June 16, 2009 Spanish, Illness, It's an adventure at the MTC

Wow, another week has passed by just like that! It's mind-boggling to thing that tomorrow (Wednesday) I will have been serving for a month!! That time flies so fast when you're going going going every single day...I absolutely love that!A lot has happened this week. At the first of the week my companion was pretty sick. We thought he had the flu for a little while but after quite a few stops to the health clinic and one time where they had him stay in a sick bed for a while, he's doing just fine. It turned out not to be the flu. We knew it was bad though when the Health Center knew us by name and my companion by his first name.This week my Spanish has come a long way. We have been learning a few grammar principles that have really expanded my horizons and enabled me to communicate more clearly in Spanish. It's still confusing a lot of times, but I'm getting to the point where if I really work at it, I can understand (at times) a lot of what I read. I've still got a long way to go though and am excited to keep working hard. This week I feel I have learned so so much! I believe that I could write that statement every week. But I feel that I am growing so much as a person and am continuing on in that process of becoming what the Lord wants me to be. I'm excited to work on developing Christlike attributes. We had a Fireside in the past week in which the Speaker said that on a mission is the BEST time to develop Christlike attributes and drop the bad attributes. I'm really excited to get down into this and study it more and work every day to become like Christ. I know that as I rely on the atomenent to become more like Christ the more I will be able to teach with power. It will not be my words that have power, but the Spirit will teach with that power. It's all about the Atonement.This week truly has been one of the most growing times of my mission to date. I'm learning more how to trust in what God wants me to do and humbly give my will over to Him. I've sure got a long way to go but I know I have grown quite a lot by giving my life to Him.As for other news. I think the Prophet is coming to speak to us not this Friday, but next Friday. I can't think of too many other reasons they would have a "Special Devotions," a "Special Choir," and move the Devotional from it's normal time on Tuesday to Friday. We'll see how it goes though, I'm pretty excited!This week Elder Taylor, my companion, and I are auditioning for perform a Special Musical number (Not to be confused with the Special Devotional or the Special Fireside... :) ). The Musical number is "My Kindness Shall not Depart From Thee" and is one of my favorite songs. We'll see how it goes, I will for sure let everyone know.I know this church is true, and the God leads and directs His church today. His way is the way of happiness. I testify of this fact and know that God loves all of us! Take care everyone!Ok, that's about it.I love you everyone. I pray for you. I'm so happy to be a missionary out serving the Lord!
Love,Elder Benjamin Hoglund