Last eMail from the MTC

Hey, this email is going to both parents.

So, I'll get the busy stuff out of the way right off the bat. I have my itinerary, and I'm writing my schedule right from it.

I'm flying on British Airways, which combines with Delta. I'm flying out this coming Tuesday. I'm leaving Salt Lake INTL, at 11:15 for Chicago, and I should arrive there if all works out at 15:15. From Chicago I fly to London, a flight that should leave at 15:15 and arrive in London at 6:50 AM the next day. From London, I fly to Rome, 8:35 to 12:05.

They actually sell prepaid phone cards here at the MTC bookstore, but if you want to send me one, that'd probably be better, so I don't have to blow some much needed funds.

They, meaning the missionary travel services, actually recommend that we do call you so that you know we're alright and everything's fine. So, do what you need to do for that, and I'll talk to you then. I should be okay on weight, packing Mark's way is quite possibly the best way for me to pack, since it's efficient and, as we learned when I came to the MTC, definitely balances things to get them in the proper weight scale. However, it still would be nice to have some emergency funds ready to go. I'm not to worried about it, since the Mission President will refund us the amount when we arrive in Italy.

All right then. There you go, my itinerary for what happens on Tuesday. Now to the rest of the stuff.

This week has been very eventful. You know my perma-cough? Yeah, it's back, so I've been hacking up my lungs for the last two days. Luckily, they had Halls cough drops with menthol in the BYU bookstore so, boom. Cough taken care of. Still, I consider myself lucky.

One of the Elders in my district, Anziano Rasmussen, has mono. It looks like he won't be making the flight with us on Tuesday, but we do consider it a small miracle that he got it here in the States than in Italy. He has recieved a preisthood blessing and is doing better.

That is one thing I'll say, I've seen the power of the priesthood work miracles here at the MTC, from comforting those who stand in need of comfort, and to the sick and the afflicted. That part in my patriarchal blessing, about using my priesthood to anoint and bless the sick and the afflicted has definitely come true. I've done a ton of anointing and blessing (or being in the circle) since I've got here. Reminds me of just how gracious our Heavenly Father is, that he trusts us enough with his own power, to act in his name. It's indescribable.

Truly, Heavenly Father is blessing each of us in turn due to our faithfulness, and our willingness to serve! We will continue to press forward, doing all we can to assist in the building of the Kingdom of Heaven. The blessings that are being poured out upon us are beyond what we can hold, I see examples of that everyday. There is no other place I'd rather been than serving the Lord with all I have. I still owe so much to Him, but giving two years of my life to him is the least I can do.

Always remember to count your many blessings, even in times of trouble. You are well loved and are willing to do all you can to assist others. I love you for the lessons you've taught me and all that you've given me.

I'll see you all in two years,

Elder Eads

Week 4 MTC April 18, 2013 Pictures and Letters!

Anziano Eads (far right) with the 3 other Anziano going to Rome, Italy on April 30th. Nathan's companion is standing next to him, the dark hair tan one. Typical Nathan stand!

The four Anziano!

Nathan's shot of the Provo LDS Temple. Beautiful shot I feel! 

The Italian District at the MTC currently: March 20th to April 30th.  The Four Elders and the Six Sisters. I wonder if they sing? What a great looking group of young people serving the Lord and the people of Italy in love and by the Spirit. 

This is Nathan's study wall in his room. He has decorated it with these pictures of the Savior from the MTC Bookstore. To his credit, this is the only purchase until he was forced to buy an adapter so he can send his pictures back to us.  It is very telling to me which picture is the largest.  Anziano Nathan Eads truly loves the Savior and His Atonement. 

Nathan actually wrote a letter to me (Dad) for my birthday.  I share it not because I am a great Dad, believe me, I could have done much better. Often I feel we have children in our twenties because we have the energy for them, but we gain wisdom from raising them and in truth, by our late 40's we actually are truly ready to be parents having learned from raising our children. I guess that is what being a grand-parent  will be about.

