Another week has already flown by in the MTC. Time here is so different. You wake up, you work all day long, you collapse and blink, then do it all over again.
Thank you so much for the letter that you sent and the talks. I have been praying everyday for love. Love for my companions, for the people, and for the Lord.
Sounds like things are going well there. I hope you keep up the great work in everything. My teacher always asks about you since he knows you are a seminary teacher.
On to this week's activities;
The RC, I spend every second that I can in there. It, by far, has been the most rewarding experience here. In one day I was able to send out 5 pairs of missionaries to people that needed to hear more. I feel so humbled each time I talk with someone and always have to have a prayer in my heart so that the Spirit will be able to teach through me. They played a story from the RC for us to show how we can change people's lives. It is this clip of a man from the Caribbean and he doesn’t want to talk about the church at all. Then the girl on the phone testifies to him and tells him about the First Vision and Restoration. He pauses, and then asks how long the church has existed for. After she responded, “200 years”, he said, “if it has been around for that long why has it taken you so long to find my family?” I know that what I am doing is taking the gospel to those who have no other place to look, to those who have been prepared to hear what I have to say and have no other way to find it. This week I sent about 10 pairs of missionaries. I get so excited for the people each time they are willing to learn more.
Every day here I realize in all aspects how I could come closer to Christ. I plead for a greater testimony and try to put all reliance on His strength and then I found a scripture that was so awesome I can't believe that I had never read it before. It is D&C 6:22:
If you desire a further witness, cast your mind upon that night that you cried unto me in your heart, that you might know concerning the truth of these things.
What a powerful message exactly when I needed it. Reflecting on that first time I ever knew remembering how it feels when you know the Spirit it there and testifying. I love the book of Mormon because of the promise; I love the simplicity and beauty of that promise. You read it and pray with real intent, a sincere heart, and faith and the great questions of the soul are answered. Every person on this earth has that opportunity to have that knowledge that I have. Every person has the opportunity to never again question their worth, or question their purpose. With something so precious I can't believe I let any time get away from me in preparing to share this message.
The devotionals here are always great they are always so specific and uplifting. We always go early when no one is there to prepare our minds and hearts to be open to what will be said.
This week teaching really started to heat up. We taught a lesson at least twice a day and had to lead district meeting with a lesson about Joseph Smith. Teaching success is always based on our willingness and our preparedness. All the lessons, where before hand we have focused on what we want the student to know, feel, and do, are always so uplifting, and it is surprising to hear the words that are coming out of my mouth.
This week our focus has been on lesson 2, The Plan of Salvation, because we are teaching it in the TRC. I had always just viewed the Atonement as the greatest act of love for mankind and used it as a general event that applies to everyone. But this week I realized just how specific the Atonement is. We are teaching people that any problem, no matter what, can be solved through the Atonement. That it is the most specific help you can ever receive, all problems that are brought before the Savior can be resolved.
We find out who the new zone leaders are on Sunday and the branch president basically told us that it would be from our district. Spanish has been coming along great, I feel most of it has come back to my memory and love speaking with the other elders. Sorry that I type so slowly. I have been practicing (typing) on this language program we have so that I can try and type faster.
I love you all so much. Family, just know that I pray for each one of you by name every single day. I love you more than I have ever been able to say I am hoping to return to all of you with honor. I want to go to the celestial kingdom and I need you all there with me to make it true happiness. Have a great week; keep writing it is the best. Love Elder Mark Vomocil
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Friday, September 18, 2009
Week 2
Wow things are moving so fast here it is hard to imagine that this week is over. First to answer questions, I just got your package, right before email time, so thank you for that. The watch looks great. I get mail on Saturday until 2 then I have to wait until Monday. Um, can’t think of anything else I need besides socks, I lost one and now I only have 3 exercise socks.
Now, I’ll share all the amazing things that happened this week. First the RC (Referral Center). I love being there. It is like doing real missionary work. You get to put to use all your knowledge and testimony to help others. So on Tuesday I got a man to commit to going to church and gave him the address. I am calling him back tomorrow and will update you on how that goes. I also had an hour and half talk with Susan, about true repentance and about The Atonement. She is having the missionaries over and promised to read the Book of Mormon and pray about it. I also sent missionaries to 4 other families that were ready to learn. I have just been really having the Spirit. It is a great time when we go to the (RC).
Now, I’ll share all the amazing things that happened this week. First the RC (Referral Center). I love being there. It is like doing real missionary work. You get to put to use all your knowledge and testimony to help others. So on Tuesday I got a man to commit to going to church and gave him the address. I am calling him back tomorrow and will update you on how that goes. I also had an hour and half talk with Susan, about true repentance and about The Atonement. She is having the missionaries over and promised to read the Book of Mormon and pray about it. I also sent missionaries to 4 other families that were ready to learn. I have just been really having the Spirit. It is a great time when we go to the (RC).
