Week 1

Hello everyone,
It's almost been one week and so much has already happened!!!

On Wednesday, I met my companion Elder Budge who is amazing. Then
we met our district where there are 10 Elders and 4 Sisters, 9 of the
Elders are going to Ghana Accra.

On Thursday, in the morning we learned how to teach a lesson and then
met with our first investigator, Victoria. She was told to meet with
the missionaries by a friend because she wanted to learn how to
receive answers to prayers. We gave a lesson on prayer and how our
Heavenly Father loves all his children. That night we met with our
branch president and his counselors who interviewed us. During my
interview one of the counselors said that the person who made your call
assignment knows you are trustworthy, helpful, diligent, and amazing.
He also said the the missionary's called to that area of the world are
the best of the best and it takes a special missionary to be called
there. Later that night my companion and I were called to be Zone
Leaders.

On Friday, we learned the best way to start a lesson and how to get on a
personal relationship with your investigator so that they can relate
to you. We also had a follow up appointment with Victoria. Later that
night a member of the branch presidency showed up to talk to us about
being zone leaders. We learned that we organize all Sunday meetings and meet the new Missionary's on Wednesday and help them feel like they belong. On Wednesday we are receiving 50 new missionaries in our zone which is way more than the 14 that came in with me to our zone. Also Friday night pizza was great it was from papa johns.

On Saturday we had lessons on our purpose and how we should be our first convert. We also had exercise time where I found out I am the king of four square. Also we all wrote talks because we never know who is speaking until after the sacrament.

Sunday was Amazing!!!!!!!!!!!! My companion and I woke up early because we had to be at branch council where we talked about the needs of the missionaries in our branch and also about the new missionaries coming in on Wednesday. Afterwords we had Priesthood meeting and district meeting. Then we went to sacrament meeting which was a powerful experience because it was the first time that I have gotten to take the sacrament as a missionary. During sacrament meeting the districts leaving the MTC sang a medley of Come Thou Fount and High to Kolob. Later we had choir practice, we are singing Where Can I Turn For Peace for Tuesday nights devotional. Following practice we had a Sunday devotional where Brother and Sister Thurston talked about how we are the Lords elect saved for this day and how its the hard that makes us Great. Following the devotional they took a photo of all of us because we filled the gym to 100% capacity.  The photo will be used for the open house of the new MTC building and the main photo when people tour it. That night we got to watch Elder Bednars MTC Christmas day devotional about the character of Christ. I would recommend that everyone watch it if you can find it on YouTube.

On Monday we had three investigators. The first one was OK but the second one's grandmother made him meet with the missionaries and he did not want to be meeting with us which was really hard because what ever we said went in one ear and out the other. However after the two investigators that were not the best, we had one that was so open to the Gospel and we where able to teach and commit her to pray and read the scriptures which was a real boost after earlier.

The MTC is amazing I have found that there are about 20 missionaries going to our same mission in Ghana and its amazing how powerful the spirit is.
Until next week,
Elder Marcusen

MTC District

MTC Roomates

MTC Companion, Elder Budge

Study Time

Meeting my cousin, Sister Gentry

The Guys