I can't believe another week has gone by already. Time is really starting to go fast. I'm going to be out in the [mission] field in no time.
I have really started to buckle down on my Spanish study. This past week the only really new thing that we have been doing is this progressive-investigator thing with our teacher -- entirely in Spanish. My companion and I have been practicing a lot for the next one and are hoping that the Spirit can be with us as we teach.
We have also been practicing a lot for our choir performance on Saturday. By the way, I am going to be wearing the Princeton-colors tie Dad sent when I perform if that helps you see me. We get up every morning and go to choir at 7 and practice for an hour. It is a really great way to start our day feeling the Spirit. The songs sound so good right now, I can't imagine how awesome it is going to be in the Conference Center this Saturday.
One other highlight of this passed week was our Fast and Testimony Meeting. It was one of the most spiritual testimony meetings that I have ever attended. Even though everyone is talking in Spanish (and it's not our native language), you can still tell that people aren't just going up there and reciting phrases. I had the opportunity to go up as well and it was really great. I was the last one to go up, and as soon as I was done I was so overwhelmed with the spirit, I could barely sing the last song. I really needed to pull myself together too because I had to give the closing prayer.
We also had another testimony meeting with our District since we had been focused on the Atonement this week. I was able to bear my testimony on the Atonement and some other aspects of my testimony that have been strengthened, like prayer and the Book of Mormon. I have really been diligent in reading the Book of Mormon while here. I have just past the beginning of Alma right now, and find that I am so fascinated by the people that are described within its pages. I get a very powerful feeling that they were real people doing these things over a thousand years ago so that we could learn from them today.
Anyway, those are basically the highlights of my week. Other than that, it's study and learn everyday. Last week, I forgot to mention that during one of our devotionals, President Brown (the District President for the MTC or something like that) was talking about the mission where he served -- Glens Falls, New York. If I am not mistaken, that's the town were your dad was born and raised. I can just picture that little painting or print that we have in our kitchen of Glens Falls. [The print is actually of Little Falls, NY, not Glens Falls.] I thought that was really interesting since it seemed like a really small town.
Love you guys a lot - Mike
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Week 5 -- MTC
Dear Family,
Another week has gone by here at the MTC and I can definitely tell that time has started to go by faster. Once you get used to the schedule and routine, the days blend together. I feel like I was writing you just yesterday when it was last week -- probably because I do the same thing everyday.
There are a couple of highlights this past week that I wanted to share though. I was recently called as the District Leader which is pretty cool. The responsibility requires me to go to extra meetings, direct our district meetings, be in charge of the district goals and our ability to complete them, etc. It's not that bad but it takes me away from time that I would normally have to study the scriptures or Spanish. When I get out into the [mission] field, I want to be the best missionary I can be and help others come unto to Christ. Some of the issues I've had to deal with are missionaries who aren't working hard enough or meeting their goals. Another issue we're having is the three sister missionaries who aren't getting to bed on time or respecting quiet time. I'm supposed to make sure that they fix that somehow, even though they don't even live in my hall . . . because they're girls. I am going to make the most out of it though and learn how to become a better leader.
Another highlight of this week is I've been selected to sing in the MTC Missionary Choir during the Priesthood Session of General Conference! It's comprised of about 350 missionaries who will travel up to the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on October 3 to sing. We had our first practice this morning, and we will be practicing every day for the next two weeks to try and memorize our songs and our parts. I'm in the bass section, and I saw Nate in the baritone section. I'm so glad to have this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to help invite the Spirit into thousands of Priesthood meetings around the world through song. You should look for me and Nate when we sing. If you don't happen to see us, that's fine, just know that we are there.
