Week 5: Halfway Through the MTC!

I got to see both Elder Trevor Peterson and Elder Zachary Ralph several times this week!

September 17, 2016

Hello all!

This week on Sunday Elder Ballard spoke at the devotional. I always love when one of the 12 come. Also, hardly anyone realized it was 9/11. The MTC is so isolated, and no one ever really knows what day it is =P

Our first temple walk with our 5 new members of the zone was good. They're all super cool. 

New missionaries in my zone: Elders Vasic, Davis, Jensen, Mueller, and Sister Wilson.

 

Monday, I started feeling a notably less sick. Been gradually feeling better since then.

On Tuesday, Quentin L. Cook of the 12 came for the devotional. So, that's 3 of the 12 apostles in a row. Beforehand, during choir practice, the choir director told us the story of Jacob and his brother Esau, and how that's what the song "Nearer My God To Thee" is about. My favorite line from the song is "nearer my God, to thee, e'en though it be a cross that raiseth me." If we're put up on a cross, we're 4 feet physically closer to heaven. But, of course, this cross is symbolic of whatever hardships and trials we have in life. The hard things in life should prompt us to come closer to God. To ask more sincerely for his help. The choir director also told a story of how some scientists smashed some peanut butter between two huge black rocks that were crazy hot, left it for "many days", and then cracked it open. Guess what was in there? I diamond. "Though we, the peanut butter, don't necessarily enjoy being smashed between burning rocks, that's how we become a diamond". Of course, Elder Cook's talk and testimony was so good. He just said so much good stuff that I can't even think of what to say. His testimony is super powerful, though. He knows that Christ lives and leads this church, and I believe it too.

This week I also got an Adriatic North Mission t-shirt. I love the map, with all 5 flags. I also got 3 new ties in the mail (thanks mom!) and that was great.

Adriatic North Mission T-shirt!

Me and Elder Logan Leach wearing our new t-shirts

DearElder letter and one of the new ties from my mom

 Your homework this week is to study Alma 42. The chapter is one where Alma the Younger is speaking to one of his sons who has had some problems in the past. Alma explains about justice and the law of God and how we'd all be lost if it were just that. However, our Heavenly Father is merciful, and thus provided a Savior for us, Jesus Christ. Through Jesus Christ, both justice and mercy can be satisfied. Our part is to simply choose to come unto Christ, and live our lives as he wants us to.

I hope you all have a great week! I love you all.

--

Elder Ryan Echols
OCT18 ADRTCN
2005 N 900 E Unit 232
Provo UT 84602

I found Sister Brimhall at the MTC this week. I knew her while I was attending BYU.

I also found Elder Sam Dearden at the MTC this week! He was in my ward in Ohio and is going to the Seattle Tacoma mission.