Week 3 at the MTC

Hello Everyone!

It's been an incredible week this week! I can't begin to describe to you what happens when you apply yourself and seek righteous desires with faith. I'll start with the TRC and move on from there.

The TRC (Teaching Resource Center) is a culmination of all our activites during the week. We have a language and a teaching segment where we speak 100% Czech doing different tasks (like contacting, testifying, praying, talking about families and interests, etc.), and then teach a full on lesson to simulated investigators. There is a storyline we follow from our binders and we try to teach to the needs of the people that are being simulated for us. It's a great opportunity to iron out the kinks in our personal performance in a safe environment (reminds me a lot of the space center, except they don't give you a rewind button).

Well, I bring up the TRC not because of an experience that happened during a simulated interview, but because of an *investigator* that we have to teach. Her name is Hana, and she is actually from the Czech Republic. She's an exchange student going to American Fork High School. She's also a catholic, but is very curious about what we have to teach. So, she came to the TRC to, at the very least, help two aspiring missionaries try to teach her the Truth and figure out how to better teach when it becomes "real." After getting over the excitement/anxiety of actually teaching a real investigator, we dived into a lesson geared towards her concerns about what we believe, what sets us apart, baptism, why we're here, and what our Savior did for us. The lesson was somewhat comprehensive but served as a great introduction to what we believe. She said she's coming back soon (not sure if this week or next week), and we're both very excited to continue teaching her. I've actually started memorizing the First Vision in Czech so that, when we get to that material, we'll be able to convey the meaning of the message we have without any question of comprehension or understanding. That, and it will also serve as a form of testimony on how True what we have to share is. It's so incredibly exciting, I can't even begin to tell you!

The second great blessing of this week came at the Referral Center. It's a call center where people phone in after commercials, requesting bibles or books of mormon or DVD's, ask questions, and then a few weeks later we call back to verify they got their materials. At the same time, we're encouraged to talk about the Restored gospel, answer their questions, and even teach them. Yesterday was the first day we were allowed to take inbound calls (People making their first contact with the church, for whatever reason, but usually just to order something free). A man came on the line and before I could introduce myself, he wanted to make sure I understood he didn't want to get anything. No books, no DVDs or pamphlets. He needed someone to talk to about his questions about God. He believed in Christ, but never really read the bible. He had a copy of the Book of Mormon and some LDS friends, and he felt like he was missing something in his life. For a second, I paused and looked to make sure that a teacher wasn't faking me out on the other line. But, this man was a true-to-life seeker of our Savior. I guess the field really is white, already to harvest, no matter where you are - even at the MTC. Anyway, after a 30 minute conversation, answering his questions and addressing his concerns, I set up a return appointment over the phone with him. He's committed to prayer and reading the Book of Mormon, and I encouraged him to attend Church on sunday, too. He would have had missionaries or gone to Church by now, but he is very shy and gets anxious in crowded places. I'm so fortunate to have had these opportunities this week, and I'm feeling a combination of excitement, weight, and inadequacy as I teach these people. Although I know I've been taught and prepared for many years to share the gospel, actually doing it is a very humbling experience, and one begins to realize how crucial it is that he be exactly obedient, and constantly focusing himself on how he can better convey the message of the Truth to anyone he contacts. Both unexpected opportunity (like the TRC investigator that we weren't aware of until the last minute) and fortuous happinstance (like the man who called looking for answers) would have resulted in absolute disaster, had I not been prepared and worthy of the spirit. I can't begin to express how critical having the spirit is to being a great anything in this world. Without it, we may think we're great, but you're just scratching the surface of the possibilities you have before you. Whereas men fail when they rely on themselves, "with God, all things are possible."

Well, other than these two incredible experiences this week, things have been pretty routine. I haven't gained any weight yet, and the food's pretty good (even though it is a "child of the cannon center" as has been said by many-a brilliant mind). The teaching staff are incredible, and the resources and systems they have here are all so perfectly timed and ordered that I can't begin to imagine how they have the logistics of this place set up. Inner workings of the kingdom that no one realizes are there, but are most certainly critical to effective progress.

Thank you all for your letters, love, prayers, and support. And letters. I love getting letters. Every day I get a letter, I go to bed with an even bigger smile on my face. So, keep writing. I strive to write back to everyone, too, so don't expect to not have an answer.

