The Gift of Tongues Is Real!

Kamusta pamilya ko!

Goodness, so much to update you on this week!  I will try to fit it all in! I've been keeping a list in a little notebook so hopefully I can hit most of my week.

So on Sunday, we had sacrament meeting in a little room with our whole branch, which at that time we only had about 3 or 4 districts (we've since gotten two more and lost one). Our branch president had told us that we should prepare a talk every week because we might be called on to give a talk right in sacrament meeting right on the spot. So guess what happened? I got to give a talk! Luckily I had thought about it and read some scripture about enduring to the end that morning because I had had a feeling I would probably have to give a talk that day. I ended up fitting the time almost perfectly and didn't even get to say everything I wanted! Oh well!

Later that day, we went to a devotional, which was great, and then we got to watch some MTC film. I went to a recording of an MTC devotional that Elder Bednar gave on Christmas day a while back. I have NEVER heard a better talk in my life. I really really wish that you could listen to in somewhere online, but it's only for the missionaries. I have NEVER seen that side of Elder Bednar. He had so much fire, yet it was with so much love. It reminds me a LOT of how Bishop Woolley teaches, kind of a no nonsense attitude. He talked about the characteristics of Christ and how we can become like him and I loved it. That's all I can really say, I loved it. I'm going to try and go again to take some better notes. He did an impression of Cookie Monster, that was pretty neat.

Speaking of Bishop Woolley, I can't imagine what he and the other members of the stake presidency are thinking! I LOL'ed when I read your letter about it, probably just like you said dad did. I seriously thought it was the funniest thing. I was talking to Robert about how Bishop Murray was doing, he says he's a bit overwhelmed to say the least, but they're getting it all organized! Hope he's doing well, I totally knew it would be him, nobody is more qualified and more prepared for the responsibility. 

The language is going well! We actually have an "investigator" that we teach a few times each week and my companion and I were able to teach the whole thing in Ilonggo! I mean, we struggled a little bit, but we taught the entire first vision, restoration, plan of salvation, atonement, and everything in a few lessons. That's pretty neat. I can translate things on paper pretty well, need to work on my speaking. But I am completely amazed at how much we have learned in the past week. Nowhere else could a group of eighteen-year-olds learn a language as quickly as we are learning. The gift of tongues is real!

Mom, you'll love this. The other day, I walked in to my classroom and Elder Bond (he kinda reminds my of Kyle, just FYI) asks me, "Elder Welton, did your mom ever make you watch Anne of Green Gables?" I stared at him for a few seconds thinking "my life is over." I said yes and he said, "My mom did too! Doesn't Sister Schimbeck look like Anne??" I laughed for a while and then agreed with him. Oh! Sister Schimbeck is in our district and her companion is Sister Patillo, the one Allen  knew! she's way nice, I have some selfies of them on my camera that they took, I'll try and put them on!

Sister Schimbeck and Sister Patillo in our district

Elder McCleary showed up on Wednesday! It was way great to see him. He's right down the hall from my room, I waved to him from my door this morning because I could see into his room down the hall. Elder Farnsworth is right next to Elder McCleary's room and I have seen him for the past week. He leaves soon though, that seems so weird to me! I also saw Elder Portlock (he was in my temple session if you remember him) and also Elder Figgins (you probably don't know him though). I was the only one of his friends that he will see, I think he leaves this week, maybe he's already gone... I can't remember. But it will be good to see people as they come in!

Elder McCleary (classmate from Riverton High School - called to same mission)

I think I might have gained a little weight, pretty sure all of us have. I thought it was super funny when we all went to put our jeans on for service on Tuesday, EVERY SINGLE ONE of us were saying "Oh man, these are tighter than I remember!" hahaha. The food is kind of a carb overload.. I have probably drank about 3 gallons of apple juice and milk.

Our service project on Tuesday where we got to move and organize all of the MTC food delivery (SO much food!)

District temple trip

It is so interesting to see the different personalities of our districts. It is completely clear that we were put into our districts for a reason. I believe that I was put into the companionship and district that I would fit with the best and grow with the most. They are already some of my best friends, we all feel like we have known each other for years, even though it has only been a week! That reminds me, it turns out that our two districts that came last week were all moved up a week, it wasn't just me! I'm guessing it is because we would have had FOUR new districts coming on Wednesday had they not moved ours back. It sounds like we all might still leave on the same day, though. Speaking of which, my MTC address is no AUG07 instead of AUG08 now, just so you can update it. I don't think it's important, I'm still getting letters and your packages, mom. Thank you for the stuff you sent, I'm loving it all! I was thinking that SAME day that I wanted my purple tie, lo and behold, it showed up in the package! Also I love the little missionaries finger puppet things! I gave the brown one to Elder Kim (it matched his ethnicity) and he loves it. I always put it on my finger and say "Tag Balay!" which is what you say at someone's door.

My teacher using the missionary finger puppet as a run-through for the door approach(haha!)

That's awesome that Ben is at EFY. I loved the picture of him and Chase, they're going to love it! And tell Annie congrats! She'll do great!

I have a lot more to tell you, but I am running out of time! I'll try and send some pictures and stuff later today when I have time!

A few of the elders in my district (my companion is on the right)

Palanga ako mo!

Elder Welton