Week 2 at the MTC

Hello Everyone!

Still loving life here at the MTC! Time flew by this week! It's crazy to think I've only been here for two weeks! It feels a lot longer than that! Time at the MTC is a strange thing--the first week feels long, but after that first week everything moves fast! I leave for Everett on Tuesday!  I can't believe it! I'm really excited, but also a little nervous and sad because I've loved the MTC and the people and friends I've made here! 

This week was pretty much the same as last week. Lots of classes and lots of studying, but it's great! I love my teachers and classmates, so classes are always fun and full of the spirit! And study is always fun being able to be in the scriptures and Preach my Gospel and chat with Sister Thunell. 

One experience I had this week that I loved was one night in class we talked about the Atonement of Jesus Christ and we did this activity where we read Alma 7:11-13 and wrote down all of the things that were said that Christ suffered in those verses--pains, afflictions, temptations, sicknesses, death, infirmities, and sins. And then we wrote down next to each of those things something we had suffered recently in those categories (i.e. one pain we've suffered recently, one affliction, etc..). And I loved this because it made the Atonement of Jesus Christ so much more personal and definitely strengthened my testimony of it. I encourage each of you to do this as well if you get the chance!

Sunday was a jam packed day, with lots of meetings and lots of the Spirit! We got to watch President Nelson’s devotional that he gave at BYU and I loved it! We also had a Departure Devotional, it normally would have been this coming Sunday, but since general conference is next week we had it a week early. We also had our Sunday devotional and President and Sister Titensor spoke from the MTC mission presidency. And then Tuesday the devotional was with Elder and Sister Choi. Elder Choi is in the Seventy!

Here are some thoughts from this week: 

-The Atonement can heal us, strengthen us, cleanse us, and magnify us.

-"Ships are safe in the harbor, but that's not what ships are for." --> Reach outside of your comfort zone! That is how you grow and change! Don't stay in the harbor; sail out to sea! 

-"Our minds are like parachutes, they only function when they are open."

-God is not distant from His missionaries. D&C 84:88 - "And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up."

-"I always know when I am speaking under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost because I always learn something from what I've said." Marion G. Romney

-The time I spend on my mission is the Lord's time - don't waste it!

-Think about what God can do, and because He is in you, with Him you can do all things!

-Me + More does not = Christ,            Me + Christ = More

-Learn the language of the Holy Ghost. Become the Holy Ghost's friend. The Holy Ghost is key in teaching others. 

-He helped us in every moment, not just in the end. 

Just want to end with my testimony that Heavenly Father hears and answers your prayers! Turn to Him in prayer and He will help you in whatever you are going through! 

That's about it for this week. It definitely wasn't as eventful as last week. However, this is just a break from last week's novel of an email because next week I probably won't have pday until Monday so get ready for that sequel to my novel from last week haha. 

Love you all!! 

Sister Carlson