Matt Johnson from California just came to the MTC yesterday! I had no idea he was coming but we ran into each other in a computer lab just hours after he got here! I realized that it’s been almost 3 years since I’ve seen him. I gave him my mailbox # so he can write a note to me if he has time. He said that his brother Scott got home like a week and a half ago. That’s exciting!
I wrote in my journal that I felt really special that God would allow me to see one of my best friends again. It is proof that God loves friendships and closeness among His children. There is no coincidence that after 3 years of being separated we came to the MTC within the same 8 week period and are in the same building.
Stephanie, it’s great to hear that you are getting a lot out of you mission class! I know the feeling of inferiority that you were feeling. It’s great to want to learn all that we can. There is so much though, and sometimes we feel like we are the only one that doesn’t know. One thing that really helped me was having the spirit with me. It comforts us in our humility and teaches us too.
When I have the spirit I am reminded that the Lord loves me and is pleased with my desire to learn. God reveals all that we need to know when the time is right. Until that time we study all we can which helps us prepare for the revelation, and revelation often comes while we study. Basically, if you are humble and diligent the spirit will come to teach and comfort you so you don’t feel inferior.
In PMG (Preach my Gospel) it says that the success of a missionary is measured primarily by their dedication to the work. I’m positive that this can be applied to any other member as well, cuz again - If WE do our BEST then GOD will do the REST.
I love you and wish you the best! TTY soon!----------
Monday, May 31, 2010
Going on a mission is DEFFINATELY the best choice I could have made! I love it.
THANKS A TON for the valentine’s package! I really enjoyed it! It turns out that sending huge amounts of candy is a great idea cuz otherwise everyone in the district would have to sit and watch you eat it, so I’ve been able to share. Even though there is a ton of food 3 times a day we still get the munchies all the time. Ha Ha. It’s probably why Elders gain weight so often. Ha. I’m trying to stay healthy just like you guys are.
I’ve found that obedience makes all aspects of life better including health. They give us 50 minutes of gym and they encourage us to spend 20 on cardio and 10 on strength and 10 on stretching. Every day that I follow that council closely, I feel better all day. It’s amazing how obedience to rules helps with the spirit in our lives; and the spirit can strengthen us physically, mentally, spiritually and improve our relationships too!
I’m also getting practice with close relationships cuz I’m with my comp all the time. He is great and I’m learning a lot about relationships in general and getting along with all kinds of people.
Our district came up with a goal to be able to sincerely pray in Spanish by the end of the MTC. I thought I may struggle with that goal, but thanks to the help God gave me I said a good prayer this morning and only had to use 2 words in English! Yay! I’m excited. The Lord's hand really has been in my life more than even. I don’t feel like I’m serving Him because he is doing more for me than I could ever do for Him on my mission. Going on a mission is DEFFINATELY the best choice I could have made! I love it.
I recently was impressed at how God has given us each commandment with our eternal progression in mind. He doesn’t tell us to be obedient to glorify Him but rather, so that we can grow, be happy and return to live with Him. EVERY SINGLE command comes with a powerful promise of blessings, which are often so great we can’t understand. I have seen the damage that can be caused by disobeying and I’ve felt the happiness that can come from obeying. Sometimes it’s so clear that good leads to good and bad leads to bad, but other times the adversary clouds our view. It’s important to always keep our guard up and to not let ourselves think that our will is better than His. If we do OUR BEST, God will do THE REST.
I love you guys and pray for you!
I’ve found that obedience makes all aspects of life better including health. They give us 50 minutes of gym and they encourage us to spend 20 on cardio and 10 on strength and 10 on stretching. Every day that I follow that council closely, I feel better all day. It’s amazing how obedience to rules helps with the spirit in our lives; and the spirit can strengthen us physically, mentally, spiritually and improve our relationships too!
I’m also getting practice with close relationships cuz I’m with my comp all the time. He is great and I’m learning a lot about relationships in general and getting along with all kinds of people.
Our district came up with a goal to be able to sincerely pray in Spanish by the end of the MTC. I thought I may struggle with that goal, but thanks to the help God gave me I said a good prayer this morning and only had to use 2 words in English! Yay! I’m excited. The Lord's hand really has been in my life more than even. I don’t feel like I’m serving Him because he is doing more for me than I could ever do for Him on my mission. Going on a mission is DEFFINATELY the best choice I could have made! I love it.
I recently was impressed at how God has given us each commandment with our eternal progression in mind. He doesn’t tell us to be obedient to glorify Him but rather, so that we can grow, be happy and return to live with Him. EVERY SINGLE command comes with a powerful promise of blessings, which are often so great we can’t understand. I have seen the damage that can be caused by disobeying and I’ve felt the happiness that can come from obeying. Sometimes it’s so clear that good leads to good and bad leads to bad, but other times the adversary clouds our view. It’s important to always keep our guard up and to not let ourselves think that our will is better than His. If we do OUR BEST, God will do THE REST.
