Week 1

Okay holy cow, 8 days in the MTC and it feels like I have been here for an eternity. The first couple of days were really rough, but after Thursday things got a lot better.

I'm the District Leader for my District, Which pretty much means I pick up the mail and authorize splits (a change of companions) for special cases. Thanks to everyone for all the packages and letters, I loved them.

Everyone tells you that all you have to do in the MTC is make it until Sunday, and while I can say that I was definitely skeptical at first, its actually true. Sunday is just super spiritual and you are able to watch "The Character of Christ" by Elder Bednar. It totally changes your whole outlook on missionary work and makes you excited to serve. 

I started out with 2 companions, Elder Nichols, who is a literal tree standing at 6'7" and Elder swain who is exactly a foot shorter at 5'7" and then there's me somewhere in the middle. However, on Tuesday our District got a new missionary that switched from spanish to english so he is Elder Swains new compainion and now it is just me and Elder Nichols. 

Monday we started teaching TRC investigators. Some of them are just members but others are actual non-members. I love teaching them. Elder Nichols and I commited one of our investigators to baptism on Wednesday, the spirit was super strong, and while at first he was unsure, by the end of the lesson he was ready.

Okay now for the crazy stuff. On Tuesday My right leg was giving me some problems, it hurt to walk so eventually I went to the MTC doctor the next day on Wednesday. He told me to go get some X-Rays. So Elder Nicholas and I walked out of the MTC and down the street to the student health care center where I got some X-Rays of my knee. The first two X-rays that showed up were good. But on the last one the guy taking the X-Ray said "oh that's not too hot". so yeah not a good sign. I walked back over to the MTC and went to the doctor again and he said that while I do have some problem where my kneecap gets pushed over and that I probably shouldn't kneel, that it wasn't what was causing my pain and that he wanted me to go see an orthopedic specialist off campus.

Fast forward to today, Thursday. I took a shuttle in the morning over to the specialist. He checked me out and didn't really know what was going on, but he wants me to do physical therapy and come back next week. The problem is that I received a blessing from an Elder and no I'm totally fine, so hopefully I can get out of physical therapy.

So far the MTC has been a very challenging but rewarding experience. I've grown a ton spiritually and I can't wait to go out and serve. 

If you are planning on writing me try using Dear Elder, they come in the mail the same day and they difficult days so much easier.

I would probably share a cool scripture but I don't have any on me right now, so just remember that Heavenly Father loves us and he has created a plan for us to get back to him.

Peace out

Elders Swain, Critchfield, & Nichols

MTC Class

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Prepared!