9 MORE DAYS IN AMERICA

September 18, 2018

9 MORE DAYS IN AMERICA

September 14, 2018
"So let me start off by saying that I didn't lie when I said that I arrive at the Manila MTC on the 26th. But I just recently found out that I leave on the 24th. Thus meaning I have 9 more days here in the states. PRETTY EXCITING!
My birthday was so great! But at the same time it was super weird. I do not feel 19, and we didn't get to party like I said we did because we are so busy all the time! Thank you so much for the packages Mom, Dad, Jake and Bennett. And also GMA and GPA Wiberg, as well as Courtney!:) I loved it so much! Courtney thanks for the party hats they were a lot of fun lol. Thanks GMA and GPA McDonald for the card signed by you guys and the McDonald cousins! I loved it so much! My district made it as good as it can be. They put me on a chair and carried me around the residence halls and sang happy birthday to me at every meal. And during class. Also whoever bought me doughnuts! Thank you!!! I don't know who that was from.
My companion and I are very entertaining for our district. Especially my companion Elder Summerville, he is a clown. There's a sister in our district who is so easy to make laugh, it's a lot of fun. I also got her to freestyle rap yesterday and she roasted an elder in my room. It was hilarious. Like I said, the MTC can be boring so you gotta do whatever it takes to have fun haha.
Speaking of doing what it takes to have fun. I spend a lot of my time "spooning" Elders and Sisters. That's where you take a spoon from the cafeteria and slide it into someone's pocket and just pray they don't notice, haha! I've gotten pretty good at it. My favorite people to spoon are strangers. Every once in awhile their companion will notice and I'll just put my finger over my lips and go "shhh" and they don't say anything. I love it haha. Some Elders in my district are planning to do the "ultimate spoon" which is spooning the MTC President. I think it's more of a dream though, because that's a risky spoon.
I know it's September...but in the Philippines they are already in the Christmas spirit. They celebrate Christmas from September-December. I think that's so cool!
On a more spiritual note, Robert C. Gay of the Seventy gave a Tuesday devotional and in it he mentioned that not only will I be blessing those I serve in the Philippines, but I will be blessing the lives of those who I left behind at home. I loved that. It just gives me another reason to serve. I know my family is super blessed for me and my brother Davis' efforts. And hopefully soon for Jake's.
I also have an increased testimony of prayer. God answers ALL prayers. But just like everything else, faith and efforts are required in order to recognize the answers to your prayers. When Nephi broke his bow, he put forth the effort to make a new bow to hunt with and asked "whither shall I go to obtain food?" And his prayers were answered because of his faith in God and the efforts he made towards the answer to his prayer. Joseph Smith constantly asked God which church was true, but not only did he do that--he had faith that God will answer his prayers and put forth his effort towards the Scriptures. That's when he read James 1:5, that gave him the prompting (an answer to his prayers) to go and cry out unto the Lord which church was true. That's when God answered his prayer in a way we will never experience. He saw God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ! And it was all because of his faith and efforts! SAY YOUR PRAYERS!
I love you all! Hopefully you got something out of my email! Ingat po!

Birthday Shenanigans