Well it has been a great week at the MTC. Every 15 minutes is scheduled, so you are always doing something. Afternoon naps are a thing of the past!
The greatest thing i have learned since being here (other than bettering my spanish by hearing it 24/7) is people. We as missionaries are going out to the mission field to teach people, not lessons. I have learned and am still learning to talk to people about their lives and and getting to know them.
I like to think of it like this: People go about their lives in a daily routine, acting in their roles in society. Whether they think about it consciously or not, all wonder about their origins, about some higher purpose in this life. It's kind of like everyone is asleep, dreaming. Their dreams are their daily lives and routines. Our job as missionaries is to go around and wake people up and tell them where they are and why and what they can do to live life knowiing their purpose. Sometimes people wake up on their own and ask the people around where they are. Others, upon our waking them up, are grumpy and tell us to go away and they roll over and go back to sleep. That's missionary work I guess. Some people just don't care or aren't ready.
Living with the influence of the Spirit is a great advantage. Before, I noticed and felt teh presence of the Spirit, when I was doing the right things, studying the scriptures, etc. Here, though, it's different. I am constantly with the Spirit, so now I notice and feel the absence of the Spirit instead of noticing the presence. When there is an absence, it is time to evaluate what you are doing to drive the spirit away.
One other thing struck me this week. I was thinking about the name tag that I wear. It looks like this:
ELDER BUNKER
LA IGLESIA DE
JESUCRISTO
DE LOS SANTOS
DE LOS ULTIMOS DIAS
Thinking about that, I notieced and remembered that I bear Christ's name below mine. If I am a representative of Him, I need to study his life more and incorporate his teachings and attributes in my life & teaching. Food for thought.
Well my time is up. I testify, though, that Christ is the Savior and Redeemer. That he conquered death so we might return to our Father in Heaven. He is our father. We are his children. He loves us and wants us each to come back. My job is to help others find Father. That's why I have developed and am trying to develop a love (charity) for everyone, regardless of class, clothes, or style.
I love you all and thank you for your prayers. I pray for you every day.
Love,
Elder Daniel Bunker
