5 Minutes and a Smile - Provo, Utah MTC

Ciao Everyone!

I've been pretty inconsistent at group emails but I'm determined to be better. So. This week at the MTC has been fun and crazy and freaky all at the same time. The Italian is coming piece by piece and Sorella Johnson continues to be a rockstar. I love her tons and she and I continue to learn each day how to teach in and speak Italian! 

In the past week and a half, we have had 3 apostles come to speak to us! Elder Bednar first, then Elder Ballard, and finally Elder Andersen this last Tuesday. All of them shared powerful messages but my favorite was by Elder Andersen. He talked about how we should never let anyone diminish our flame in the gospel. We should always ask for and expect miracles as a part of our missions, and we should always look for people who are looking for deeper meaning and direction in their lives. I loved especially how he talked about President Hinckley and how he felt like he was wasting his time when he started his mission, and then turned his attitude around and served valiantly in the church as we all know!

I love TRC here at the MTC. Once a week we just get to go talk to older men and women who are so excited to speak Italian to 3 week old Italian speaking babies. They are so nice! This week we shared a message about the Book of Mormon and showed the talk that President Monson gave last General Conference. It's simple but very profound. We shared our thoughts and the thought that Sorella Johnson shared has been very impactful for me. She met Sister Dalton in the DC area and talked to the women there. In her address, she told the girls that in their life they could only be perfect at 2 things. 1. They could be perfect at reading the Book of Mormon for 5 minutes every day. 2. That they could be perfect at smiling at least once a day. How sweet and simple is that? Even when we feel like everything we do as people (or missionaries) is inadequate and full of mistakes, we can be perfect at those two things. I challenge you all you are reading to try being perfect at those two things this week:) 

Anyway, I love you all. I know that God is watching over all his children and that he always ALWAYS want and knows what's best for us. I also know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. Every single verse contains power and some revealing truth. 

Have a happy week!

Love, 

Sorella McConkie