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- Semana Uno: Into the Simulation, and Out into a Freezing Situation! 💻❄🥶
Semana Uno: Into the Simulation, and Out into a Freezing Situation! 💻❄🥶
Date
February 17, 2021
Area
HMTC
Companion
Elder Rasmussen
Semana Uno: Into the Simulation, and Out into a Freezing Situation! 💻❄🥶
This week is the first week I get to experience the online MTC (Missionary Training Center). I am so excited!
~Tuesday Night~ February 9th
Summary: Set Apart! 🌙
Details: I was set apart as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints! My mom cried, I got a lot of hugs, and I attached my tag to my clothing for the first time! I'd say my feelings going into the mission life are a mix of excitement, nervousness, and overall peace.
Even though I know things are different with the pandemic and all, I am ready to face it head on! I also was informed that even though I am still going to learn Spanish online, and will eventually go to Uruguay, I am temporarily being reassigned to the Orem, Utah mission! This will be an English speaking mission, meaning that I won't get to utilize my Spanish right away in the field. Some people might consider that to be a let-down, but I honestly am grateful for the slower pacing. I don't know if I'd be ready to jump into full on mission-life and Spanish-life after only 6 weeks of preparation...
~Wednesday~ February 10th
Summary: P-Day and Classes! 🏃🏼♂️💻
Details: I got up, did some exercise, showered, ate, and got dressed in my missionary gear! I ironed all my shirts, finished some online surveys, and then created a group chat with my district! A district is 12 people you learn with in the MTC, and I'm getting to know them all. My companion, Elder Rasmussen, is hilarious and goofy, Elder Leski, another guy going to the same mission as me, is shy but has a kind personality,and the sisters in the district are very polite and friendly.
In the afternoon, I entered the "SIMULATION"... and began online classes XD (Not an actual simulation, these are real people and real classes)
We learned about Spanish phrases and simple testimony words and greetings, and it was fun to see everyone's varying levels of Spanish skills! They gave us LOTS of homework, which is fun but difficult (divertido pero dificil!)
~Thursday~ February 11th
Summary: In the Simulation, for a full day! 🎧💻
Details: I woke up, and sadly did NOT exercise. For some reason, the weather has been getting colder and it's not that enticing to get into exercise clothes and move my body... anyway, today I got on a morning call with Elder Rasmussen, and we studied the First Vision together. I'm not very good at memorizing things, but I am pretty good at pronouncing Spanish. I gave my companion, as well as others in my district, some pronunciation advice, and in turn Elder Rasmussen helped me to memorize parts of the First Vision as well. The classes were very interesting, and by far the best thing I learned was that the Spirit is the teacher, and the missionaries are merely vessels for it.
~Friday~ February 12th
Summary: Simulated Learning, day two! 💻⌨
Details: Got up, didn't really exercise again, due to the cold that keeps coming. Today is where things sped up FAST! Elder Rasmussen and I are now DISTRICT LEADERS, which means we have certain jobs and responsibilities, like assigning morning devotional, making sure the District is doing okay, and holding weekly FHE. On top of this, the teachers also introduced SYL, or Speak Your Language. This is a program/challenge that means you speak in as much Spanish as possible in all aspects of your day, and only use English if absolutely necessary. I admit it's hard to be motivated to do this, as I won't be serving directly in Uruguay, but will be going to Orem first...
Also, today's workshop was about radiating light, and I wanted to share some quotes from it with you!
"Man radiates what he is, and that radiation affects to a greater or lesser degree every person who comes within that radiation"
and
"Life is a state of radiation and absorption"
Both by David O. McKay.
I feel like these are very true! Whatever energy or Spirit we have will be felt by others, and whichever energy is stronger can overpower others.
Anyway, Elder Rasmussen and I have become better friends, and even though it's hard speaking in Spanish, I'm kind of excited for the challenge!
~Saturday~ February 13th
Summary: Third Day of Simulation 🤖💻
Details: Today was much better! My Spanish has already improved so much, and Elder Rasmussen and I are having more detailed studies with Spanish opening prayers... as it says in my journal about today, "Elder Rasmussen and I are better missionaries, better companions, and better Spanish Speakers!" Since yesterday, I've begun writing in Spanish in my journal, and I almost considered doing my emails in Spanish, but I figure you guys wouldn't understand much of it, so I'd rather not... All in all, I'm feeling pretty good! I've also been able to find time to write my talk, which I'm pretty excited about giving.