Another important part about this past week is that as a district, we've set higher goals with regard to the amount of Spanish we speak. My Spanish is coming along quite nicely and I'm learning a lot. However, when I talk to Nate it seems like he is a beast at Spanish. I think I would be closer to his level if I was in the intermediate class, but I'm doing fine. One thing we learn not to do while on a mission is compare ourselves to other missionaries. That's kind of hard for me to do because I always look up at the best speaker in our district (Elder Duke) and want to be like him with regard to his Spanish and work ethic. I think my Spanish will be just fine after a couple months out in the field. I can read a lot of Spanish and I have been translating the Book of Mormon from Spanish to English. The way I do it is to take the Spanish pocket-size version of the Book of Mormon and write down all of the meanings to the words I don't know above the Spanish word. Then I go to the nicer leather-bound version of the Book of Mormon and read through it without the definitions. Its pretty effective, though somewhat time consuming. I started in Helaman so that I can get to when Christ comes in 3rd Nephi.
Another big change about this week is that we started to teach the lessons only in Spanish. Everybody in the intermediate level have been teaching lessons in Spanish since their second week. Some people got a call to assess their Spanish abilities before they came to the MTC. I wish I had gotten that phone call, but whatever. Anyway, we are practicing walking into our classroom in our respective companion-ships and teaching investigators according to their needs. Our teachers create investigator personalities from people they know. We all take it very seriously because if we say something wrong and offend them or something, they'll throw us out and we'll have to start over with a new investigator. So far I've done pretty well and have gotten better at thinking of Spanish on the spot during the lesson to be able to teach well. At the rate I'm going, I should be okay out in the field but I'm sure my attitude will probably change after the first couple days of getting doors slammed in my face and people laughing at my Spanish. However, I'll be in America so I shouldn't be that embarrassed since they'll see I'm making an effort to speak their language in my country. Another thing I've gotten better at is being more familiar with the scriptures and having the ability to remember principles taught in certain verses. That way I can pull them out during a lesson to answer the questions of an investigator.
I only have a minute left so I better wrap up. I haven't received the package yet but I'll let you know. I miss you all!!
Love - Mike
Another week has gone by here at the MTC and I can definitely tell that time has started to go by faster. Once you get used to the schedule and routine, the days blend together. I feel like I was writing you just yesterday when it was last week -- probably because I do the same thing everyday.
There are a couple of highlights this past week that I wanted to share though. I was recently called as the District Leader which is pretty cool. The responsibility requires me to go to extra meetings, direct our district meetings, be in charge of the district goals and our ability to complete them, etc. It's not that bad but it takes me away from time that I would normally have to study the scriptures or Spanish. When I get out into the [mission] field, I want to be the best missionary I can be and help others come unto to Christ. Some of the issues I've had to deal with are missionaries who aren't working hard enough or meeting their goals. Another issue we're having is the three sister missionaries who aren't getting to bed on time or respecting quiet time. I'm supposed to make sure that they fix that somehow, even though they don't even live in my hall . . . because they're girls. I am going to make the most out of it though and learn how to become a better leader.
Another highlight of this week is I've been selected to sing in the MTC Missionary Choir during the Priesthood Session of General Conference! It's comprised of about 350 missionaries who will travel up to the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on October 3 to sing. We had our first practice this morning, and we will be practicing every day for the next two weeks to try and memorize our songs and our parts. I'm in the bass section, and I saw Nate in the baritone section. I'm so glad to have this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to help invite the Spirit into thousands of Priesthood meetings around the world through song. You should look for me and Nate when we sing. If you don't happen to see us, that's fine, just know that we are there.
Another important part about this past week is that as a district, we've set higher goals with regard to the amount of Spanish we speak. My Spanish is coming along quite nicely and I'm learning a lot. However, when I talk to Nate it seems like he is a beast at Spanish. I think I would be closer to his level if I was in the intermediate class, but I'm doing fine. One thing we learn not to do while on a mission is compare ourselves to other missionaries. That's kind of hard for me to do because I always look up at the best speaker in our district (Elder Duke) and want to be like him with regard to his Spanish and work ethic. I think my Spanish will be just fine after a couple months out in the field. I can read a lot of Spanish and I have been translating the Book of Mormon from Spanish to English. The way I do it is to take the Spanish pocket-size version of the Book of Mormon and write down all of the meanings to the words I don't know above the Spanish word. Then I go to the nicer leather-bound version of the Book of Mormon and read through it without the definitions. Its pretty effective, though somewhat time consuming. I started in Helaman so that I can get to when Christ comes in 3rd Nephi.