Also on Tuesday we had devotional. Thomas S Monson spoke at BYU so we all thought we would hop on over but instead we got to hear from Jeffrey R Holland. We were in the third row. What an amazing speaker. What an amazing testimony. What an amazing man. Out of the countless wise teachings, the one that stuck out to me the most is to stop thinking that after I get back from my mission that things go back to normal or that somehow this isn’t real life. Some things never change, the truth of the gospel, my love for the people and for my Savior, this is as close to real life as anything gets. Up until now my life has been so easy and so blessed and everything seemed to not have a real consequence or real value. I now know this is the most important thing I could ever do. I have two years to be apostolic. I have two years to work as hard as I can to become what God wants me to be for the rest of my life. Man's extremity is God's opportunity and I don’t want to miss a single second of this. He ended by saying his whole life he had borne witness of Christ and now he stood before us as a witness of Christ. Don't see the difference? I almost missed it too. To stand as a witness, is to not have faith, he doesn’t have to have faith because I know in my heart that he has seen Christ. He has total knowledge. Man, such an incredible experience.
The TRC here is such an awesome place. If you don't know what that is, it is where we go each week in order to teach a lesson and then get evaluated by our teachers. This week we taught Brother Kerr, a volunteer, but never the less, the spirit is so amazing there. It seems I have the most special place (in my heart) for the story of Joseph Smith from the first lesson. I always try to bear testimony of why I know it is true and each time what I say is different and each time it surprises me on how much I really do believe this.
Sunday this week was a great improvement from last week, mostly because the food was decent, but also because of priesthood and fireside. Our branch president, President Lloyd, taught that we must fear not, but always have faith. It was such an amazing lesson, as it says in Alma 29, “I know what God commandeth me and I glory in.” I love Pres Lloyd's spirit he is an amazing man. The fireside speaker was President Heaton, a director here, and he talked about the “perhaps principle.” The principle is that there is no guarantee that we will have a baptism that there is no guarantee that even when an investigator has received a witness of the truth of the Gospel that they will act on it, and that our hearts should break from them. We should be sad because we love them. We must accept two seemingly mutually exclusive ideas-- that we must work hard every second of everyday and then expect nothing. Success is given as a gift to unsuspecting hard workers. This week, as an example of how to teach lesson 2, Hermano Del Toro taught Elder Messer and me as if we were ourselves. The wisdom and love he brings each time is astounding. He reassured in me that my reasons for coming out here are the right ones, my love of the Lord and of the people. I should quake whenever I think that even one soul might be lost.
Mom you said that sometimes you are scared to share the gospel and I was always too. Somewhere in Alma 26 (#Alma 26: 23-26) the sons of Mosiah are mocked for wanting to teach the Lamanites because of how wicked they are. Sadly, sometimes I used this as an excuse to not share. I thought my friends would not want to hear because they like what they are doing. But then I read in Alma, some chapter I don’t have my scriptures with me, that Ammon was so excited for what happened to the Lamanites*. Aaron warned him not to boast. To which he replied, I know of my weakness, I know that without my God I am nothing. And if this be boasting I will boast, for my God has all knowledge, all wisdom, and all power. This has really motivated me to just open my mouth and have the Spirit speak through me. I know how weak I am but I know God loves me and I am doing his work. I know this experience will be a hard one and something that brother Holland asked is, “why is a mission so hard when are doing the right thing, why is it so tough?” It is because salvation was never a cheap experience. Bringing eternal life will never come without challenges.
Thank you so much for letters I am trying to write everyone back. You don’t realize how much you miss talking to your family til you can’t. I love everyone back at home. I am trying my hardest for each one of you. I love you all so much and God be with til we meet again. Be good. Do good.
Elder Vomocil
Friday, September 11, 2009
First Week
Oh boy where to start? I will try and answer all the questions you have asked me in your letters first. By the way thank you so much for keeping me updated and sending your love it is great to get to go back to the room, lie in bed, and read news. Thanks again.
Just a suggestion I only get 30 minutes on the email so you should just keep the letters you send through email short and send long ones through dearelder so I can read them before my time starts rolling. Ok ,yes I got the letter from Colleen Whitley, it was an awesome letter and I hope I keep getting them from her. I got both of Nate's letters and Danny's as well. I am glad that I got called to Ecuador where things will be a little closer to normal.