~Sunday~ February 14th
Summary: Speaking and Listening 🎤🔊
Details: Today was church day! I LOVE Sunday for so many reasons, but by far my favorite reason is the messages in church. Sadly, as I was giving the message, I couldn't exactly take notes, but the Spirit still gave me inspiration and insight that filled me up with hope! So many people came to see my talk, and I'm told we set a record in online participants viewing from other locations... which is so cool!! After my message was over, we sang, prayed, and had the sacrament, which is something I enjoy very much.
Partaking of the emblems of the Savior's sacrifice means so much to me! The bread, for Christ's flesh which was bruised and broken by his accusers, and the water, for Christ's blood, which was shed for all of us in the Garden of Gethsemane. I find it especially interesting that the water is the last thing on our tongues, rather than the bread. Christ was bruised AFTER he bled for us. To me, this can symbolize the fact that the Atonement of Jesus Christ, the way He took upon us all our sins, is final and eternal, but the bruising of his body is in the past, as He is now resurrected.
Once church was over, I attended Michelle Young's ward! She was recently set apart as well, in fact, the SAME DAY as me. We get to be mission buddies! She gave her talk in church, and I could feel the growth and change that she has already went through for the gospel of Jesus Christ. Towards the end of her message, she spoke about how missionary work is so incredibly hard, but so incredibly worth it, and we push through all these trials and pain just to make it happen... and that made me cry! I love missionary work so much, but it IS so hard... and I really connected with that message. I put myself through hard things, because I know there is a purpose and plan for all that I do!
After all the amazing Sunday services, my District and I had FHE! (Family Home Evening). I shared with them my entire talk, and then we did Spanish Pictionary and just hung out and got to know one another. Hermana Vaughn is a Spanish WHIZ and is so smart! She knows more Spanish than I do! Hermana Pratt is talkative and funny, and she actually laughs at my lame dad jokes. Elder Leski has opened up more, and he actually has quite a bit of Spanish vocabulary under his belt himself! Elder Minton was kind of quiet at the start, but is seriously a cool dude! Same goes for Elders Webber and Holmes, they're also very fun to be around. I don't know all the Hermanas that well yet, but I can definitely say that the Elders are a solid group of dudes!
~Monday~ February 15th
Summary: Sudden, Scary, Serious, Snowy Freeze!! 🥶🌨🧥
Details: Today the power went out... all of it. No wifi, no electricity, and no HEAT! It's around 20-30 degrees outside, and around 45 degrees inside... We're all bundled up in layers of clothing, and our cozy little home doesn't feel so cozy anymore. While the rest of the family lay in bed, trying to keep warm, I became determined to still fulfill my missionary DUTY!
I showered in miraculously warm water (somehow our water heater works) and I got dressed in my suit and tie (with two sweaters over top of it). I used what little battery I had left on my phone, and whatever data plan our family had, to attend my zoom calls as best I could. Mom let me sit in the car and charge up my phone, so that way I could last through all the zoom streaming, and I was able to make it to essentially everything that I needed to make it to.
In the afternoon classes, our teacher, Hermana Moreno, lost her connection. Since I was reduced to just my phone, I couldn't exactly help lead very well, but Elder Rasmussen spoke up and spearheaded the rest of the class! He led with style, power, and charisma, and it made me so happy to see him taking charge as the other District Leader!
It's now dark, cold, and I feel kind of insecure, but I feel good that I still did what I had to do, and that Elder Rasmussen was able to step up and be a leader. Going to sleep now, in 5 layers of sweaters and a onesie.
~Tuesday~ February 16th
Summary: Serious Shivers, with Some Semblance of Security 🥶🤔
Details: Woke up to a freezing house, no alarm, and got ready pretty late for the day. I attended my calls by the fireplace since Dad hooked up a generator for a few plug-in appliances. It's not been as cold today, but still feels insecure and uncertain.
Out of nowhere, in the middle of the day, the power came back ON! The lights came up, the heat kicked up, and the world finally feels alright. We warmed our numb fingers and toes, ate microwaved goods, and enjoyed the excitement of living in the light. I felt like I could finally breathe again.
Hermana Vaughn led us in Spanish practice, and once that was over, Me, Hermana Vaughn, and Elder Webber drew a giant picture that looks seriously epic over zoom! It was fun just sitting, talking, and enjoying the company of people with all my electronics functioning properly.
Then, in the evening, after 8 long hours of warmth and light, the power kicked off again.
I cried. A lot.
I didn't realize that this freeze had taken such a serious toll on me, but having everything we'd lost be granted back, and then taken away again, just stung so hard, and I cracked. I don't struggle with anxiety at all, but there have only been two things that have made me feel truly anxious and insecure, and that's the quarantine/lockdown when it was enforced in full, and now this.
