Christmas at the MTC

Dear Warner Family,

How was everyone's Christmas? What better than to watch those two sweet children open presents. Well, besides being in the MTC. What a blessing it was to be here at this time of year. It was such an experience to find out what the true meaning of Christmas really is. Thanks for the gifts but my whole heart of appreciation goes to the simple Christmas stocking you gave to my companion. Seeing his face light up when he received that finalized to me the true meaning of Christmas. I can't thank you enough for your Christ-like attributes of thinking and giving to others. That meant everything to me and him. Now it is time to prepare for the New Year. I really can't wait for this one! I am supposed to leave in one week from today but I know my luck. I am more than ready to get out there! So for Christmas, Elder Russell M. Nelson spoke to us. It was really a gift. I thought about how these thousands of missionaries wait out in the cold for an hour to see a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, and how we walk up the street and are fed by the words of the Prophet, like it's no big deal! I beg you to take advantage of the blessing to be in the presence of that man. Anyway, I need your prayers to get me out in the field. I am so excited to start helping the people in Mexico. I love you all and hope all is well at home. Hopefully, talk to you again this week. Cross your fingers! Elder Warner

Reflections....

Mother, how are you doing? Are you ready for the holidays? I am so excited for Christmas night. I hear we are going to have a great speaker! We are officially the oldest district in the zone! Which brought me to the thought that I am down to two weeks! Hopefully. If there is anything that I need you to pray for is to get my Visa. The past week was really good. We moved on to teaching Lesson 2 just as I got really good at Spanish with teaching Lesson 1. Then we moved on! I am often assured that I know more than I think I do. The teachers don't speak English in class anymore and to my surprise, I was able to understand about 80% of the lesson, which is pretty legit. I am so blessed to be in the MTC at this time of year. What a blessing to serve the one we celebrate. I'm so grateful for a family who is so humble and appreciative for all that we have. Let us all take the time to remember what this holiday season is really about. I send my love from the MTC and Merry Christmas.... Elder Warner

Dad, how are you doing? How things at home and work? I give myself a hard time quite often because I am one of the slowest learners. But a teacher said, "It's not about you, it's about the Lord and the people you will be serving". I know I will learn it. The Lord is teaching me tons of patience. I saw Elder Stevens (Bobby) this past week and loaded mounds of questions about the mission field. I am so excited to get out there! He said time is about ten times faster in the field. It's already cruising right now, I can't imagine how it will be. Anyway, I wanted to give you an update that everything here is perfect. I am loving it more and more every day. I hope you have a good Christmas. My favorite part about our family is that we recognize what we have, which makes this holiday focused on the true meaning. I send my love and Merry Christmas. Elder Warner

Winter in the MTC

Madre y Padre, I want to share this past week's experience. I have always had a hard time keeping my mind focused, but since it has been affecting my progression in the Gospel and language, I figured I could use a blessing. I want to testify of the power of blessings! I had had numerous Elders comment on my rapid progression in Spanish the past few days. They did not know I had received the blessing. Whenever I ask of something from the Lord, I have patience because I know He works on His own time table and answers prayers when the time is right. To my surprise, it was but the next morning that I was able to concentrate and comprehend what was being taught. The Elder that gave me the blessing asked for one two days later due to problems he was facing. What a blessing it is to worthily hold the Melchezidek Priesthood and have the power the power to ordain a blessing. As I blessed him with these needs, I literally felt the Spirit stronger than I even had. It was a literal feeling that entered my chest and sunk down to my arms and on my hands which rested upon his head. I was filled with words that spoke to him about things I did not know about him. I testify of the Holy Ghost and the power it has. I know that as I enter the mission field, I will personally not convert the people, but they will be converted by the Spirit. This work fills my heart with peace, comfort and happiness. Every day strive to be the best you can. I love you all! Thank you for growing me up in the Gospel. It has been such a blessing in my life. I am so blessed with parents and a family that is active in the true, simple church. Thank you. I send my love. Elder Warner

Emails from the Elder:

Dear Dad,

Amazing week! I hope all is well. I love it here, ah I can't even tell you. I hope work is coming and las familias de pocos es muchismo bien. The Lord is raining blessings. I hope you are experiencing them as well.

Dear Mother,

Hey dear! How are you?! I miss you, my sweetheart. I have a letting coming for you and dad this week. I hope all is well. I am doing amazing! I love you my sweet mother. Have a good day!

In front of Provo Temple, December 2010

Elder Warner and Elder Vaughn, his MTC companion, in front of Provo temple

Bryan and good friend, Bobby Stevens, at the MTC. Elder Stevens arrived back at the MTC after his Visa finally arrived. He had been serving in Las Vegas, NV, for the past four months while waiting. He was finally on his way to Puebla, Mexico!

Dear Dad, I can't believe it has been a month already! How is the family? The MTC is going well. This past week I did about 10 complete lessons - all Spanish. I basically have learned what I need to say and how to say it. So I could probably get by in a lesson but probably not a conversation. It is a lot more than just learning a language, it's learning doctrine and how to be an effective teacher. It's very hard. I'm so excited to get out in the field! I'm over the hill, I have three weeks as of Wed. Hopefully, if you have any advice, let me know. I hope to hear from you soon!

Much love, Elder Warner