Josh Mission Email March 30: A new beginning
If you only read one part of the email, here it is: this is the most important week of the year. Do whatever you can this week to reflect and learn about the life of Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice. Gospel Library has so many good resources, start there and keep going!
Back to our regularly scheduled programming
It’s actually crazy to think that my time in the MTC is coming to an end. It’s been a wild journey, and there’s a lot I’m going to miss. I have to leave the MTC at 4 in the morning on Wednesday (I got moved to leaving on the 1st again, so I’ll have been in training over the course of 4 separate months), and then from there I’ll be in DC for the next two years.
I wanted to reflect on the MTC and how I’ve seen myself grow. The MTC gets a bad rap for sure, so I want to clear the air. There have been so many hard moments, trying to become proficient in Chinese in 8 weeks is no easy feat. There’s been discouragement, sickness, exhaustion, boredom, loneliness, and missing the people I left behind. I still don’t think I would trade this experience for the world because I’ve grown so much. Here’s what I’ve gotten out of my time here:
1. A deep love of the scriptures and other gospel materials. We’ve had so much time on our own to study, and it’s especially refreshing to study in English when just about every other part of my day is in Chinese. I’ve been inspired by heroes in the Book of Mormon, encouraged by great examples of faith in the Bible, and found so many amazing talks by general authorities. On so many occasions, I’ve felt like I’ve found a verse that just fits so perfectly with something I want to understand better. I found so many talks that feel like they were written just for me, it’s been amazing. Every time personal study is over I’ve found myself wishing I had more time.
2. I have grown more fond of writing. I’ve never really loved it, but here it’s become a great way for me to put down things I am thinking about. Being more active and taking more notes has helped me stay engaged. I remember more because I take the time to write lots down and then review it. Journaling has been really cool, and helped me preserve my experiences and process.
3. I have more control over my impulses, and an easier time getting up and getting things done. Being away from social media has been nice, I’ve been more present for sure and learned a lot about being able to relax without media. When I feel like I need to go and do something, I’m a lot better at just getting up and doing instead of putting it off. I’ve been praying for help with that, and its been great to see God’s power through the changes I’ve been making
4. I’m still working on this one, but I’ve been learning to cope with Christ. Throughout all the challenges there have been, I have not had my usual methods of resetting like media, music, going for a drive, and talking it out with the usual people. I’ve learned to rely more on prayer, study, and shifting my focus outward instead of inward. I found a lot of peace this way, and I know as I continue to figure this out I’ll keep seeing the blessings from it. I’ve had a great support system with my branch leaders, teachers, district, and my family that have also taught me about just how much we need to support each other and the impact it can make.
To be clear, these are all areas of progress, not perfection. I have SO much work to do in learning to study the scriptures more effectively, being more elloquent in my writing, cultivating discipline, and coping with Christ. Even still, it’s been so cool to see.
I love you all, thank you so much for everyone who has emailed me throughout the MTC, it’s been so great to hear from you guys. Once I’m out in the field, it’s going to be harder to respond because P day will be a lot busier. Your emails will still be very much appreciated, especially as I try to adjust to life trying to speak Chinese all the time.
I finally made a Google Photos! https://photos.app.goo.gl/AiSMKoR2H7FgMunr5
I might have a ton going on next week, but I’ll be putting pictures on there for sure!
3 Nephi 13: 20-22:
But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal.
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
The light of the body is the eye; if, therefore, thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.
Elder Banks