At least with the lockdown, we had light and warmth and movies and media... but with this freeze, we are stuck in our homes, AND have lost power and warmth... The brunt of it is over, but it still made me cry quite a bit. I had joked with my district earlier that the next time I saw snow, or had a power outage, I'd get PTSD, and even though I have no understanding of how real PTSD works, I would definitely say that I've been more traumatized than I gave myself credit for.
I know that many people are in a similar situation right now, and I hope they can find peace... cause it is very, very hard.
I was supposed to watch a spiritual devotional tonight, but I don't feel like plugging my phone in, and using up more data that could charge us some hefty fees... so I just went to bed.
~Wednesday~ February 17th
Summary: Normality? I don't even know anymore. Oh yeah, also P-Day. 😟🙃
Details: I got up to see that the power was back on again! We ate food, I sat down and began writing my email, checked Facebook, and then the power shut off again. Honestly at this point I don't even know if it phases me anymore. Apparently now they're doing 4 hour increments of outages and power, so as to spread around the energy, I guess? Anyhow, this is basically the end of my email! There are some other things I did that I don't remember the dates of, so I'll just list them below.
MAIN EVENTS:
-Created a Facebook District Chat before we met one another
-Started a meme trend centered around the &Collar Mission Clothing line
-Called the Prophet, Russell M. Nelson, a stud during a Workshop when I thought no one could hear me (everyone heard me :/ )
-Drew a masterpiece over zoom with Webber and Vaughn
-Experienced Zoom Missionary Life!
-Experienced a jarring, anxiety inducing blackout
-Shared my D&D Book of Mormon knockoff game with the MTC Facebook Page (Over 60 responses!)
-Finally came to terms with my emotions
MY TESTIMONY:I know that God is no respecter of persons. He does not pamper the righteous, nor does He grind the wicked into the Earth. Trials come to everyone, but the righteous can be given a better perspective, an eternal perspective. Even when things seem like they are worse than before, there is always something to be learned. I know that light and warmth are very precious things, and that when we ignore the Spirit, we can become cold and dark inside. So, take it from someone who had no choice in being physically cold and dark- don't spiritually darken and freeze yourself! Let God's light shine through! En el nombre de Jesucristo, Amen.
PICTURE LOG:
-9 Various &Collar Memes
-A picture of the Savior we made for Spanish class, to both learn words and come to Christ
-A Sky-Pirate-Rocket-Ship being attacked by a Sky-Snake with a Sky-Skeleton-Fish swimming in the air... this is what Hermana Vaughn, Elder Webber, and I drew.
-My Desk set up
-Snow!
-Darkness
~Tuesday Night~ February 9th
Summary: Set Apart! 🌙
Details: I was set apart as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints! My mom cried, I got a lot of hugs, and I attached my tag to my clothing for the first time! I'd say my feelings going into the mission life are a mix of excitement, nervousness, and overall peace.
Even though I know things are different with the pandemic and all, I am ready to face it head on! I also was informed that even though I am still going to learn Spanish online, and will eventually go to Uruguay, I am temporarily being reassigned to the Orem, Utah mission! This will be an English speaking mission, meaning that I won't get to utilize my Spanish right away in the field. Some people might consider that to be a let-down, but I honestly am grateful for the slower pacing. I don't know if I'd be ready to jump into full on mission-life and Spanish-life after only 6 weeks of preparation...
~Wednesday~ February 10th
Summary: P-Day and Classes! 🏃🏼♂️💻
Details: I got up, did some exercise, showered, ate, and got dressed in my missionary gear! I ironed all my shirts, finished some online surveys, and then created a group chat with my district! A district is 12 people you learn with in the MTC, and I'm getting to know them all. My companion, Elder Rasmussen, is hilarious and goofy, Elder Leski, another guy going to the same mission as me, is shy but has a kind personality,and the sisters in the district are very polite and friendly.
In the afternoon, I entered the "SIMULATION"... and began online classes XD (Not an actual simulation, these are real people and real classes)
We learned about Spanish phrases and simple testimony words and greetings, and it was fun to see everyone's varying levels of Spanish skills! They gave us LOTS of homework, which is fun but difficult (divertido pero dificil!)
~Thursday~ February 11th
Summary: In the Simulation, for a full day! 🎧💻
Details: I woke up, and sadly did NOT exercise. For some reason, the weather has been getting colder and it's not that enticing to get into exercise clothes and move my body... anyway, today I got on a morning call with Elder Rasmussen, and we studied the First Vision together. I'm not very good at memorizing things, but I am pretty good at pronouncing Spanish. I gave my companion, as well as others in my district, some pronunciation advice, and in turn Elder Rasmussen helped me to memorize parts of the First Vision as well. The classes were very interesting, and by far the best thing I learned was that the Spirit is the teacher, and the missionaries are merely vessels for it.
