What a week...filled with all kinds of adventures. I hope I have time and abilities (really fast typing skills) to tell them all to you!
I'll start with the most awesome news. We had an amazing week BECAUSE it was mission President training. Maybe a 100 newly called mission presidents and their wives were here for training and the MTC loves them. The MTC goes all out for them, or maybe they go all out because the teachers of the MTC presidents are the Apostles and Prophets. So, it was just amazing knowing that although we couldn't see them, President Monson and the other Brethren were walking around somewhere. Then, on Friday night we had an amazing devotional. SO amazing that Sister Howell and I had to sing in the choir so we could get the best seats. We weren't sure who would speak to us but, rumors were Elder J.R. Holland. We waited patiently.
This is what happens at devotionals: We are supposed to be seated at least 15 mintues early (and usually it's a battle to find enough seats so we keep pushing up the arrival time). At 6:45 everyone is seated (which means at least 1,000 missionaries) and we sing. We always have an amazing organist and it's just beautiful. During the singing our guests arrive and take their seats on the stand. First walks in Elder L. Tom Perry! (He is the Chair of the Apostle's Committee on missionaries.) He is adorable. Next, Elder Neil Anderson and Elder Quinton L. Cook walk in together, followed by Elder Dallin H. Oaks, Elder Christofferson and Elder Bednar!!! The last Apostle to walk in was our amazing motivating speaker - Elder Holland. Can you imagine how amazing this meeting was?
He talked about the Holy Ghost and teaching! Believe me when I tell you I am not a very good teacher and I will be teaching the most important lessons anyone will ever receive in their lives. It is my responsibilty to use effective questions, be enthusiastic, and help them realize how improtant the Gospel is to them. I've realized I haven't been very effective at that. Why is this church so important? Why does it matter that there are living prophets on the Earth? What does it mean when I say Joseph Smith saw God and Jesus Christ?
There are hunderds of answers to these questions-personal, vague or standard. We all have a responsiblity when we teach someone about the Gospel to be bold. I'm working on developing more love for everyone - Christlike love. He of course wants all of God's children to return to Him. Why else would He suffer and sacrifice His life in humility. He did it for every single person I meet. We all can help others return to Him. We are dealing with the Salvation of God's children. I cannot make mistakes, but I do and HE loves me still!
Another tangent: Will said in a letter: "I'm glad you are getting a handle on the language..." I need to answer that. I have confidence that the Lord will help me with what I do not know and what I need. I'm working hard and progressing a lot (not because of what I'm doing only because I will be teaching HIS children). But, I know I have a WHOLE lot of work to do. Pray that I will have an amazing trainer, MAYBE A NATIVE!!! Well, I know the Lord will give me what I need. I know that I have to be diligent and have faith. What an opportunity! I'm serving Christ - I am a representative of Christ. When I read that I think, No way. I'm not worthy to do that. But, who is? No one. Yet, He needs us. So, we have to put our Hearts, Might, Mind and Strength into serving the Lord!
I love every single day, even the days when my district goes crazy! (We do...)
I especially love my teachers (Sister G.)
She is really stressing over us. I'm a little worried about her health.
I love the missionaries I serve with, especially my companion! I'm going to miss her - 3 months and then split.
O goodness, time flies!!! Like what I'll be doing Tuesday morning at 8:35 am. I'm leaving! It's probably a 2-day flight. We go to NY, Austria, then Kiev.
Tell andrew I said Hi.
Tell, the ward I'm sorry I haven't been the greatest at writing!
It's crazy busy.
TELL EVERYONE I LOVE THEM!
I LOVE YOU!
Can you believe I'm going to Ukraine?
I'm a missionary?
WOW!
Love
Cectpa Murphy
There are hunderds of answers to these questions-personal, vague or standard. We all have a responsiblity when we teach someone about the Gospel to be bold. I'm working on developing more love for everyone - Christlike love. He of course wants all of God's children to return to Him. Why else would He suffer and sacrifice His life in humility. He did it for every single person I meet. We all can help others return to Him. We are dealing with the Salvation of God's children. I cannot make mistakes, but I do and HE loves me still!
Another tangent: Will said in a letter: "I'm glad you are getting a handle on the language..." I need to answer that. I have confidence that the Lord will help me with what I do not know and what I need. I'm working hard and progressing a lot (not because of what I'm doing only because I will be teaching HIS children). But, I know I have a WHOLE lot of work to do. Pray that I will have an amazing trainer, MAYBE A NATIVE!!! Well, I know the Lord will give me what I need. I know that I have to be diligent and have faith. What an opportunity! I'm serving Christ - I am a representative of Christ. When I read that I think, No way. I'm not worthy to do that. But, who is? No one. Yet, He needs us. So, we have to put our Hearts, Might, Mind and Strength into serving the Lord!
I love every single day, even the days when my district goes crazy! (We do...)
I especially love my teachers (Sister G.)
She is really stressing over us. I'm a little worried about her health.
I love the missionaries I serve with, especially my companion! I'm going to miss her - 3 months and then split.
O goodness, time flies!!! Like what I'll be doing Tuesday morning at 8:35 am. I'm leaving! It's probably a 2-day flight. We go to NY, Austria, then Kiev.
Tell andrew I said Hi.
Tell, the ward I'm sorry I haven't been the greatest at writing!
It's crazy busy.
TELL EVERYONE I LOVE THEM!
I LOVE YOU!
Can you believe I'm going to Ukraine?
I'm a missionary?
WOW!
Love
Cectpa Murphy
p.s. I think about you a WHOLE lot more. I just cannot write you!
