard.

1. My companion and I did a 3 day English fast from morning until 6PM. It was so hard, but honestly so helpful. We did pretty well and learned a lot, so I was proud of us and the progress we made.

Espiritual na isip (spiritual thought):

At the temple this week we ran into a older man who we've seen multiple times. He is always so happy to see missionaries and always takes such great interest in what we're up to. Plus, he came in clutch and handed us like 20 lifesaver mints! 

It might not seem like much but as I thought of our interactions with him more, I couldn't help but think about how happy and cool he is. He's like 80+ years old, walking with a limp, and yet he still makes it to the temple from what we know at least weekly. As we interacted with him, we could all see the light of Christ in him and loved feeling his joy. 

It makes me think of the verse Mosiah 2:41 

"And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness."

This man is still making efforts to serve the Lord (even at his old age with plenty of excuses not to) and he is so happy and joyful in doing it! He was just such a faith strengthener and made me grateful for the knowledge of the gospel because it truly does bless families and people throughout their lives on Earth and beyond!

I have loved coming closer to Christ during my time at the MTC and feeling the spirit so strongly. It's so nice to have such a focus on the gospel and have no distractions. 

Love you all!

Elder Tyson Smith

PS: Check out my photo album on the link provided in the sidebar