~Friday~ February 12th
Summary: Simulated Learning, day two! 💻⌨
Details: Got up, didn't really exercise again, due to the cold that keeps coming. Today is where things sped up FAST! Elder Rasmussen and I are now DISTRICT LEADERS, which means we have certain jobs and responsibilities, like assigning morning devotional, making sure the District is doing okay, and holding weekly FHE. On top of this, the teachers also introduced SYL, or Speak Your Language. This is a program/challenge that means you speak in as much Spanish as possible in all aspects of your day, and only use English if absolutely necessary. I admit it's hard to be motivated to do this, as I won't be serving directly in Uruguay, but will be going to Orem first...
Also, today's workshop was about radiating light, and I wanted to share some quotes from it with you!
"Man radiates what he is, and that radiation affects to a greater or lesser degree every person who comes within that radiation"
and
"Life is a state of radiation and absorption"
Both by David O. McKay.
I feel like these are very true! Whatever energy or Spirit we have will be felt by others, and whichever energy is stronger can overpower others.
Anyway, Elder Rasmussen and I have become better friends, and even though it's hard speaking in Spanish, I'm kind of excited for the challenge!
~Saturday~ February 13th
Summary: Third Day of Simulation 🤖💻
Details: Today was much better! My Spanish has already improved so much, and Elder Rasmussen and I are having more detailed studies with Spanish opening prayers... as it says in my journal about today, "Elder Rasmussen and I are better missionaries, better companions, and better Spanish Speakers!" Since yesterday, I've begun writing in Spanish in my journal, and I almost considered doing my emails in Spanish, but I figure you guys wouldn't understand much of it, so I'd rather not... All in all, I'm feeling pretty good! I've also been able to find time to write my talk, which I'm pretty excited about giving.
~Sunday~ February 14th
Summary: Speaking and Listening 🎤🔊
Details: Today was church day! I LOVE Sunday for so many reasons, but by far my favorite reason is the messages in church. Sadly, as I was giving the message, I couldn't exactly take notes, but the Spirit still gave me inspiration and insight that filled me up with hope! So many people came to see my talk, and I'm told we set a record in online participants viewing from other locations... which is so cool!! After my message was over, we sang, prayed, and had the sacrament, which is something I enjoy very much.
Partaking of the emblems of the Savior's sacrifice means so much to me! The bread, for Christ's flesh which was bruised and broken by his accusers, and the water, for Christ's blood, which was shed for all of us in the Garden of Gethsemane. I find it especially interesting that the water is the last thing on our tongues, rather than the bread. Christ was bruised AFTER he bled for us. To me, this can symbolize the fact that the Atonement of Jesus Christ, the way He took upon us all our sins, is final and eternal, but the bruising of his body is in the past, as He is now resurrected.
Once church was over, I attended Michelle Young's ward! She was recently set apart as well, in fact, the SAME DAY as me. We get to be mission buddies! She gave her talk in church, and I could feel the growth and change that she has already went through for the gospel of Jesus Christ. Towards the end of her message, she spoke about how missionary work is so incredibly hard, but so incredibly worth it, and we push through all these trials and pain just to make it happen... and that made me cry! I love missionary work so much, but it IS so hard... and I really connected with that message. I put myself through hard things, because I know there is a purpose and plan for all that I do!
After all the amazing Sunday services, my District and I had FHE! (Family Home Evening). I shared with them my entire talk, and then we did Spanish Pictionary and just hung out and got to know one another. Hermana Vaughn is a Spanish WHIZ and is so smart! She knows more Spanish than I do! Hermana Pratt is talkative and funny, and she actually laughs at my lame dad jokes. Elder Leski has opened up more, and he actually has quite a bit of Spanish vocabulary under his belt himself! Elder Minton was kind of quiet at the start, but is seriously a cool dude! Same goes for Elders Webber and Holmes, they're also very fun to be around. I don't know all the Hermanas that well yet, but I can definitely say that the Elders are a solid group of dudes!
~Monday~ February 15th
Summary: Sudden, Scary, Serious, Snowy Freeze!! 🥶🌨🧥
Details: Today the power went out... all of it. No wifi, no electricity, and no HEAT! It's around 20-30 degrees outside, and around 45 degrees inside... We're all bundled up in layers of clothing, and our cozy little home doesn't feel so cozy anymore. While the rest of the family lay in bed, trying to keep warm, I became determined to still fulfill my missionary DUTY!
