Sprint to The Finish (MTC)

So first thing: GOT MY TRAVEL PLANS TODAY!!!! I'm so excited. I finally get to go to Honduras! I leave really early on Monday, March 5th.
Heads up: letters take about 6 weeks to get to me in the field, so from the 5th on out you should probably just Dearelder me. You're permited to for my mission I'm pretty sure. If anything changes I'll update the blog about it (or my Mom will.... thanks Mom!).
So this week has really been fantastic. Some things are sort of repetative, but I love it here.

On Sunday, Elder Peterson and I blessed the sacrament in Spanish. That was pretty cool. My district was also planning on singing after the talks in the meeting. There are two random missionaries chosen to speak every week by the branch pres. to speak for 5min in Spanish. I wasn't expecting to get called bc I was already on the program for two things. I actually wasn't feeling totally prepared, so I said a quick prayer... to not get called on... BIG mistake. Haha. So yeah, I had to speak, but it was pretty cool in the end. I was able to say everything that I needed to say, and I'm grateful for that. The Spirit was there very strong guiding me and telling me of what to testify.
On Wed, we got to host. Hosting is when we introduce new Elders to the MTC. Usually you take them to pick up their supplies, show them their rooms, and introduce them to their districts. Since my companionship is a three Elder comp. we had the special assignment to direct traffic. We were a bit upset at first bc we wanted to host, but in the end we got giant YELLOW flourecent jackets and walkie-talkies. So much fun. Don't know why. You learn to savor breaks in the schedule when you've done exactly the same thing for 8 straight weeks.
I'm super pumped to hit the field!!! Also, seeing 300 volunteers show up every week to dedicate their lives to bringing souls to the Lord is a miracle. It's really not quite like anything you've ever seen. These young missionaries are from all over the world. What a sight. I know that this isn't just missionary work. This is the work of God. His hand is in it, and he is gathering Israel for the second coming of His Son Jesus Christ. There truly is no greater calling on earth.
One great blessing this week has been my rededication to scripture study. I've been studying a lot in Spanish, and realized that I wasn't getting a whole lot spiritually out of it. Mostly, it was just really helping my Spanish. I started getting up at 6 every morning with Eld. Christensen, and we study during that hour or so. I have started the habit of only writing what I feel very prompted to write for myself or a progressing investigator. I can't wait to keep doing this next week when the investigators are REAL!!! haha. The Spirit has honestly been so much stronger lately, and I'm at peace with the whole learning Spanish thing. That's what Language study is for.
For new missionaries, I advise that you study your scriptures in your native tongue before studying the language every day. Pretty much every missionary learns the language. Not every missionary has the Spirit with them equally. The language of the Spirit is more important.

Another huge blessing is pondering. I know I've been told this before growing up, but pondering the scriptures after reading them is huge; especially when you're thinking about how they apply to other people. After studying Alma 32, here are some thoughts I recorded after about 5-10 mins of thinking. "True conversion and knowledge should never cause pride. This is because experience should lead to wisdom. Wisdom is seeing things as they really are, and if we know the reality of our mortal state, then we really have nothing to be proud about. "The fruit in this chapter can represent converts. True joy is found in love and service for/with others. There is truly no other way to feel this way." Nothing mindblowing here, but truth means a lot more when the Spirit bears it into your heart. These will be personal messages of truth from Heavenly Father just for you.
When I read the Book of Mormon, Bible, or any scripture, followed by thoughtful and prayerful pondering, I ALWAYS receive great answers personally for me or those I am teaching.
Revelation is a miracle in this day for which I can testify with no doubt in me heart! I love this work. I love this mission. I love my Father in Heaven. I love the people of San Pedro Sula, Honduras. I can hardly wait to get there. It will be hard, but with God we can do all things. Thank you all for your support and love.
Please keep me updated. I love and miss you.
Les Amo, Elder Kent Thalman

As I Have Loved You

So, only a little more than two weeks left! Not that I don't want to be here. I love the MTC and my companions/district. However, I'm getting itchy to get to the field. The Tegucigalpa temple in Honduras will be dedicated in July, and I pray that I get to go. It's not actually in my mission boundaries, but who knows. I've seen pictures, and it looks so awesome!

