Week 1 - MTC

Ciao mama! This week has been great! I didn't expect anything like this, but I am truly loving it. The language is very difficult for me, it gets mixed up with the spanish I know, but so far I can pray, teach about simple gospel subjects, and bear my testimony, so it has been a very productive week. I don't have my P.O. box number, but I will try to bring it next time for you! But I definitely am missing Jack's company. I hope he's doing well with all the brothers gone, it must be difficult, so it's good that he's doing stuff to keep his mind off it. Luckily I have been doing plenty to keep my mind off of just about everything but the work. But make sure Owen or Sam wears one of those disco outfits we used to have! If it'd fit, that'd be awesome. I'm glad to hear that everyone is doing so well! I have been doing well over myself, I'm humbled and grateful for everyone's prayers and thoughts that I read in the letters. I will work my hardest to live up to those expectations. The flight was the hardest part of leaving, I definitely felt like I was hitting a major turning point in my life. Arriving at the MTC is an experience I don't think I'll forget! I showed up and immediately went to the language class (which I was a little late for) and jumped in headfirst to learning the language. I also met my companion, who is probably the best companion I could've hoped for, who is Anziano Briand. He is a recent convert to the church, from Canada, and has had a very interesting life story. I think he's my first companion to teach me to think of how the investigators feel about the message I have for them. He has led a somewhat difficult life, and his story of coming to the church is inspiring. We work very well together, and some sisters have asked if we knew each other before, because we seem to get along that well! The life here at the MTC is exhausting yet rewarding. I can already comprehend almost everything my teachers tell me, as long as they are related to a gospel discussion, and I know that if I didn't have the spirit helping me learn I'd have no chance whatsoever. I am enjoying the life of a missionary, besides waking up at 6.. praying each morning and night, teaching an "investigator", and learning the language and the gospel is exactly what I need right at this point in my life. I'd like to say i've been working hard, but we could always improve. We try to challenge ourselves and stick to the schedules which we have to do our studying, planning, teaching, etc. My district is also great! We all get along, and i have plenty of friends within the Italian, and Romanian speaking missionaries. Although, it seems that we are the only italian speaking missionaries at the MTC campus! The other ones got shipped out the day before we arrived, I dunno if that's how it always is, but it's still not what I had expected. I miss everyone, and I'll keep you in my prayers. Ti voglio bene, Anziano Vaclaw