Another big change about this week is that we started to teach the lessons only in Spanish. Everybody in the intermediate level have been teaching lessons in Spanish since their second week. Some people got a call to assess their Spanish abilities before they came to the MTC. I wish I had gotten that phone call, but whatever. Anyway, we are practicing walking into our classroom in our respective companion-ships and teaching investigators according to their needs. Our teachers create investigator personalities from people they know. We all take it very seriously because if we say something wrong and offend them or something, they'll throw us out and we'll have to start over with a new investigator. So far I've done pretty well and have gotten better at thinking of Spanish on the spot during the lesson to be able to teach well. At the rate I'm going, I should be okay out in the field but I'm sure my attitude will probably change after the first couple days of getting doors slammed in my face and people laughing at my Spanish. However, I'll be in America so I shouldn't be that embarrassed since they'll see I'm making an effort to speak their language in my country. Another thing I've gotten better at is being more familiar with the scriptures and having the ability to remember principles taught in certain verses. That way I can pull them out during a lesson to answer the questions of an investigator.
I only have a minute left so I better wrap up. I haven't received the package yet but I'll let you know. I miss you all!!
Love - Mike
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Week 4 -- MTC
Hey Family and Friends,
Today begins my fifth week here in the MTC. Erik Schneiber came in today but I haven't had a chance to see him yet, but I'm looking for him. (Note: there is a new photo added to the blog of Elder Nate Quinn, Elder Michael Kinney and Elder Eric Schneiber when they were starting Boy Scouts -- we think it was taken in 2002 when they were 11 years old.) This past week was another good one, filled with a lot of work and learning. Nothing has really changed as far as my schedule.
One thing that's disappointing is that my teacher, Hermano Welling, was promoted so he won't be teaching our class anymore. For the first couple of weeks we had a lot of subs because he was sometimes traveling out of state, doing interviews for medical school. I didn't really realize how awesome of a teacher he actually was. These past weeks of class have been so great when he teaches. His stories are so powerful and awe-inspiring, and his testimony of Christ is so apparent and real. I have never felt the spirit so strong than when I was in his class. You can really tell that he cares so much about us and that his mission was such an important part of his life. He has instilled that sense of importance to his students, as well as many other spiritual realizations and lessons. One of the things he prompted us to do (which I started this past week) was to keep a "spiritual journal", in which I record the most important advice I receive from my teachers, companions, and most importantly, the Spirit. He said that by the time we get home from our missions, it will be like a personal bible to us that contains innumerable amounts of advice and spiritual teachings that we have learned. Mine already has about 6 pages filled -- each point I've written in there is very important to me, as a missionary and generally, as a person. I really think this spiritual journal will help me throughout my mission and my life.
One of my favorite things Hermano Welling taught us was that there is a time when preparation is passed, and the time to perform miracles is at hand. We must ALWAYS be prepared to "perform miracles", and we must do this by keeping the spirit with us by staying worthy.
The (Scouting) program Dad is doing sounds really awesome and it sounds like he'll being doing a lot of fun stuff in the future. The jerky you sent me was really good. I only have one critique, however -- add a lot more soy sauce for the next batch to just make the flavor really, really strong. Also, I hope you know that my body isn't completely falling apart -- you've gotten a couple calls from the medical center. Aside from the eye thing that is bothering me, the trainer said I have some sort of cyst or something in my wrist, which I noticed when I was doing so many push ups. I need to stop doing push-ups with my wrist bent, which means I would really, really, really appreciate it if you could send The Perfect Push-ups -- that's what the trainer said I should use since you can keep your wrists straight when you use them. Also, if you could throw in a bunch of those ballin' Asian noodles that I like in a microwavable cup so I can cook them. I don't think I need a new belt, but you might want to send me one just in case I get any fatter . . . just kidding. My workout routine is going really well. I'm on a direct course to be jacked out of my mind by the time I get home (haha). Lets hope I can keep it up.
