So this week was a better week. A bit more happened.
On Thursday night, I was just writing in my journal before I went to bed, in the lobby. Out of nowhere, there was a guy who spoke only in Russian and very little phrases. He was digging in between the couch cushions. Knowing that he didn't speak much Russian I figured he is probably just learning it. SO after asking him like 4 or 5 times in English he broke and responded that he was looking for money that fell in between the cushions. The coaches were designed in such a way that he could pull things up from the couches with a bent paperclip. I don't think I've seen anyone work harder for 25 cents. He said he was working since Monday in the dorms and found like $11. But he was so determined and fidgety, that I just let him continue on his way. I hope this determination and craftiness will help him on his mission in Russia. That night I also had a sub that came in to help our teacher. She has been trying to help me roll my R's and even though I can't quite do it yet. I apparently sound a lot better than I did beforehand.
Friday was pretty uneventful, but that night we had our first tie trades. We've all heard that it happens a lot to trade your ties on your mission, but we didn't think it would really happen in the MTC. Anyways one guy from the 2nd floor of our building came upstairs and was like, "YO, I have some ties that I want to trade, who wants in?". So at first, it was just him and Elder Hollander. But I leave to go to the restroom and by the time I get back... There were at least 10 people in our room about the size of a broom closet. Now, I don't know the best way to describe this either then it was either the most underground stock market trades I've seen or the most formal flea market. Half of us were in white shirts still, the other half just in their underwear. One elder had his like 20 ties spread across the table. Others holding up tie racks yelling, "I got three ties right here!". This went on for at least 40 minutes. Our most prized possession of our district was we got 2 ties original and signed from Elder Starkey, one of our favorite Elders. And then also we had one tie from the Trump Wardrobe Collection. Elder Starkey is a rancher and is just the nicest most genuine guy you will meet. But also very blunt. This was a quote from him that same night, "Well, I was supposed to write a 12-page paper.., but I was around 3 pages and just put the font size up to 48. Easiest paper I ever wrote..." And after his story of the time he flipped a semi-truck and got stabbed in the back with his own pocket knife while rolling down the hill.., It's hard to have a more favorite Elder than Elder Starkey.
Saturday we had the most in-depth lesson that I can remember since seminary. But even more detailed than most seminary lessons. Sister Richards is super knowledgeable about the Book of Mormon. We kept asking questions and she knew exactly where to search where to find them. But we were trying to find about if the Jaredites lived around the same time as the Nephites if they were both in America. And wow... I don't think I've ever been more inspired to read the Book of Mormon and study it. I have been taking better notes after everytime I read and I've been making a bigger effort to ask questions and search for them. Also, I have been looking in the footer more often. But Maestro Jake really encouraged me and gave me tips to study better and it's been so much more exciting. I don't find myself falling asleep reading the scriptures anymore. I was super excited when I was able to cross reference something in a lesson to a scripture I read this week. We also had our sauna night that night. But some punk from the floor beneath us ripped down our curtain and let all the steam out and booked it. I don't know why he feels the need to ruin our bonding time, but It's all good. Later that night another kid from the floor beneath us came up and said we were 'too loud' and that we needed to be quieter because he was trying to sleep. He was just so confused because he was looking around everywhere almost as if there was something making the noise under our carpet. He was out of it. So hopefully he got some sleep. I think my district has been a little more respectful since then so I'm appreciative he came up.
Sunday was an eventful day. We said our goodbyes to all the Elders and Sisters heading off for Monday morning. We swapped emails. We left notes. But my favorite note is one that Sister Markward gave my companion. We misread it the first time and read, "I don't know why you are at the MTC, but I'm glad we became friends". So the ongoing joke to Elder Tenney anytime he makes a simple mistake has been, I don't even know why you're at the MTC. But honestly, I think he probably knows the most out of all of us in regards to Spanish. So we love to give him a bad time every chance we get. Oh, and we had new callings. Elder Heathcote is now our new district leader. I am the music coordinator. Elder Tenney is the Computer Specialist. Which is funny, because if you look at our strengths you would immediately swap those two callings, but it's all good. Also, Dieter F. Utchdorf toured the new MTC buildings. We were walking outside and he passed by. Then he stopped took off his glasses and waved at us with his smile and gave us two big thumbs up. Also, they have a bunch of flags that they always put up in front of the new MTC buildings. And finally, they put up Panama's flag. That night when they brought down the flags we actually caught them and got a picture of our group in front of the flag. Hopefully, Sister Feinga will send them to me by next week. But the Sunday devotional was enjoyable. My favorite day of this week.
Monday wasn't too exciting. However, I fasted and started getting weird cravings. I find that's always when you get your most weird cravings when you're fasting. But Dr. Pepper, Dr. Pepper licorice, and Hawaiian BBQ chips. That was what I was missing. But it was a good day to fast because Monday nights are days they bring in food from chain fast food restaurants. So TacoBell was a fun surprise. I wish I could have ordered off the menu, but I wasn't too disappointed. It was TacoBell!! So that meal was pretty golden.
Tuesday was super fun. I had some of the best lessons that I had taught in a while. I went to a devotional, which was just so powerful. I think it was the best one by far that we have had. I wish I brought all my notes about it with me. I could talk on and on about it. It was about listening to the promptings of the spirit, having a vision of why we are on missions, and how the Lord protects his missionaries. I don't know it was probably just some solid work that they did and excellent stories. The funniest part of that day though was we decided to run down to the gym after the devotional. We all went to weigh ourselves after what we have been eating. I after feeling upset on the food during week 2 decided to eat more healthier. Whereas some of my companions in the district have had on average 7-9 proportioned meals a day. Now to be fair when I'm hungry I find the meals are a little smaller then I'm used to and I will eat 2 plates, but they just kept downing food. So I don't know why they were so surprised when they realized they gained weight. Some of them gained like 5. But at the worse one Elder gained 30 pounds. That's 10 pounds a week. They for sure thought the scale was off. They started weighing weights from the gym. I think I weighed 1 pound more than when I left. But I think that's because I didn't weigh myself in shoes and in a full outfit. Needless to say, he's been eating a little less each meal.
Today we woke up early to go to the temple. It was nice, but we once again just barely, by like 5 minutes mixed breakfast at the temple cafeteria. But I love the temple and every chance I get to be there so that was good. I also finally got a haircut. We tried to get one last week, but they were wayyy too busy. But yeah overall a good week. I'm excited to meet the new Elders. We are supposed to get 12 more on our floor. What's weird is that we are now considered the old and experienced Elders. Like I looked up to the Elders who were there 3 weeks before me. So yeah, that hit me earlier and the week and is weird, but I'm just mostly excited.