2nd Letter from the MTC and some pictures

                                                                    September 22, 2013

Family and Friends!

I'm almost done with my second week at the MTC!  Wow does it go fast! First I need to say that I am so happy for the UTES! Go Utah! 20-13 we won! 4 year streak! So happy about that! Yes I was able to hear the crown from the MTC but no I still had no idea what was going on =).  I asked a cafeteria worker this morning and squealed a bit w a fist pump and my Go Utah! Shout out =). Okay I will and can now leave the world behind =). My vice and weakness but now I will turn to much more reverent things.

Two weeks means I have seven weeks left at the MTC and seven weeks before I get to go to Korea! =) I am so excited but also so nervous! I feel like I'll never really be able to say, "Okay I'm ready send me to Korea!" But, I know I will be able to say. "Heavenly Father thy will be done! As long as thy spirit is with me and I have thy help I know I can do this work, thy work!" More and more I am leaning it's not about me this is for and its about Him, our Savior and Redeemer.  It doesn't matter how horrible I am at Korean or how little I think I know because what matters is that they, the investigators feel His spirit.  The more I realize this the more grateful I am because with him all is possible! However, that does not mean I can slack off. There is so much I still have to do. If not it would be like using a knife to eat cereal or use a computer with no hardware or the the wrong one.  I am His tool and I need to be the right one.  Oh I hope I am not confusing you to much.  A better analogy is a filing cabinet, He can help us pull out the right files at the right time.  However, if we have not put anything into the filing cabinet then there is nothing He can take out for us to use.  The miracle comes after the trial of your faith, after you first put in the effort and work.  After we do all that we can He will do the rest.

Having said that I have really tried to study and learn, but I know I have tons more to give.  I have great news I can almost pretty much pray in Korean without my cheat sheet =). I can also read!!! And little by little my vocabulary is expanding =).  Of course I mean being able to say simple prayers in Korean pretty much like my adorable little nieces say their prayers =) only not as cute =).  I can read but it is very slowly and I don't always have the right pronunciation but again little by little, precept by precept. I'm learning lots of patience! Especially in myself.

Another neat thing I've learned is that planning for the future is great, but we have to remember to live day by day. I'm still learning to apply all of these great things.

Sorry that was a small tangent we all know how much I love those. Back to missionary life and Korea. So I can't remember if I wrote this last time but my zone, the Korean speaking missionaries is the second biggest in the MTC we have about 74 I believe. We found out a couple days ago three district (classes) are reporting to Korea in one week! So exciting and also sad because we have all become close. It's bittersweet but wonderful! They are going to Australia, Canada, and Korea! All Korean speaking isn't that amazing!? I'm so excited to go out in the field and start to help His children come to HIm. His work is going forth in full force and I am so grateful to have the opportunity to be part of it.  I'm happy someday to be able to say to Him, "My Savior  was not only blessed to have the opportunity to return to thee, thou hast also blessed me with the opportunity to serve thee. Oh how I thank thee for that!" I want to be able to say I served thee with all I had everyday! We can all do this and say this to Him because remember, "if ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God." (Mosiah 2:17) I can testify of the truthfulness of it now more than ever.

For now that's what I'll leave you with. Everyday is an adventure full of great things =) and miracles. I'll try to write once a week on Sundays =) So seven more and then I'll be in Korea! Oh btw I should be leaving the MTC around Nov 8th =). I'm so happy to be here and so grateful for all of the experiences and opportunities. I have a long way to go and a lot to learn.

I know this gospel is true and I am excited to share this happiness with others in the world. I know my Heavenly Father loves me and knows and is aware of every person in the world.  We are never alone He is always here for us.  We must open the door and when we do He will be there.  Life is never easy but it is ours to make the most out of it.  Be of good cheer.

Always,

Sister Tovar

First Letter from the MTC!

                                                                                                      September 15, 2013

Family and Friends!

    Boy is it nice to write to you and be able share my journey from the past 4 1/2 days.  It really has been a journey. The MTC has been an amazing experience, but also one of the most difficult times I've had. The MTC, like like, is what you want it to be, your attitude will set the mood for your experience. That is one of the first lessons I've learned.

  I won't be sharing every detail of the last 4 1/2 days but I will share many details of my first day. My first day at the MTC will really paint the picture for how the remainder of the week has been =).

  My arrival time was 2 so my family and I woke up early Wednesday morning and drove from Las Vegas to Provo, UT.  We arrived with just enough time to eat lunch, take pictures, and say our goodbyes.  After saying bye we drove to the MTC and I was dropped off and was greeted by a sister missionary going to Paris, France on her mission. She was very kind and helpful. After she helped with my luggage I got my MTC welcome "stuff" including my ID card, my badge =), and language package.  I dropped things off in my room and then went straight to class. Little did I know getting my stuff would be the easiest and most relaxing thing I would do until today Sunday =). I walked into my class and heard words I did not understand and the teacher just kept speaking in a language that was completely foreign. He never spoke English and hasn't until now except a few words, no sentences.   I was lost from the start and things haven't changed much.  Right after a ll the new missionaries went to  a fireside where the MTC presidency welcomed us.  We found out there were 410 incoming missionaries and we came from 16+ different countries. Right after the fireside/devotional was dinner, then we as incoming missionaries were split up into a few groups and in groups we taught not real investigators, but we didn't find that part out until afterwards.  I believe when we were done with that it was time to be back at the residence hall and pretty much just had time to get ready for bed and sleep.  When I say right after I literally mean right after.  At the MTC they scheduled things this way: Dinner 5:15-5:45, class 5:45-9:25.... etc.

   It probably would have been more simple to just say the MTC is hectic and I've been nonstop busy but I don't think it would have done it justice.  Even with my quick description of my first day it still does not do justice to how busy we are.  Don't misunderstand please I love it! All of it! I wish I had more time to study but thats all. This is one of the toughest things I've experienced but it is amazing and life changing. I've learned more about myself, I'm definitely being humbled, and I'm learning what is important. BTW I do have a companion sister Chestnut and she is amazing.  Everything is inspired by Heavenly Father.  She is from Payson, UT and went to BYU! Yes, its been confirmed I need to be nicer to BYU =) She is 20 and much smarter than I am in Korean.  She took two semesters before getting her mission call. She also has a twin who is also going on a foreign mission.

                                                                                                    September 16, 2013

Sorry didn't have time to finish this letter yesterday but I am determined to finish is today.

I've learned so much, yesterday we were able to watch Character of Christ by Elder Bednar and it was life-changing! You should all watch it! Oh and Lexi our devotional was with brother Tanner who produced "17 Miracles".  I believe this is where I will end my letter for my first week.

I am so happy to be serving the Lord doing His work.  I am grateful He gave me (allowed me) this opportunity.  My testimony and faith in His gospel has grown more and I've seen His miracles.  It's amazing to see the power of righteous young men and women and their faith in God even to teaching a language in such a short amount of time. It is truly a miracle.  I know my Savior, Jesus Christ lives and that Heavenly Father loves each of His children.  I know He lives! I am excited to share it with the world!

Always,
Sister Tovar

1 Nephi 3:7

"I ^awill go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no ^bcommandments unto the children of men, save he shall ^cprepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them." 1 Nephi 3:7

On July 3, 2013 I received my call to serve a full time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Korea Seoul South Mission. I'll be reporting to the Provo missionary training center on September 11, 2013 :). I am super excited to be embarking on this great adventure and to be able to share with my friends and family.