Week 5

Dear Family,

 

Incredibly, we heard from another apostle for our devotional last night. That makes three in a row. M. Russel Ballard came and spoke to us about becoming master teachers and communicators. He emphasized the importance of teaching with clarity and simplicity while asking questions about what you have just taught to check for understanding. He told lots of good stories and has a great sense of humour. Every time an apostle walks into the room, we all feel such a great feeling as the Spirit enters the room. We are fortunate to hear from apostles so often. It is drastically different when they come to speak directly to you, and you can look over at the pulpit and see them standing there.

 

I am glad you are enjoying the pictures I sent home. I have been trying to take a lot. You could probably tell I have little experience with taking photos. However, most of them weren't even taken by me (as I am in most of them). We grab any unfortunate passerby and recruit them as a photographer.

 

Thanks for the cookies mom. Peanut butter blossoms are my favorite.

 

Halloween was uneventful here. Although we had lots of candy ready for any trick-or-treaters, we didn't have any takers.

 

We have been undergoing an English fast for this last week. We are only allowed to speak English when a teacher is present and during interviews. This has been really difficult, but its surprising how much we know. It also forces us to learn phrases we use a lot and put in practice the grammar principles we've been learning.

 

Before Elder Sewell left the MTC, we all had a chance to get together, take pictures, and say good-bye. I had forgotten how many of us from Granite Bay 1st Ward are here. We stood in front of a huge map for one of the pictures and pointed at our missions. We are spread out all over the world.

 

Temple walks have been reinstated. I am happy to have the opportunity to walk around the temple on Sundays again. We will be going to the temple last today as well to do a session.

 

I cannot believe how fast time has flown here. We all think it feels like we just got here. It is amazing to look back at where we started, in regards to both testimony and Spanish, to see how far we have come. We have stronger testimonies; we are better teachers; we have a better grasp on the language; we are better Christians.

 

Love,

 

Elder Whiting