Hey everybody! I have been getting hang of the MTC lifestyle and that made this week slightly easier. The constant headaches from the first week are no more!
We had another excellent devotional on Tuesday. Elder Clark from the Seventy spoke, and he spoke with such conviction and power it was impossible not to feel the spirit. He gave us so many things to do that I'm not sure I'm going to be able to do all of them. He told us to be exactly obedient, follow the Spirit, go above and beyond, among many others. It is overwhelming with the language to add on to it, and that is why I have had to constantly rely on the Spirit.
Earlier that day, Belgium had a few tests for us. In order to be allowed into their country, we had to have our blood taken, and collect a stool sample. I won't go into the details, but the second was particularly disgusting!
My pride has been a huge barrier in the MTC. I've always been incredibly confident, but I have always viewed that as a strength of mine. In the MTC, it has been my greatest foe. As I wrote in my last letter, the MTC is impossible for anyone without the Spirit. I realized that and started receiving spiritual gifts for it, and then started to take credit for them. "I am learning the language quickly." "I am an excellent teacher." " I am such a loving person." etc. I even knew that it was the the Holy Ghost that was making it possible for me to do these things, and I would remind myself the moment I thought something like that. I still lost the Spirit, and I had to work really hard to get it back.
I honestly cannot believe how much the MTC has changed me in less than two weeks. Emotions have never made sense to me until now. I never realized what the Spirit really can feel like until I got here. I am going to do my best to keep it with me. I hope I will never forget what it feels like because there is nothing like it.
On Sunday we got to watch the Nashville Tribute Band, a Mormon country band. They played some excellent music, and I realized how much I miss music. We're not even allowed to listen to Hymns in the MTC besides when we sing. The MTC choir provided backup, and with 1500 missionaries singing it was way cool. I wasn't able to sing with them because my companion didn't want to go. I'm sure I'll find a way to convince him to go at least a few times.
After, we got to watch "Legacy" for our Sunday movie. I think it was specially approved for Pioneer Day. I think the MTC broke me, because my eyes were watery way too much. I think all of us missionaries enjoyed the romance in it a little too much :). Every time there was anything remotely romantic the entire room would giggle and whisper. I'm really glad they let us watch it because it taught me things that no other video could have.
My companion and I have been getting along well. He certainly wouldn't be my best friend in a normal situation, but he is an excellent missionary and has sincere devotion to the work. He eats incredibly healthy, so I always feel bad because I make him wait for me to finish my food, which is normally a few plates more than his salad without any dressing :). It is sure a good thing I can't get fat.
He also loves to weight lift, so for exercise time we go down to the gym. He lifts weights and I run on the elliptical. I get in about 4 to 4.5 miles before he's done with the lifting, so it works out pretty well. The elliptical is great because I can watch church videos and talks while I'm on it.
Sorry the email is so long again! The temple is closed today and so we have an empty 3 hour block with only this to do. I miss you all, and thank you for your support!
The later photos are with a different camera, so hopefully they are better.
Photos with my companion and district at the temple.
The white bag is the "pooper scooper bag" or the stool sample we had to give them.
With Love,
Elder Thornton
Elder Thornton
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