MTC Week 3

 

Oi tudo mundo!

 

I'm halfway through my stay here at the MTC! Feels weird to say; the time is just flying by. The MTC is awesome, and I am learning so much everyday.
 

I forgot whether or not I mentioned this already, but I have the greatest teachers in the CTM. (Centro de Treino Missionario; I wish these computers could use Portuguese letters so I could use accents...))

Irmao (Brother) Nothum is my first teacher. He served in Campines, Brasil. He is the nicest guy and is very inspiring. Irmao Buttars served in Victoria, Brasil. He has a great love for missionary work and is so devoted to his districts. They are both great story tellers and I am getting so excited to be in Brasil!
 

Irmao Buttars extended the challenge "So Portugues" to our district. Starting yesterday we are only allowed to speak Portuguese everyday from 6:30am to 10:30pm (which pretty much covers the whole day). It started off rough when yesterday I ran into Christian working at the walk-in cafe during breakfast. It was an awkwardly heart-wrenching charade, but it was nice to see him and hear how he was doing.
 

Irmao Nothum shared an awesome mission story the other day that deepened my testimony for the Book of Mormon. He was teaching English at the local LDS church and there was a man who asked him and his companion many questions about the church. They set up an appointment with the man for later in the week to answer more of his questions and give him the first lesson. Brother Nothum described him as "a golden investigator", so accepting and excited about their teachings. In one of the later lessons, Brother Nothum was teaching the man about King Benjamin's sermon. As he told the story, the man would finish Brother Nothum's sentences and obviously already knew the story. Surprised by what was happening, Brother Nothum asked how he knew about King Benjamin. Come to find out, this investigator found a Book of Mormon at a pawn shop. He didn't have any religion, but he had a strong impression to buy it. He had read been reading this Book of Mormon for 10 years before meeting the missionaries, and he loved the Book of Mormon for the great stories and the feelings he had when reading it.
 

Lately, I have realized how the Book of Mormon is for everyone. There are people like the Brasilian in this story who instantly gain a love for it, and there are others who struggle to find a desire to read it. But no matter who we are and how hard we must try, everyone can come to realize that it is the word of God. I love the Book of Mormon so much! Its lessons apply to my life and there is always something new to learn from this great book of scripture. I love studying the scriptures and when I do, Heavenly Father teaches and reveals great things. I can't wait to share the Book of Mormon with the people of Rio because I know how much it will bless their lives and help them come unto Christ!!