I have had mixed feelings about posting his personal letters but I think it is very important from my own mission experience to share it all, the good, the challenging and the emotion. As his father, one of the things I am the most thrilled to see is Nathan's reliance on the Spirit and on our Father.  He's learned to of the most valuable things any of us can know.  That we have to work as if it depends on us, then listen to the Spirit to know how to touch and teach others while depending on our Father for his blessings. When Nathan says he is relying more and more "on mio Padre celeste more and more as the mission goes on" I am so pleased and grateful to our Savior and Heavenly Father.  Nathan is truly maturing and I envy at times his opportunity to serve as he is. It also shows how our Heavenly Father is molding Nathan for Nathan to spend a life in service to him.  So here is Nathan's Birthday letter to me:

Hey Dad, you're getting your own special email this time around because it's your birthday, and I'll definitely feel bad if I didn't do something special for that. Okay, here we go.

So, yes you can send me the Conference talks and the like so that I can read them on the plane. I would very much appreciate that, and it would keep me awake and my mind of the worry about going. Also, since you already told me that you had shrunk and laminated it, can you send me my mission call? I would really appreciate it, because it would help me keep certain things in mind.

So, we finally had a member of the Twelve show up for a devotional, and it was Elder Scott. He gave a wonderful talk about prayer, and just talking to our Heavenly Father. So, in honor of your birthday, I'm just going to talk to you, kinda.

There's a lot I got to thank you for, so I'm just going to go right into it, no hesitation. Dad, thanks for always being an example to me. I don't know if I could have gotten this far without you always being such a spiritual giant to me, and for always being a strong pillar of strength when I didn't have enough to make it through on my own. 

You've always been there for me, and you have never judged me, or left me alone to drown in the darkness. If I needed help you were always there, and that has been one hard adjustment. I really miss you and all the advice you would give me if I just asked. I really wish I could have a cell phone just so I could call you and ask for advice. 

But I got two fathers who are always willing to listen, and I'm learning to rely on mio Padre celeste more and more as the mission goes on. But, that doesn't replace you. Dad, I really do miss you, and I wish you could be here with me, learning the language, and helping me to be a better teacher.

So thanks. Thanks for everything. I love you.

Anziano Eads

I have to state that in all truth, I have learned more, been served more and loved more by Nathan than anything I feel I have given to him.  He restored my soul and his love for others is his greatest action.  I remember in a ward we lived in where there weren't a lot of active young man, Nathan reached out to a young less active boy down the street and as a result, that young man started attending all their young men activities and though we moved, I firmly believe that Nathan made a difference in that young man's life.  A seed was planted and I hope one day it blooms.  However, when at 13 you go out of your way to do this, that is when I knew that Nathan would serve a mission.  Nathan reminds me by just being who he is to improve myself spiritually and most importantly, to look at others for who they really are, sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father, our brothers and sisters and to love them where they are.  I know Nathan will have challenges and struggles, all missionaries have them, and they are a part of life but I see his growth already in 4 weeks and I am so amazed. I will say the spiritual blessings of having a missionary out is very intense and very spiritual. I feel an abundance of the Spirit in my own life and see the Spirit working with my family.  

This will make for a long post but I feel I want to share this as well today. I received this letter when I left on my mission from a very dear friend from long ago that I would hope that I could hook up with again. I sent it to Nathan this last Monday.   I have modified it from the original. 

Dears Anziano Eads, 

Welcome to another month, but this month is unlike any other month in your life, for it is the month in which you begin to labor as an ambassador for our Savior Jesus Christ.  Never will you feel so important than in sincere service to our fellow man, to bring them into the fold, so share the happiness that come from the love of our Heavenly Father.  The Spirit will be with you always, like you have never experienced before.  There in lies the gift of tongues.  You will say things that you never knew, as you teach by the Spirit, and your testimony will grow as does those of the families and individuals you teach.  

Times will become difficult, companions may not always be what they should; the harvest, although ripe, may often appear as a drought, and Satan works harder on you than he has ever done before. However, the Lord is very close to you.  As you serve diligently, the Lord provides many blessings, even more than you thought possible.  Companions and personal weaknesses are changed through prayer, and the Lord will send rains in His season to liven the harvest after you have proven you are worthy of those rains.  Above all Elder Eads, you will grow from all these things and will be thankful for those growth opportunities.    

Now because the Lord is nearby, when you resist temptations, Satan cannot touch you! You will feel so clean, so worthy, and that too brings happiness.  The mission you are embarked on will please you Elder Eads, and give you enough joy to last the eternities if you let it.  If your desires are righteous and pure, the Lord will bless you to fulfill your righteous desires.  

THIS is the time of YOUR life! Work hard, be obedient, follow the Spirit, forget yourself and look to others and their needs and you will find out the purpose of life, for each of us to live in such a way that we become as the Savior (3Nephi 27:27).  

