Pure Love of Christ

So this has been a very intense last week. Only a few more days until we head off to the field!!! I'm beyond excited. I love it here, but I'm ready to go.

As far as incredible events, you've probably learned by now that life at the MTC is super repetative. But it's also awesome. So my point is that the only really different things to write about are specific talks at firesides and devotionals, as well as personal things that I have learned. So here we go.
This is the last update ever from Provo. Next will be HONDURAS!

On Sunday our fireside was by President Myers. He and his wife were incredible! I really loved their messages. Pres Myers talked on "what do you want to be remembered for." This was obviously refering to our missions. He had people come to the mics and answer. When one missionary said "bold" he related the following story.
When he was on his mission he at one point was serving with a companion who received the impression that he wanted to go back to an old area of his to teach a past investigator whom had never accepted the gospel. He shrugged off this suggestion at first. Then the companion persisted, so they talked to the mission president. He told them to do it so they left.
Then Elder Myers was told that this man was very sensitive and that you had to careful about what you said around him. He had aparently been taking the discussions for a very very long time. When they got to the home, there was already a pair of missioaries there whom were clearly upset for the interuption. After having sat down, young Elder Myers describes what he felt as being overcome by the Spirit and simply speaking the words, "Brother _____, we're here to ask you to be baptized either today or tomorrow."
The wife (a member) was shocked. The missionaries were shaking their heads in complete disappointment. He looked into this brother's eyes, whom after a short pause said, "alright, I'll do it."
Then President Myers asked this missionary at the fireside what he was going to give up to be a bold missionary. I don't remember his response. Pres. Myers replied, "you will have to give up everything to be able to receive the Spirit."

Another missionary said they wanted to be remembered as "loving." This was probably the top one on my list, so I will share what transpired.
Elder Uchtdorf said, "God loves us so entirely because He has an infinte amount of charity and love." (That wasn't really a quote as much as a paraphrase. But I wish I remembered the source.)
The key to becoming loving is not about YOU becoming a loving person. It's about how to receive the gift from God, or rather, accept His perfect love that He is willing to impart. None of us can accept this without asking God in prayer for this. This has come back to me time and time again while here in the MTC.

Nearly every time I write my Branch President (we write him once a week) in the section that asks, "what Christlike attribute are you working on?" I respond, "well, I'm still working on charity because I don't think I've mastered it yet."
This week I've finally started to FEEL the result of weeks of study and prayer on how to receive this.
First, I've been praying nearly every single night to be able to obtain this gift.
Second, the Spirit has guided my study from time to time to chapters like Moroni 7, Ether 12, and this morning in the temple, John 15:1-11.
One important thing that I've learned is that you must be working on the preporatory attributes such as faith, hope, and grace. All of these must be asked for in order to be received.
Also, you must bring forth fruits worthy of reception; or in other words, actions. Over the last week, the same difficulties have come in lessons, learning the language, using time wisely, and most of all, dealing with and living with companions.

As I have tried to deal with these, I have noticed that the Spirit will promt my mind in a very subtle manner. Someone makes a snide remark. "Is this really worth defending, or should I just ignore it?" Another missionary comes under critism. "I actually have always loved that missionary, and I know he's trying his best." I feel anger toward a companion. "He's proabably feeling angry and wronged as well. How could I serve him to help him not feel this way."
SO SIMPLE. Nothing big. I have just noticed that even though these things still happen, I'm starting to recognize a more consistent love for the people around me, as well as those far away. Not my love, but rather the perfect love of a Father in Heaven, who loves and cares about each of us. It's so faint, but it's starting to grow. I can literally feel it. And this seed is starting to become "delicious to me." Sorry if that was hard to follow.

I want you all to know how much love I feel for you individually. I want you all to know how much I have felt the prayers and love from you. Please continue; your prayers are not lost on the ears of God.
I want you to know that I know we can receive charity; the pure love of Chist in our hearts if we but only ask for it. Ask every day. Study it. I know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. I have received powerful witness of this in my life. Through His atonement I have received a consistent remission of sins. All mankind can receive likewise. This is why I am here.
I bid the United States a very fond farewell as I embark in the Service of my Lord.
I love you all more than I can express.
Les Amo, Elder Kent Thalman