Don't Drink the Orange Juice

Posso compartilhar uma experiencia com MTC?

 

There are many questions about the MTC, and due to my tight schedule of 16 hour days I don't have much time to explain or write down all we do. But I do have ever started to make a list of tips of the MTC for anyone who is interested.

 

MTC Tips

- First and foremost, don't drink the orange juice.

- Never use the 2nd shower on the left. (Sister or Elder)

- Don't eat the eggs

- Enjoy the food, take advantage. If like me you'll be going to a third world country and only eating beans and rice. With the occasional "Carne" which literally means human flesh. But it's meat or something

- When you have the urge to use the restroom, follow it.

- Always turn off the lights at 10:30, get straight to sleep to avoid utter exhaustion.

- Terribleey misspel words in letters home and emails. Why? It will make you smile when you do, and it saves time to not correct spelling mistakes

- Spell words right when writing to the Branch President each week, only exception.

- Use handsanitizers religiously (well not religiously, but often)

- Don't worship handzaniters or moan the emptiness of them

- If handsanitizer is empty, rub hands together anyways. (You'll see others use it and get confused)

- Don't get sick, wash hands, take companion to the health clinic and play with the kids toys while you wait.

- Make friends in the Laundry room, you'll be there a while.

- Laundry can be most stressful, this is the time to study and write letters, while protecting ones washer.

- Don't drink the orange Juice

- Never leave your companion

- Always have personal prayers, you may have days you've said a hundred prayers. But often the most important is the one you give each night alone on your knees. Take extra time to listen.

- Forget about yourself and serve others. It isn't about you. You represent more.

- Follow every rule no matter how dumb or unnecessary.

- Say jokes, tone down a little. Clean. But we are meant to have joy.

- Bear testimony everyday, all day, it doesn't get old.

- Uplift, encourage, correct and edify. Always show increase love after correction

- If one Elder refuses to join in the goodnight hug with the others. Tackle him. Get the hug, then go to bed. Even if he threatens to punch you.

- Don't drink the ........ (fill in the blank)

- You got it. Orange juice

- Orange strawberry banna juice is okay

- When they give you the newbie sticker when you first get here. Keep it. It proves useful

- Don't participate in any activity concerning backhair.

- Use gym time. Let out frustrations. Sweat and work hard.

- Do pullups and pushups everynight with companion

- Teach with love, love your district and respect them

- If speaking Portuguese, you'll find it difficult to speak Spanish again to those going to mexico. Italians will have a better understanding of what you're saying.

 

 

 

Concerning the Visa

 

When Christ was born, a star appeared as a sign of his birth. What's interesting is that the star was created Eons ago. Long before it was created and set into it's orbit. So at that exact time it would be made visible.

 

The point of me telling you this, is that I know God is aware of where I am. And long before I got the call to Brazil, he knew I would go here first. This is where I am meant to be. I know it. And there is a chance I could get reassigned to anywhere in the US in two weeks until the Visa comes. I'm halfway through the MTC training. The reassignment is not something they toss together at the last second. It goes through the same process as the first call, and I will go where I'm needed. Things are done in His time, and I trust that.

 

 

Regarding the family.

 

I love them with all my heart. (I even miss Rayna's pulling finger thing)

I appreciate the emails. And will send another next week.

 

Podemos saber que o evangelho e verdadeiro pelo poder do Espirito Santo.

Chow Chow

Elder Pollard

"He will qualify you"

(Sent to Nanette)

MTC is way awesome! I got your other letter! Thank you! The care package
was amazing! Opened it last night, and shouted for joy. Had the Elders in
my dorm come over and partake. I've grown up and learned so much in these
first few days. Especially being district leader and teaching, facilitating,
and serving other missionaries. I had an Elder get discouraged and didn't
want to be here a couple days ago. I pulled him outside of the classroom
and talked with him outside. He was mostly frustrated with the language.
After some advice, I explained "I need you, I'm District Leader, and all
these missionaries older than I am are asking me questions, I don't know
exactly what I'm doing. Our district needs you, you're the funniest guy in
our district and we need you in there participating and learning. Most
importantly the Lord needs you. He called you, and he will qualify you. No
one expects you to speak portuguese, learn the language of the spirit and
you'll know portuguese."
I had a sister in the district get sick, lost her voice completely. She
asked for a priesthood blessing from me. It was amazing, first healing
blessing I said. Today, she was able to talk to us again.
I started to look outward instead of inward. 18 years, all I did was think
of me. Now, it's my desire to lose myself in the service of others. The
Savior in the midst of his trial and pain, never looked inward or for any
recognition.  (PS P-Day is on Tuesday. I only get an hour for emails. They
got no spell check so forgive me.)

(Sent to Joslyn)

I love it here. I'm running out of email time. I got your letter through Dear Elder. It would be great if everyone used it. Because I get a hard copy of it and can read it before my email time. I'm going to write you a letter and send it with more detail. Tell Nate I love him. His letter he gave me, started me off right along with dads advice. To follow every mission rule. Obedience brings blessings. Exact obedience brings miracles. I made a goal with my companion to follow every mission and MTC rule. No matter what. And I've started to see miracles already. I've seen missionaries discouraged ready to go home have a huge change of heart. I've seen people healed. I feel closer to God here than ever before. I feel like I now am starting to really know my savior Jesus Christ. Not just know of him. I'll give you more about what it's like here in my handwritten letter. Companion Elder Price, is a good guy. I love you so much Jo. I've always looked up to you, and you've never let me down, so I figure I always will.

PS, anything I email you or mom can go on the blog. Eu sei que o Livro de Mormon e verdadeiro, Eu sei que Jesus Cristo e o nosso Salvador e Redentor. 

The Drop Off!

On April 10th Daylen was to report to the MTC at 12:40.  As a family we had lunch at Red Lobster then took a couple photos at the temple before dropping him off.  It made me tear up when I saw him wearing our dad's mission name tag.  We shared a lot of laughter as well as a few tears that morning.    Here are some photos!

We all got to give him one more hug before he left.

There wasn't enough room in the car so we had to put him in back.  Anyone order a missionary?

We were told we had two and half minutes to unload his bags, hug, and say goodbye.  All the kids stayed in the car and we gave him another last hug at the same time.

Daylen meets his "Host"

 

I have a testimony that families can be together forever and I am so proud that my brother can go share that with the people in Brazil.

Missionary Photos

Elder Daylen Pollard's Missionary photos

Are you missionary strong?

"Portuguese??  But I took 4 years of Spanish!!"