Last MTC Letter - Off to Korea!!

Hey Mom/family!

 

Yep, these are the last few days that I will be in the Promised land for awhile. Tomorrow, Sunday, and then 2:30am on Monday I will be on my way.

This has been a great last week at the MTC. The language is coming very well. Yesterday my companion and I had about 5-10 minutes to prepare for a lesson with an investigator (we had in-field orientation from 8am-5:30pm, so no preparation time). Anyways, we then taught a 50 minute lesson completely in Korean about what happens after death (spirit world, resurrection, judgment, kingdoms of glory) which is one of the harder parts of the doctrine to teach. Fortunately we answered all of his questions (which were very goo questions) and got him to a leveled understanding of the doctrine--all in Korean!! Finally, the language has stopped being the barrier (not all the way, but a lot) that prevents us from really explaining the doctrine well and powerfully. And of course, as soon as you start to feel comfortable, it is time to move on to big and better things...aka, real Korean with real investigators, and real speed of speech and real...everything.

 

Looking back at the MTC, things have gone very well here. It is like a giant school of spiritual and linguistic learning. There is so much trust and unparalleled obedience from 18-26 year old elders and 19-25 year old sisters. The cafeteria is an all you can eat style, with many options. They have a field and a gym as well as a personal workout room for exercise as well as a fairly large campus (to run around). The experience with everything was great. The teachers are 21-24 year olds who have served in the missions that we are going to, it is a wonderful place to be! Overall, my experience at the MTC was fantastic. I learned so much in a very short period of time--about language, people, and the Gospel. I have thoroughly enjoyed the people that I have met and the friendships that I have made while I am here. I think that I will miss my companion very much as I go to Korea. He will stop being my companion as soon as we get to Korea. That makes me very sad. We know each other like brothers now, and have been able to teach really well together! I have also enjoyed running and the indoor track, which has allowed me to stay in moderate shape while at the MTC. (I ran 3 miles in 18 minutes the other day...which is pretty good shape for the MTC). I have enjoyed the district experience, receiving all the support and letters from everyone, and the lessons that I have learned here from God, which are many.

 

This past week in particular has gone just as fast as all the previous few weeks. As I mentioned, yesterday I went to an in-field orientation for a majority of the day which was a great experience and last dose of instruction before entering the field. Our group had about 550 missionaries in it--many going to places all around the world. It was amazing to reflect and to think that soon, the impressive gathering of elders and sisters that we had would, in less than a week, be out in the field, out in the Lord's vineyard doing His work--all over the World! It was very instructive and I learned a lot.

 

This past week we had the wonderful opportunity to watch a taped devotional of Elder Bednar (one of the 12 Apostles of Jesus Christ) who spoke at a Christmas devotional about the Character of Christ. It was amazing. So good. Seriously, if there was a hallmark devotional or talk during the 9 weeks that I have been at the MTC, it was this one. Elder Bednar explores a few of the characteristics of Christ and teaches about some other topics that he thinks are important in a wonderful and inspiring way. The main attribute of Christ that Elder Bednar talked about was His characteristic of turning outwards when you or I, and the natural man, would want us to turn inwards. Countless times when Christ has suffered more than any of us could, instead of turning in; instead of taking anything for Himself; instead of feeling justified in doing something for Himself, or drawing attention to Him, to what He has done, to who He is, etc., He turns outwards. The hallmark example is the soldier in the garden. After Christ had experienced Gethsemane (suffering the pains, anguish, sins for every person), been disappointed in His most faithful Apostles (who could not stay awake for a brief period), who knew what was about to happen to Him at Calvary, who had just been betrayed by one of His Apostles--one of His special witnesses--after feeling all this, when Peter draws his sword and smites the soldiers ear off, the Savior heals it. The wound was not a fatal wound; it was not extremely serious; however, Christ, amidst the incomprehensible things that He was going through, at a point where you or I would have either collapsed under the burden, or thought that we deserved some sort of special attention or relief, at this point, Christ reaches out and helps one of His Father's children; not only one of His Father's children, but one of His Father's children who is taking Him captive to kill Him. That is just one example of the character of Christ. Remember that example as you go out your week. When things get hard and you feel tempted to turn inward, to be selfish, or to focus on yourself. Instead, focus outward; help others, because after all, that's what Jesus would do.

 

Matthew 16:25-26 "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it." As Elder Bednar cleverly commented, you find your life by losing it in Christ, but only if you aren't looking for it--you must lose yourself--your efforts, heart, might, mind, and strength in first God, and then others. 

