Californian in Kansas: Last Week in the MTC

WOW!!!! Can you believe that I'm already done with the Missionary Training Center. 6 weeks ago I was saying goodbye to my family and getting on a plane, and now Ill be getting on a plane and saying goodbye to all the people I was with these past 6 weeks. I can't wait to be in Kansas!! (I might be the first person in the world to say that but I don't care)

Things I've learned in the MTC:

Spanish is hard
Praying is real and blesses us so much
Minute Maid Orange Guava Passion Fruit Juice is the best drink in the world
BYU Creamery Strawberry Cream Cheese and Chocolate Milk is sent from Heaven
I actually am Lactose Intolerant (theres a really funny story with this one)
Going to bed on time helps you stay awake the next day
Don't eat bananas with the peels on
I'm happiest when I'm reading my scriptures
I love to sing
You can make friends when you smell trees with them

My week was pretty crazy, on Tuesday we woke up at 5:15 and went to the Temple for the the earliest session. It was super hard to stay awake, but it was also very spiritual. I got to help in the laundry room after and learn how they fold socks in the Heaven (kidding we probably dont need socks in Heaven). We had really cool devotional this week too! Bonnie L Oscarson, the Young Women's President came and spoke to us. She talked about how God uses our experiences to shape our lives and for what he has prepared for us. She compared us to a bush, and God is our Gardener. Sometimes we grow in a way that is bad for our development. And sometimes we need to be pruned down to better our potential at bearing fruit.

There is a beautiful video on the analogy called the Current Bush. I challege you all to watch and email me back your feelings, or the feelings you felt when watching it. It is so powerful and It helps remind me to be humble and to trust the Plan that God has for me. He is the Gardener of our lives and he is constantly tending to us.

Here is the link to the video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rr8xvw0cgw0

Friday was a super long day, and but I definitely learned a lot. We had Infield Orientation, where we learn to apply all that we learned in the MTC and use it wherever we are serving. They told us we had the largest departing group the MTC has all year (with over 800 leaving) It was kinda crazy getting to all the workshops but I think It helped a lot. However, I don't think I am a fan of assemblies from 8 AM to 5:50 PM. It was a really long day for sure. One of the things that I learned was that Satan can tempt us with good things, to distract us from better things. And its really important that we use our time as wisely as possible.

On Saturday our district leader Elder Peterson left to go home it was super sad. He dislocated his shoulder a week ago and has to have Surgery on it. They said its really bad and don't know the extent of the damage until the open him up because hes already has surgery there before. He has at least a 4 month recovery and it just felt so much like when my brother had to go home from the MTC for his knee. Thankfully, he was able to finish the MTC and can go right to his mission when he recovers. Every one pray for him!!! (Ian Peterson)

On Sunday I performed in a musical number during church and Solo'd a special arrangement of "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing" it was super good and a bunch of people told me how much they enjoyed my singing. Its something that I'm kind of shy about but I hit all the notes perfectly and it was really powerful.

I also learned this week that we can't do anything without the Lord. I was studying in John and came across a few really amazing scriptures. They are after the Savior was crucified and the Apostles were fishing on their boats. Its in John 21

3 Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing.

4 But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus.

5 Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No.

6 And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.

These scriptures perfectly describe how when we heed to what the Lord desire, he will bless us with more than we can handle. The disciples had caught no fish all night, but when they listened to the Saviors simple advice, they had so many fish their nets couldn't even bare them. Later in the same chapter he explains to them a very important principle. To Feed his Sheep.

15 ¶So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

Many times throughout the scriptures, Christ refers to his people as "His Sheep" and he is our Shepard, here to guide us. In these verses, he asks Peter if he loves him, after Peter answered yes 3 times. Christ explains to his Apostles they need to Feed His Sheep and to tend to his flock, to teach them and edify them and to serve him. To us comes the same call. If we love the Lord, we will serve him and we will teach his Sheep of his infinite love. That is why I am serving a mission, because I LOVE the lord. I will serve him with all my might and "Feed" his sheep in Kansas.

I testify to you that Christ lives. And that he guides us here today. The Book of Mormon is the witness and proof of that love. It works perfectly with the Bible, and it Testifies continualy of him. Read it, Ponder about it, pray about it. I know it is true with every fiber of my body. To all of you who aren't members, I speak especially to you. I tell you this because this church is everything to me and brings me so much joy that I would NEVER have without it. The Book of Mormon brings so much peace to my life and answers questions that I have about my life. It has been said that man can grow closer to God by The Book of Mormon, than by any book in the world. I love you all and I pray for you all daily. Search for God's hand in your life, its is there and it blessing you in all things. Please feel free to ask me any questions that you have, and I will do my best to help you.

Love,

Elder Murphy

My district: Hermano Powell (teacher), Elder Erickson, Elder Yuvienco, Elder Barker, Me, Elder Trebeilcock, Elder Burker, Elder Peterson, Elder Nelson, Hermano Kinghorn (teacher)

Hermana Levitri, Hermana Goss, Hermana Russell, Hermana Fisher