People and treats at MTC

Two More Weeks

Hello everyone,

It is my second to last preparation day! I got to go to the temple, and, as always, it was fantastic! Then we went to Jamba Juice and Burger Supreme down at Bringham's Landing. It's part of our campus! This week has been frustrating. Spanish is not coming along fast enough, and I'm leaving in less than TWO WEEKS! I also don't feel like I know enough about the lessons. We taught two people this week. One was our teacher, and the other was a real investigator. Both first lessons were terrible. I didn't feel the spirit at all, and we were just talking at them. We adjusted our approach, and the second lesson with the real investigator was much, much better. It was more of a discussion and both us and the investigator were learning. Inspired questions really are a must in teaching. They allow people to open up and share their life experiences with you. You learn to love people the more you get to know about them. Which is probably the hardest thing for me because you ask them something, and if they're passionate about it, then they explode in machine gun Spanish! Its a real struggle. I am definitely not going to have a fun first little bit out in the mission field, but it will be the most learning I will ever experience. Sorry! I forgot my camera again... I will for sure bring it next week because that will be my last chance before the field! All is well at the CCM West Campus in Provo. Except for there seemed to be a lack of letter flow... Someone should probably fix that. Please, feel free to write me! I love hearing from you, even if it's just a tiny bit. Well, I've got to go finish my laundry. Love and miss you all!

Love,

Elder Bartlett

Weekly Update

Hola Everyone,

This is Elder Bartlett calling in from the CCM (MTC)! Our district has been through a lot this week. My companion needed to take care of some things back home, so he left on Thursday. We are all very happy he made this decision, and know that it's the right thing to do. He will try to come back next May. I am now in the tri-companionship with Elders Dunford and Graves, both great missionaries and wonderful examples. Elder Graves has taken my position as district leader, and I look forward to his leadership. Hermana Grenfell, going to Spain Madrid, has joined our district. She is still working out some travel paper work or something while the rest of her district has left for the field. Sad, but we're glad to have her. Got to go to the temple today! We did sealings because Elder Graves has never done them before, and it was spectacular. We had a wonderful man there who kept pausing to ask us what things meant and I learned so much. The spirit was very strong, and my testimony of eternal families definitely grew. Go to the temple if you can, its the best. Stanley G. Ellis, a member of the seventy,spoke to us last night for the Tuesday devotional, or rather his children spoke. He had each of his 6 or 7 (I lost count) children get up and talk about their missions, and what they learned. They had very strong testimonies and wonderful insights to share. They got me so excited to go out and serve! Even though I wouldn't know how to teach anything. I will learn! I am working as hard as I can...most of the time. Just a quick story, before the devotional during choir, I met another missionary sitting next to me. I excitedly asked him where he was going to serve, and he quietly muttered, "South Jordan, Utah." I happily told him how fun that must be, but he did NOT share the same enthusiasm. During the devotional, I felt like everything was being said directly to this elder who sat slouched in depression next to me. I wanted to yell, "Are you writing this down?!" It makes me sad to see elders so down about their missions. They are so concerned about themselves and the so-called "success" of their missions. We are bringing the love of Christ to all nations! I love what one of the returned missionaries said about Jacob 5.This isn't OUR work. Its not our vineyard, nor our fruit. It is the Lord's work, and we should do all that He asks of us. We represent Him. I often have a hard time relying wholly on the Savior. Missions aren't easy, and I'm not even in the field yet. However, I love it! There's no place I'd rather be. Another thought on the "South Jordan Elder," those who get called state-side or to Utah, are very important. Salt Lake City is the root of our church, and it needs to be nourished by full-time missionaries. Don't let anyone get down because they think their going to a crappy mission. There aren't any crappy missions! Missionaries are needed everywhere! Anyway, that's all for today; I have to go finish my laundry. Write me! Tell how things are! Tell other people to write me! Love you all!

Elder Bartlett, signing out.

Hola Familia y Amigos,

Pretty much nothing has changed from last week. Still learning Spanish, still eating food, still really hot (you'd think I'd be accustomed to the weather in Utah, but I'm not). I'll try and get pictures on next time, I forgot my cord. L. Jeanton... Breanton? L. something Brown spoke to us last night, and moved me very much, spiritually. His topic was the name of our Savior and Redeemer, and the power it holds. He encouraged us to keep it sacred, and to learn more about Him so that we could better hold His name in reverence. Afterward, we had what we call a devotional review. Hermano Bahr, one of the branch presidency, had us retrace the last 20 hours of the Savior's life. Never before have I felt the spirit in more abundance as I was humbled by the love Jesus Christ has for every single person that ever lived and ever will live. I am not on my mission. I am on the Lord's mission, and I hope that I will always remember that, and allow Him to guide me. I leave you with this question, "Are you're prayers REALLY in the name a Jesus Christ?" I love and miss everyone! Be safe!

Love,

Elder Bartlett

Pics of MTC

Hello All,

This is Elder Bartlett, calling in from the Provo MTC West Campus. All is well in the training center! The food is good and in great abundance. I am learning more and more Spanish everyday along with growing miles in the knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We have a LIVE investigator, named Antonio, that we've already taught 3 lessons to! They say investigators are usually actors... but if this guy is an actor, then he is the best actor I have ever met. Apparently he does't speak ANY English, so our lessons are entirely in Spanish. However, our last lesson with him was beautiful. He was wondering how the atonement was possilble; how one man could suffer for everyone's sins. As a district, we slowly answered pieces of his question, but my companion, Elder Hooton, and I prayed fervently and through the Holy Ghost, taught of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ's perfect love for all of us. It was physically hot in that room, and I don't think it was just bad air conditioning, although that is an on going problem. I love the MTC! We watched a devotional given by Elder Bednar on the Character of Christ that completely changed my life, and my way of thinking. Also, last night we had Elder Neil L. Anderson come to us live, and teach about the workings of the Holy Ghost. Everything is making so much sense, and as I open my heart to learning, I can feel myself expanding and receiving personal revelation. My district and my companion and everyone is great here! I am the District Leader for our band of four elders and four hermanas (sisters). We are all capable of singing, though maybe not good at it, and we're auditioning for a special performance! We sang in the choir for last nights devotional. Elders Dunford (not associated with donuts), Graves, and Hooton; and sisters Ferrel, Sahleen, Rasmussen, and Kiel. Let you know more later, gotta go! Love everyone! Write me letters or email me, I'd love to hear from you!

Love,

Elder Bartlett