Welp, officially my last day in the MTC, kind of sad because I will miss being home and seeing so many people having the same purpose as me but also ready to get out to the field and experience Ecuador for what it actually is.
Nothing much happened this week, it was kind of boring but sadly one of the sisters in our district had to go home. She has been sick the whole entire 5 weeks she was here and just couldn't get feeling better. After she got feeling better, a day after feeling better she would start feeling sick again. Luckily that's all of the sad or bad news this week.
This week it seems, at least for me, has been focused on the Savior and how we can ask for strength or help with anything in our lives. I think we tend to forget that we can use the Atonement of Jesus Christ for anything in our lives. It's been pretty cool to think about, but also has grown my Love for the Savior and Heavenly Father even more. There are stories all throughout the Book of Mormon of the Nephites and Lamanites seeking help with whatever it may be in their lives. Here are some scripture stories about it if you want to search around: Mosiah 3:6, Alma 7:11-13 Alma 34:16-27, and finally Mosiah 9:17-18. Those are just some of the few that talk about the Atonement and stories how we can be strengthened through the Lord. I have learned so much about the Book of Mormon here in the MTC.
We also had a devotional last night from Sister Dennis in the Relief Society presidency and I didn't get much out of it. It was pretty hot in the gym and hard to focus, but I really like the testimony of her husband. He is a convert and they showed a picture of him before he was a convert and he looked very dull and he said he was trying to be someone else who he wasn't. Then they showed a picture of after his baptism and you could completely see the change in his eyes and just how he presented himself. It was a pretty cool change to see.
Once again I was asked If I play football for Utah and it was kind of funny. The amount of people that have asked me if I'm a wrestler or play football has been funny. Then their faces completely changed when I told them I played baseball and they just kind of gave me a weird look haha. We also discovered the rec room and our district has been playing ping pong whenever we have free time which has been pretty fun.
I'm also feeling as ready as I could be for Ecuador, of course there's some things you just can't prepare for like food, culture and the people but that will come with time.
I haven't done this in past emails but I invite or challenge everyone to pray to our Heavenly Father and ask for strength with something you are struggling with or whatever comes to mind. I know that He will hear your prayers and help out in any way He can!
Miss you all
Elder Roper
