OHHH... We're Half Way There!

Olá Irmãos e Irmãs,

You might have already guessed since I went ahead and put it in the subject, but I have officially passed the halfway mark for my time in at-home MTC! 

**There are a couple of things I feel I should address before I continue: 1) No, I was not breaking mission rules and listening to Bon Jovi before writing this email (the song's title is "Livin' on a Prayer," so I think we'd be good anyway) and 2) I'm not by any means saying I'm ready to be done with my MTC experience because it has been great and I've been able to meet some incredible people. I'm just saying I'm excited to get into the field and serve!**

Not only that, but my official travel itinerary was sent to me during the week! I, officially, will be flying from Cody-Denver-Salt Lake City September 7th to begin my temporary assignment in Orem! "Why not take the direct flight from Cody to Salt Lake?," you may ask. I guarantee you it's because Heavenly Father knows how much of an aviation geek I am and how much more I'll enjoy being around airplanes and airports for 6 and a half hours rather than 50 minutes. So I've got to say, I'm feeling pretty blessed.

My new MTC instructors are Irmão Silva and Irmã Ragazzo, both from São Paulo, Brazil. Of course I miss my old instructors, but I have loved being able to learn from these two. While the classes are now being (almost) entirely held in Portuguese, I have been understanding (almost) everything that is being spoken! In fact, just last night, I had my first Portuguese dream! 

While I did not get an opportunity to visit the temple this week, I did what I believe is the next best thing and went up into the mountains. President Newman gave the advice and I was happy to take it! While up there, I spent this morning studying the Book of Mormon (mountain scripture study is something I would now strongly recommend, along with hiking and listening to conference talks). I was reading in Alma - yes! - and read the following verse - verse 41 - in chapter 32:

"But if ye will nourish the word, yea, nourish the tree as it beginneth to grow, by your faith with great diligence, and with patience, looking forward to the fruit thereof, it shall take root; and behold it shall be a tree springing up unto everlasting life."

I thought this was an incredible verse, especially the phrase "looking forward to the fruit thereof." To me, this means doing everything in our lives and making every decision with an eternal perspective. How will this choice affect my eternity, or will it? 

I know that, just like this verse says, growing our faith takes diligence and patience. But when we put in the time and work that is required, our testimonies will begin to take root and we will eventually begin to reap what we sow. I encourage all of you to take another look at Alma 32, because it is a personal favorite of mine, and there is something or some things that we can learn every time we read it.

I hope you all have a great week! Thank you for the prayers, kind words, and support!

Tchau,
Elder Lindsay

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