Week 3!

Dear family and friends,

 

Life is good. I can't complain.  Haha.  I guess I haven't mentioned the food yet, but it is delicous.  Does not beat your cooking though, mom.  Don't worry, I still get my veggies every day.   I think I'm basically the same weight as I came in.  At least thus far.  Haha.  It was a spiritual feast this whole week.  The amount of insights, lessons learned, and new knowledge learned was just incredible.  I studied faith a little bit this week.  I learned how at least for myself, my faith first began with a hope, a hope in a reality that God is real and that He loves me and that He is real.  This gave me the desire to believe (Alma 32).  As I've nourished this faith, through scripture study, daily prayer, and attemping (but often failing) to be a follower of Christ, my faith has grown.  In fact, there are some things, that I do know.  I know that God does indeed exist.  I know that I am here for a reason and that I can be with my family forever.  I know the Book of Mormon is the Word of God with the Bible.  I have felt its power and know that it is indeed very relevant to my life.  In fact, I did take myself on the challenge I extended last Wednesday.  I began to read the Book of Mormon once more.  I have loved it.  I had a experience this morning when I was pondering a certain question.  I needed a little comfort and my mission to put back into perspective.  A prompting came to read a passage of scripture in the Book of Mormon.  I had no idea what this chaper was about before I began to read it, but it answered exactly my question and helped renew my resolve in my trust in God.  I know that the Holy Ghost really is a gift of God, but as Corinthians discusses, gifts of God are to glorify Him and allow us to become hands in His work.  So true.  I watched one of the most inspirational Mormon messages that I have ever watched on Sunday.  It is about a blind 15-year-old who discovered his gift at the piano when he was 12.  He basically has a "photographic" audio memory, so he can play any song he hears the first time he attempts to do so.  There is a quote from Elder Perry at the very end, "God has given us gifts, pray to God to find them, then share them to bless the lives of others and we will one day be like Him."  I urge everyone to find their gifts and develop them.  I will write more on this idea towards the end of the letter. It made me think of Grandpa Shumway and his witty humor, magic tricks, violin playing, harmonica playing, and just plain example was a gift to all of us.  He brought such joy and happiness to our lives.  I miss him, but I am in the right place.  I look forward to seeing him once.  I taught a lesson this week and I was sharing one of my favorite scriptures, Alma 36:3.  The investigator asked me why that scripture was so important to me.  I reflected back to junior year when I was sick and Grandpa Shumway died.  I know Grandpa Shumway is watching me each day.  I made him promise me a basketball game in our next meeting shortly before he passed away.  In the end, the gospel of Jesus Christ is very simple to me.  It contains a plan, the Plan of Salvation, where we learn on this Earth, so we can return to God and be with our families forever (D &C 137,138, 2 Nephi 9). That is a tremendous promise.  That is the message that I so long to share.  I want people to know God is our Father and we are His children.  As we place trust in our earthly father, how much greater faith should we place in our Father in Heaven (Hebrews 12:10). 

 

The MTC is a lot of fun.  Sometimes just have to find ways to get a laugh and crack other people's smiles.  I am started to be know in my district as the "opera singer."  I was singing "Caro Mio Ben," the song I sang in tenth grade in the shower, so now everytime I'm in the shower, people try to get me to sing a song.  Funny story:   I was cleaning bathrooms with Elder Marker on Monday.  I'm not sure why, but I really in a mood to sing, so I was singing different songs like American Pie and Oh Girl.  I then started to play around and write my own song about my mission.  I'll try to send it when I get it done.  I'm not goign to lie.  I don't think it's half-bad.  Haha.    A gift.   I guess we will see.  Haha.  I do love singing, but I do wish I was better at reading music.  Natalie Bennion heard me singing and saw that it was me.  I thought it was pretty funny she recognized me by my voice.  Saw Tyson Smith this week.  Always good to see cousins.  I think you're right Sarah.  My voice is not a bass, but is more of a baritone/tenor.  I admit I like to think of myself as a bass, but maybe my voice is better in the upper range.  I did join the choir.  It's a 2000 voice strong choir.  Pretty amazing.  Don't you think?  We sang "Faith of Our Fathers."  Interesting story:  did you know that an Indian chief that basically was the chief of the
Eastern United States prophesied that George Washington would become the leader of the new nation that would develop in this continent.  I think that is pretty cool. 

 

Amazing devotional on Sunday.  It was given by Brother Swenson, who worked at the Missionary Department, for over 40 years.  It was so powerful.  He said that he has been involved personally in the making of 600,000 mission calls.  He testified how our calls are inspired.   I do feel that way and I know I will come to even a better understanding, once I depart for Australia.  One thing that he said that hit me was how goal-setting is an act of faith.  So true.  What we must remember is to have an overall vision and then set incremental goals to help us progress and eventually achieve that vision. 

 

Happy for Peter and how their team did so well at nationals.  What did Mr. Rice think when you told him about where I was.  He is a good man.  I did learn a lot in his class.  Good job Anna on continuing to be an initiator for the Singles Branch and continuing to work hard at your internship.  I'm so happy that you like it.   I love your sense of humor in your letters. Elias, happy that you are enjoying the family reunion.  Cousins and family are awesome!!  Dad, I think I might have seen you on top of Timp.  Haha.   Good times and memories though.  Remember, I did it with you when I was going into second grade. I did get your watch.  Thanks so much. It's an awewsome watch.  It reminds me of the value of time.  Mom, happy that you are continuing to play the cello.  Music is so much fun.  I love singing the hymns in Vietnamese.  They are done in a Vietnamese accent, so they have a lot of zs.  Hyrum, thanks for you constant updates on your trip.  Sarah, I sent you a letter, so hopefully, you get it soon.  Mom, Dad, Peter, Elias, and Anna, I sent you all letters last week.  May God bless you all.  Happy Fourth of July.  We do live in a great nation.  I am grateful to part of it. We are so blessed to have the freedoms and liberties that we have.  I will never forget the sacrifrices made to make this great nation last. 

 

Yours in the gospel of love, please pray for me as I pray for you.  For we all need it. 

 

Elder Jonathan Shumway