The one with a Fish and a cat and an elf on a shelf

I've been in the Missionary Training Center since November 28th, 2018.

Guess what? I learned the Lord was looking over me after only four seconds of arriving. I left the car and my family, walk up some stairs and got my Elder Saunders badge, some other papers, and a bunch of other information like where my classroom is and who my companion is....my companions name is literally Elder Fish! It was so cool!

The MTC has been great. You learn so much and to be honest, I probably will only remember 2 per cent of what I've learned. haha I even learned how to address a letter and put a stamp on it! (My mom is still teaching me stuff even if it is only through email ;) I am enjoying everything, it's amazing.

There are 9 in my District and we are all going to the Oregon Salem Mission (OSM)

In the MTC my preparation day is Saturday till 6pm. Both prep days so far we have been able to go the the temple-The House of the Lord. It is very cool. I love the peace I feel there. One of the times we went to the temple I met someone who served a mission with my cousin, Boston, in Guatemala!

Good times...

I am already receiving packages and letters, Nanny and Grandpa even sent me her famous pumpkin chocolate chip cookies via UPS same day service--they were great! We have been decorating our room with some of the stuff we get in packages.

Also, this cat randomly shows up sometimes at the MTC. One morning we woke up, walked down the hall and somehow the cat got in our residence. hahaha

Every day here is a testimony building experience

The MTC is so cool. My favorite part is always, always, always having the Spirit with me.

Read Alma 34:14-15

14 And behold, this is the whole meaning of the law, every whit pointing to that great and last sacrifice; and that great and last sacrifice will be the Son of God, yea, infinite and eternal.

15 And thus he shall bring salvation to all those who shall believe on his name; this being the intent of this last sacrifice, to bring about the bowels of mercy, which overpowereth justice, and bringeth about means unto men that they may have faith unto repentance.

I watched a life changing video by Elder Bednar called Character of Christ. It's so good that everyone should watch it 10 times. While watching the video my Grandpa Lyle (who passed away from cancer in 1998 before I was born)'s name just randomly went through my mind and I felt him there watching the video with me which was by far one of the coolest experience I've had so far.

At the MTC we exercise everyday, luckily my companion likes basketball so we do that a lotl. I had to learn to turn the other cheek...playing basketball 3 on 3.

Obviously I was winning by quite a bit and this kid got angry and just chucked the ball in my stomach and it took everything for me not to just walk up and go full blown Ammon fighting the Lamanites on his butt......but I didn't, I said a prayer, and realized what it means to love your enemies. haha

I am loving it here and I am so grateful to be able to serve the Lord.

-Elder Saunders