WEEK NINE: MTC Highlights

Another missionary was teaching him about his camera so his pictures this week are of his experimenting with the adjustments!  Plus, the picture of their skype lesson with the RM in Arizona that so impressed Tyson!

This week was one of my favorites at the MTC. Some highlights:

1. We had infield orientation which taught us about the things we would do out in the missionary field like how to approach strangers on the street and so forth. We talked a lot about having faith in Christ and being motivated to do all the work we can. After that meeting, I was so pumped. It was amazing the fire we all had to share the gospel.

2.TRC. This was our skype lesson with a member in Slovakia. Except this was a Return Missionary in Arizona. His name was Nathan Van De Graaf. He is so cool! I talked to him for 20 minutes over skype, but I think he is one of my favorite people ever. Talking to him made you feel good and like you wanted to go and help people and be more like him. He was different and was so Christlike it is amazing! I want to be that kind of a person for those in England and for the rest of my life! It is so worth it. He might even come see us in England. He is trying to find work there and if he does, he will stop by and say hi to Elder Peck and I. I can't wait.

3. Choir is always a hit. This was our last one. The director just shares motivating stories that help us all want to be better and work harder. It is great.  (He told me his favorite was learning the back story about Lead Kindly Light.  I looked it up and knowing that Tyson has been sick for two weeks and is about to leave for England, I can understand why hearing the background of this story made an impact on him.  I'm not sure what the choir director shared but this is what I learned about this hymn:  "In 1833, John Henry Newman had been traveling in Europe for his health.  But he became ill in Sicily because of heat and poor living conditions.  He recorded, "I sat sometimes by the bedside crying bitterly, and all I could say was that I was sure God had some work for me to do in England."  He decided to sail for England, thinking that his chances of recovery would be better at home.  But as he embarked on the first leg of his voyage, from Palermo to Marseilles, the breezes dropped, the fog closed in, and the ship was becalmed for a week.  He was homesick and seasick, frustrated at the delay.  And to make matters worse, he was seized by an attack of malaria.  These were the events that brought forth "Lead, Kindly Light".  During this miserable week, his longing for England became associated in his mind with longing for heavenly light and comfort.  In the past, pride and self-regard had destroyed his simple faith in divine guidance, but his hopes now rested in the Light, his secure protection until "the night is gone".)

4.I am feeling better which is a plus. I leave on Monday which is one of the coolest things ever! I am going out of the country for the first time ever.

5. I was playing soccer for my last time in the MTC because I love soccer, and I saw a guy in an English jersey. I asked if he was an English fan and he said that he was from England. Turns out, He is from the Leeds Mission and is going to France. His name is Elder Staintin and He lives in Hoodersville (I spelled it phonetically). He is super good at soccer and helped me to know about what to expect. He was so nice and had a cool accent. He told me to say hi to his family for him and to meet his brother. I am excited. It was super awesome to hear that!

Love you all,

Elder Pace

See you in England!

 

Tyson said he received a ton of birthday cards!  I'm sure he's waiting until September 7th to open them.  I also asked him about his favorite thing at the MTC that he'll miss the most and his least favorite thing at the MTC that he'll miss the least.  His favorite is his friends and the environment of the MTC and his least favorite is role-playing.  He said it's okay but all day, every day is a bit much! :)  He has enjoyed the MTC but I think he is excited and ready for his move to England!