I have officially made it through my second week at the MTC!!

March 20, 2018

Hello Everyone!!!

One of the best spiritual experiences this week was the fact that I can tell when the spirit is in a lesson, and when it isn't. So on Monday we were teaching Sadie and we had the spirit so strong at the beginning of the lesson. She was sharing how she has noticed her weeks have gotten so much better and was realizing that it has been since shes been praying! It was such a cool moment but when it ended we weren't able to know where to go next. We had an awkward pause and then went into the plan of salvation because we didn't know what else to do... It was bad! We went way too deep and it was just so confusing! Yesterday we taught her again, ready to follow the spirit and it went so much better! She believes in God as her eternal father and she is starting to feel her faith in Jesus Christ growing!! It is so exciting to see her progress in just one week! I love her so much!

We had the 2nd councilor in the presiding bishopric come and talk to us on Tuesday! Bishop Waddell (Spelling?) was super awesome! He just had so much advice on being a good missionary. A lot just is about praying. Praying is so important.

Classes have been good! I've been able to learn a lot more teaching skills and stuff which is really cool! My conversations with strangers are starting to get better! I know the spirit is working in me to help me be the best!

One thing that has been a re-occurring theme is that the Lord blesses you with converts. It really doesn't matter what you say or what you do if the spirit isn't with you. You can convince people to be baptized without the spirit but you can't convert anyone. It's a really cool thought. Every person we have the opportunity to teach is because the Lord trusts us and he is blessing us with that opportunity.

So some random things I want to share!

Elder Mabee smashed an apple on his head. We were talking about how we could break it when you put your finger in the middle and then hit your head on your finger. He only heard that you could smash it on your head and so without hesitation he smashed it on his head. Apple juice went flying.

A girl in our zone got to the airport and found out her flight got canceled and nobody told her! So her travel group were stranded at the airport for a bit and now she is like our 3rd companion! She's super funny and awesome so it's really fun to be able to spend more time with her. I'm sad she is leaving tomorrow morning already!

This week on Tuesday I got assigned to be a Sister Training Leader. Sister Whetten and I got to do an orientation with the new district that came in and we were able to show them around the campus. It was pretty cool! I'm so excited to have a new district since last week nobody new came into our branch!

I also sung in the MTC choir this week! It was incredible! The spirit was so strong and it was actually really fun to be there! The choir director was awesome and it was just an awesome place to be!

I saw my old coworker and friend Jared! That was really cool to see a familiar face that morning!

I also got scriptures engraved and some of my old coworkers ended up being the ones that engraved them! They left me notes for when I got them back! That was such a fun and cool experience!

Going to the temple here is awesome! It's such a nice time!

It's so exciting that this time next week I will be in TEXAS!! I am still not sure I know enough but I have learned to recognize the spirit better and that is the most important. If the spirit isn't present, I know I won't be able to accomplish anything! The MTC is awesome guys. They say that you get out of it what you put into it. I'm sad to be leaving but I'm ready! Texas is calling and I will be answering soon!

I would love to hear everyone's favorite scripture! I will have a lot of time on airplane and in an airport and I would to have something to look up while I'm gone!

Thank you all for your love and support! I love you all!

Love Sister Gardner!!