The story you told me about the family singing with Frankie made me miss him so much! I wish I could be there when you guys do that. He is such a great dog. I do remember all of those things Dad mentioned in his letter about 9/11.
As far as how I spend my money, the MTC has a bookstore with all of your basic essentials. I bought scripture marking stuff, Spanish verb books, snacks occasionally, etc. It's pretty convenient. One thing that's pretty cool is that Annie Watkins works there. I'll always say "hi" and talk to her for a bit if I see her when I'm in there. It was really weird the first time I saw her since I hadn't seen her in such along time. She actually said hi to me the first time.
I'm sorry I didn't have as much to write this week. Maybe it would help if you ended your letters with a bunch of questions. I'd like to know how Matt is doing so far in his junior year. I love you guys and think about you a lot. Good luck with everything!!!
Love - Mike
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Week 3 -- MTC
Dear Family,
Yesterday was the end of my third week at the MTC and it was another great one. I'm supposed to have written you yesterday but there was some problem with my account so I'm writing this morning.
I am having a little trouble thinking of things to write you as there is a lot of repetitiveness here in the MTC. One of the things that we spend our week preparing for is our TRC (Teaching Resource Center) appointments every Saturday. Every week we are given a different task to prepare for, which requires us to use new Spanish skills for 15 minutes, then teach a lesson for 35 minutes. In the TRC, people from outside of the campus volunteer to act like investigators with different personalities and needs. We are given a background of each of the people every week and we try to plan the lesson according to their needs, which will be very important in the field. This past week we were required to contact a couple for 15 minutes. We had to get to know them, set up an appointment, and offer a prayer in Spanish before the lesson. Our Spanish part didn't go so well because our investigators only gave one-word answers to all of our questions, so we weren't able to have a long conversation or tell them anything about ourselves. However the lesson part of the TRC went really well for me. I felt like I taught all of my principles clearly, answered their questions precisely, and bore strong testimony -- I came out of that lesson feeling pretty good. I could tell my companion wasn't very happy with his performance, however. Anyway, we learned a lot about how to strengthen our companionship every day and how to become a more unified, fluent team. This week we are practicing the second lesson a lot so that we can do well on Saturday. I'm feeling pretty confident at this point.
One thing we are always trying to do is bring others closer to Christ. This means that we take all of our practice contacts, lessons, or spiritual thoughts very seriously because, even though we are just practicing for the field, we can always bring others closer to Christ or help them realize something they didn't know before.
This past week two of the missionaries in our district, Elder Walls and Elder Johnson, left to go to the Guatemalan MTC for the rest of their training. Their mission calls are to Guatemala City. It is really weird to see them go because I feel we had become such good friends and that we have known each other for such a long time, when in reality, its only been 3 weeks. Elder Walls is really good at speaking Spanish, so he doesn't work as hard as the rest of us. His companion is not as good at Spanish but is a really hard worker, so you can kind of see why the Lord paired those two up.
This week me and Elder Duke put together a workout routine for our hour of gym time everyday (except for p-days and Sunday). We go to the gym, run and lift weights and stuff. I really don't want to get fat so I feel pretty motivated to go hard when we work out. Speaking of which, one of my belts has already broken and one pair of my pants have ripped down the seam on the back (not the new ones). I attempted to sew them together and did a pretty good job . . . I don't know if Mom would approve though. Right now both of my other pants are at the dry cleaners, so I only have one pair of dark pants to wear.
Another cool thing about this week is that I joined the MTC choir which sings at firesides and stuff -- it was pretty fun. One of the songs we sang, Jesus is My Shepard by Tammy Simster Robin, was really good and I really liked it. Maybe you can suggest it for the next Young Mens' choir or something. I also applied to be in the Missionary Choir that will be singing at the Preisthood Session of General Conference on October 3, so maybe Dad and Matt will see me if I get selected! I'll let you know when I find out.
There is an Elder in one of the new districts in my branch that has a brother in the New York North Mission -- Elder Otuafi. I think he's from Samoa. Try to keep an eye out for him. I only have about thirty seconds left so I gotta wrap it up and get going.
