This being only day three and my first P day (preparation day for those who don't know what P day stands for,) there isn't much to talk about but I guess I'll explain any ways. So Wednesday I left PDX at about 6:00 Oregon time (I don't know the time zone name.) I arrived at the Utah airport at about 8:00 Utah time. We met a whole group of missionary's waiting for the shuttle who most of which seemed to have been going to the Philippines. We were immediately whisked into class I was one of the first missionary's there and spent the first 15 minuets with the teacher just me and him working on the first things that we would learn in Tagalog. He spoke nothing but Tagalog but explained himself using hand gestures and drawings on the board to show what things meant. I have leaned so much from him and I love the language. I met my MTC companion Elder Sanford in class. He is an amazing man he came from Utah and is a great companion. We have been studying the language speaking as much as possible back and forth just in mixed English and Tagalog. any time we know a word we replace it with the Tagalog word. For example in stead of using I we use Ako and in stead of you we use Kyo and just little things like greeting and how are you. I have been nothing but welcomed here in fact the entire first day I had "welcome to the MTC" yelled from across a field in so many languages I'm not sure i could count or tell the difference, as people would see the orange dot on my tag meaning it was my first day. Thursday We got most of our materials in Tagalog however a lot of things are unfortunately back ordered and we didn't get some things including my Ang aklet ni mormon ( the book of Mormon.) I am in love with the language as well as the entire missionary experience so far. Then today Is P Day so me and my companion and a few others from our residence hall got up early and went to a 12:30 temple session. The Provo temple is absolutely beautiful and it was a great experience. The MTC is amazing and beautiful. I have been put in a district with some amazing elders and sisters we all help each other and work together to try and help each other learn the language as well as enjoy the experience. we have done several district study sessions already and have become close Friends. We have 13 people in our district 10 elders and one trio of sisters who are awesome workers. Anytime I see them on the grounds they have some paper or book out studying. The brothers in our district are great they are constantly trying to get to a higher level of Tagalog not just working on what was asked of us by our teachers but studying other sections of the book Tagalog For Missionary's. Our Zone leader was called last nigh in a district meeting and he has done a great job coming to each companionship and making shire that they understand his responsibility's as well as our own so that we can get the most done. So over all this week has been a great week I have enjoyed myself so much and look forward to another great week.
This week I will just leave you with a scripture that I am sure you all are familiar with it is 1 Nephi 3;7 it says
"And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my Father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them."
I use this scripture because it has become a big help for me because even though things over all have been good there have many times where I have worried about my Tagalog but every time I don't think I'm enough or I will be enough this scripture comes to mind. I'd invite all of you to do the same anytime you think you aren't enough for a calling or you are having a hard time following a commandment whatever it is, to get down on your knees and pray asking earnestly for our Fathers help.
Elder Davis
