September 16, 2011

Hi Family.
I am glad that you all are doing well. I just got the package today. Thank you! I am so glad that I have more cookies and socks. These shorts will be nice for p-days. It is fantastic. I also got a letter from the Hallorans last night. They also told me that Dallin and Austin spoke on Sunday. That is so crazy. I am excited to see them in two weeks. The MTC is good. Some days are better than others but the instruction here is definately inspired. The missionaries that try their hardest here come out so strong and so ready to teach. In one of the talks someone said that the instruction in the MTC now is the best it has ever been and it keeps getting better. I can attest that is true. I've learned so much. Good advice is just don't be afraid to make mistakes or look stupid. It helps you to learn and grow.
Anyway, I am glad you had fun in Utah. The weather here is so nice. It is starting to get cool in the mornings and at night. It is nice here but I feel like I have been here forever. Tomorrow I will be halfway done with the MTC. Hooray. Oh, and congratulations to Megan. I hope you have fun at your dance.
The MTC schedule is really good. I love everything about it here. I like having P-days on Friday and having devotional time on Tuesday and Thursdays. I get to do service and Sundays are just uplifting and awesome. The biggest challenge for me is trying to find the right words to say. It is hard because I want to bring the spirit into each lesson but sometimes it's hard to know what to say. Then other times I just can't remember what to say or what scriptures I need. It's all a work in progress. There are times where I think it would be nice to go English speaking because you can say what you feel when you need to share, but I wouldn't trade this experience for anything. Tagalog is such a cool language. It is tough but it keeps me humble which I always need. I want to go to the Philippines so bad but I know I still have a lot to learn. I am halfway there. The MTC is such a boost in my testimony and it helps me make good friends, for which I am grateful. For those who are coming to the MTC, learn as much as you can from your experience here. It is awesome.
For our devotional on Tuesday, we had another apostle come, it was Elder Russel M. Ballard. It was so good. I am going to send a letter home talking more about it. I always email right after I get back from the temple on Fridays so it feels like forever ago from Tuesday. For our Sunday devotional, we watched a 9/11 clip, watched Music and the Spoken Word, and then the MTC President spoke a few words to us. It was all so good. I almost forgot that it was 9/11. Holidays don't mean a whole lot here, mostly because I don't remember them.
Dad, I am trying to make more eye contact when I teach. I notice it is easier when I trust in the Lord. It is scary trying to teach people and make good eye contact but as I teach it gets better and better. Really it isn't that big of a deal right now. It will come with experience. Dad, I hope that your tailbone feels better soon. It is no fun to be sore. I know from experience. That is exciting that you get to go camping today. Some days I just want to go for a hike but unfortunatly I can't.
I am so glad that Isaac and his family are moving to Arizona. That is so cool to have a cousin who isn't forever away. Also I am glad that Cole is getting bigger. Did I tell you that my friend called Cole, the Einstein baby? It's so fun to have little nephews and a neice who are constanly growing. I love hearing about them.
I am going to send some pictures home hopefully today. I am so grateful for all the support that has been shown to me so far and I look forward to hearing about your week. It is nice to hear about the outside world. I love being a missionary. I am excited for the time when I get to preach the gospel to the people of the Phlippines whatever religion they are. I love you all so much.
Love Elder Woolf