Trick or Treating in the MTC? Who would have thought.
If I had a Dime for Everytime my Nose Bled in the Temple...
I would have two dimes. Which, "Isn't a lot, but it's odd it's happened twice." Traveling like 7 different time-zones, and I still couldnt escape the allergies.
It's our second week here and things have already changed. The missionaries assigned to English speaking missions are leaving this Tuesday, and we've received about 45 missionaries learning German or French. I have travelled a number of places, but never have I been a place where so many languages are used so casually. As I right this email, my companion is talking to his parents in Finnish, I'm typing this in English, Elder Heller is saying something in German in the hall, and Elder Pettitt is speaking in French with Elder Campaner. Then we're learning Greek 6 hours a day. If your brain is breaking just thinking about that, mine is broken for you. Honestly though, it is something you don't get to see often. Despite that everyone comes from everywhere, everyone gets along. It's the unity under God, I guess.
The day before Halloween, I was trying to think of a way to celebrate without breaking any missionary rules. After some thinking, I gathered the candy I was willing to share. Halloween night during our time to get ready for bed, a bunch of us was going to each dorm room in the Elder's side of the MTC, and passing out candy. It was a lot of fun. We might have gotten a bit too loud tho lol.
This last week was blessings central. We were pushing Greek so much and never felt we had enough time to study for the next class each day. The ESL missionaries were feeling the same. On top of that, literally everyone was getting sick. I even got sick for a couple days. Elder Huhtala needed a blessing for the sick at the start of the week, then Elder Campaner needed a blessing of comfort cause-- believe it or not-- English is a difficult language to learn. I felt honored to be the vessel that God could use to deliver these blessings. I may struggle with Greek, but I think part of the reason I am here is to bring the Spirit to those that have been struggling. I have felt overwhelmed a couple times, but yet is has always felt managable enough that I can pracitice priesthood blessings. Later, Elder Huhtala needed a blessing of comfort, which again I felt honored to give. The process of giving a blessing works very much like, "Is this okay to say?" and you get a prompting to know if you should. It's remarkable how guided by God you can feel in these moments. Each time I gave a blessing of comfort, I felt prompted to inform them they will learn there languages in the fullest they need. They both will be excellent missionaries, they are great people.
Despite the whole week of Greek bring a nightmare, yesterday I began to feel a lot more optimistic about the language. Not because I could understand everything being said in class, cause I cannot(90% of our last 3 hour class was in Greek). My brain is starting to adjust to learning Greek. Something they don't prepare you for is you have to teach your brain how to learn a language. And each language you learn, you have to adjust to learn it effiently. My default to respond to things said to me are becoming Greek because we try to speak it so much. The word "yes', is no longer 'yes'. It is Ναι. It's a small thing, but it's progress, and Ναι is just one example. Also, my 日本語 is fading already. I know I can learn it when I get back from my mission, and more effiecently. But it's still like loosing an old friend. It's hard to describe. But I will happily replace it with Greek if that's what the Lord needs of me.
The missionaries leaving to their missions next week brings excitement and sadness. Some, I know I might never get to see again, but yet the joy they will get when they can actually get to go into the field is going to be amazing.
Hope ya'll are doing swell.
Elder Dylan Hansen
