Un otro apostol

Hola,

Muchas gracias por tantas cartas. Les amo.

Mom, I believe the letter from ATM says that my bike and belongings are supposed to be at the mission home two weeks prior to my arrival. I have everything I need here, including a hoodie, so you can send everything as soon as you are able. That would be great. Jessi I don't have any advice for the sleepover or Spooktacular. Just have fun by helping others have fun. That's pretty much the way life works. True happiness is found in laboring for the happiness of others. Mom and Jessi, I'm sending you each a letter with more of a reply.

I finished el Libro de Mormon again last Sunday. It's true. And I have a the solution for all of those contestations in Ether: Family Prayer, Family Scripture Study, and Family Home Evening. I hope that's going well back home.

In all my years of living in San Mateo, I never realized that the name of my neighborhood was Spanish for "Saint Matthew."

Just by way of information, Darci Tenney's (I know her last name is different now) younger brother is here in the MTC as well. And I ran into Camille Jacobsen a couple of weeks ago in the cafeteria and she restocked the cheesecake for me since they had run out. Catherine Jones works in the cafeteria, too. When I first saw her I was speaking Spanish until she said, "I don't know what you're saying." I hadn't even thought about what language I was speaking, which is good, because I want the change to happen. Speaking of which, this week has not been total Spanish. Majority is, but several times a day I throw out an English phrase(s). Sometimes it's really frustrating. Especially when I'm trying to get a point across to my companion and he's trying to sort through my poor grammar. But I can feel God helping me as I learn. And struggling is part of the process.

Dad, Ben, Tyler, David, Dennis, Rachel - This week I've been thinking about goals. I am very interested to hear of any goals you had while on your mission. Please just throw me an idea or two and I'll adapt it if I feel it would be appropriate for me. And I'm referring to any kind of goal. Memorizing, acts of service, specific spiritual goals, language goals. The invitation also goes for anyone who has a sweet idea.

I heard this phrase on Sunday referring to a need for prophets, specifically Joseph Smith: God sent Moses, not the Ten Commandments, to lead the children of Israel.

I read Ether 3:25 this past week, where the brother of Jared is shown every person to ever live on earth, and thought, "Why?" I understand why the brother of Jared qualified to see it, but I thought it interesting that God would show him everybody. I decided that one of the reasons is because if God wants to show the brother of Jared all of His creations, and show him His finest work, we are it. What greater thing to reveal than the individual, and every one of them that he has created. We are God's greatest creation and have divine, limitless potential. Imagine Heavenly Father showing the brother of Jared all of His children and then saying, "Pretty good, eh?" Father's plan is for us.

This morning I read 1 Nephi 5:4-6 and saw something new. Lehi used testimony to comfort his wife when she was doubting God, and when she was scared for her children. We all have friends that need to be comforted. We should use testimony and what we know about the love of our Heavenly Father to comfort our brothers and sisters. Turn their thoughts to the mercy of Christ.

Elder Nelson came on Tuesday night and spoke about the Book of Mormon. I could sense the power he has in his character. There's nothing more to say really.

I love you all, dearly. Thank you for your prayers and support. I makes a world of difference.

Elder Joshua Gathro

P.S. - We get our travel plans today! They just tell us what time during the day we fly out, but still exciting. And yes, I leave October 4th.

Muchas cartas electronica

Mi amorosa familia!

Yo recibi el 'package' esta semana! Muchas gracias! Fue en sorpresa y una bendicion recibir tantos fotos. The letter thing seemed like it would have been fun to write. And Dad should stop writing about those kinds of things in his talks (I think that was con la ayuda de Dennis :) The other elders in my district wanted to see the photos and now everyone knows que yo tengo algunas hermanas bonitas!

Well I caught word from my branch president this week, who is the epitome of a man of God, that the MTC president doesn't want elders to be trading ties. I wasn't disappointed though. That's easy to obey. And I have some really good ties right now anyway.

Two quotes from Preach My Gospel: Commitment is an essential part of repentance; Goals reflect the desires of our hearts and our vision of what we can accomplish. When I read that I thought, "What does that say about me then if I don't have any goals?" And I didn't have many specific ones either. But now I do. The biggest one is with my companion. We decided last Saturday night that we wanted to speak solamente Espanol for the remainder of our time here in the MTC. So except for English hymns or brief occasions when we have to use it, we're used strictly Spanish. And it has been such a blessing. We want our minds to switch over into Spanish, and it's starting to happen. It is so cool! I feel so much more comfortable speaking Spanish now. I can understand all the teachers here when they slow down enough, and I can explain most anything I want to. It gets frustrating sometimes, especially if my companion and I are sharing ideas and one of us doesn't understand. But it has helped me take a breath and be more patient. I've been called to preach the Gospel in the Spanish language, and when I get to Arizona in the middle of a lesson, I won't be able to resort to English anyway. The Lord is blessing me with the gift of tongues.

