So... picking up where I left off. Elder Metsaranta was my companion and then I was asked to be companions with Elder Jankowsky which is tough, because he's obsessed with his girlfriend and doesn't really like to work, but God is pulling me through this earthly test safe and sound on the other side. I have grown and experienced a lot since I've been here. I've seen several miracles too. It's an exciting place the Missionary Training Center (MTC). The spirit of the lord is always present and it makes me hope and pray that the field is like this too (meaning, even if I get an interesting companion, the spirit can still be there).
I've also learned some interesting things about doctrine, in studying about why bad things happen to good people. I learned a very curious fact: God loves his children so much he's willing to hit them with an 18-wheeler if that's what it takes to get their attention. The human concept of what is "bad" is completely off when it comes to death. I was studying in the Word of Wisdom (Doctrine & Covenants 89) and in the last verse it talks about how if you keep and do these sayings, the destroying angel would pass by you. I looked at the foot note and it led me to exodus where it talks about Moses and the children of Egypt. It talked about how the destroying angel came down and smote the first born, and I realized something very profound. When God smote the firstborn of Egypt he saved them from the wicked traditions of their fathers! He was able to take them to the spirit world where God could teach them the right way. It's a vastly important work that is going on here.
Another very interesting thing I learned. God doesn't want us to be sitting on the fence our whole lives, especially not as missionaries. He wants our best or nothing at all. It doesn't matter what the person next to you is doing. You could be studying twice as much as them, but if you're not doing your best, then you don't understand what God expects of you.
