Diligence

Hello from inside the MTC, some of you who I have been writing to have headed into the MTC today. In fact I just saw Elder (Asa) Nielson about 20 minutes ago as he arrived into the MTC. Since this is the third week, we are receiving more Mandarin missionaries into our zone. This is pretty exciting, but I am a little anxious that we will be getting two more people into our room - we have had four people in a six person room for the last three weeks and it has been pretty awesome.

I honestly don't have too much to write about this time because there aren't many changes in my day to day life. Elder Gibson left yesterday so that was a sad goodbye...but I am kind of used to it. This week we continued teaching our "investigators" the gospel and we have a lesson tonight. If there is anything that I have learned while being at the MTC, it is that if you don't have the spirit while you are teaching the lesson, it is basically impossible to have a good lesson. As you focus on the people you are teaching, trying to address their needs, you get the greatest success. I have been blessed to teach what I would call a "hard" investigator because I feel like it is probably what I will face in the field. She doesn't believe in God at all, and so basically we are teaching her about new ideas from day one. But as you go slow and address what she needs to hear, then you are able to progress your investigator in their search for truth.

Life is still good here in the MTC. Perhaps my favorite parts are the temple and the devotionals. I don't have any new running records to speak of... I have been running every day. The language is coming well, and my new goal is to learn 50 words a day, 10 phrases, and two scriptures a week. It is a lofty goal so wish me luck!

I'll just close with my testimony, I know that the church is true and I know that the Book of Mormon is a powerful tool in conversion. One thing that my eyes have been opened up to is the need to fulfill my purpose on this earth - and that is to become more Christ-like. When I first came into the MTC, I thought that I didn't need to change too much, just tap into a side of me that I don't use very often. What am starting to learn though is that sometimes change in ourselves is necessary, and that when we change the things we need to, we find joy.

Till next time.

Elder Allen

Pictures

A Taiwanese flag even though none of us are going to Taiwan in order to decorate.

Some of the district.