In my package with my exercise pants I need you to send me a watch. It is like impossible to do stuff. There are no clocks anywhere, something like lose yourself in the service, but then I am just late for everything. Just get Quintin to help you pick or something . I don’t really like plain circles.
I had so many firsts this week. First time in the TRC ,which is a teaching scenario where our companionship teaches a volunteer investigator. They are normally really good actors. During our lesson I felt the need to testify when my companion was talking about the First Vision. I told her, Rose, that this wasn’t some story we were telling her, that it happened and it was one of the most important events ever for us. The Spirit was so strong she was crying all over the place and I was getting pretty teary. The rest of the lesson went well, I knew that the Spirit told me to testify in order to make me stronger not necessarily for Rose. We also had our first time at the Referral Center which is where all calls in and out from the church come. It was really amazing to do actual missionary work for the first time. I got shut down but my companions had some awesome success and I can't wait to got back there. I got such a feeling of excitement to share with others.
The meetings that we have here are just incredible. We had Richard Hinckley come speak and everything thing is so open and so directed right to us even compared to General Conference or something. It is crazy how, with the right mind set and a great speaker, even a topic like how to get people to church more often is so exciting. I feel like our companionship has really grown stronger. It was weird at first sharing little personal insights that I had received during personal study or thought with two other 19 year olds, but it has been so rewarding. Elder Hirschi was really struggling with the language and his view of his testimony and knowledge of the gospel which he thought was very little. I just bore my testimony to him and shared with him
D&C 68:2-6.* What an awesome moment for our companionship.
It is impossible to think that I could be doing the things that I am doing, and learning and saying the things I do, from the perspective of just 10 days ago. Going to the temple was great, so relaxing to be doing something so important for someone else while I get peaceful reflection time and learn so much. Hermano Del Toro, one of our teachers here, has grown to be such a great mentor and friend. His English is bad sometimes and he has such a great sense of humor but expects a lot out of us and helps us grow so much. I had an interview with him last night and it was a great experience to talk to him about what to expect, how to better myself, and to get help. The Spanish learning here is slow, actually I think that I probably should have been in intermediate but I try and use my personal study time to keeping learning more Spanish. They focus a lot on Preach my Gospel. I guess I just came in here with somewhat of an idea of how they were going to teach us and it has been rather different, but such a growing experience. We are supposed to teach and be taught by all the elders around us and it has strengthened me and my companionship so much to hear the lessons in English and Spanish from the other elders in the zone.
The food here is so awful and I am labeled to most of our zone as the pickiest eater they have every known. Almost all of the ideas for food here sound delicious, then you see it, and worse taste it, and it is horrible. So glad they have raisin bran here all the time and all I drink is water since the juice here is fake and other soda stuff they have is rather bad.
I find that when I learn the most is the time during personal study. I always have a pad of paper open because I know I will have impressions that I need to record. Today I was thinking why is our church is more right than any other church. When I was little I thought it was because we had the Book of Mormon so we had more truth and thus it was better. If that is all that our church had it wouldn’t be enough. The reason that it is so necessary for others to hear our message is because of authority. Other churches teach you to live the commandments and baptize you but they lack the authority that is so precious and necessary.
I love you all.
Sorry about this letter hopefully I get better.
Love you and I’ll write hand ones to the family.
*D & C 68: 2-6 And, behold, and lo, this is an ensample unto all those who were ordained unto this priesthood, whose mission is appointed unto them to go forth--
And this is the ensample unto them, that they shall speak as they are moved upon by the Holy Ghost.
An whatsoever they shall speak when moved upon by the Holy Ghost shall be scripture, shall be the will of the Lord, shall be the word of the Lord, shall be the voice of the Lord, and the power of God unto salvation.
Behold, this is the promise of the Lord unto you, O ye my servants.
Wherefore, be of good cheer, and do not fear, for I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you; and ye shall bear record of me, even Jesus Christ, that I am the Son of the living God, that I was, that I am, and that I am to come.
Just a suggestion I only get 30 minutes on the email so you should just keep the letters you send through email short and send long ones through dearelder so I can read them before my time starts rolling. Ok ,yes I got the letter from Colleen Whitley, it was an awesome letter and I hope I keep getting them from her. I got both of Nate's letters and Danny's as well. I am glad that I got called to Ecuador where things will be a little closer to normal.
In my package with my exercise pants I need you to send me a watch. It is like impossible to do stuff. There are no clocks anywhere, something like lose yourself in the service, but then I am just late for everything. Just get Quintin to help you pick or something . I don’t really like plain circles.
