WEEK 2- Shine your Light!

It's only been a few days but they messed up our schedule so we got another P-day. This is actually like Christmas for a missionary!

The weekend was really great. Sunday might have been the longest day in all my 20 years but I learned so much. I went to choir for the first time and it was the greatest experience. The MTC choir is made up of 1000 missionaries. I think the choir is where I feel closest to my Heavenly Father especially when the elders sing their part in the song Praise to the Man. It gives me chills to listen to them. The instructor is awesome too and gives us mini lessons during practice. It's just great and puts all other choirs to shame.

Our days are always packed now that we are teaching people and preparing lessons everyday. I never thought I would love studying the scriptures and teaching so much. It's seriously my new favorite thing. Don't get me wrong I still have a ton to learn and talking to people is kinda scary but I have felt so much happiness as I share the Savior's love with others. I just want to learn more and get better so I can reach as many people as possible and be more confident.

This week I have thought a lot about the power of examples. I grew up in a great ward and school and loved going to the University of Idaho and being in Delta Gamma, but I can honestly say I've never been around so many peers who have such strong testimonies of the gospel. It's kind of foreign but so amazing. For the most part, these Elders and Sisters and are younger than me and more knowledgeable about the scriptures and doctrine. You know when you play a sport and the other team you're playing is either super bad or super good and you end up playing to their level? Being at the MTC is kind of like that for me. Except for the people I am playing with are really great and in turn they are bringing me up to their level of spiritual strength. I think I've learned the most from the awesome Elders in my branch. Listening to these young men share the gospel and have such a passion for their Savior is a dream. The sisters in my room inspire me too. Every night we all share a scripture or spiritual thought and say a zone prayer together. In the Bible dictionary it says that faith is kindled by hearing the testimonies of those who have faith. I have without a double felt my faith being nurtured by those around me. The Elders and Sisters here push me to develop the characteristics of Christ that I see in them. And what's really great is that we still have so much fun together and laugh all the time.

I also want to take a moment to recognize my teachers and the spiritual giants they are. Sister Everett and Brother Coutu are returned missionaries and teach our district everything we need to know to be great and come closer to Christ. Sister Everett is precious and she is just a year older than me, but I want to be just like her! She is the cute Korean in my pictures! Brother Coutu is a little more intense and kind of scares me but he absolutely pushes me and the rest of the district. We were doing contact practices the other day and he stopped us and called us out and told us not to BS this. Because giving your testimony of Christ and the Book of Mormon should never be anything but 100% authentic. Ever since then my district has stepped it up and we are all getting better at teaching and reaching out to others. He is so great. My district is so great!

I find myself sometimes needing patience and sleep and strength, but tell you what I haven't even reached for my redbulls that I may or may not have hidden in my sock drawer and have only cussed a few times. And that was because Sister Jessen made me play basketball with her and if you know me you know how well that usually goes. All jokes but really the more I read my scriptures and pray to my Heavenly Father the more strength he gives me. Being obedient and working hard has blessed me and those I teach so much I can feel it. Being surrounded by all of these wonderful, cool, kind, and contagious Elders and Sisters has allowed me to get on their level and follow not only their example but the example of the Savior.

3 Nephi 18:24

"Therefore, hold up your light that it may shine unto the world. Behold I am the light which ye shall hold up..."

The light of Christ is within all of us. Seriously every person on this Earth was born with it and is truly contagious. Hold up your light and let it shine. If you feel like your light is too dim, strengthen it by following those whose lights lift you and make you better. Thanks again for all the love, prayers, packages, and letters!

Kloveyoubye,

Sister Fisher