Dear Family and Friends,
The MTC is fantastic. I will definitely miss it. It's like a Garden
of Eden cause you are protected no one is making fun of you when you
say something stupid and it's a time to learn by and from the spirit.
This last Tuesday we had the opportunity to hear
from Elder Scott at one of our Devotionals. When he walked into the
building you could just feel the power and authority which he holds and
you could see a glow about him. It was very very cool. The spirit was
very strong. You knew that he was a disciple of Christ.
The Missionary Choir Sang Jesus Once of Humble
Birth before Elder Scott Spoke. And I mean the Choir is usually pretty
good but that day they were AMAZING. It really sounded like a choir of angels. Elder Scott was crying while they were singing and I felt the
spirit very strongly, it was awesome.
Elder Scott then got up and before starting his
talk said to all of us missionaries learning a new language and that it
is an extra burden placed on us but he said through our faith all
things are possible. He than gave an Apostolic Blessing to us
missionaries learning a language and he said, "I Give you a blessing
that you will learn you mission language through your faith and
diligence." I really needed that because seriously Japanese is so
confusing, Here is just another taste of what Nihongo is like. Literally
translated sentence structure. ( Baptism receive when we remission of
sins will receive.) and to make sense of it that says, ( When we are
baptized we will receive a remission of our sins.) So I really needed
that blessing, I felt so much peace when he said that.
He then said, "Every good thing that has come in my
life has been from serving a mission." Wow! I knew instantly that was
true. The things I have been learning are just amazing, I really love
scripture study and i have grown very fond of the book Jesus The Christ.
It has strengthened my testimony so much. I am starting to understand just a little bit of how important the Atonement really is. And I love
it.
He than adrressed his talk, "Communication With Our
Father In Heaven." He told us that when we pray we need to recognize
that Heavenly Father is near, talk to him just like you would talk to
your father. He knows everything and wants to talk to us. He told us
that if we feel that God is not answering our questions are we asking
the right questions? Are we seeking his Will or Our own will? He
recommended that we read D&C Chapters 6,8,9 to learn how God answers
Prayers. He expressed to us that when God answers our questions it will
either be a calm peaceful feeling or a confident Yes. When it is a No a
stupor of thought. When God doesn't answer our prayers he is putting
trust in us that we will make the right decision, and if we make the
wrong decision he won't let us go to far without letting us know and
getting us back on the path.
When we do receive an answer to a prayer act upon
it, proceed with trust showing your faith. God wants us to grow closer
to him but he does this by stretching our abilities, our faith in Him.
What is withheld from us will help us grow in faith.
He then said if it seems that he had been emotional
it's because he felt as though his wife who has been on the other side
for 20 years to the day was there in the building listening to him
speak. It was really cool. The spirit was so strong. He gave us another
Apostolic Blessing to us who are learning a new language.
I loved his talk so much!
Things
here at the MTC are great, The language is coming along, I still have a
little cough. It's not bad though. I cannot wait for Japan! Time is
rapidly approaching. Now only if I could speak the language that would
be nice.
Hope everything is good at home and my
companion and I enjoy talking about weiner Dogs because he has one too. And we
both think they are stupid but love them.
Anyways, Love you very much and Can't wait to hear from you again!
-Elder Nebeker
