October 15th.

So, my time at the MTC is about to come to an end, and, knowing me, nothing is ever really complete until I can summarize and make a clear and defined list of what I have learned from the experience. So here it is:

1. Obedience is the first law of everything

2. The ability to know how to follow the Spirit to be an instrument in the Lord's hands in bringing others unto Christ is the greatest ability and gift we could possibly develop in this life. I want to be able to do that even more than I want to be able to sing. I'm glad I'm here.

3. Conversion by the Spirit outweighs logic. Heavenly Father speaks to our hearts and helps us to understand the things that our minds cannot comprehend when we have faith in Him. (That's something my teacher's investigator told him, it's my favorite thing I've heard since being here). We can be sure and have faith that others can truly gain a testimony that will inspire them to have the faith to follow all of the things that God asks of us, even when our minds don't understand it.

4.True conversion comes through action. It is through a person keeping committments and promises that their hearts are changed. All missionary work is about inspiring people to ACT. We do this by having an attitude of love for the Gospel and for those around us.

5.God gives us miracles. I've seen it in the courage that I've had in things I've been able to say and do that I never thought I could. As a missionary, the Spirit works through you far more than you realize.

6. God pushes us to reach our potential because He loves us and wants us to achieve all of the great things He has in store for us. God doesn't spoon feed us happiness when He knows we need to grow. He wouldn't make us endure any hardship that wasn't necessary for our becomming who He needs us to be. It is a great compliment to be pushed to be better, it means God sees and wants greater things for us.

7. The hand of the Lord is in our lives far more than we realize. Even in the times when we think we messed up the plan, or we somehow got off course, we realize that those were significant times that our Father in Heaven used to guide us to recognize and recieve the happiness and blessings of the answers we seek. He is in control far more than I ever realized until being here and looking back on everything that brought me to where I am.

Also...

 "Called to Serve" is a great song, but that doesn't mean you have to sing it twice a week.