Hey mom,
The MTC is great, it is more studying than i am used to though. On the average day we spend about 6 to 7 hours in class and another 3 or 4 hours doing personal and companioship study. Every night i walk back into my dorm and just fall into bed. The weird thing is I love studying so much and the hours in class fly by. I have 2 teachers, Elder Johnson and Hermano Perziani, I would have to say Perziani is definitely my favorite just because of her teaching style. My companion is great... to describe him in one word i would have to say he is a... Jason Carter. We work together really well and haven't had any problems yet. I often also study with Elder Burnette who is in my district. He was a tutor at Kumon for the past few years before his mission so he helps a lot. The first day in class when i walked in my teacher wouldnt speak any english and so i looked at her dumbfounded the whole time. But since then I have learned to pray, bear my testimony, do contacting and I can have friendly conversations in Spanish. After next week it is 100% spanish in the classroom so we will see how that goes. The food here is pretty good although the lines are usually really long. I think i might be losing weight, which i didnt think was possible. I was going to try out for the chior just so i could sing at General Conference but tryouts were the day before i reported, but my companion tells me i actually have a decent singing voice when i try. One of my roommates is from Mesa and he drives me nuts sometimes... You guys said i have a big head, well you should meet him. I try to stay quiet and not bring it up to him but if he keeps is going then i may just strangle him... I mean i guess its ok to hit your roommates or companion sometimes (right dad?). I found out I leave the MTC nov. 17. Some Columbian Elders in our District got delayed because of Visa problems so they have been helping us out and feeding lots of goodies. They left this morning and left me with all their flashcards and extra books. I am going through the Book of Mormon verse by verse in spanish and translating it then looking over in the english one to check my work, it is long and tedious but it helps a lot. I went to the Provo Temple today with my companion and next week we are going to do some Sealings.
Yesterday in my spare time (what little we have, because like every second is planned out already) I listened to Elder Holland's talk from October's conference entitled Safety for the Soul. As i listened to him bear testimony of the divinity of the Book of Mormon, I couldnt help but get the chills as the Spirit bore testimony to me of the truthfulness of his words. I decided it is my favorite talk of all time!!! If you haven't listened to it recently then I invite you to listen to it with the family next monday for FHE. My Branch President is crazy strict, I like it but sometimes he comes off as cold hearted. He always makes sure to teach us about the importance of obedience and how important it is as a missionary. I still havent decided if I like him, but i might as well since he will be my branch president for 7 more weeks.
I am glad things are going well at home, tell Hannah and Eli I love them. Hannah is turning out to be quitet the soccer star, maybe i will have to challenge her to a little one on one when i get back. I hope they are loving school, because they are going to have to deal with it for several years to come. Keep letting me know how their soccer games are going and whats new going on in their lives. I only get to check emails on wednesdays so letters are nice too :) Yea how is Megan's temple calling going? Is she thinking about getting certified to do it in French? Well time is running short and so if i dont get a proper ending in that is the reason because i have to hit send before the timer gets to 5 seconds.
More on Elder Holland's talk. Me and my companion Elder Pitcher were both listening to the talk at the same time and when we both finished we just looked over at each other with tears in our eyes and smiled, it was all we could talk about for the next hour. The Book of Mormon is true and it was translated by Joseph Smith through the Power of God. No man could write such an inspired book. I loved when Elder Holland raised his voice and said he wanted his testimony of the Book of Mormon to be recorded by man on earth and angels in Heaven and so when he stands at the judgement bar of God he can testify that he knows its true. I know its true too and I hope and pray that one day I can also stand with the same steadfastness when I see my Savior and Redeemer and also Eternal Father in Heaven. Either Joseph went into the grove or he didnt (thanks brother Adams) and the amazing thing is that Jospeh did go in to the sacred grove and saw Heveanly Father and Jesus Christ and restored the Gospel. I love you all and look forward to writing next week.
Love,
Elder Jolly
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