So there have been a couple of unexpected events. My quartet tried out for a special musical number in a devotional two Thurs. ago and received no word. We assumed that we didn't get anything. Then last Thurs we were asked to sing in the Sunday devotional! It was so cool. We did "Lord, I Would Follow Thee" for about 2,200 missionaries. What an audience. I don't think I have ever sung a better song with such amazing men for such a chosen group (or to so large a group). What a blessing. I love the Lord so much and I am thankful for such an opportunity.

Right after the devotional, Elder Harris got on a shuttle and was off to Costa Rica. What a cool way to say goodbye to the MTC. I love Elder Harris, Elder Pickett, and Elder Dahlberg. they're all off to their respective missions now speaking the beautiful Spanish language. The devotional was by Richard Heaton. I loved what he spoke about. He talked about how important it is to invite people to come to church. It is one of three things necessary for baptism; Pray, reading the Book of Mormon, and attending church.
Afterwards, we watched the Christmas devotional given by Elder David A. Bednar from this last Christmas at the MTC. I hadn't been around during Christmas, so it was a blessing to get to see it. He spoke about the Character of Christ. He focused on the natural man and how he will destroy our missions. Basically, the natural man is anything inside you that makes you turn inward for selfish reasons. He spoke how Christ is the opposite; always He would turn outwards. He spoke about how after fasting for 40 days, Satan tempted Christ. After this whole ordeals which is in Matthew 4: 2-12, Chist learns from the Spirit that John the Baptist was in prison. Then He sent angels to minister to John. When Christ was suffering in the Garden, He was totally alone. Not even the disciples could stay awake with Him. Eventually, the guards came.

Obviously after suffering for the sins and pains of all mankind, He was terrible grieved. But He still took the time to heal the ear of the man attacked by Peter. This was such a minor pain compared to what He had just undergone, but He still turned outward. He cared more for others than He did for Himself. Then when He was DYING on the cross, He asked God to forgive the Roman soldiers, "for they [knew] not what they [did]."
He made sure that His mother Mary what taken care of when He told John, "behold, thy mother." IN ADDITION to all this, He was doing missionary work to the two men dying on each side of Him. He was the perfect opposite of the natural man. He set all selfishness aside to do the will of the Father in all things, even unto death. Jesus truly was and is the Christ, the Savior of the world.
Elder Bednar shared an example of a woman who showed these qualities.
He received a call at 5am from a mother in his stake asking him to come down and identify three bodies of girls who had just been in a terrible accident. One of the three was this woman's daughter. One was dead. Because of their terrible conditions, they couldn't be recognized. Elder Bednar could overhear a conversation going on between this woman and an emergency specialist. He could hear the woman being told on the other line, "we have a positive confirmation; the deceased girl is your daughter." With out hesitation, this woman returned to Elder Bednar, "never mind. We now need to let the other two parents of these girls know what has happened." He couldn't believe his ears. In this terrible time of personal tragedy, she had turned outward immediately.
Then he learned that before the daughter's funeral, this woman received a phone call from another woman. This other woman didn't know the situation of this young mother (who was also a relief society pres) and chewed her out for not sending someone to make her a meal because she was sick.
Without a second word, on the way to her own daughter's funeral, she dropped off a meal to this less than deserving or understanding woman. What meekness. When Elder Bednar was at the funeral, the woman approached him.
"I know that the last image you saw of my daughter was tragic. While we know that the circumstances don't allow us to have an open casket service, the funeral home workers have done a wonderful job at restoring her. I would like you to see her this way before they close it."
She cared at that moment about someone else once again. She didn't want him to have a horrific image in his mind, and sought to heal any pain HE had, while undergoing what was likely the greatest pain she had ever experienced.
This is truly a beautiful example of someone who has taken on them the Character of Christ.

I love this mission that the Lord has given me. You'll here from me two more times, then you'll be getting updates form Honduras! My life is blessed more than I can express. I love my Father in Heaven and my Savior, Jesus Christ. I love my family.
Les Amo, Elder Kent Thalman

