July 9- 21, 2014
HEEEEEEEYYYYY!!!!!!
FINALLY I can email you! I only have about half an hour now because I had to figure out how to send a letter to my Mission President and figure stuff out with the email, so this will probably be a lot shorter than either of us would like. The computer I'm using messes up any memory cards we use with it, so I can't attach any pictures right now. I'll be sure to send all of the pictures first thing next week.
The MTC was great! There were only about 50 missionaries there when I was there, and it can hold about 100, so things were pretty relaxed while I was there. Because it was so small, we got to know the MTC President personally, which I thought was really cool. He was really nice and helpful to talk to, and he was pretty funny too.
On the 4th of July, he brought out an American flag and put it in the cafeteria, and then on my birthday, he brought out a big cupcake while we were all eating and had everyone sing happy birthday to me. Unfortunately, I just so happened to forget to get the pictures from my MTC Companion, so I can't send them to you.
The other missionaries in my district were nice - there was one from Switzerland, one from Portugal, one from Salt Lake City, one from Idaho, and I can't remember where the last one was from. I'm gonna send a picture or two of our district with our favorite teacher, Brother Rojas.
One highlight from the MTC that I'd like to include is our little "field trip" into Manchester to go finding. I was really nervous because I wasn't sure what I'd say to get a conversation going, but it actually went really well. On the train ride there, I sat next to a woman named Nicola, and we were able to have a great conversation. We talked a little bit about ourselves, and then I was able to teach her a bit of what we believe. I was able to get her contact info, but forgot to give her a pass-along card.
My companion and I also found a girl named Ria, and she was really interested in our message. I felt really bad while we were talking to her because I felt we were giving her an information overload (my companion loved talking to people), but we got her to accept a copy of the Book of Mormon and gave her a few verses to read. We don't know what happened to her after we left, but we're hoping that she was interested enough to give the missionaries a call.
It was a little hard leaving the MTC - it was like leaving home all over again - but we were also excited to start our missions, so that helped us get over leaving the MTC. It was a long day of traveling, but we eventually got to the right place and finally met President Jordan and his wife. After giving us some binders with information, talking and interviewing us, and taking our pictures, we were paired with our companions.
I was near the end of the process, but I still got paired with the other tallest elder named Elder Zarse (pronounced "tzah-zah") from Germany. At first, we couldn't tell who was taller, but now we're pretty sure that I'm just a little bit taller than him. He actually sounds more American than he does German, and people often ask him which state in America he's from. He's been really patient with me and my questions, and he's also been helping me adjust to missionary life and become more confident in myself as a missionary.
We've taught a few lessons so far, and I've figured out that there are some guidelines I need to follow for eating over here, so I'm already learning a whole bunch. I'm so grateful for the preparation I had at home so I could hit the ground running on my mission.
After we got paired up in companionships, we took a few pictures, got everything we needed from the mission office, and took the train to my new area, and went to bed. We didn't really have much time to unpack everything, so I just left most of my stuff in the suitcase. I had my first dinner appointment and lesson the next day with some members in the ward and an investigator the missionaries have had since March.
I tried to eat slowly enough during the meal so that I wouldn't be asked to have seconds, but then they heaped another full serving on my plate after I finished. I thought I was pretty full after that, but THEN they brought out a big dessert, which they had me eat two servings of again. I was pretty sure I was going to explode. After that, we had a good lesson with Irene, the investigator, and the Faggs, the members who hosted the dinner. We're getting really close to baptizing Irene, but she keeps saying she feels pressured whenever we ask her to commit to a baptismal date. We had her come to a baptismal service on Sunday, and she said she was about 90% sure that she wanted to be baptized now. She kept commenting on how the new member couldn't stop smiling, and we told her that she could be like that if she were baptized. We're really excited with how close we're getting with her.
My time's run out, so I can't really share many other missionary experiences right now, but hopefully I'll be able to tell you all more next time.
I'd like to bear my testimony that this Church is true. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and that he translated the Book of Mormon. I know that the Book of Mormon is true, and I know that we can receive a witness for ourselves that it is true if we read, ponder, and pray to know. I know that the gospel can bring peace, joy, and happiness into our lives, and I'm excited to go out and help people learn that.
Love you all!!!
Love, Elder McOmber
Funnies of the week:
George, a 94 year old man in the ward, was asked what his highlight of the week was. He responded, "I'm still here!"
Note from his Mission President's Wife:
I just wanted to let you know that your missionary arrived here and is safely in the care of his new companion. He is serving with Elder Zarse, from Germany in the Maldon Ward.
We love him already-
Sister Jordan
We love him already-
Sister Jordan
(No pictures this week)
(No address to send mail yet - just write emails for now)
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