June 19, 2014
Family and friends (Dear Mom),
First off, I hope that
you guys received the letter I sent last week saying that my P-day was
today. the Korean missionaries have Thursday preparation day so I had to go
eight day before doing laundry...and letting you know that I'm still alive!...What
to say? The MTC is amazing. I remember lying on my bottom bunk Saturday night
thinking that this is the best summer camp ever! I have been so busy; it's
crazy! We probably spend an average of 9-10 hours a day in our classroom
doing various studies, the hardest of which is hon gu mar. (the closest Korean spelling of Korean) I'm going to
tell you straight up: learning Korean is the single hardest thing I’ve ever
done. I'm told that it (along with Finnish) is the most challenging language
for English speakers. I think my biggest regret at this point is not studying
up on the alphabet before getting here because reading Korean is so
challenging. The other elders in the district agree that Friday last week was
the worst day of their lives. We spent about 10 hours just learning Korean and
it just wasn't coming. It was a dark day. (It was also overcast so we had
the whole oppressive atmosphere as well) I felt so discouraged and
disheartened, pretty much I felt like I could never learn Korean and that I was
completely for the work. It was a dark place to be. But then I remembered that
Satan is a LOSER and that the Lord qualifies who he calls. Korean will be the
hardest thing I ever do (for the next two years) but with the Lord I can do all
things. I mean exclamation point...with the Lord I can do ALL things! It is
comforting to know that.
I spoke of
the elders in my branch. Let me describe them. My companion is Elder
Christiansen from Lehi, Utah. He is a terrific guy and we generally get along
like two old school mates. He is 6'5 and rail thin and actually reminds me of
Ichabod Crane in more ways than one. (translate as you will) I feel so blessed
because like me he just wants to work hard and become the very best missionary
he can. He's wanted to go to choir practice with me and is always supportive
and congenial. He is first rate. The other two elders in the room are also
great. We have elder Murdoch from Alpine, UT and Elder Woods from Austin, TX.
We're all going to Daejeon and we all get along so great. Funny enough, I'm
actually the shortest elder in the room and like 7th in the district. There are
some giants here; I've never felt so short. We (all of us in the room) are also
all recent graduates. I think there are 6 in the district of 12 missionaries.
Now to the district: There are 12 missionaries (2 sisters) and they are my
second family. I love all of them and would go into greater detail on all of
them if it weren't for time constraints. The Korean branch here at the MTC is
one of the biggest. I think by July we will be the biggest with nearly 80
missionaries and I just love our presidency. President Yost is a little man who
is seriously the happiest, jolliest man I have ever met. Think Santa with no
beard. His three counselors are also all first rate and they are actually all
former Korean mission presidents. I am seriously so blessed. There is a
tradition here at the MTC: the Korean branch is known here as the
"celestial branch" and we strive to live up to that. We try to live
with what they call "quiet dignity". We have to always have our suit
coats buttoned when standing, we never have out hand in our pockets, and pretty
much always operate with a heightened level of professionalism. I love
that...though I don't know what to do with my hands.
This week should be exciting
because all of the new mission presidents come in. Come Saturday, the main
building, the one where we hold sacrament meeting and get to the cafeteria
through, will be on lock down because pretty much the entire quorum of the 12
will be here and perhaps the First Presidency too to address and teach the new
presidents. Awesome! I hope to see some of those great brethren. Or at least
more than I've already seen. Tuesday's keynote speaker was Elder Ballard and he
was fantastic. Mom, you would have loved to have been here on Sunday because
our speaker was Sister Sherri Dew (not sure if there is one "r" or
dos). She is amazing. I had forgotten how accomplished she was as an individual
(here I was thinking I was busy as a missionary. She's a CEO and general
authority and so much more...) though it made sense that she was able to
do so much after listening to her. She is so polished and eloquent and her
reliance on the Lord was inspiring. She is first-rate. Plus, she has that
really awesome "Provo Utah hair" you know, where the volume is crazy
high and you think her hair is full of secrets...also first-rate. I want to
share with you some of the things I've learned this week. There is so much the
Spirit and the Lord have taught me and I can't share everything but here are
some of the points. I feel like this part of the letter is actually the best
part so I feel like it can adequately be labeled the 2.0 section.
2.0
2.0
I learned
from the District presidency that I should always be in a tri-panionship. The
scripture goes something like "out of the mouth of two or three
witnesses shall the truth be established." I've got to have the spirit
with me and my companion so that we can establish truth. There isn't really an
alternative.
Brother Lee
(the native Korean member if the branch presidency) said in his sacrament
meeting address that "Ammon, Aaron, Omner, and Himni are my best
friends!" I believe that and am excited to have such great company in the
missionary world. He also said that "Ammon did not choose to be comfortable;
he chose to be a missionary." This work is hard. But if it were easy, then
it wouldn't be hard. And it was never easy for Him.
Sherri Dew
addressed us on Father's Day and she said that it should apply to all men, not
just the papas. She wished us a "Happy Divine Nature of Men Day." her
address was focused on grace and grace in our lives. She said that Jesus
already triumphed over sin, death, hell, trial, and everything else. We have
the power of the Atonement and can overcome everything and anything by it.
"The key to unlocking the power of covenant sons and daughters of God is
all of us learning how to unlock the power of Jesus Christ." "We have
to determine if we'll serve alone or if we want to unlock the power of Jesus'
grace." In order to learn Korean or to do anything else that I need I need
is "greater access to the Savior's grace. He has the power to do all
things. Like Paul, I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth
me." That includes Korean or swim team, or my desk job, or being a mom, or
whatever thing is going on in your life. He will strengthen you and make you
equal to the task. I learned that learning to hear and use the voice of the
Spirit is not unlike learning Korean. There are grammar, syntax, and vocab
rules and the quicker you learn the rules, or once you learn them, you can
communicate with heaven and can learn so much more. Do you ever ask God
what it feels like for you when the spirit is talking to you? Ask him
how you receive personal revelation. There are language rules. Ask for the gift
of languages. For every weakness you think you have there is a gift of the
spirit that counteracts it. ---For every single weakness. If there is a
difficulty in your life figure out what gift you need and pray to know how to
receive it.
I learned
that obedience brings forth blessings and that exact obedience brings forth
miracles. I will be exactly obedient.
Well, my
time is up and I have to check the dryer....I love all of you and I feel your
prayers. Keep praying for me. I need all of the help I can get. This is His
sacred work. I love it. The gospel is true. Keep the faith and keep on coming
unto Christ. Press onward. Onward and upward! On to the victory!
Yours,
Elder Tucker