I love you guys - Elder Kinney
Yesterday was the end of my third week at the MTC and it was another great one. I'm supposed to have written you yesterday but there was some problem with my account so I'm writing this morning.
I am having a little trouble thinking of things to write you as there is a lot of repetitiveness here in the MTC. One of the things that we spend our week preparing for is our TRC (Teaching Resource Center) appointments every Saturday. Every week we are given a different task to prepare for, which requires us to use new Spanish skills for 15 minutes, then teach a lesson for 35 minutes. In the TRC, people from outside of the campus volunteer to act like investigators with different personalities and needs. We are given a background of each of the people every week and we try to plan the lesson according to their needs, which will be very important in the field. This past week we were required to contact a couple for 15 minutes. We had to get to know them, set up an appointment, and offer a prayer in Spanish before the lesson. Our Spanish part didn't go so well because our investigators only gave one-word answers to all of our questions, so we weren't able to have a long conversation or tell them anything about ourselves. However the lesson part of the TRC went really well for me. I felt like I taught all of my principles clearly, answered their questions precisely, and bore strong testimony -- I came out of that lesson feeling pretty good. I could tell my companion wasn't very happy with his performance, however. Anyway, we learned a lot about how to strengthen our companionship every day and how to become a more unified, fluent team. This week we are practicing the second lesson a lot so that we can do well on Saturday. I'm feeling pretty confident at this point.
One thing we are always trying to do is bring others closer to Christ. This means that we take all of our practice contacts, lessons, or spiritual thoughts very seriously because, even though we are just practicing for the field, we can always bring others closer to Christ or help them realize something they didn't know before.
This past week two of the missionaries in our district, Elder Walls and Elder Johnson, left to go to the Guatemalan MTC for the rest of their training. Their mission calls are to Guatemala City. It is really weird to see them go because I feel we had become such good friends and that we have known each other for such a long time, when in reality, its only been 3 weeks. Elder Walls is really good at speaking Spanish, so he doesn't work as hard as the rest of us. His companion is not as good at Spanish but is a really hard worker, so you can kind of see why the Lord paired those two up.
This week me and Elder Duke put together a workout routine for our hour of gym time everyday (except for p-days and Sunday). We go to the gym, run and lift weights and stuff. I really don't want to get fat so I feel pretty motivated to go hard when we work out. Speaking of which, one of my belts has already broken and one pair of my pants have ripped down the seam on the back (not the new ones). I attempted to sew them together and did a pretty good job . . . I don't know if Mom would approve though. Right now both of my other pants are at the dry cleaners, so I only have one pair of dark pants to wear.
Another cool thing about this week is that I joined the MTC choir which sings at firesides and stuff -- it was pretty fun. One of the songs we sang, Jesus is My Shepard by Tammy Simster Robin, was really good and I really liked it. Maybe you can suggest it for the next Young Mens' choir or something. I also applied to be in the Missionary Choir that will be singing at the Preisthood Session of General Conference on October 3, so maybe Dad and Matt will see me if I get selected! I'll let you know when I find out.
There is an Elder in one of the new districts in my branch that has a brother in the New York North Mission -- Elder Otuafi. I think he's from Samoa. Try to keep an eye out for him. I only have about thirty seconds left so I gotta wrap it up and get going.
I love you guys - Elder Kinney
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Two Weeks at the MTC
Yesterday marks the end of week two in the MTC. It has gone by much faster than the first week. I definitely know what people mean when they say that the days go by so slowly, but the weeks go by fast. The days go by so quickly because we are always busy. I haven't really had any tough days since the first few days that I was here. This place is so special -- it is hard to stay discouraged or sad for too long.
Right now I can pray, contact, and testify to people in Spanish. One of the things that me and my companion try to do every day is contact 10 people in Spanish, and we are pretty good at reaching our goals. Speaking of which, setting goals and sticking to them is one of the things that we really strive to do here in the MTC. It helps us utilize our time efficiently and get better at everything we are trying to do. This, along with so many other things, is so critical to my success in the mission field . . . and in life.