I showered in miraculously warm water (somehow our water heater works) and I got dressed in my suit and tie (with two sweaters over top of it). I used what little battery I had left on my phone, and whatever data plan our family had, to attend my zoom calls as best I could. Mom let me sit in the car and charge up my phone, so that way I could last through all the zoom streaming, and I was able to make it to essentially everything that I needed to make it to.
In the afternoon classes, our teacher, Hermana Moreno, lost her connection. Since I was reduced to just my phone, I couldn't exactly help lead very well, but Elder Rasmussen spoke up and spearheaded the rest of the class! He led with style, power, and charisma, and it made me so happy to see him taking charge as the other District Leader!
It's now dark, cold, and I feel kind of insecure, but I feel good that I still did what I had to do, and that Elder Rasmussen was able to step up and be a leader. Going to sleep now, in 5 layers of sweaters and a onesie.
~Tuesday~ February 16th
Summary: Serious Shivers, with Some Semblance of Security 🥶🤔
Details: Woke up to a freezing house, no alarm, and got ready pretty late for the day. I attended my calls by the fireplace since Dad hooked up a generator for a few plug-in appliances. It's not been as cold today, but still feels insecure and uncertain.
Out of nowhere, in the middle of the day, the power came back ON! The lights came up, the heat kicked up, and the world finally feels alright. We warmed our numb fingers and toes, ate microwaved goods, and enjoyed the excitement of living in the light. I felt like I could finally breathe again.
Hermana Vaughn led us in Spanish practice, and once that was over, Me, Hermana Vaughn, and Elder Webber drew a giant picture that looks seriously epic over zoom! It was fun just sitting, talking, and enjoying the company of people with all my electronics functioning properly.
Then, in the evening, after 8 long hours of warmth and light, the power kicked off again.
I cried. A lot.
I didn't realize that this freeze had taken such a serious toll on me, but having everything we'd lost be granted back, and then taken away again, just stung so hard, and I cracked. I don't struggle with anxiety at all, but there have only been two things that have made me feel truly anxious and insecure, and that's the quarantine/lockdown when it was enforced in full, and now this.
At least with the lockdown, we had light and warmth and movies and media... but with this freeze, we are stuck in our homes, AND have lost power and warmth... The brunt of it is over, but it still made me cry quite a bit. I had joked with my district earlier that the next time I saw snow, or had a power outage, I'd get PTSD, and even though I have no understanding of how real PTSD works, I would definitely say that I've been more traumatized than I gave myself credit for.
I know that many people are in a similar situation right now, and I hope they can find peace... cause it is very, very hard.
I was supposed to watch a spiritual devotional tonight, but I don't feel like plugging my phone in, and using up more data that could charge us some hefty fees... so I just went to bed.
~Wednesday~ February 17th
Summary: Normality? I don't even know anymore. Oh yeah, also P-Day. 😟🙃
Details: I got up to see that the power was back on again! We ate food, I sat down and began writing my email, checked Facebook, and then the power shut off again. Honestly at this point I don't even know if it phases me anymore. Apparently now they're doing 4 hour increments of outages and power, so as to spread around the energy, I guess? Anyhow, this is basically the end of my email! There are some other things I did that I don't remember the dates of, so I'll just list them below.
MAIN EVENTS:
-Created a Facebook District Chat before we met one another
-Started a meme trend centered around the &Collar Mission Clothing line
-Called the Prophet, Russell M. Nelson, a stud during a Workshop when I thought no one could hear me (everyone heard me :/ )
-Drew a masterpiece over zoom with Webber and Vaughn
-Experienced Zoom Missionary Life!
-Experienced a jarring, anxiety inducing blackout
-Shared my D&D Book of Mormon knockoff game with the MTC Facebook Page (Over 60 responses!)
-Finally came to terms with my emotions
MY TESTIMONY:I know that God is no respecter of persons. He does not pamper the righteous, nor does He grind the wicked into the Earth. Trials come to everyone, but the righteous can be given a better perspective, an eternal perspective. Even when things seem like they are worse than before, there is always something to be learned. I know that light and warmth are very precious things, and that when we ignore the Spirit, we can become cold and dark inside. So, take it from someone who had no choice in being physically cold and dark- don't spiritually darken and freeze yourself! Let God's light shine through! En el nombre de Jesucristo, Amen.
PICTURE LOG:
-9 Various &Collar Memes
-A picture of the Savior we made for Spanish class, to both learn words and come to Christ
-A Sky-Pirate-Rocket-Ship being attacked by a Sky-Snake with a Sky-Skeleton-Fish swimming in the air... this is what Hermana Vaughn, Elder Webber, and I drew.
-My Desk set up
-Snow!
-Darkness
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