I had so many firsts this week. First time in the TRC ,which is a teaching scenario where our companionship teaches a volunteer investigator. They are normally really good actors. During our lesson I felt the need to testify when my companion was talking about the First Vision. I told her, Rose, that this wasn’t some story we were telling her, that it happened and it was one of the most important events ever for us. The Spirit was so strong she was crying all over the place and I was getting pretty teary. The rest of the lesson went well, I knew that the Spirit told me to testify in order to make me stronger not necessarily for Rose. We also had our first time at the Referral Center which is where all calls in and out from the church come. It was really amazing to do actual missionary work for the first time. I got shut down but my companions had some awesome success and I can't wait to got back there. I got such a feeling of excitement to share with others.
The meetings that we have here are just incredible. We had Richard Hinckley come speak and everything thing is so open and so directed right to us even compared to General Conference or something. It is crazy how, with the right mind set and a great speaker, even a topic like how to get people to church more often is so exciting. I feel like our companionship has really grown stronger. It was weird at first sharing little personal insights that I had received during personal study or thought with two other 19 year olds, but it has been so rewarding. Elder Hirschi was really struggling with the language and his view of his testimony and knowledge of the gospel which he thought was very little. I just bore my testimony to him and shared with him
D&C 68:2-6.* What an awesome moment for our companionship.
It is impossible to think that I could be doing the things that I am doing, and learning and saying the things I do, from the perspective of just 10 days ago. Going to the temple was great, so relaxing to be doing something so important for someone else while I get peaceful reflection time and learn so much. Hermano Del Toro, one of our teachers here, has grown to be such a great mentor and friend. His English is bad sometimes and he has such a great sense of humor but expects a lot out of us and helps us grow so much. I had an interview with him last night and it was a great experience to talk to him about what to expect, how to better myself, and to get help. The Spanish learning here is slow, actually I think that I probably should have been in intermediate but I try and use my personal study time to keeping learning more Spanish. They focus a lot on Preach my Gospel. I guess I just came in here with somewhat of an idea of how they were going to teach us and it has been rather different, but such a growing experience. We are supposed to teach and be taught by all the elders around us and it has strengthened me and my companionship so much to hear the lessons in English and Spanish from the other elders in the zone.
The food here is so awful and I am labeled to most of our zone as the pickiest eater they have every known. Almost all of the ideas for food here sound delicious, then you see it, and worse taste it, and it is horrible. So glad they have raisin bran here all the time and all I drink is water since the juice here is fake and other soda stuff they have is rather bad.
I find that when I learn the most is the time during personal study. I always have a pad of paper open because I know I will have impressions that I need to record. Today I was thinking why is our church is more right than any other church. When I was little I thought it was because we had the Book of Mormon so we had more truth and thus it was better. If that is all that our church had it wouldn’t be enough. The reason that it is so necessary for others to hear our message is because of authority. Other churches teach you to live the commandments and baptize you but they lack the authority that is so precious and necessary.
I love you all.
Sorry about this letter hopefully I get better.
Love you and I’ll write hand ones to the family.
*D & C 68: 2-6 And, behold, and lo, this is an ensample unto all those who were ordained unto this priesthood, whose mission is appointed unto them to go forth--
And this is the ensample unto them, that they shall speak as they are moved upon by the Holy Ghost.
An whatsoever they shall speak when moved upon by the Holy Ghost shall be scripture, shall be the will of the Lord, shall be the word of the Lord, shall be the voice of the Lord, and the power of God unto salvation.
Behold, this is the promise of the Lord unto you, O ye my servants.
Wherefore, be of good cheer, and do not fear, for I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you; and ye shall bear record of me, even Jesus Christ, that I am the Son of the living God, that I was, that I am, and that I am to come.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Confusion Addressed
OK, I am sorry there is confusion about how to write to Elder Vomocil once he is in Quito. I will try to make it clear.
If you write to him through "pouch" mail, the POB address, your letter can ONLY be a single sheet and must be tri-folded, taped at the top ONLY, and addressed and stamped on the back of the page.
If you write to him on dearelder.com and use "pouch" mail it is free and they will print,fold, and tape your letter for you.
If you want to write a longer letter or send a picture or a card or anything else you must use the mission address and put a US Airmail stamp on your letter. It cost about a dollar.
The mission address is:
Elder Mark Harrison Vomocil
Ecuador Quito Mission
Calle Robles 640 y Amazonas
Quito
Ecuador
I hope this is clearer. I am sorry for confusing everyone.
If you write to him through "pouch" mail, the POB address, your letter can ONLY be a single sheet and must be tri-folded, taped at the top ONLY, and addressed and stamped on the back of the page.
If you write to him on dearelder.com and use "pouch" mail it is free and they will print,fold, and tape your letter for you.
