WEEK 1/104: MTC Life

Hello everyone!

Or as they would say in the language I was called to speak, "hello everyone"! Haha. Well what can I say, mission life is exceptional!! Yes it is by far the hardest thing I have ever done, but the reward and the strong spirit that accompanies me overpowers any hardships. 

The food is awful here but I'm still trying to eat it. I think in time I will learn to love it, probably. (He said breakfast is by far his favorite meal.  He said lunch and dinner are awful.  Yesterday they served yams with goat meat mixed in with all this other "crazy stuff" that he didn't want to ask what it was.  He couldn't get even half of it down.  He said even some of the natives couldn't eat it.  The portions are huge and heavy and he said he's gaining weight with all the sitting and large heavy meals.). The native missionaries to Africa are the sweetest, kindest most genuine people you will ever meet. However, one of them did steal my deodorant haha. That's okay, they are still learning and I'm sure he needs it more than me. They are very sweet but they have bad BO. I have plenty of deodorant so I'm not worried about it. Also side note, girls in this culture do not shave their legs. That is different but its okay. 

Also I apologize for not sending pictures. I failed to pack a cord that would allow me to do so. As soon as I am out in the field I will search for one. I am the only missionary I know of in the MTC to already be on my second companion. My first was Elder Menah and my companion now is Elder Ueara. They had to switch because Elder Ueara needs to learn how to speak English better but was failing to do so because he would only talk in his native tongue with his first companion. Luckily for him I only speak English so he has no choice but to speak it as well. The natives English is terrible and their accent is thick so it is hard to understand them, however as the week went on I can understand them very well now. 

I went to the temple today to do Endowments and wow what a special experience. (He said he saw and sat next to his mission president the whole time.  I'm thinking he meant his Kumasi mission president because they could be in the MTC right now as well since they take over in July?) I love the peace that you feel in the temple. Please go to the temple often.  It will be a blessing and a tender mercy for you if you take advantage of it. I read the Book of Mormon everyday usually like 10 or more times a day haha. I just love reading and learning. I did not think it to be possible but I have already like doubled in my growth and testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ in just this short week being at the MTC. 

My advice for future missionaries is this, you will be homesick and wish for nothing more but to be home. When those feelings come, and I promise they will, say a prayer, ask for strength, get to work, and read the scriptures. Those feelings are temporary and normal.  However, do not let them overpower you and let it get you down more than what is normal and healthy. I promise you that if you do your best to be strictly obedient you will learn to love learning and love the work. This is the hardest time ever but the best time ever. I have very many friends and they are so happy and funny. 

I will leave you will a message of something I learned in the Book of Mormon. 1 Nephi chapter 11. Read over and observe. The angel always says to Nephi to look and behold those things which you desire to know. Notice, the angel says looks and only directs him to the further knowledge he seeks, however he does not just give it to him or make him do anything.  He simply leads him in the right direction but it is up to Nephi to look.  The same is true for us when we need direction or an answer to prayer.  We will not be simply handed what we want or given anything without any effort. It is up to us to make the effort, search, act in faith, or look in order to see and receive that which our Father in Heaven has in store for us

Love you all

Elder Pace

He said he has not missed having a phone in the slightest (thankfully he only had one for a year so he hadn't become too dependent) but only being able to communicate once a week has been tough.  He did ask me to write only once a week since he doesn't have time to read all my emails and have time to respond :)

Brother Neil L. Andersen comes to their MTC today so hopefully he will have time to share about that next week.  They do not have a choir at this MTC which I thought was surprising.

And, he wants Grandma to know he wears her ring every day! :)