Made it through the first week of the MTC. It's an awesome place. It's super cool to be with a bunch of 18-20 year olds who are trying to serve the Lord. I was pretty homesick the first night but the next morning we had a lesson with a guy who bore his testimony about how without missionaries he wouldn't be where he is now and it made me think that I have been called to go serve others and help them and I haven't been homesick since.
So I got here on Wednesday and my P-Days are Thursday and for some reason they decided we needed to learn on the first Thursday so here I am 8 days in and my first email home. Sorry if this email is long lots has happened.
Elder Laitinen ang sa kauban nako. He is a super rad dude from Cali. He is a super good surfer and skater. We actually were in the rooms next to each other at EFY like 4 years ago and we were in the same company so its nindot kaayo (very awesome). He is also super good at piano, he played some Beethoven and some other cool stuff for me.
As for the language, Cebuano is a crazy. I love learning it. I walked into class the first day and my teacher only spoke Cebuano which was pretty freaky but now I can pick up on what he is saying most of the time and improving everyday. I can already say a prayer, bear my testimony, extend a commitment and introduce myself. I'm starting to be able to make sentences in my head which is nindot kaayo. Sa gasa sa mga pinulongan(the gift of tongues) is real.
My district is super awesome. I truly believe I am in the best district in the MTC. There are 10 people. 8 elders and 2 sisters. 5 are going to Tacloban and 5 are going to Cebu. We have all just kinda become super good friends and we haven't had any problems. I was assigned District Leader which is pretty exciting. I'm still learning what I exactly do but i'm pretty honored because our district is full of awesome people.
Here's a little rundown of some highlights or funny stories from each day:
Wednesday (1st Day):Lots of classes and stuff where we did little workshops about missionary work.
700 missionaries came that day so the MTC has been packed.
Thursday:Met my branch president, President Orme, super cool guy. Used to be a lawyer and is full of wisdom. We were saying how Cebuano was hard and he was just like "some people had to cross the plains and some have to learn Cebuano".
Friday:1st lesson with an "investigator". Not real because I don't there are any cebuano investigators in Provo. Accidentally said goodbye after having her read a scripture which was pretty funny.
Saturday: Learned that Residences at night are crazy. An elder kicked the ceiling and then there was a relay race around the whole dorm. Pretty crazy.
Sunday: Church was kinda funky not having kids running around or anything like that but it is super awesome. They randomly choose who gives the talk right after sacrament so you have to have a talk ready every week. Luckily I wasn't picked. Probably my favorite part of the MTC so far was a talk we listened to from Elder Bednar called "The Character of Christ". One of the greatest talks i've ever heard. Also had hawaiian food for dinner which made me really want some Island Grinds.
Monday: We had our 3rd lesson and we actually taught our investigator how to pray and she did it and we didn't use notes to teach her. It was cool to feel the spirit help us use our little amount of Cebuano to share something.
Tuesday: Had an awesome devo with Emertius General Authority Elder Clarke. He was super motivational on how to be practical in the mission and the importance of goal setting.
Wednesday (1st week down): Taught a lesson today using zero notes about the importance of repentance and Cindy, our investigator, committed to repent. It was way cool because we worked really hard and got to see miracles come out of it.
Anyways, Missionary work is amazing. I love being able to represent the Lord and wear his name everyday. I know this church is true and that I am in the place the lord wants me to be I love hearing from all of you!
Amping,
Elder Holmstead
My room
My bed
My desk
Me and My Kauban (Elder Laitinen)
Tacloban Missionaries
My ankle (I rolled it the Monday before I entered the MTC playing basketball with my bros)
Missionary Purpose sa Cebuano
Provo Temple
District Dudes
Classroom
Entire District
My roommates. Elder Christensen (blue shirt) played for Olympus Rugby and Elder Reese (gray shirt) played for Lone Peak Soccer.