If you want to write a longer letter or send a picture or a card or anything else you must use the mission address and put a US Airmail stamp on your letter. It cost about a dollar.
The mission address is:
Elder Mark Harrison Vomocil
Ecuador Quito Mission
Calle Robles 640 y Amazonas
Quito
Ecuador
I hope this is clearer. I am sorry for confusing everyone.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
September 5, 2009 MTC
September 5, 2009
Hey there! This is our first preparation day, well sort of. They have started a whole new orientation week for new missionaries and we are the first ones to try it. So our first couples days have been very long but so amazing. The first day was pretty rough, because I showed up late I was missing so many items we needed and just got rushed around everywhere. My first companion is Elder Caresia from Kansas a very nice elder and dedicated to work. Because we had a elder that came back from home he went to the upper level Spanish and I got a second companion Elder Hirschi. He is such a great guy and our trio is working out nicely.
I thought that each day would go by so slowly and that one hour for personal, companionship, and language study would be too much. It is quite the opposite I feel like I am just starting to get into my studies when the hour is up. I have eaten cereal everyday for most meals, the food is straight from the BYU cafeteria and I haven’t built up a resistance to its effects yet. Our zone leaders are Elder Baria and Elder Martin, both truly men of God. You can feel the love they have for each elder and have already set such a great example and taught me so much. Elder Angel is our district leader, which I had a feeling he would be. He has an awesome testimony and is great leader for our district of which all of us are going to Quito.
I see elders I know alllll the time, Elder Morley, Elder Simmons, Elder Lopez, Elder Miller and so many others it is incredible to have so many friends dedicated to the work.
Starting after this first when my initially anxiety and nerves had gone the Spirit here is incredible, hopefully my feelings will not change, because I wish I could just spend the rest of my time learning and coming closer to Christ. Seeing the other Elders have taught me how much I can grow through work and obedience. There are lots of rules and I view each one as a chance to gain additional blessings. I have been filled with a love for the people of Ecuador. I know they need the gospel. Our branch presidency met with each of us personally on Thursday, they are as Elders Baria would say, "Hombres de Dios" (headbob). They have such faith in the potential of each of the missionaries and it is going to be great getting to know them. It is incredible how often the Spirit prompts us and teaches us when we are trying to listen.
I know my thoughts are bouncing everywhere but I so much has happened so fast. Our teachers are Hermano Del Toro and Hermana Ross, I am so blessed to have such great teachers. They are both our teachers for Spanish and for our guidance in the gospel. I guess it was just my impression of the MTC but it I thought we would be reading more, but the purpose of a missionary is to invite others to come unto Christ and we center everything about learning how to teach and invite. I guess I am just saying I wish I would have read more when I had the chance during my long summer.
I am so excited for you mom, sounds like the seminary class is going to be awesome this year. Thank you so much for your letters, it has been such a boost to my tired body and mind to have unconditional love and support coming from home. I was reading in 2 Nephi for personal study and Nephi said his soul rejoiceth in the plainness of the gospel, for after this manner does God work. I had a realization that the gospel is so simple, so plain, and so precious. I have been blessed with a mind that easily understands the simple ness of The Gospel of Jesus Christ and I have a such a desire to share this joy with others.
Well the computer is blinking at me which means I don’t have much time. Normally my p day is on Friday, I am sure that there will be lots of typos since the space bar doesn’t work. I love you everyone, especially family and mom hope to hear from you soon.
Love Elder Vomocil
Thursday, September 3, 2009
It's Official
2 September, 2009
Elder Vomocil has arrived at the MTC (Missionary Training Center)
It will probably be next week before we get a letter from him.
Apologies to real bloggers and Mark. I should know what I am doing by the Fall of 2011.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Address for Mailing
This address is for writing me at the MTC which I will be at until November 3, 2009
Elder Mark Harrison Vomocil
MTC Box #95
ECU-QUI 1103
2005 N 900 E
Provo, UT 84604
To write letters to me when I am in Ecuador use,
Elder Mark Harrison Vomocil
Ecuador Quito Mission
POB 30150
Salt Lake City UT 84130-0150
USA
This is a pouch mail address.
Only Postcards and letters that are single sheet, folded into three-panels, and taped at the top only (no envelopes), may be sent through the the pouch.
To write letters to me when I am in Ecuador use,
Elder Mark Harrison Vomocil
Ecuador Quito Mission
POB 30150
Salt Lake City UT 84130-0150
USA
This is a pouch mail address.
Only Postcards and letters that are single sheet, folded into three-panels, and taped at the top only (no envelopes), may be sent through the the pouch.
- You can also go to dearelder.com and send me letters through that website for free. They will print them and give them to me the same day you write them.
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