I am back in a regular companionship with Elder Samuels. Elder Duke got another companion named Elder Butcher from Murray, Utah. He just got transferred in and seems like a pretty nice guy. I'm kinda bummed though because I really liked Elder Duke.
Last night we had the opportunity of hearing from President Gordon B. Hinckley's son Richard J., who is one of the Quorum of the Seventy. All of the devotionals here are really spiritual and sometimes repetitive. We are required to read from the Missionary Handbook every single day so I know this repetition is inspired.
The food in the MTC is not as bad as I thought it would be, given the cafeteria food I had when I was at BYU. It's a good thing too since there's only one cafeteria at the MTC. They actually have a make-your-own-wrap bar that is really good. I usually hit that up every lunch or dinner.
Another great thing about being in the MTC is going to the temple every week. I just got back from a session where I went through for a man named Levi Sitting Hawk from South Dakota. I'm guessing he's an Native American from the Black Hills or something -- pretty cool!
Hermano De La Cruz, a substitute teacher I had, shared the following scripture that I wanted to pass along to you. It is in D&C 68:6 and it reads, "Wherefore, be of good cheer, and do not fear, for I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you . . . " This scripture really had quite an impact on me because it shows that even during the hardest of times, if we turn to the Lord, he will help us and guide us in our struggles. This, of course, is extremely relevant to mission work, as there will be many times in the future where I will feel discouraged. I feel like we should all try to remember this no matter where we are or what we are doing. It's something I wish I had done more before I left on my mission, and something I plan to remember for the rest of my life.
I see Elder Quinn all the time since we have the same meal schedule, so that's kinda cool. I always look for Peter too, but have only seen him once. He seemed to be doing well. I want you guys to know I love you a lot and am thinking about you. I am where I'm supposed to be . . . and will be going where the Lord needs me.
Love - Mike
Right now I can pray, contact, and testify to people in Spanish. One of the things that me and my companion try to do every day is contact 10 people in Spanish, and we are pretty good at reaching our goals. Speaking of which, setting goals and sticking to them is one of the things that we really strive to do here in the MTC. It helps us utilize our time efficiently and get better at everything we are trying to do. This, along with so many other things, is so critical to my success in the mission field . . . and in life.
I am back in a regular companionship with Elder Samuels. Elder Duke got another companion named Elder Butcher from Murray, Utah. He just got transferred in and seems like a pretty nice guy. I'm kinda bummed though because I really liked Elder Duke.
Last night we had the opportunity of hearing from President Gordon B. Hinckley's son Richard J., who is one of the Quorum of the Seventy. All of the devotionals here are really spiritual and sometimes repetitive. We are required to read from the Missionary Handbook every single day so I know this repetition is inspired.
The food in the MTC is not as bad as I thought it would be, given the cafeteria food I had when I was at BYU. It's a good thing too since there's only one cafeteria at the MTC. They actually have a make-your-own-wrap bar that is really good. I usually hit that up every lunch or dinner.
Another great thing about being in the MTC is going to the temple every week. I just got back from a session where I went through for a man named Levi Sitting Hawk from South Dakota. I'm guessing he's an Native American from the Black Hills or something -- pretty cool!
Hermano De La Cruz, a substitute teacher I had, shared the following scripture that I wanted to pass along to you. It is in D&C 68:6 and it reads, "Wherefore, be of good cheer, and do not fear, for I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you . . . " This scripture really had quite an impact on me because it shows that even during the hardest of times, if we turn to the Lord, he will help us and guide us in our struggles. This, of course, is extremely relevant to mission work, as there will be many times in the future where I will feel discouraged. I feel like we should all try to remember this no matter where we are or what we are doing. It's something I wish I had done more before I left on my mission, and something I plan to remember for the rest of my life.
I see Elder Quinn all the time since we have the same meal schedule, so that's kinda cool. I always look for Peter too, but have only seen him once. He seemed to be doing well. I want you guys to know I love you a lot and am thinking about you. I am where I'm supposed to be . . . and will be going where the Lord needs me.
Love - Mike
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