"This week was like the last week with nothing really to talk about. I don't have many pictures because we didn't do much. There were some highlights though."
"Thursdays are like new Mondays and I always have a hard time transferring over to work time. We are all done with the grammar lessons, so I hope we just review now because it's hard to keep everything in, when we are flying through everything everyday. Now that it's over, I really do feel that the language is coming along pretty well for me. Just the other day, I reviewed 82 new words and almost fell asleep doing it because the TALL program is so boring. The language is super fun to speak. Brother Olsen came in the next day and told us that we are not using some grammar principles right, so we went over some and realized that we actually have a lot in our heads, but just don't use it enough. I can't wait until I can talk to Grandma in the Thai language. That would be so fun! I actually have the first vision memorized! Now my reading is improving as well. I think that once I am in the field, the language will sky rocket."
"Thursday, Friday and Saturday are the hardest days at the MTC. We don't really have time to relax, but that is fine because that is how it is going to be out in the field. Saturday we were able to go to the TRC and teach a 40 minute lesson on Faith. It's crazy that we have only been here for two months and I can already teach a lesson in Thai! I have learned more here than I have learned from 3 years of Spanish. If Seniora Hardy taught here, the kids would be geniuses for sure because her teaching skills and the speed of the MTC would make the perfect team. haha Spanish would be so easy to learn! Really, kids are here for 3 weeks and they can speak Spanish really well. Dallon had it so easy."
"Also on Saturday, my district practiced a song to sing in Sacrament meeting. Yes that's right, I sang in Sacrament meeting! When we were practicing, I kept squeaking and wasn't singing very well. I had no idea why! Everyone was all saying you better not squeak when we are singing on Sunday! So I said that I wouldn't and then it happened again. I was frustrated and had to walk away for a minute. I jumped off the stage and my sleeve caught Elder Beatty's shirt pocket and ripped it off! I was so sorry and everyone started busting out laughing. He was fine because it's happened before and Sister Bentley is a pro at sewing. That was a funny story I thought you might enjoy. Sister Bentley is the one who signed us up to sing and so we had to do it for her. It was way fun and gave us something different to do at the MTC. The song we sang was, "I Know that My Redeemer Lives." It went really well on Sunday and I am convinced that it did because, before we sang, I said a prayer to help me not crack or rip someone's shirt. haha"
"Monday was a great day because we taught a fantastic lesson to Dxg. We read 2 Nephi 32 and it was so applicable to what he wanted to know. He wanted to know why we had to do certain things. We planned this lesson for a long time because we had to read in the Book of Mormon in Thai and be prepared to answer questions he might have. Also the sister missionaries, Sister Jackson and Sister Bentley, were there with us acting as our members. It was cool because we were all teaching in unison and were able to answer many of his questions! Then he asked me what he should read. Everyone was telling me chapters that were good and I was all, ahhhhhhh be quiet. I suggested a chapter that Sister Jackson told me and bore my testimony. Then I asked him to pray and things got quiet. As he was praying, I got a huge prompting to tell him to read Moroni 10. That had never happened before where I received a prompting from the Holy Ghost during a lesson. I really can tell you that when things are busy and crazy, it is hard to listen to the spirit. But once things got quiet and we were in prayer, I was guided to say what needed to be said. I want you to know that we need to listen to the spirit more because I know how busy we all are. At some point, we need to calm down, say a little prayer, and listen to the spirit guide us. That way we can make good decisions in everything we do. The spirit will never lead us wrong!"
"I am always thinking about you and sometimes will even laugh out loud during class when I remember something funny. I am super excited when I get all the letters from you and can't wait to call you from the airport. Can you believe it is just a week and a half away?! I am so excited!! haha I will miss my district a lot, but I know that I will always have one solid companion and that is Jesus Christ! I love you all!"
Elder Jacob Smith
This is an excerpt from a letter we got from Jake in the mail. It made us smile. :) We are wondering if he read the rest of the inspection?
"Now here is something I want all of you to know. I, Elder Jacob Smith, your son and brother, am the CLEANEST kid in the room! I even have proof on the other paper I'm sending home. Take that family! You should have had more faith in me. My bed is always made and I always put my clothes away and hang up my shirts and pants. THE CLEANEST! haha"
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| This is his proof. He circled his check mark to make sure we knew. |
