Holy smokes, I can't even believe I'm halfway through my 6
week MTC experience, it's freaking unbelievable! I'm loving my district, loving
the Spanish language, and loving life because, well, how couldn't I? I've been
realizing more and more each day that I have been given so much throughout my
life, now it's my turn to give, to the already wonderful people of New
York(: So, it's so hard to write a cohesive letter because there has been
so much going on, and 30 minutes to do it is INSANE, but I'll try my best(: One
of the Elders in my district and in my room is Elder Sprunt. He's been
struggling with the language and with homesickness, and we love him and wish
for him to stay. For those of you who read this who want to, please pray for
him for strength and a clear mind to make the best decision for himself. Also,
Hermana Peterson in our zone is having to go home because of illness and will
have to be reassigned ): Made me think pretty hard about some of my
feelings, and it made me even more greatful that I'm here, with health and
happiness. I'm doing and progressing so much more than I have been and it's
making me pretty happy. I've got the purpose, baptismal invitation and the
first vision memorized in spanish, and soon to have Doctrine and Covenants
4 memorized. It's really been helpful that I'm decent at memorizing, and I'm
very fast at conjugations and conversation in Spanish as well. The last few
lessons with investigators have been great, I taught and conversed with an
investigator a few days ago about the first vision and about gaining a
testimony of it and the Book of Mormon, and she's now going to church and is
probably going to commit to a baptismal date the next time we meet. Probably my
best lesson yet! It was super cool because I wasn't even thinking about doing
the restoration or talking about the Book of Mormon I was going to teach
about the Plan of Salvation, but I something (HG) told me not to. Freaked my
companion out, because all he had practiced was the Plan haha! Also, for those
of you who don't know or who haven't heard of TRC, it's what our district does
on Monday mornings. We all go downstairs and there is a lesson topic for us and
we just hop right in and teach a member investigator, super scary, but super
fun and helpful. Elder Ficklin and I talked to a girl who used to leave in the
Bronx (funny enough), and who moved out here to Utah like, 3 years ago or
something like that. She talked so fast, and she asked a hard question (How
come in English you say 'thee', thy' and 'thou', but in Spanish you don't?) But
I explained to her that there really isn't a Spanish translation for those
words and that we use "tu" instead of the formal "usted" to
make it more intimate that way, and then we just talked. She loved it, my companion
and I loved it, and talking conversationally was fantastic. I really didn't
think I could do it, but it kinda just came. I don't know how to explain it.
But it was TIGHT. Haha. Anyways, life here has been going pretty well. Choir is
still one of my favorite things. We sing the most beautiful songs and the
director explains the song and the spiritual aspects and he's got my sense of
humor. AWESOME. And I am still losing weight. Haha, I'm up to 11 pounds lost,
sitting here at 199. Feels good(: Also, we haven't had anyone from the
Quorum of the Twelve or the Presidency come and talk to us yet (hopefully
before I go), but we had Elder Schwitzer from the 70 address us, and it was
amazing. Everyone thought his talk was pretty boring, but I got a lot out of it.
"A missionary that teaches, but does not commit, is only a sharer of
facts". HIT me HARD. It's been such a glorious time here so far, with a
lot of ups, a humongous amount of downs, but the Spirit resides here like
nowhere else. If you're reading this and are thinking about going on a mission,
or have any questions, please write me or email me or whatever and I'd be glad
to answer them! (: Oh! And I'm way super excited for Connor Ervin and Landon
Boren to get here, I'm going to hug the both of them so hard (': Double oh!
Since the MTC is expecting 1200 new missionaries today, our room got an extra
bunk set, now we will have 6 in our room. Crazy crowded. The room barely holds
4 without bumping into each other, but I know that it'll al be alright(:
I love you all and miss you all so much, please write me if
you can, I'd love to hear from you!
Elder Buckley
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