Week 5--Poor in Spirit -> More in Spirit

3 Nephi 12:3 "Yea, blessed are the poor in spirit who come unto me, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." I've been pondering that verse a lot this week. The more I'm here the more I realize just how "poor in spirit" I am. I think this verse teaches that the first step is to recognize just how poor in spirit we are. We need to be humble and acknowledge our own weaknesses and natural tendencies. Despite these, Jesus invites us to come unto him. Despite our shortcomings and mistakes, Jesus Christ is standing welcoming us to come to him. Come, and be changed. Yes, we're poor in spirit. But we can come to Christ and be *more* in spirit.

Tried to make a catchy title that rhymed for you guys. Ah, I know... you all deserve better. Kinda worked though, right?

This week has been great. It really has flown by. Tomorrow I will have been at the MTC for 1 month! That's crazy. There's a lot of great things about the MTC. I love going to class and learning Tagalog. I love my district and my zone. My companions and I have begun to actually bond, which is cool.

The MTC store sells shirts. They're cool, but they don't make Philippines ones. Surprising since the Philippines is the best mission out there. But, I had to get the next best one. My dad served the people of Taiwan, and I like wearing this shirt as a reminder to work as hard as he does.

I ran into the coolest person in the world at the MTC- Elder Frewing. Ah, love him. He's going to be a sobrang mabuti Elder in Ecuador.

Really awkward picture (the lady held it weird and stuck her thumb on the lens) but I like it. I love these Elders.

Here is a picture of my district. I've really bonded with the Elders- they are so cool. The sisters are awesome as well. We all work really well together, and it seems like we've all been friends for a lot longer than 4.5 weeks!

On Wednesday two of my best best friends came to the MTC. Sister Nelson and Sister Hunt. Ah it was so, so good to see them. I only saw Sister Hunt briefly so I'll try and get a picture with her sometime this week. This is Sister Nelson- She's going to be a great missionary, serving in North Carolina. Or South Carolina. Can't remember. Plus - Sister Nelson's Mom speaks Tagalog so it'll be nice to be friends with a Tagalog speaker after the mission. Her family gave me a Philippines Political Map which was so nice and such a great gift for me.

Last night I wrote in my journal something like "It's weird to be more interested in flashcards than girls" hahaha but it's true. All the time I'm studying flashcards. I'm trying to learn 20 words a day. Here's a picture of my rings of flashcards. I know it doesn't look like it, but it's very organized and very helpful.

That picture was taken today, right after I got a haircut. The haircuts at the MTC are super nice. They do a good job and they don't take very long. I sat down and the lady was like "How do you want your hair cut?" I think she was joking because she laughed at herself and started cutting me hair. I'm pretty sure it's the same haircut for everyone who goes in there. Ah. Love the MTC.

Overall, it's been a great week. We find out our travel plans today. Ahh I've been really hoping I can go straight to the Philippines. But, I'd be happy serving anywhere. As long as it's only one transfer and in Irvine, California. (Joke-long pero hindi joke-long) joking not joking.

Thank you to all you who sent emails! I love hearing from you.

If you're feeling a little poor in spirit right now, know that you can come to Christ. Jesus Christ is the antidote for poor spirits.

D&C 88:17. The Lord quickeneth all things. In Him, all things are brought to life. If we are poor in spirit, and come unto Him, he will give us new life. We can be born again as sons and daughters of Christ. Love you all!