Eric 3/10

Hey Family,

The MTC is awesome. It's a roller coaster though. Spiritual highs, discouraging lows, and work, work, work. My testimony of the First Vision has grown exponentially. I've gotten a little taste of rejection and disappointment from our MTC progressing investigator and the call center. I'm still learning so much Spanish and doctrine and the more I learn the more I understand I still need to learn. I'm trying every strategy in the books to gain a stronger relationship with the spirit. I totally agree with whoever it was that said, "You can't be too prepared for a mission." If I were advising someone to prepare for the MTC, I would have them start by reading the Book of Mormon 10 times, the New Testament 3, the 4 gospels 2 more, the Old Testament once or twice, and Preach My Gospel (cover to cover) 2 or 3 times, and then memorize every scripture mastery and about 50 other scriptures. Then they would need to learn about work, love, and the spirit. That person might be ready for the MTC. My BYU roommate, Trevor, just got called to the Ecuador Guayaquil South mission. I'm so excited for him. I think he checks in the same day as Greg, who I'm also very excited for. I watched a talk by Elder Bednar about becoming a missionary not just going on a mission, and I felt like I want my sisters to marry a missionary, not an RM. I also have to say thank you, thank you, thank you for so so many things. You guys got me here. I wouldn't be on a mission if I hadn't had such awesome parents. I also have to wish Dad a happy birthday. The 7th was a little hard but we keep so busy that the hardest part is remembering. The Scott Family sent me 2 dear Elder packages, which reminds me, Thanks for all the cookies and letters. It's really great to get letters all the time, but I can't possibly respond to all of them. P-day is actually the busiest day of the week. But we get to go to the temple and slow down a bit so it's still a great day. I got to watch Elder Holland's broadcast (rerun) on The Gift of Teaching, that was powerful. Elder Hart and I are going to start teaching an MTC investigator in spanish next Monday. Question for Mom, when did you start studying the scriptures straight from Spanish? I wish I had talked to you guys alot more about your missions. I guess I've never really been a question asker. I don't really have time to read all of the cousin mission letters, but if there are sections you think I would like to read, please send them. Just a note, My address is mailbox 87 and departure is April 20th. the mail people want all the details. Congratulations Marly on permit, always, always, always be alert. BYU would be great for Josh. That missionary stuff will be awesome for Rachel. I don't know how I could have done that though. You guys could send me some of Rachel's blog posts if you want :). Thank you guys for the music. My companion is kindof obsessed with If You Could Hie to Kolob. If you could find a piano arrangement / solo something of I know that My Redeemer Lives, I would be so happy. Good Luck with Life, it really gets alot easier when you give everything to the Lord. All you have to do is everytime you think "I Want" when "God wants" would be different, pick the second one. Every Time. God rewards effort. I'm sure of it because I've learned some Spanish. I Love You!

-Elder Davis