I love you guys and pray for you!
Saturday, May 29, 2010
God gives laws that will help us move from one state of glory up to the next
Hi Steph!
Yeah, it seems that God makes promises like in the word of wisdom, tithing, and His command to multiply and replenish the earth. Then "scientists" start to create doubt with their tiny perspective on the universe. They see a few facts in a insignificantly small part of eternity and start to think that society, the ecosystem, and the entire galaxy is falling apart. The Lord sees all, and He knows what will happen throughout eternity. When He gives a commandment and a promise we can trust that it is what is best and if we obey we can have greater blessings and light in our lives.
I recently read Joseph Smiths "King Follett Sermon". Joseph explained that God gives laws that will help us move from one state of glory up to the next and the next until we are perfect. It was kind of an interesting testimony on how God works. You might check it out. There are headings that will allow you to just read parts you want to read about. I know you are very busy.
Sorry I keep giving you stuff to read HA HA. The Holland talk video is the thing that I really think should be watched to prepare for a mission if you were to choose just one. Oh, and another cool point, in Alma ch 26 it’s basically Alma and Amuleks homecoming talk. They even expressed that they got depresses and the Lord comforted them. So don’t worry about how you feel or if you feel insecure. Even those amazing missionaries were human and needed comfort! Just focus on what you are supposed to do, and you will be strengthened. You can do it. Just like Nephi and the brass plates. I love you.
I firmly believe the things I said. I say them to each of you in Christ's name amen.
Elder Brendlinger
i love you.
Yeah, it seems that God makes promises like in the word of wisdom, tithing, and His command to multiply and replenish the earth. Then "scientists" start to create doubt with their tiny perspective on the universe. They see a few facts in a insignificantly small part of eternity and start to think that society, the ecosystem, and the entire galaxy is falling apart. The Lord sees all, and He knows what will happen throughout eternity. When He gives a commandment and a promise we can trust that it is what is best and if we obey we can have greater blessings and light in our lives.
I recently read Joseph Smiths "King Follett Sermon". Joseph explained that God gives laws that will help us move from one state of glory up to the next and the next until we are perfect. It was kind of an interesting testimony on how God works. You might check it out. There are headings that will allow you to just read parts you want to read about. I know you are very busy.
Sorry I keep giving you stuff to read HA HA. The Holland talk video is the thing that I really think should be watched to prepare for a mission if you were to choose just one. Oh, and another cool point, in Alma ch 26 it’s basically Alma and Amuleks homecoming talk. They even expressed that they got depresses and the Lord comforted them. So don’t worry about how you feel or if you feel insecure. Even those amazing missionaries were human and needed comfort! Just focus on what you are supposed to do, and you will be strengthened. You can do it. Just like Nephi and the brass plates. I love you.
I firmly believe the things I said. I say them to each of you in Christ's name amen.
Elder Brendlinger
i love you.
There are objectives but no grades.
Hey Mom, Dad, Bre and Steph,
Thanks for the e mail it’s nice to hear from you! I think I will have a CD player at some point. Spanish is going well. I’m not a super star but I am learning some phrases OK. It’s not frustrating. I know how hard it is outside the MTC. It’s easy compared to that. We kinda have tests. They are weekly TRC practices. There are objectives but no grades. This week we are practicing talking about family and food, then teaching the first lesson in Spanish for the first time. It should be exciting! We all just do our best. It is nice to have something specific to work towards. Our teachers help us as much as they can during the week. We kinda choose what we want to go over. We do Spanish some times and doctrine other times. It is always about 10 hour of class though. I don’t mind though. I have so much to learn. It’s a good pace. The food has been good. It’s kinda buffet style so people never leave hungry, and most people gain 5 to 10 pounds HA. There are between 1 and 3 entree choices so there is almost always something that sounds good. They have a bunch of drink choices. Well I love you guys! Say hi to the young men and stuff!
Love Elder Brendlinger
Thanks for the e mail it’s nice to hear from you! I think I will have a CD player at some point. Spanish is going well. I’m not a super star but I am learning some phrases OK. It’s not frustrating. I know how hard it is outside the MTC. It’s easy compared to that. We kinda have tests. They are weekly TRC practices. There are objectives but no grades. This week we are practicing talking about family and food, then teaching the first lesson in Spanish for the first time. It should be exciting! We all just do our best. It is nice to have something specific to work towards. Our teachers help us as much as they can during the week. We kinda choose what we want to go over. We do Spanish some times and doctrine other times. It is always about 10 hour of class though. I don’t mind though. I have so much to learn. It’s a good pace. The food has been good. It’s kinda buffet style so people never leave hungry, and most people gain 5 to 10 pounds HA. There are between 1 and 3 entree choices so there is almost always something that sounds good. They have a bunch of drink choices. Well I love you guys! Say hi to the young men and stuff!
Love Elder Brendlinger
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