Good luck with everything you're doing, and know that through prayer and becoming like our Savior (Get a copy of Preach my Gospel, study and apply the sections in Chapter 6 - you'll be a much better person because of it - I promise) you can unlock incredible blessings that will both inspire and delight. The Truth is beautiful, and I hope we all seek to learn more about It every day of our lives.

Love,
Starsi Anderson

Week 2 at the MTC

It has been said by many a missionary that the weeks are days and the days are weeks at the MTC. Tis true, tis true. It seems like just yesterday that we went to the temple and got a new district of elders. Turns out that was last week and we're coming around for another week at the MTC.

I'm running short on eMail time, unfortunately. Not much has changed apart from the testimony, understanding of my relationship with Christ and our Father in Heaven, the Language (cases rock, by the way), and the rapidity which information is delivered and asimilated by everyone in the district. We all have such a powerful faith in the gospel that we move through topics and study very quickly. My companion, Starsi Nestman, and I have come to understand and love each other more. The next 9 weeks are looking very exciting, bright, and hopeful.

Now for the important message: I want you all to know something I realized this morning after going to the temple and when studying the scriptures. I was talking to Sister Reese, the only sister going to the Czech replublic this transfer, and suddenly realized that by committing ourselves completely to the service of The Master, we are emulating him. I can't stress enough (in the 50 seconds I have left writing this) how important it is that we become like him. My sacrifice of time isn't about me anymore. It's all about the people in the country. I'm spending my time for them.

Spend time studying chapter six of Preach My Gospel. Family home evening, as a couple, anything! Just do it and emulate the savior.

Love you all,

Starsi Anderson

More of Brent in the MTC

Day 5
Hello Everyone!

This is my first letter home to everyone from the MTC. I've been here for almost one week, and it's a blast. I just can't believe how fast things go, but how much work we cram into a single day. In four days of classroom instruction, we've learned to pronounce Czech, can pray, bear testimony, and meet with people. All in Czech. Not to mention all the vocabulary. Wow. I had no idea it was going to come at me this fast, but it's very exciting having so much to learn and grow from.

My spolechnik (companion), Starshi Nestman, is from South Jordan. He swam state in High School and is absolutely hilarious. I learn a lot from him every day, and I think I've been a positive influence on him as well. It's already second nature to call everyone by their proper title, and it's a great comfort having someone to struggle through the language/learning with.

It's very neat being two of the three Czech missionaries at the MTC, too. The third is a sister missionary, Sestra Reese, who has the best sense of humor. In all the stress and pressure to learn a language and become comfortable teaching the Truth to anyone we meet, it's great having Sestra Reese and Starshi Nestman around to take off the pressure.

I've taken some pictures that will (hopefully) get home soon. Still trying to figure that one out. In the mean time, I hope you all have a great time and I'll be writing again soon. I'm only allowed to email family, so send any letters you may have for me to:

Elder Brent Anderson
MTC Mailbox #88
CZE-PRA 0406
2005 N 900 E
Provo, UT 84604-1793

Everything's going well here, the food's great, the people are wonderful, and the Spirit permeates everything. No other environment in the world would be able to foster such progress in such a variety of people, and It's perfect that the MTC has been perfected over the years to where you can become a finely tuned instrument for the cause of proclaiming the Truth to everybody.

Chao! (It's a shame, you can't spell things in czech properly on this keyboard. That has a letter that doesn't exist in english in it.)
Starshi Anderson

Brent's First Letter!

Day 1
Dear Family and friends,
Greetings from the MTC! I love it here already. Im starting to feel everything else slip away as I dive into the study and preparation. We're oriented, had dinner, met leaders, and are ready to dive into the work. It's exciting being here, and I'm looking forward to learning the language and digging into the 'How' behind missionary work.
At the same time, It's not going to be a walk in the park. This schedule is rigorous and will definitely keep me moving while I prepare to head out.
My companion is GREAT! His name is Christopher Nestman, he's from South Jordan, and he's way over the top about anything. Lot's of smiles, laughs, and good humor. He's a great comlement to me and I'm looking forward to working with him. Love you all, keep me posted, and expect another letter soon.

Love,
Elder Starší Anderson
(Star - Shee)

Brent's MTC Address

Hello everyone,

Brent is now an official full time missionary! After many hugs and tears, he gave us his address which we can use to send him letters, packages, etc.

ELDER BRENT JOHN ANDERSON
MTC Mailbox # 88
CZE-PRA 0406
2005 N. 900 E.
Provo, Utah 84604-1793

He will be leaving the MTC sometime around April 6th, and when he does, I'll be sure to post his mission address.

Ciao!