Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Thanks for all your letters and treats you've sent me. The pumpkin pie was good :) It's my first full week at the MTC! Whew. Where to start... Most important I spose! We were visited by not one, but two apostles! :D On Tuesday we were surprised to find out that Elder D Todd Christopherson came. We found out that he was called in 2008 and practiced law in Washington D.C. (Soooo lucky). His wife, Katherine, gave an excellent talk on atunement/reception of the council of the Holy Ghost, which is mui importante mor mi misión. President Hinckley said "Get down on your knees first for help, Then up on your feet and go to work." Elder Christopherson spoke on missionary work. He started out by thanking us on behalf of the first presidency and the 70. He mentioned that the first presidency, quorum of the 12, and the 8 quorums of 70 are called to sere and we make their duties easier, thus the humble expression of gratitude and their pride in serving along-side us. One of his last things he spoke on is that we serve our missions indebted to God, and we leave our missions more indebted for all the miracles and safety that he provides.

Thanksgiving morning, we were greeted by Elder Russell M Nelson and his wife. Since it was thanksgiving, we were able to hear about what they are thankful for. Specifically, Sister Nelson is grateful for the Book of Mormon, and the First Vision, and bore her testimony. Elder Nelson gave up his career in surgery in 1984 and was appointed to serve as an apostle and assist opening the mission field back up in the communist occupied countries, specifically the USSR. He gave an excellent talk on how we must do the work, based on how the lord wants it accomplished, he used the example set by Nephi, when he constructed a boat "Not after the manner of men, but after the manner of God." He also discussed how Thanksgiving dates back to Adam, and giving sacrifices unto the Lord. Hosana, in other words, means Thanksgiving.

My language and studies are improving still. I'm so glad I'll have a senior companion during the first months in the field. Spanish is simple, yet so confusing. It's all memorization, and sometimes my brain feels like a black hole! I've prayed so often, sometimes falling asleep in the middle of prayers, we call this "pondering" and then finishing the prayers when we wake up. Sometimes the teacher makes us stand up. I love the group of elders in my district they're all so funny. Elder Hughes is taller than me, which is nice for once, Elder Wilshire is British, Elder Norton says "Que?" in a really high pitch voice. Elder Scherer is a bit jumpy, and my companion yells "Animado!!" for everything. My other roomies, Elder Robinson and Elder Craig, are choir boys at best.

I'm running out of time!! But I hope this message comes to you in good tidings, and that you can somehow feel the small fraction of the spirit that I feel on an hourly basis here in the Lord's training center.
Until next week,
Elder Shene Patrick

p.s. dearelder.com is the BEST way to send me a message in case postage isn't your thing, just in case you forgot, although I do love hand written letters [: [: [: