Missionary Training Center

I love the MTC. Its been a challenge. The spirit is really strong though, and the Lord is on my side.

I have a really good district and I love all the Elders who I get to spend everyday with. We have a really good time and help each other out.

One of the biggest challenges for me, and I knew it would be, is having a companion 24/7. Its hard. And if anyone tries to say its not, they are a liar. haha

The first week was ok. It was really hard and we all just pushed through it. But by the second week we all started to get comfortable with our companions. I was pretty sure that's when the blood would start to spill.

Last week was really hard for me. I let a lot of things my companion do get to me and started to get really annoyed. Which distanced us from each other. We were silently battling everyday. haha its funny looking back.

But Sunday night we sat down and talked about it for about an hour. He's going to relax and go with the flow a little bit more, and I'm going to be more meek. And by that I mean I'm going to be patient and tolerant towards others. Especially my companion. I love him. Even though he is the slowest person on earth, I can't help but love him for it. I know the Lord is helping me do that. I'm so thankful for all of His help here.

The language is still so hard! We are going on week three. Which means by next week we are supposed to speak Espanol 24/7. I don't know if we're quite there yet. But its amazing that three weeks ago I couldn't speak any Spanish, and now I say all my prayers in Spanish, I can talk with the people I'm teaching, and testify what I know to be true with them. It's amazing and I know that we learn at an accelerated rate here because The Lord helps us.

One cool experience with Spanish; One of our teachers gave us a lot of advice and helped us realize how special our call was as missionaries. He's from Peru, I think, and it's hard to understand his Spanish. But as he gave this mini devotional all of us understood every word. We all felt the spirit present. But as soon as he said amen, it went back to normal and we had to struggle to understand what he was saying. It was awesome. I know that the lord is going to help me in the mission field. That was evident to me that the spirit helps us with Espanol, and without the spirit, I'm nothing as a missionary.

I love being a missionary. I love it here, and I love the blessings that come with being a missionary. I love how close we are to the spirit, and I know that we are doing Christ's work.

This is hard. But it's the best!

I love and miss everyone!
Write me letters if you'd like ;)

Elder Jonathan Robert Harder.

p.s. I heard a cool quote.
            "A Missionary is someone who leaves their family for two years, so that others can be with their families for eternity."