Elder Junk's Washington DC South Mission Blog: 7-11- 2017 - First Week

Hey Everyone! Well I am not even sure where to begin. This week has been a busy and eventful one for sure. I will kind of go over my week and what we have all done and express some of my feelings of it all. The first day we were all gathered into an orientation for all the new missionaries. Supposedly there were 800 new missionaries all coming in on July 5, which explains the madness and two hour delay of dropping me off and actually getting into the MTC. Although a little bit pathetic, right when the orientation started and we were greeted by the MTC Mission president, I immediately felt all the stress and homesickness weighing down on me. Maybe it was just the actual realization that I was finally a missionary and it is when it all hit me. Besides the stress, I got to meet my companion Elder Birrell after the Orientation. I love that guy and he really is such a genuine person with an amazing testimony. As mentioned before, He is from Kaysville and went to Davis High School. He loves Baseball and is pretty dang good at basketball. He reminds me a lot of my cousin Connor Torman, so it is nice because I can relate to his humor a lot. Funny thing with your companion is you find yourself picking up on some of his "mannerism" and saying similar things that he says (and that is only after 7 days haha). Andre' pointed that out to me and I have already noticed it.

Companions Elder Birrell and Elder Junk

My district 38D is incredible. The 5 other elders I am rooming with (including my companion) are so sweet and we have already bonded as best friends and brothers. Quick run down of the other Elders in my room. Elder Gibb who is from Layton is hilarious and has helped me a lot by motivating me with everything that has been going on this week. Elder Fowler his companion, is a 6'3 kid from Washington and has some mad hoop skills. Elder Savage is exactly like his name says, quick and slides some one-liners past everyone that will make you smile. His companion Elder Ruesch is a more quiet kid but is super intelligent and very funny when he opens up to us. The other Elders in my district, but not rooming with me are awesome. They are going to Australia, Jamaica, and Barbados! We literally have all grown so close together.

Something about all being thrown in the MTC and going through the same struggles and spiritual growth really helps you make connections, open up to each other, and help each other out. That truly has been an amazing experience and I have been blessed with having all of them and their unique personalities. The first real and very long day had no messing around. We started off by preparing a lesson for an "investigator" who had a christian background. The first lesson went well, but honestly preparing lessons and helping others understand the gospel is so much harder than you think. I was not expecting it to be easy but I thought at least I would be able to explain things well! Simple things as praying can even be hard to teach to these investigators. But I realized it was my first day and to not be so hard on myself! Funny thing is, one of our investigators ended up being our teacher. It's nice we get right to it and start teaching to give us experience! I am teaching what I know to be true so I just have to stand strong in my testimony and not be afraid to open my mouth. Come Wednesday I thought I had at least been out in the MTC for a month but then realized it was only two days hahaha. We finally got Gym time which we get for an hour everyday and it was a blessing. It felt so good to be able to step away from all the studying and just play some basketball. On top of that it helps when your team only loses one game and we tear it up. Seriously though gym time is so much fun and there is actually a lot of competition and some serious games! I just want to give a big shout-out to everyone who has written me letters, emails, encouraged me with positive notes in my bag, and sent me packages. My family is awesome and all the Elders when receive mail have said I quote "have been killing the game." I have gotten so many letters and wish I could write you all hand written ones as well. All the Elders are jealous of how much my family loves me and how much they hook it up. It has helped a lot and I love you guys! Thursday was a crazy day and probably the most eventful day here in the MTC. I learned a crucial lesson about focusing the lesson on the investigators needs and letting the spirit lead rather than us not listening and trying to do it robotically. I learned that I need to grow to love the people I teach and take a genuine care in who we teach. We got back in the Gym for some competitive basketball games. With 20 minutes left in the gym, I got called down on an intercom to report to the information desk. I was not sure what was going on but just assumed it was to talk to our Branch President who had been doing interviews that day. Unfortunately I was very wrong. A worker said I had to call my parents right away and I was trying my best to not let my head go to the worst case scenario. I was able to talk to my parents for a little bit and explain how I was getting the hang of things and growing to love the MTC. IT was good talking to them but they told me about the news with Christian being diagnosed with cancer. This came as a huge shock and I was devastated. I felt so bad and literally sat there with not a thought in my mind. Right after hearing the news, nothing felt wrong. As if everything was going to be OKAY! I even stopped feeling homesick and all my stress for the week went away. I know this might sound weird since I got hit with some pretty heavy news. But I testify to you that after I heard the news I KNEW Christian was going to be okay and be strong and fight through it. I know that you'll get though this brother and our family will grow closer because of it. I love you and am here for you! Ashtyn Hill and her fam were the perfect examples of this. It is time to take what I have learned from her and her family through their strength and positivity and apply it to mine! I'm still rooting and praying for her and now her new teammate Christian! I would just like to testify to you all that I know I got called out for a certain reason and especially for a certain time. If I would have heard the news before I left, I think it would have been very hard to motivate myself to go out there. I know God has a plan for us and that it is on his time. Our Savior Jesus Christ has suffered everything for us and I know he is there for us helping us every step of the way. There has been some small and unique blessings that have helped remind me of Christian. As mentioned, some of the other Elders in my district are serving in the Jamaica, Kingston mission where he served. All the other Elders in my room sat down with me after I told them the news and we had a really strong group prayer. We have had one every night and Christian and the family have been included in all of them! They all gave me a hug and I truly felt the comfort of my brothers to help me push on. I know that you will push on and be so strong. I love you very much and am here for you thinking of you Bud! Yesterday we prepared and met with two TRC investigators. The MTC is full of study time and I have felt myself become stronger spiritually as studying through pamphlets, Preach My Gospel, and the scriptures! The first investigator we met was named Johnathon. He was really hard to connect to and had some really bad expeieinces with the church and was more of a scientist. Nonetheless, Elder Birrell and I did our best to love him and have genuine care with the investigator. Just as Christ loves everyone, we should do the same especially someone who has in interest in our message. The second investigator we taught was pretty tough as well but we gave a great lesson. Afterwards, Elder Birrell and I were just kind of down on ourselves since we thought we could do better. We realized that we are still learning and trying our best which is very important! I really have grown to love the MTC. I know there are a ton of other missionaries experiencing what I am feeling. I remember from my Point Guard College basketball camp a huge diagram that we can choose to how we respond to situations in life. I have been thinking about that a lot lately and realized instead of staying down on myself and abilities that I will bounce back. I will study harder and serve Jesus Christ with all of my strength and turn my heart over to him. After all, He is the reason I am here. I am thankful to be a representative of Jesus Christ and to share the message that has brought me happiness and closure through hard times in my life. I love all of you and thank you for everything. Everyone keep your head up and push on! PS Again, I would just like to thank all of you for the emails. I am able to read emails but cannot respond to them until P-Day (Tuesdays). I just want to tell you how much they have helped just hearing from all of you. I am on the computer right now typing this email but I am able to respond to emails until about 6PM before P-Day is over. I will be trying to get back to all of you via my tablet throughout the day. Thanks Again! Love, Elder Junk