 

I wish everyone the best of weeks as I head to Korea in a few short days. Thank you for everyone that has given support and letter to me during my time at the MTC. I honestly, have zero regrets of my time here, and have had the greatest possible experience that I could have. The thoughts and support help more than you know.

 

With love,

(Elder) William Strahl

6th MTC Letter

Dear All -
This week was wonderful!!! As usual.

Last week, as I mentioned, we had the opportunity to Skype Koreans in Korea. My companion and I taught a man in Seoul for over 40 minutes, which was a wonderful experience and makes me very excited to get out into the field! This week has been filled with learning, spiritual as well as linguistic, and has been just very good! Today when we plan I will have to start another Missionary daily planner, which is a very interesting experience. I feel like a veteran/astounded that so much time has passed so quickly. I cannot believe it is July 12th already. That means that I have 18 days left in the MTC! This is crazy. I have really enjoyed the MTC and all the experiences that it has to offer.

Today I want to talk a little bit about my district which is the best. I love our district (for those who do not know, your district includes Sisters and Elders that you are in class with (we are in the classroom/outside for 3 hours for personal study, and in the class room 6 hours for instructional teaching.) Every district has the same schedule, so you do basically everything together, from laundry, to going to the temple, to service (although for some activities they understandably have the sisters and elders go to different places). In my district there is me, Elder Lomiga, a polynesian by origin who came from LA (6'2"). If he was a movie character, he would be Sully from Monsters Inc. For sure. Then there's Elder Oehler, who is currently serving as our district leader. He is from the Las Vegas area and he enjoys pretty much everything. He's a great leader. There's Elder Flint, who grew up and comes from Utah. He doesn't talk much. Which is really funny, because the other day we were having personal exercise, and we kept hearing a thump in the grass. We turn around and he is doing backflips....go figure. Elder Flint in one of the three 18 year olds in our district. He graduated high school in May and reported the 29th. Next is Elder Jensen, from Preston, Idaho. He grew up on a dairy farm and has spent all his days going to school and working on the farm. He is a great Elder. Although he is struggling a little bit with the language, what he lacks in linguistic ability is made up in faith. He always surprises the district with some comment that rings with truth. Last of the Elders is my companion, Elder Brady. He is from Chandler, Arizona, and is such a cool guy. He works really hard and absolutely loves volleyball. I have to say that the time between class and gym time is probably the fastest that I ever see him get ready to go! He is great, and has taught me SO much as my companion.

We have a threesome of sisters in our district. They liven up the district with their comments and presence. They are great. Two of the them had minored in College in spanish before they were called on a mission. They have picked up the language very quickly! They always lobby for the district picnics on P-day with games and fun, and today we are going to have a birthday party for Elder Jensen because it is his birthday. They are great and a good example to everyone.

I like my district. I have thoroughly enjoyed seeing who God has brought together into our district. All different backgrounds, all different interests, all with one common goal. We live together, eat together, and do pretty much everything together. I feel very privileged to be in the district that I am in. They are wonderful.

This week I have learned a lot. Despite having lived 19 years, I still stumble up the stairs (my family understands this...) and I still get lost around the MTC (thank heavens Elder Brady is there to make sure that I get everywhere I need to be...if this place was a mess of deer trails I would be fine, but no, it has to be real building with signs and directions and everything...). I guess there is still more to learn. Besides the heap of Korean that I do not know.

There is however, one thing that I do know. I know that God provides a source through which if we rely on, we will not fail. This week I have been enabled, through capabilities recognizably beyond my own, to learn, to exert effort, to do everything that I need to do to be an effective servant of God. I have trusted in God so much as I try to learn the language, pushing myself and finding myself enabled to do more every day. He is there for me, and He is there for you. Rely on Him, trust in Him, and all things will turn out for your eventual good. I wish everyone the greatest week!

Thanks for all the support!

Elder William Strahl

5th MTC Letter

아머니와 가족: 안녕하세요!  (Hello Mother, and Family!) 

Holy Cow! It amazing to think that life still exists outside of the MTC and all the learning that goes on here. This week was absolutely great! There were many good things that happened, many lessons taught and learned, and progression in the language. Time could not be going faster!

On a sad note, the Provo Temple is closed every July for cleaning (?). It makes me really sad to think that my last visit to the temple for two years happened last Friday. The temple is amazing and I will miss it. 

On another good note, the MTC had a July 4th program for all the missionaries to celebrate the independence of the United States. At the program we had a speaker, and then we had an awesome patriotic musical number that was a flute piano duet (it was very good). Then, we watched the movie "17 miracles" about the Martin and Willie handcart company. It was pretty powerful considering the spirit of the event and the tone setting "They the Builders of the nation" and "Press forward Saints" that we sung right before the movie. Then, we went outside to enjoy an ice cream treat and the 4th of July fireworks. It was a very good day.

