Hi everyone,

So a month has gone by. I still have 5 more weeks to go, but things are swell!! I just got back from the temple. It has been closed the entire time I've been here! I love the spirit in the temple. I wish I could feel the same peace that I feel there all the time.

So Elder James Christiansen and Elder Earl leave for Russia and Denmark soon. I am not ready for them to leave. They have been such an amazing source of guidance and inspiration during the first four weeks of my time in the MTC. I'll be sad to see them go. But anyways, Dutch is still kicking my butt. There are days when I think I am starting to get it, and then we do an exercise in class and that initial thought of "yeah I'm starting to get this" gets tossed straight out the window. But I know that I have grown so much since my first few days in the MTC, and the amount of Dutch I've learned in these few short weeks has been absolutely amazing. God really does bless his missionaries with the gift of tonges.

We had an amazing Tuesday devotional last night. Brother Simmons, a previous member of the 70s came and spoke to us. HE talked about the importance of having the holy ghost to be with us. And how it isn't given to us. We must be willing to ask for it, and take it for ourselves. God isn't going to give us everything. We need to ask in sincere prayer, do absolutely everything we can to live worthy of those promised blessings, and then be willing to use them when the time arises. In essence, we need to be willing to go out and take our blessings.

That message hit me. I need to be more willing to go get my blessings. I need to be more willing to do everything I can to bless the lives of the people of Suriname. I love this gospel!!

I love you!

Elder Mason Garcia