Another week has flown by here in the MTC! Lots of learning, lots of teaching, lots of spiritual feeding.
This past Thursday had some ups and downs. We went to the Teaching Resource Center for the first time which is where you teach members lessons in German with the goal being to feel the Spirit and have them feel closer to Christ. We gave two 20 minute lessons. The first one was a disaster. Right before we went in, Elder Morton and I realized that we both thought we were teaching different things... So basically we stumbled through the first visit jumping around to random topics. Quickly following the train wreck, we regrouped and gave a great lesson on the importance of prophets to a nice old lady. We felt pretty good coming out of that one. Unfortunately for me in our lesson with our "investigator" that afternoon, I was super discouraged when I forgot a couple of words that I should have remembered. Bro Garlick spoke to me outside of class that day and told me that from his experience on his mission and working in the MTC, he can tell that Elder Morton and I can really be a powerful companionship. We're really working hard to get there. We worked pretty well together this week. Here is a picture of my district--(L ro R: Elders Pilling, Hunt, Whitaker, Brown, Morton, Me, Sisters Davis and Lohner)
Friday was a solid day. I think I had the best study sessions yet on Friday night. Having a teacher in the room might have had something to do with it. But really I developed a love for the beginning of 2 Nephi. It prophesies of Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon and details the Plan of Salvation. How cool!
I really don't look forward to Saturdays because they're so long but this past one was one to remember. We began with our usual Saturday morning service by cleaning one of the other dorms. I finally got out of cleaning bathrooms--the foaming gun is not as fun as it sounds... I vacuumed instead. Our lesson that morning went so well! The Spirit was so strong there. Elder Morton and I were in sync and were feeding off of each other. The "investigator" asked a question that deviated from our whole lesson plan but we were able to discuss it the whole time and commit him to reading and praying about the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. Killed it! The evening class was taught by Sister Judd and was on charity and love, Christ-like attributes. I paid close attention because I need all the help that I can get. It was a really good class and the Spirit was there in force.
Sunday morning we got up and went to the classroom to write our talks for sacrament meeting, just in case we were called. In the meeting, Elder Pilling played the piano while Elder Morton sang Joseph Smith's First Prayer put to the tune of Come Thou Fount. They did a really nice job. Since our district kind of sounds like we can sing, we were asked to sing in our zone sacrament meeting on Sunday. The Sunday night devotional was given by Jenny Oaks Baker, Elder Oaks' daughter. She is a world renowned violinist, graduate of Juilliard, etc. She talked about her experiences and how she's been blessed in her life. She really is masterful on the violin. Sunday night I watched a film by Elder Holland on how to become an effective teacher. He's my favorite apostle--such a powerful orator.
Monday's class was lots of role-playing which was great. You really can't practice enough. Here's a picture of us studying in our classroom:
Yesterday was a great day because on Tuesdays we have devotionals. I've been singing in the choir every week now and I especially liked the song we sung yesterday--Precious Savior, Dear Redeemer. Check it out: https://www.lds.org/music/library/hymns/precious-savior-dear-redeemer?lang=eng It's the story of Mark 4, when Christ calms the storm. The disciples said, "Master, carest thou not that we perish?" Pretty powerful message. Sister Bonnie L. Oscarson was the speaker last night, Young Women General President. She shared lots of missionary stories from her family--solid talk. Also, yesterday was my 21st day on the mission--DOUBLE DOWN! (Shoutout to my friends grinding at USAFA)
I guess I haven't given much detail on the zone. Our branch president is President Petersen. He is a very strict, deliberate old man. He was a doctor in the Air Force for a time. I think he was happy to hear I was from the Academy but he was sure to remind me that this is the MTC, not the Academy. He's been married to his wife for a couple of years now. Both of their first spouses passed away. She is a super nice lady. He says he served in Trier (where the Germanns come from) for a time on his mission. The first counselor is Brother Woffinden. I'm sure they're related to the ones that are in our stake. His wife said there are only two branches of Woffindens in America but she doesn't know the ones in NC. Everyone thinks he's intimidating but I don't think so. I think he's just a funny old man. The second counselor just got called a week or so ago, Brother Clark. He just got back from being the mission president in St. Petersburg, Russia. They remembered a cadet who is in Squad 23. He lived right around the corner from me this past year. Zone Leaders (ZLs) and District Leaders (DLs) switched over last night since we are officially halfway through our time at the MTC. Elder Pilling is our new DL. He's not crazy about having responsibility. LOL he's so funny.
Here's a picture of me with Elder Pilling:
My studies are going well. I restarted das Buch Mormon with the goal to finish it by the time I leave the MTC. I've already picked up a lot of things I've never caught. Like I said, the beginning of 2 Nephi is really great. Then you hit the second half of 2 Nephi and you think, "Seriously Nephi?? I don't know what you're saying." But its been good. Preach My Gospel is a great tool. I've become really familiar with the first lesson since that's about all we've gotten through with our investigators... But the other chapters like Christ-like attributes and teaching effectively are great.
I got pictures from both Andy Germann and Russell Galati. They both look great. Russell is a Zone Leader in the West Indies mission.
Overall things have been going really well. I'm just working hard to become a better student and teacher of the scriptures. We stop every once in a while for fun (see below) but we are mostly focused on getting ready to be productive missionaries.
Hope everyone is doing well!
Die Kirche ist Wahr!
Elder Germann
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