Progression

Devotional on Tues was by Bishop Edgley of the Presiding Bishopric. It was so good! Here are some highlights:
You will never meet a single person who is not loved by your Father in Heaven.
My personal goal: don't meet a single person that isn't loved by me. You should not be intimidated by anyone!
There was an awesome story of an LDS girl who decided to attend a non denominational Bible meeting at her highschool. The minister leading the meetings found out one day that she was LDS and started attacking her. She eventually started crying, then realized that she knew she could stand up for the truth. She stood and shared several scriptures. Then in tears she shared her testimony then left. Two of the young men in the room that day were baptized as a result of that girl's testimony!
I love the Spirit's power when the simple and weak things of the earth do the will of God. Good things too, or I wouldn't have a chance out in the field without his help. He concluded with a promise: "I bless you that when you go home from your mission that it will be the hardest day of the whole mission." I love that. That promise is a blessing.
I already love the people of Honduras so much, and I won't know a single one for a month still.
Here's a wonderful quote I heard; from the prophet Joseph Smith: "The nearer a man approaches perfection, the clearer are his views, and the greater his enjoyments until he has lost every desire for sin." How true! The more truth I learn and live, the clear everything become, and the greater my happiness. There is great strength in knowing my own power over temptation. I have more to share, but I must be obedient... I love you all and there are many of you whom I would love to hear from.

Continue in Faith

So this Tuesday was EPIC. It was the 50th anniversary of the MTC and Elder Russell M. Nelson came with Elder Holland!!! So cool. Elder Nelson talked about our heritage as missionaries, and those who went before us. I loved his message. It made me think of those who have gone before me. My father is most of what I aspire to be as a missionary. I constantly apply the things he has taught me now that I am here. I remember him because the name he gave me, Thalman, is on my chest every day. My brother Scotty served two years as well, and I stole his name tag before leaving. :) My sister Challis has also served. I have a bracelet from her that I wear durring gym and P Days. There are so many more whom I look up to. Brother Marchant has a heritage in my very mission. I always loved hearing his stories about his mission in teachers quorm. It's such an honor to be serving in Honduras behind his footsteps. I could go on, but I have short time. Elder Nelson spoke about some of the great missionaries. One of the best was Dan Jones, who served in Wales and converted thousands. Before his missions, he was with Joseph Smith just before he died. That night, Joseph asked Dan Jones if he was afraid to die. Jones replied, "Do you think that time has yet come? I do not think that, engaged in such a cause that death would hold many terrors." I love this. Sorry if I didn't quote it verbadum, but it's super close. I can relate to this because I'm going to San Pedro Sula. It's actually the most dangerous city in the world. Statistically speaking. Don't get me wrong. I don't expect to die. But I don't really fear it either. As I've been on this mission, God is helping my will to align with His. I feel slowly that fear or anxiety is fading. I don't worry about anything because through listening to the Spirit, I can always do what God needs of me. Everything that happens is in His hands. Elder Holland said something really cool. "God bless you to be what this church thinks you are." To many, the missionaries appear flawless or perfect. For many converts, the missionaries are angels. But we all struggle so much with all sorts of things. I hope that through obedience, i can live this prayer of an apostle and be what those who love me think I am. Our investigators are increasing in numbers and in faith. Elder Welburn and I are teaching several people now and one is native Peruvian. I'm sure most of them are actors for now, but the Peruvian might be real. Not sure, but it is great practice. his name is Carlos and he is super hard to understand. Thank goodness for my companion! We're actually learning from each other because he has a huge vocabulary and I understand much more grammer than he does. Speaking of Elder Welburn, it looks as if things are turning out okay with his body. He may even get to go to the field soon. Or he'll stay a few more weeks. It's mostly up to him, but I'm glad he donesn't need surgery or to go home. Thank you all for your prayers on his behalf. Hopefully I'll have him as my comp for a littlle longer. There are simply too many wonderful experiences for me to relate. I will try to take better notes next week so i can remember everything that has happened. There really have been a ton of little miracles. Simply needed a scripture, and not knowing where it is. Then I open to Doctrine and Cov. and the page I open to is where the exact scripture is. Either that was a 1 in 20,000 chance coincidence, or God is looking out for me and is looking over His work. Another small thing was thinking about one of our investigators and thinking what they should read in the Book of Mormon. I then received the thought, "have him read the story of the people of Alma in the waters of Mormon." Then I didn't know exactly where that was... "Mosiah 18?" Honestly, I'm not that good of a guesser. The Spirit is really starting to guide my thoughts. That story did more than help us teach about baptism. It literally illustrates Lesson 3: The Gospel of Jesus Christ. Read it and see. Pretty cool stuff. Faith, repentance, baptism by immersion, receiveing the gift of the Holy Ghost, and even Enduring to the End. I can testify that the Lord is over this work and that He loves us all individually. I love you all and miss you all. Please don't hesitate to write! Les amo mucho!!! Elder Thalman