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MTC

Once again, writing sometimes seems to be the hardest thing to do...

I entered the MTC on March 20th, 2013. I went through the entry process, got my badge, dropped off my luggage, and was dropped in the classroom where a wonderful and smiling teacher greeted me but would only speak to me in a secret code that only she could understand (turns out it was Vietnamese). I had to go do some things on a computer, then I was sent for an orientation and officially met my companion. I specifically remember feeling really awkward, but not a normal awkward where I smile and act cool, then when I get some alone time I run away and cry to myself; this was an awkward where I knew that "alone time" would never come (unless you count sleep). That day, I was in so much of a haze that as I think back on the memories, I can't remember much other than the sequence of events, and how I felt. I was traumatized and scared, I felt inadequate, and strangely unworthy because I didn't feel prepared. It turns out, I wasn't alone in my feelings. It seemed that mostly everyone else felt the same way.

The first three days for me were by far the hardest. If you know me, I only follow the rules because I choose to. When I don't want to, I can be very obstinate and cranky. I'm sure I probably annoyed everyone around me as I experienced withdrawals from modern music, facebook, my cell phone, my car and freedom. I felt that I was in a prison that I willingly entered and committed myself to. These feelings quickly passed, and once I accepted the fact that I wanted to be there, that I had chosen to be there, and that I was willing to do whatever it took to make it happen, it got easier. After the first week, I came to really enjoy it.

The next 8 weeks would be the same routine of study, exercise, eating, etc. I would come to become comfortable with the people around me, and over time would come to love each and every person that was around me and experiencing it with me.

 *Side note: My companion was AMAZING!!! I mean, things weren't always perfect, but we worked through issues when they came up, and he was infinitely patient with my insecurities. In all honesty, without his encouragement, and his example of diligence, I would not have made it through those first three days.

In my 10 weeks at the MTC (9 weeks planned, and an extra week while I waited for my visa) I grew my testimony in the Savior, I learned about the Atonement of Jesus Christ and I was more prepared to be a missionary; a representative of Jesus Christ.




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