(Elder Cummings)
Week 8. Done. This coming week is the last one and then I'll
have finished MTC. It's super exciting but also kind of sad; Even though I've
never seen anybody in my district in person I've gotten to know them well, have
had tons of fun with them, and have shared plenty of special experiences with
them. Luckily, a good number of them are going to my same mission so I'll
probably see them sometime in the next 2 years. My awesome companion, Elder
Liang, will be speaking Mandarin in Florida, so I don't know when or if I'll
see him in person ever, but I'm excited for the chance.
This week was my boy Ryan Fagergen's 19th birthday, shout out
to him. We went to Taco Bell and I got to introduce him to the Crunchwrap
Supreme(best thing on the menu by far).
Elder Liang and I set up some times to talk to some native
Taiwanese people we know. Later today we're talking with some of his family
friends who are interested in learning more about our church and beliefs. Next
week we are going to talk with one of my dad's old co-workers who was born and
lived a while in Taiwan. It'll be a really good opportunity to improve on my
Mandarin so we'll see. Super exciting, super nervous, but it'll give me a
better taste of what life in Taiwan will be like.
My spiritual thought is nothing super special, it's just my
personal testimony and thoughts on missionary work. To paraphrase multiple of
the people in my district and from my teachers...
Up until now I've done everything significant in my life for
myself. That's not an inherently selfish thing, it's how life is a lot of the
time. I strived to do better in school so I could get better grades. I tried to
be cool so I could be popular and more people would know who I am. I tried to
do better in my sports, so I could be a better athlete. I tried to do well in
school and I tried to do well on AP tests and SAT's so I could get into a good
college, where I could get a good education, and hopefully help me get a good
job. Now for the next two years of my life I will be able to drop all of that
and have the opportunity, every day, to serve others and invite them to come
unto Jesus Christ. I will not have to worry about a job, school, taxes,
friends, etc. There will not be another time in my life that I will be able to
devote as much effort, time, and focus to serve, help, and teach others. It
will take a lot of energy and I won't do it perfectly but that's ok. Because
this isn't my work, it's the Lord's. He invites all to come unto Him and as a
missionary I will be able to extend that invitation to others. I know He makes
up for my imperfections and just asks that I repent and continue to try again.
For that I am grateful.
Photos!
1. This week's view was the beautiful coasts of Croatia...
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