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