I'M ALIVE!
^ a short email Dax got to send before his Preparation Dayhaha oh my goodness. what a crazy couple of days. I have seen so many people that I know it's not even funny. All our language class is complete German so that has been a challenge. Love my companion elder Wright. He is from Colorado. My P day is tomorrow love you guys. I'll wright more when I have time.
God is good and the gospel is true.Love you guys.-Elder Rothwell
Oh my goodness haha this is the most interesting place ever I don't even know how to describe it but I love it. BYU is not God's University, this is. After the whole Rothwell family had a break down at the curb Elder Nielson who had been here for the past 3 weeks and is going to the Philippines or however you spell it. He was awesome and helped me get all of my crap and get to class where I met my companion who had just got in as well. Elder Wright, he is from Colorado and went to a year of BYU before because he is so young. Elder Gaijdos my ward buddy got him checked in as well. Elder Wright turns 19 July 27th and his favorite number has been 27 as well all his life so that was pretty cool to be companions with someone who has the same favorite number. He is super smart and got a 32 on his ACT. Soft spoken but we get along well.
The rest of my room is my youth football buddy Elder Hughes from AF and his companion Elder Dutson who barely talks and is from box elder they have 27 and 30's on their ACT. They make fun of me because Elder Hughes on Thursday made a statement that I had probably kissed more girls than all of them combined and that makes up for my ACT score and it turns out I did and they gave me a hard time about that. We all get along well. Me and Elder Hughes do most of the talking and Elder Dutson maybe says 15 words a day.
Anyways everyday in class is nothing but German for 3 hours and that is still hard to get use to. The first day was a shock for sure but we get to do some English workshops with a bigger group of random missionaries helping "investigators" that is actually way spiritual and fun. It feels like half of the people here went to Lone Peak I have seen so many buddies. The first day we had a devotional by President and Sister Burgess and that was great. When we all sang Called to Serve I teared up a little, the spirit was so strong and the 2 years thing hit me in the face so both happy and sad tears. It was hard to get to sleep that first night for sure.
Second day was a mess because these first couple days you just learn all the rules and your zones and districts. German class was difficult as usual and then we had a devotional for 3 hours with our zone. Main message of just being obedient and that through strict obedience miracles happen. Me and Elder Wright are getting more use to each other. I saw Sarah's sister in law Madison because the Armenians are just down the hall in their class and live in our hall as well that was cool. Except for the Armenians do not shut up at night and that frustrates me but trying to see them like Christ does :) And I said my first prayer in all German that night for our room and that was awesome.
Third day felt more routine, until me and Elder Wright went and taught Roland in nothing but German. I could understand what he needed us to help him with but I could not respond because I didn't know all of the words and that was super frustrating but when I bore my testimony in German to him I felt the spirit super strong.Our teacher Sister Toma tells us to focus on teaching with the spirit and not focusing on German but that is hard to do. I understand why now though. We teach again tonight to Roland and that will be interesting. I can already see the Gift of Tongues working in me though. I know so much more in 3 days then I could ever imagine. The prayers are for sure felt and I love it so much.
The days feel fast but at the end of the day you're like woah what did we even do today its all a blur. My room also gave me crap for having both a letter and box in the mail and they say I'm spoiled but I think they're just jealous, I loved the package by the way momma. The most exciting thing we see around here are Elders and Sisters with mail and packages in their hands. It's actually way funny. Life is so simple here but never have I worked so hard or felt the spirit more. The main thing I learned yesterday was 1. Come closer to God and Christ so I can see the German people as they do. 2. Be worthy of the Gift of Tongues by strict obedience. 3. Continually seek the Gift through prayer, fast and opening my mouth. 4. Study and struggle with the language. 5. Not so much teaching but serving the people and seeking to connect with them spiritually. Also at the end of our German before lunch the MTC President and his wife roll in to class as my teacher is walking and he says "Is Elder Rothwell here? We need to speak to him for a minute." And I about messed myself because I thought what could I have possibly done now!? But he knew Jesse that worked on our house and he had to get a picture with me and my district. Such nice and humble people.
The MTC is something you can't describe, you just have to be here and see it and feel it. Food and living is interesting to say the least but the spirit keeps lifting us up and helping us. It isn't easy though. I have already seen 2 sisters and one elder just break down. Keep praying for them and their families. Love you all. I will keep you updated and tell as much as I can remember through my week.
Love and miss my family and friends but during the day there is honestly not time to think about it so that is nice. Look forward to seeing them trickle in these next 5 1/2 weeks
Daxton with his companion, Elder Wright
Love you guys.
-Elder Rothwell
Favorite Scriptures this week
Alma 32
Alma teaches the poor whose afflictions had humbled them—Faith is a hope in that which is not seen which is true—Alma testifies that angels minister to men, women, and children—Alma compares the word unto a seed—It must be planted and nourished—Then it grows into a tree from which the fruit of eternal life is picked. About 74 B.C.
6 Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise.
7 And the Lord God doth work by means to bring about his great and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls.
Daxton's German Classroom!
Mission Tags!
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