Enter the MTC

     Elder Alejandro (AJ) Lim was picked up by former Elder AJ Maudsley when he arrived in SLC airport. Maudsley took Elder Lim at temple square then to Café Rio. Thirty minutes about Elder Lim got dropped off he was already in class listening to his MTC teacher who was speaking purely Spanish, he of course didn’t understand any words he said. In the beginning there were 3 Hermanas (2 going to Nicaragua, but 1 went home) and 3 Elders (Penalba – Virginia, Thomas – Nevada) in his district but 1 Hermana went home sick and Elder Penalba was moved to intermediate program because he already knew Spanish. There are 4 districts in his zone, and he is a District Leader. Here is what he said about MTC.
     Our zone is so great though! all the elders and Hermanas are so fun and supportive! I have a lot of love and respect for all of them. it is a crazy feeling here in the MTC. the spirit is so strong you could cut it with a butter knife. it is also very overwhelming the first few days and you feel very very small. I thought I wouldn't hardly learn any Spanish here before I came but seeing the missionaries who have only been here 5 weeks speak really good Spanish has helped reassure me a lot. me and elder Thomas are getting the schedule down pretty good here, we wake up on time and go to bed on time. we had our first lesson on Friday with an investigator and it was awful! we couldn't say anything! we didn't even know what to say to get in the door! but we learned from that experience and the lesson on Saturday was a lot better! Planning really is key to teaching! the lord can only give you as much as you put into it. anyway, the days are long here and it is super cold! i didn't bring a sweater so when I'm going to gym I have to run outside in just a t shirt and shorts! This Sunday was awesome even though i had like 5 meetings to go to. its great to go to sacrament with people my own age. my zone leaders are so awesome they are so fun and supportive
     The MTC is definitely not what i expected and i wish i took Spanish in high school but i am just so happy here! john- this place really does feel like the temple! anyway, that's all I've got for now! i love you all so much! please pray for me! "