Last Letter From The MTC (01/21/2011)

Hola family, I am very excited that I now get to go to Bolivia. It's way crazy to think that I will be leaving here so soon. But I know that it's going to be an awesome experience. I would have never taken away the MTC experience, because it has built me so much. My testimony has grown so strong and I have learned so much about doctrine and also a lot about teaching. When iI first came in, I couldnt teach at all. It was dicouraging. But when I put my faith in God and rely on him to help me teach, it feels so good and the teaching flows so much better. I love it so much and I'm thankful my Heavenly Father is helping me so much and letting me teach with more power and authority. I truly believe that when you are humble and rely on the our Heavenly Father and the Holy Ghost to be able to help you teach, that's when teaching works out so much better. The spirit is so much stronger. But this also takes a lot of work on our part. If I don't make good use of studying or praying for help, then teaching never goes as well. But when I do, I love it so much! It's the best feeling ever to teach and bring others closer to Christ. The best experience that I had so far, was with one of our teachers. We are pretty good friends withhim. His name is Hermano Ducauro. He is from Colombia and is way funny. The other day he came up and told me and my companion that he had some time if we wanted to teach him. We said sure and went and found somewhere to teach. He then started saying that he had sexual problems with girls and that he knew it was against the Law of chastity. In our district, we talk about how awkward this would be to teach this. But we taught him and my companion and I were feeling so great about this. The Spirit felt so good and we were saying things we had studied, but never used before. It was so cool. We told him how his Heavenly Father would truly help him if he would have faith. We read him a scripture on how faith would help him over come this sin and that after he would have strength to control his thoughts and his body. His eyes were even watering which is very crazy for him. But my companion and I were so thankful that our Heavenly Father was helping us and that through the Spirit we were able to teach him and convince him to follow the law of chastity. Afterwards he said "wow" and was surprised my companion was saying so much more in Spanish than last time we taught him. He even said my Spanish was getting a lot better. He said he liked it a lot and felt the Spirit very strong. I know there is no way we could have done this without the help of our Heavenly Father, and very thankful that we were able to be tools in his hands. It is pretty crazy how fast time has passed here at the MTC. It really feels like I have only been here 3 weeks even though it wil be ten weeks in a few days. I am excited to see the change in the lives of Bolivians. I loved getting the packages this week and I'll send some stuff home tomorrow. Probably my coat. It's big and I dont think I'll use it. I received the calling cards today and I'm excited to talk to all of you. I now weigh 180 pounds,which is fantastic! It's not fat, so don't worry ha ha. I do eat a lot here! I wish all of you an incredibe week and I look forward to telling you how Bolivia is. love, Elder Christoffersen