Don't Jump Over Railings in Gym Shorts

Things went really well for the most part this week. We had one really depressing day as a companionship, but we found out that it was so we could be humble enough to teach in the TRC that night. (The TRC is where you teach "investigators." They set up the rooms with couches and everything just like a living room.) I was able to bear my testimony about Joseph Smith in Spanish, which was amazing because we had been frustrated with the language that day. I think I got a little taste of the gift of tongues, and it helped me realize how much harder I need to work. Anyway, the lesson went really well, and we were so happy with it that we went homa and celebrated by eating ice cream out of the vending machine while we planned. Pathetic, I know, but that's the closest we can come to a party.

I love gym time here because I get to play volleyball every day. It's GREAT! There is also an early morning workout class for the sisters and the senior missionaries. There is an instructor, and she rotates through different workouts each day. Friday it was kick boxing, and we were all hobbling around like we had one foot in the grave all day after that. Here's a shocker for everyone....We have to get up at 5:45 in order to get to the class in time. Are you amazed? I am. I don't know how I get up that early. All I know is that I get more and more exhausted every day. It was SO HARD to stay awake in the temple this morning. In fact, I cannot claim that I did stay awake, but it was still a very good session. I only drifted off for a couple of minutes.

On Sunday nights we get to watch church movies and the movie last night was Legacy. You know we are all deprived of entertainment and romance when all of the Elders are doing cat calls in that movie. By the way, I saw Elder Dexton Perkins at the fireside right before the film. He seemed to be doing a lot better than I did my first Sunday in the MTC. He's going to be a great missionary. I'm excited to see all of the other young men from our stake come into the MTC. My advice to you would be, "Don't jump over railings with basketball shorts on!" Here's why:

We were going to our residence hall to change for gym one day, and some Elders were racing to the gym. One of them got the brilliant idea to run down the wheelchair ramp and jump over the rail instead of having to go around and down the stairs. I was right next to him when he jumped over , and I heard the sound of ripping gym shorts. I turned to see him hanging from a pole that had been sticking up a little farther than the rail. The bottom of his shorts had gotten caught on it, and he was stuck there hanging upside down by his shorts. It was a pretty high traffic area, and you could see his face turning red. So I was trying not to laugh, but it wasn't working very well. At least his shorts stayed on, right? His companion came running up and was laughing so hard that he couldn't help him down. Right before we walked in the door to our residence hall, I heard him moan, "Oooowww..." When the door shut behind us, we all burst out into so much laughter that I almost had an accident right there. Tears were streaming down my face as we all know that happens when I laugh really hard. Don't worry, he turned out to be fine because he played volleyball with us that day. Whenever I'm depressed about something, I just think about that moment. It has provided some great laughs, and I'm sure it will continue to do so for quite some time.

Anyway, if anyone is wondering whether or not a mission is right for you, I highly recommend it. This is the best thing I have ever done because it is so challenging. Every day I see an improvement in myself, and I know that the Lord is shaping me into something that I cannot become by myself. The atonement is real, and the Lord is truly mindful of ALL of His children. I know this gospel is true and I'm so glad for all that we know about Heavenly Father and His plan for us.

I love you all, and I'll write again next week.

P.S.
I think the MTC is a good indication of what the time perspective is in the eternities. Our teacher put it perfectly when he said, "The days are like weeks, and the weeks are like days." I can't believe how slow the days go, but then it's unbelievable that we already have gotten through another week. It's hard to believe that I'm 1/3 of the way through my MTC experience. Crazy how time flies!