So, is your mission a sacrifice?  Each missionary has to decide this for himself/herself, but in my case I will tell you my answer.  I have received so many blessings, have overcome so many personal weaknesses, have learned to love everyone, and I do not mean this as a cliche, but I truly learned to love everyone, and I went home so much happier than I ever imagined I could be. My mission cemented me to our Father and to our Savior for life.  So again was this a sacrifice? NO WAY! Is it a sacrifice to be blessed, to become closer to our Savior, to become more like Him, and to bring our fellow brothers and sisters to the Gospel and Church?  To find the eternal joy of service and love. No, this was not a sacrifice though others may view it as such. 

All that you learn will come one day at a time, so look for those spiritual experiences, sometimes they can go by unnoticed.  So you will need to recognize the Spirit as He works, and as you do so, you will see the marvelous works and wonders of our Savior and our Father..  

So Anziano Eads, go teach, love, endure, sacrifice, obey, overcome, baptize, cry, and love some more. Happiness Elder Eads, man I'm telling you it brings so much happiness.  One last thing, ALWAYS, in ALL conditions, good or difficult, ALWAYS remember that our Savior loves you and watches over you at all times.  Your blessings from this mission will continue the rest of your life, growing, increasing, as your capacity for love and service increases.  

There is more than enough room in your heart Anziano Eads for love to always increase, to grow and for new love to blossom.  Charity is the greatest gift, the pure love of Christ is the greatest of all, for all things, all gifts will fail but this one gift. The pure love of Christ will fill your soul as your worthy or seek to be and the Lord will use you, even you Elder Eads and make you more than you are.  You will feel like Ammon who cannot say the smallest part that he felt. 

When your time comes to leave the mission field, you will carry a heavy heart as you leave.  Remember though, this mission is the BEGINNING of your life. You will return home, go to school to be trained to make a good living for a future family. You'll meet a young LDS girl who will become your best friend, and then when you fall in love you will go to the Temple to be sealed for eternity. You will love her more than anyone in your life. She is preparing herself for you as you are for her through your service, your love, and your commitment to our Savior.  Then children will come and your capacity for love will increase and all that you learned on your mission you will use to teach, guide and instruct your children. You will continue to serve others, and in time, you'll see eternity, and when called home, you'll be greeted by those who love you and that you love. You'll meet the Savior and fall at his feet and worship Him, and be embraced by His eternal love,  and you will return to our Father, to your Father and my Father Anziano Eads, and the love you will feel will be boundless, and your capacity to love at that time will become boundless.  You will have become as Christ is fulfilling 3Nephi 27:27. 

So that is what you’re doing. You are on your road to eternity and you are called to bring others to the path.  Go, son, go and serve, love, obey, pray, sacrifice, work hard and teach by the Spirit and baptize and confirm. I envy you as you begin your journey. The Lord is with you, his angels, your loved ones and others are on your right and left and are there to support you as we are by letter and in prayer.  Go and find happiness each day Anziano Eads. Be positive, and love with the Spirit.  In the name of Jesus Christ, amen. 

May that letter carry you through your mission. It did for me (I have added here and there and modified a little bit).  

Love you Nathan I mean Anziano Eads  

Preparing for the MTC

Anziano Eads sent the following letter from the MTC to his friends who are planning on serving a mission.

Dear Parents,

Please put the following words on my blog, and address it to all my friends planing on serving a mission. Many thanks!

Hey guys! How's it going?  I'm here to give you some advice from here at the MTC.  First off, and most importantly, GET READY NOW!!!!  If you are unprepared you will get frustrated and will not experience a thing. If you think your ready, your not, GET READY NOW! Along with that  however, the first week or so you get lost, but that's okay, they (the leaders and teachers here) expect it and will help you.

Secondly, get ready for a HUGE amount of feeling the Spirit! It is in SO MUCH abundance here that you will it close to non-stop.  Nothing in the world can compare, at least at this point in my life, anyway.  It is SO GREAT! I have never been so happy in my life.

Third, no matter what, get along with your companion even if you may not like them.  There is a way to get along with them, it's called companion inventory.  You'll learn about it in here, but if you want a headstart, page 150 in Preach My Gospel. It really helps.  Believe me.

Fourth, study, study, study.  Most of your time here at the MTC is spent in class learning or studying.  You must get used to studying.  Thirty minutes is good but about an hour a day is better.  You'll love it, trust me.