Today we get to Skype and teach real Korean members in Korea for our teaching practice!

I have learned a lot this week. And, as usual, the learning that comes to mind first is what impressed me this morning. In Preach My Gospel it states that the Gift of the Holy Ghost brings a host of blessings and is the key to salvation. Don't live under your privileges with this wonderful gift--it is amazing. "Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost, wherefore they speak the words of Christ; wherefore I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ, for behold, the words of Christ will show you all thing what ye should do." This verse has defined the last 3 years of my life. Let the Holy Ghost guide you to greater happiness and enjoyment. He will--if you ask, in faith believing.

 여르분에게 저를 받은 도음을 위해 감사드립니다! (Thanks to everyone for the support that I have received!)

Have a wonderful week and good luck with the adjustment in Minnesota!

Ps. I would love to have a Corvallis Stake directory so that I can write people!

4th MTC Letter

Dear Family,

This Sunday will mark the halfway point of my stay at the MTC. 4 and a half weeks has gone by so quickly, and I have learned so much. I hope you received the written letters that I sent you...I sent them to the house in Oregon, so hopefully you will get them. This past week has been a great week at the MTC. My companion and I have been teaching diligently and learning the language diligently as well. In case you didn't happen to know, there was a semi-kind-of-a-big-deal event that happened on Sunday.--Let's just say that I saw President Monson in person twice at the MTC, along with Elder Holland, Elder Nelson, Elder Ballard, and Elder Packer. Pretty cool. I was not in attendance, but they had some missionaries pass the sacrament at a Mission President Sacrament meeting where all of the 12 and the First Presidency were there (except one of course). The broadcast was a wonderful experience.  It  was a grand experience to hear from the Twelve Apostles and the revelation that they have received considering the progression of missionary work in this age.

On another good note, I had the opportunity to meet my mission president twice while he was here for the mission president seminar. He had all of the Taejon missionaries report to a classroom and we talked and he let us know about himself, about the mission, and about the culture of Korea. He is a great man, a native Taejon Korean (and his wife as well), who may not be impressive in stature, but who is most definitely impressive in spirit and love. He was an electrical engineer working on micro processing chips for Intel in Portland Oregon before he went back to Samsung in Korea. He also has a business degree, and you can tell. His emphasis, besides culture, was working hard (which is really the culture). He told us that we need to work hard and then we can play. He knows Korea very well and is very excited for us to experience the Korean culture. He said that he will try to put us in both urban and rural situations so that we will get more of the Korean experience (although sisters serve mainly in urban areas). He is a great man, and I know I am going to like him a lot!

Life continues with great experiences! Tender mercies abound, and the work moves forward! Yesterday my companion and I had a moment of joy after we taught a lesson to one of our {actor portrayed} progressing investigators. We didn't have time to answer all of his questions, but we were able to help him understand a little bit more about the Atonement and how it was important, and he opened up to us what questions he had and where he needed help. The lesson was not anything special, but I have been learning recently a very profound lesson. I have learned of the power of companionship unity and teaching by the Spirit. Companionship unity is HUGE when teaching a lesson, and really affects the environment. I think that this is true of all companionships, whether it is with family, a spouse, the Holy Spirit, etc. When we really trust and love the companion, that is when the two becomes one, and that one has much greater capacity to influence the lives of others than one or the other by him/her self. Companionship unity is very important.

On another note, I just want to mention the great importance of the Book of Mormon. Our mission president told us that Elder Nelson said that without the Book of Mormon, there would be no gathering of Israel in the Latter-days. Besides this, the book is absolutely plain and precious. Specifically regarding the Atonement, the Book of Mormon will teach more about the Atonement, its role in our personal lives here and in eternity, than any other source! I cannot express the invaluable nature of the Book of Mormon and the amazing contents therein. To know that it is the word of God and represents only a fraction of God's dealings with His children is wonderful indeed!

One spiritual message of hope. There is opposition in all things. This thought of inspiration, however, is focused on the Atonement. Remember whenever you are feeling and feeling of pain, disappointment, doubt, despair, etc., that that feeling has an opposite; and that the opposite feeling is available through the power of the Atonement. We must know the bitter to prize the sweet. If you ever have a bad feeling, remember that every bad feeling has an opposite feeling of parallel strength. We can gain the opposite feelings through the Atonement (2 Nephi 2:10).   With Love and Care, Elder Strahl