Elder Ballard came this week. He has several good things to say, but I don't have much time and they're are other precious experiences I'd rather share. Monday my companion and I were to teach a sister in our district for about 5 minutes. We were given the prompt to invite the Spirit in discussing lesson 3, and then our teacher said "Go." We had no time to think and we started with a testimony and asked about three questions. When I asked her one that had come to my mind, she was silent, her eyes started to water, and she gave an answer from the heart, where she had felt the Spirit. It was absolutely wonderful. Afterward she said it was the perfect question, just what she needed. The Spirit can do that. The next night we had a similar practice with a Elder Schmidt, who will be serving in Tempe as well. After we concluded the 5 minutes with a sincere prayer, we asked "Como siente ahorita?" He said, "The best I have my whole life." How does that happen?! Through the Spirit.

I don't have any more time, but I found a comforting scripture last night. Enos 1:17. Hopefully that is heartwarming for any of you. Think about Enos 1:3-4 as well. Enos went out to hunt but ended up praying. Sometimes food for our bodies isn't as important as nourishment for the soul.

Best of luck in your missionary efforts!

Elder Joshua Gathro

More MTC

Hola Familia,

Thanks for your letter, Mom. And thank you for the emails Erin and Dennis. Carrie and David I'll shoot you a letter today. I didn't know Jessi was taking Driver's Ed but that's terrific that she's doing so well at driving. I like the hike idea, tambien. I hope Ustedes are able to make that happen. Mom it was weird too think about how soon my bike will be out there. I hadn't thought how soon it really is coming. But I'm looking forward to the 12-foot tall cacti :) I haven't gotten the second shot yet but they'll call me in for it next week probably. I'll make sure it happens. Brandon and I haven't contacted each other. Mom, could you send me his mission home address? And has USU granted me residency yet? Thank you.

I've been meaning to tell you all, but there's an elder in my zone who is headed for Jacksonville, Florida! Spanish speaking as well. His name is Elder Evans, a tall stud. Look out for him starting the week right before General Conference.

An elder in my district said this last week: I didn't know the French had a language; I just thought they had snooty laughs. Speaking of languages, I realized this week that everything sounds funnier in Spanish, or at least for a gringo trying to learn that language. Dad, I've started reading the Book of Mormon in Spanish and I'm at 1 Nephi 9, if you want to read along.

That's so cool that you're going to be in a play, Erin! I'm sure you still have you talent. I haven't heard of Fellwarefell, but have fun down there at the Little Theater in San Marco. And Dennis, I'll pass on the tip to Elder Fife, he would appreciate that.

Last Friday my companion and I had to go out into the real world for a doctor's appointment. And it was the neatest feeling to think that while sitting in the waiting area, we were representatives of Jesus Christ. The same thing is true of all members of the Church, but it had a different feel as a set-apart full-time missionary with a name tag that bears His name. Everybody was willing to talk to us too. People just walked up to chat for a minute or two. It was sweet. It's all about the people (Alma 31:34-35)

Last night a sister in my zone shared the analogy in Ether 6:8 of the winds that drove the Brother of Jared and his family to the Promised Land. Sometimes it feels that the winds never cease, for a week, 344 days, or longer. But Father knows where He's directing us. And what He has in store is a land of promise, a place prepared for those who follow him and submit to His will. Elder Jay Jensen came this week and mentioned that he once asked Neal A Maxwell what Christ-like attribute he most desires. Elder Maxwell replied without hesitation, "Submissiveness." If you want a good talk to read, try "As A Child" by President Eyring.

I have a question if anyone is up to the challenge of helping me find the answer. Christ heals us physically, but where is the support for that truth? I know I read it this week in one scripture, but I don't remember where and I don't know where else that can be found. So the question is for anyone, even if you're just reading this on the blog.

One last thought from my studies: 2 Nephi 26:24. Can that first statement be said of all of us?

I found Rachel's and David's birthday mentioned in Alma 14:23.

Mom, could you send a photo of the family? I don't have any photos of anyone but my Brother. And I'm taking a couple photos here every now and again. My camera hasn't had any troubles!

I love you all. Thank you for your prayers. I pray for you as well.

Best of luck in your missionary efforts.

Elder Joshua Gathro.