Finally, lose yourself and go to work.  You need to remained focused to do the work, and to learn.  IF you don't, you will suffer, you'll get homesick, start to regret things and might leave.  But if you forget all of that, and goto work, you willhave the greatest time of your life.

Well, that's all th advice I've got for you guys.  Do not procrastinate. Do not delay.  Get ready NOW! Time flies, and it will escape you if you let it.  Squeeze every ounce of learning, feeling the Spirit, and loving the mission.

Best,

Elder Eads

April 4th 2013 Letter

Hey guys!

So, lots to talk about but not enough time to mention them all. The new change in email time is killing me, I can't even get to writing you until now, at 11. Really not helping, but whatever. Ce la vi.

Hope everything is going good. Life here has been busying. Some days it goes by really fast, other days are slow, but either way they are great. The only thing I miss is my music. For some reason, it's not allowed here at the MTC, which is weird to me, but whatever, I'm managing...somehow.

So you'll be getting a letter from me soon. Dad, as long as I can pay for stamps, I can send as many letters as I want (HAHA!), so don't worry about that. Also, thanks for the updates, it's good to know what's happening while I'm stuck in here.

Pictures: I need to buy a specific flash drive from here at the bookstore before those can be sent. I think to save money, I might put my memory card in an envelope and mail it to you. That way you can get the pictures, and I don't have to spend more money than I need. Two birds with one stone, no?

Anyways, I've been having a really great time overall. I got to tell you this really awesome experience I had in the TRC (training resource center, it's like home teaching here at the MTC). So my companion and I got put in a room with a guy named Ted, and we spent a little time getting to know him. It was kinda awkward, as both of us were a little frustrated because we weren't expecting it. After that, we shared some of our favorite scriptures, and Anziano Teichert felt inspired to ask Ted his favorite scripture.

Ted shared with us 3 Nephi 17: 21-23. He broke down, we broke down, and the Spirit was just so strong in that room. It is one thing to tell you, another to experience. Just remembering it brings tears to my eyes.

Yes, things are hard. The language isn't coming as well as I want it to, but it is coming. A lot of times, I start thinking "Why me?" Then I remember all the spiritual experiences I've had, and I remember a talk by Elder Bednar. You can't find it, it hasn't been released outside the MTC yet, but it's called the Character of Christ. In the talk, Bednar talks about looking outward instead of inward, even in the darkest, and hardest moments. So when things get hard, or I get overwhelmed, I remember the Savior, in Gethsamane, and on the cross. I remember how, even in those moments, when it would have been so easy to focus on himself, he still was focused on others. I remember how he blessed the children, and how he has done so much for our lives, that I feel so guilty about even thinking about myself.

And then I remember "Forget yourself, and go to work." Yes, the language is hard, but it will come through hard work, and patience. Yes, sometimes the Spirit drains me, and I get really tired, but food and sleep always help. Yes, the adversary, even in this place, is pushing, trying to make me leave and return to my life. But when you lose yourself, truly lose yourself, get to work, look outward instead of inward, put off that natural man, utilize the Atonement to become better, things get manageable and slightly easier.

If there's one thing I've learned here at the MTC, it is what Ammon stated in Alma 26: "Yea, I know that I am nothing, as to my own strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things." I am nothing. I truly am weak, weaker than I ever thought. Yet, when I rely on the Lord, asking always for help, to be strengthened in my weakness, to have the Spirit with me a little more, things always get brighter. So, yes, the MTC is a hard experience, heck, it's harder than I ever thought it would be, but it is defintely getting me ready for the field.

Dad, you once said you were excited to learn of the gifts of the Spirit I would discover I had, D&C 46. I don't know fully all the gifts I've got, but I will share one experience: We have a Tuesday night devotional, and then a meeting afterwards to share what we learned from it. While member of my district were bearing their testimonies, I thought I saw something. A light, or a shimmering. I'm still not sure what it was, maybe my tired eyes playing tricks on me, but it didn't happen until the Spirit was in the room, and I was feeling it.

This experience has truly help me to grow, and to discover more about myself. I'm still not exactly sure who the Lord wants me to become, but I think I'm getting closer, every day, line upon line, precept upon precept, step by step, day by day, to finally reaching just a part of that divine potential that is inside me.

God be with you till we meet again.

Anziano Eads