Week 1

Hello Everyone!!

So today was finally P-day! what a relief. it was long overdue. well not really! it's crazy to think i have already been here a week!! with all the new elders yesterday i was able to see how I looked when we came in a week ago! It's crazy to see how I have changed over just the past week! Not in the way that i am some sort of freak now, just the fact that I really rely so much more on the Lord. 

We have been just doing all sorts of learning, we honestly wake up, breakfast, then class for three hours, lunch, class for three hours, zone teach, dinner, teach. And in the class times we teach too, it's such a good opportunity to learn! the first few lessons were really tough because my companion basically refused to talk. i don't think he really has social skills, and so I then prayed, and prayed, and prayed. he knows so much about doctrine, it really is amazing, but he has no idea how to say it. i just pray that he will be able to articulate what he wants. well finally yesterday he started to come out of his shell a little bit and it definitely helped having him there during the lessons. there is so much going on! so much learning, it is definitely overwhelming at times, but you can feel the spirit just comfort you. Last night though we had a serious breakthrough! he finally seemed to open up, and it was the first time that he told me like "i feel like i taught with the spirit there." which was so nice! I would come out of a lesson with a feeling that the spirit was so strong, but he would just say like oh that was an all right lesson. How frustrating!!! how could someone with so much love for the gospel not teach by the spirit? It was just too confusing for me. But i prayed he would come around and we would be able to click while we teach, i wasn't so worried about outside of teaching yet, i just wanted the lessons to go well because they are such great opportunities to feel how it is like to teach. I also gave him a blessing the night before all of that, either way prayers are answered and the faith grows!

The first couple days weren't too bad besides getting sick. The only time I felt super homesick was when my branch president or whoever just kept talking about families, honestly I wanted to tell him to be quiet. That is whatever though. I can feel all the prayers you all send my way, and i know that is why I am still here with the mindset i do have. The spirit really is crazy strong here and you can just feel the love everyone has. Its crazy to get into firesides and think, "everyone here is going forth and has the same goal" that is honestly too crazy! but its fun to be able to see how once you begin to let the Lord into your life how much you feel the blessings. I heard something i liked, it was like, "do your best, and God will do the rest", and then we talked about how me going on a mission will bring blessings to me, my family now, and my future family. What an amazing promise!! And that helps so much. I just have to give the next two years everything I can and the blessings will come for the rest of my life.

Okay though, what don't i like about the MTC? well always having a comp. isn't easy. especially with one like elder leyerle...I don't really know how to explain him. i'll send a picture.. HA but he is just different. i still think possibly some sort of disability, or maybe just a social disorder. he takes forever to do things and that stresses me out. we are late to practically everything. and that just stresses me out! i can't even handle it. i pray for patience!! he also spends about 10 minutes minimum in the bathroom everytime, we are unsure as to why. he does mysterious things while he is in there. but if you ask him he just gets really upset and seems like he might cry. that's how it is for a lot of things, he is gradually starting to open up, but it is definitely taking time! that's fine though, i just pray it continues. The food isn't all that great, it isn't bad, but it just feels so heavy. every meal i just feel like i get fat, so i watch what i eat a ton! and then i work out like everyday!! i am watching my weight!! its possible i may have lost some weight?? i will let you know!! probably a first! 

My district is so awesome though, and without them i feel like i would have lost my mind! but they bring such a great spirit, and joy!! two elders, elder grandstaff and elder ganley are probably two of the funniest kids ever. they just keep me going! they definitely remind me of my friends back at home, which helps so much! it's weird how those things don't make you miss home though, you just are like, 'i know the lord had a hand in how this developed.' and that is the coolest thing!! I hope those two are ones i keep in touch with!! 

The nice thing though is that the leaders can see how having a companion like i do can be such a struggle, and they are always trying to help. it helps so much! i love it! they are definitely called of god. 

i know there is a lot of things that i am not saying, but i will think about them and hopefully send another email today, i am kinda breakin the rules and i am in here early to do laundry so i will probably get another chance, well hopefully!! just know i love every single one of you, and your prayers are felt. i appreciate it so much! it's weird to think its been 8 days, and time is cruisin by. They still say i leave the 27 but we will see.. i need the time to learn! i have learned so much over the last 8 days its incredible, but i have so long to go! i love getting all the emails and the letters. They are the best!! They are such a source on inspiration. keep em comin!! i love you so much! keep writing those letters, you are all slacking!! you are all in my thoughts and prayers!!

Love, Elder McFall

p.s. sorry for the lack of capital letters and such, the shift key is broken! it bugs me too, and i know my you will lose your mind dad!! Dad, make sure this gets forwarded accordingly. LOVE YOU!