#6 MTC: Fall has come!

Fall has come! The leaves have been turning on the mountains for 2 weeks now but the trees in the valley have finally caught up.

Thursdays Elder Udy and I "bumped" into (more like saw from 10 feet way) the prince of Ethiopia. Apparently President and Sister Martino were giving him a tour of the MTC. 

Sunday was my birthday. Sunday, which is always fun and one of the better days at the MTC, was even better because it was my birthday and the Sisters in my district threw a 5 minute party with 2 balloons, and they gave me a MTC t-shirt and some snacks. It was great! My principal from BYU Independent High School, Joseph Roberson, sent me a big box with pie, and brownies and such, it made the elders in the zone very happy!

This week our teacher shared with us a really long Hungarian word: megszentsegtelenithetettensegestejeseitekert. 

(YES, one word!! Take that Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!)

I don't remember exactly what it means, but I think it had something to do with unholiness. Because Hungarian is what they call an agglutinated language, they can make really long words just by adding lots of suffix modifiers. It also allows you to make up new words. 

This past week we took a language speaking assessment, and based on the results, our class is doing quite well. It can be hard sometimes to know how well you are doing, but Sharp Nover said that I've been doing well. Ultimately the MTC is about growing in testimony, understanding doctrines, and learning teaching skills, and learning the basics and grammar of our language. Most of the learning how to be functional in Hungarian will come when I go to Hungary. There I'll have 23 months to figure it out with the Lords help. 

Yesterday we taught one of our "investigators" (one of our teachers in character) about the restoration of the gospel, the Book of Mormon, and the role of prophets and priesthood authority. It was a really big mile stone for us because it was the first time we taught a whole lesson, and we didn't really use any notes, we just talked, asked questions, listened, and read scriptures. It was amazing! It made learning this language seem possible. I know the Lord helps us when we need it.

Taken by a Senior Couple and texted to our moms!

Last night we had Elder Christofferson (One of the twelve Apostles) come and talk to us. He taught about testimony and the Book of Mormon, he also shared some about the history of the Book of Mormon, and how the first few editions were printed. He said that since 1830, 180,000,000 copies of the Book of Mormon have been printed. With such great access to it, we need to not take it for granted. I love when the apostles come and speak to the missionaries, its like a big family home evening. (Family Home Evening is a tradition in Mormon families that sets aside one night a week from outside activities for family time at home to learn of God, to talk and play, to strengthen the family) Some times in conference apostles seem very formal, but when they speak at the MTC you realize that while they are prophets, seers, and revelators, (special witnesses of Christ) they are also grandpas. I love it!

On Monday we hosted senior missionaries. One couple was from Omaha, I don't recall their names but he defiantly looked familiar. Also I saw the Carlos's (A couple we knew in Omaha) picture in the MTC, he is the Philippians Mission President. 

We also watched Elder Robert D. Hales' Funeral (Recently deceased Apostle), there was a deep feeling of piece and love. Those who eulogized him spoke about what it means to be a perfectly loyal friend to Christ. Something to work for!

-- Szeretem Titeket!