Missionary Training Center- Week 7

My district is all leaving. Elder Thompson and ElderBunker and Elder Abel all left this morning for LA  and Houston. That makes me last in the room so I gotta move in with some others. It is so so exciting! I'm with Elder Jackson and Elder Truman right now. They are heading to Vancouver on Wednesday. After that, I will be with Elder Rigby who is also going to Montreal. But we don't know what we will be doing for a week since classes and TRCs are over for us. Heard something about tutoring where it would be the two of us with a tutor. That would be pretty sweet. 

We went to the temple this morning and I was mainly just nervous about remembering everything and not doing anything wrong. It was weird to be in the same room where I had cleaned all the chairs just two weeks ago. 

I got my travel plans and I will send them to you. 

Scripture reading is important. I think the key is recognizing when things are going to be out of the ordinary and adjusting to fit the vacation situation. The devotional last night was by Tad R Callister. He has spoken twice in general conference in the past 4ish years. He gave the great analogy of the parachute being like Christ's atonement. And, his other talk was about defending the Book of Mormon and refuting the claims of the critics. He basically gave this talk over again as his devotional, which I had just watched the general conference talk recently, so I guess I was well prepared! Really interesting stuff though, watch it at family home evening!!

We had another testimony meeting with just the district last night. And my district gave me a tie! They all signed the back of it. They are so thoughtful. So excited for them to be going off and doing the Lord's work. 

I have been doing lots of scripture study. I have copied all of the 100 doctrinal seminar scriptures into a notebook and 'tagged' them as if it were a phone. When I finished, I went and did some other scriptures as well. I also do just straight reading as well. I been reading a little in Matthew which is so rich of seeing examples of the Savior's kindness and compassion. In the Book of Mormon yesterday, I read  Alma 37 to Helaman 4. It is fascinating to look for what lessons can be learned from the 'war chapters' and the counsel that Alma gave to his wayward son Corianton. 

Scripture study can be hard to remember when something out of the ordinary like vacation happens. The best we can do is acknowledge when our schedule is different and that we need to adjust to fit this. 

Elder Pinkney

Note on photo (by Elder Pinkney's Mom)...

Elder Thurman and Elder Pinkney.  Elder Eric Thurman entered the MTC this week in preparation to serve in the San Diego California Mission.  Elder Pinkney and Elder Thurman met in high school and Elder Pinkney introduced Eric to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  It's wonderful to see them in the MTC together!