This week, we have ceased from speaking during class time. No longer is there a voice interpreter. Also, once a week, we all are to try to lock up our voices for the full day. What a challenge that will be during meal times and dorms. We plan on puting a sticky on our badge (like the Spanish missionaries do that say "No hablo ingles") and write "I can't hear you." That always makes me laugh!
Last week, I taught my first and only lesson in English. It was our first time with the Plan of Salvation. Our testimonies and personal experiences were able to really bring in the spirit, but we must work on better helping the investigaor understand the teachings. We just did a brief overview of each, and realized what's obvious for us and all new information for them. Got to keep working! And asking questions, and making commitments, and using scriptures, etc.
And now ... General Conference! Wow that was a great experience for me. All missionaries at the MTC had to gather in the gym for General Conference. It really is amazing to see everyone gathered together. I was amazed at how fast the sessions went. (I'm finding when I want to try to express a word to say, all I can do is sign it. And since signs are more based on concepts then actual English words, I can't get the right word out that I'd like to say. Just a side note.) One of the things I collected from Conference was the analogies different speakers used to describe the gospel principle. It helps me visualize and prepare to teach the Deaf so they can also visualize and understand what we teach them. Examples are:
~Sister Matsumori describing the feeling of the Holy Ghost like being wrapped secure and comfortably in a blanket;
~Elder Callister and the true gospel being a thousand piece puzzle;
~Elder Watson and temperance/self control being like tempered glass/steel;
~Sis. Dibb and it is our choice to use the safety equipment - hold to the rod;
~Elder Renlund and a mighty change of heart being a spiritual heart transplant.
I will say that the most powerful talk was by Elder Holland. How would anyone dare to dispute the Book of Mormon after that. Wow. Also, while I was reviewing my eight pages of notes (in my journal - my notebook has twelve) just now, I really liked the statement given by Elder Christofferson when he stated that society use to have people choose to act in a gentlemanly behavior but now we have to have laws to force people to behave. How uncivilized we have become. That statement really hit me. I have been thinking how back in the day, a man's word was his honor; but now, little is taken seriously. You can make a commitment with someone, and seldomly do they accomplish it in the original time frame. I sometimes wish we still had that standard, that civilized behavior of conduct. Oh how the world changes and how much it have fallen.
Sunday Night, our district decided to watch Mountain of the Lord (my favorite movie) and Sis. Low and I decided to interpret for Sis Call. That was quite an adventure. The night before at the Relief Society Broadcast, all four of us had to take turn interpreting because the closed captioning didn't work and it was too late to call an interpreter. We're really not suppose to because we haven't been trained, but we care about Sis. Call and wanted to try. What an experience. It definitely shows our progress with the language and what needs to be worked on.
The Tuesday Devotional was given by Ben B Banks, of the Emeritus Quorum of the Seventy who now helps host those countries who wish to visit with the Church. I just kept thinking of the wonderful times I had with my host families. How much I want to be able to do the same when I am older. Some of my dearest memories came from touring and talking with my host moms and dads. I want to give others that same joy I felt.
Yesturday evening, I was blessed to be able to attend a Deaf session at the temple with Sis. Call. It was wonderful! Then this morning, I went with my district for P-day. I'll say it's been a great day!
TENDER MERCY: I really like the support that I feel here at the MTC. I have my companion, roommates, district, branch, Branch President, and so many others. I know I am never alone. No matter what my worry or concern, there is someone I can turn to who will be able to give me help and support. It's so comforting. Also, I really love how the letters I receive always come at just the right times. Those from family members, friends...God gives me a tender mercy with each one. I know He loves me. That is the greatest feeling!
