MY Last Week Then I Go Into Labor

JK, I'm not pregnant, but if I was, I would probably not be! But in all reality, I actually leave at 6 am Tuesday morning (which is my bday, 19 yay), and I fly for 4 hours to Atlanta. I have a 56-minute layover in Atlanta and then head to Puerto Rico for another 3 and a half hour flight. Hooray, flying's lame lol. I'm honestly so nervous and excited to leave and go to the field. I will tell you three of the things I am most excited for and three things I'm nervous about.

Excitement:

I am so excited to go live on my own and learn how to handle myself, mature, and have an apartment with a companion. It will be really good and a fun experience.

I am excited to love the people, feel the love, and spread the love of Christ and God. I truthfully know everyone needs and deserves love, and of course, we could give it to them, but sometimes it's really hard to love someone. So I know that Heavenly Father and Christ have that infinite divine love that no one can compare to in this life, not even your parents, and I want to spread that love and bring it to the people of Puerto Rico.

I'm excited for the memories and experiences I will have and the relationships I will make. It will be awesome meeting new companions, my zone, and my district. It will be fun meeting members and also meeting strangers. I am a people person; I love meeting strangers. It is so fun! And the memories that I will be creating on the island with the beautiful people and my companions. I'm so excited.

Nerves:

I am so freaking nervous to fly, not because I can't handle myself, but I won't have a phone. It's not that I'm addicted; it's just scary if something happens or idek, I get lost. I can't call anyone for help. Now, this is where the gospel comes into play... (Moooommmm, no, the missionary's doing it again. He's in tune with the spirit.) I thought I couldn't call someone until I wrote that sentence, and now I realize that it will be okay. I can always call on my Heavenly Father in prayer, and He will help me if something goes wrong. WOW, revelation while writing an email. I wasn't even praying, and I just got the strongest feeling of that and had that pop into my brain. I know it was from the spirit; I just know it. Anyways, looks like I'm not nervous about that anymore.

JK, the two things I'm nervous for:

FOOD. I am the pickiest, pickiest eater, and I know all of you know that, well, most of you... But I literally mentally can't eat things I don't like, and I also don't wanna be rude. So I'm gonna need some help.

If this thing shows up on my plate, I am puking like for reals. It will be a nightmare! (first picture)

I'm nervous to leave family and my home (Utah). I have been here for 19 years, not living anywhere else, and that's scary. I'm super excited to leave, but also nervous. I will leave on a plane from my home for two years until I come back, and I am excited. I don't plan on always being in Utah, but it's scary to leave. It truly is.

The district: I truthfully am going to really miss these kids a lot. I talk to them every day. We basically hang out at church, and it's so fun because we all have awesome views on things and insights. It will be rough leaving everyone, especially my companion. I got blessed to have such an awesome compañero for my first comp, and I know I will probably get a companion I don't love or can't handle. I just feel blessed that I got Elder Weisler as a first. I have learned a lot from him and what he has to say, and it has been so good!

Final thoughts on everyone:

Elder Wasel (comp): Like I just said, amazing kid, super smart. Love him to death. Best companion you could have as a first companion. I can say for sure I know I needed to meet him and learn from him. He's truly the best.

Elder Bottompork: Truly an amazing kid inside and out. He's like me in so many ways but so different. The kid just knows how to have fun and also be serious when he needs to. And truthfully, I think that's how a mission should be. It is fun, and everyone (when they're first missionaries) has the idea that you can't have fun. Or at least I did. And he truly has showed me how to have fun and be a missionary. And I am totally taking what I have learned from him to the field. Shout out Brett, "do one fun thing every day." That was his motto, and I am totally making it mine as well. Do one fun thing every day. That's truly how we should all live every day.

Elder Putnam: The kid is truly just funny. And when I say funny, he is the only one that has made me laugh to tears. And he is truly this funny because he doesn't try. And that's exactly the best kind of funny because they are not trying too hard to make you laugh. So it's genuine laughter they get out of you. "Bakeetbowls require lots of faith." "I don't hate you guys; you're just different." "You know what, hermana, I am just gonna take a hit on this one." The kid has made me laugh a lot, and he's gonna do great on his mission.

Elder Leffler: The kid is just a happy spirit. He's always positive and happy. He's always smiling. He has the most positive outlook on life, and truly, it is a happy spirit. And I am going to take his outlooks and just go in life with a smile because sometimes what we need to do is breathe and make a happy face!

Elder Seedall: I absolutely love Seedall. He truly is like one of those kids that everyone just likes. He's just so positive and nice and fun and funny. The kid's a legend. I think me and him would have a blast if we hung out outside of the mission.

Elder Weaver: The kid's got a lot in common with me. I can say we would have probably been friends in high school. He's a cool kid. He's super good at church too, like just anything church-wise. He's good at. He gets it. (I could see him being a seminary teacher.) And if he was a seminary teacher, he would be dang good at it!

Elder Trost: Orem or bust! (Love the kid, he's super shy though. And over Zoom, I didn't get to know him enough sadly. His favorite color is red though, and his favorite food is hamburgers. And he can run a 19-minute 3-mile. That's insane to me. He also is really hard to make laugh, but I did it. Granted, I almost voice cracked, and my teacher was making me sing, so it was pretty easy to laugh at. But like, I did it.)

Hermana Moulton: She's so cool. She's exactly like all my girl friends (friends that are girls). She reminds me of a mix of McCartney and Lina. We just get along really good, and it's awesome. I can definitely say we will stay in touch and probably definitely hang after the mission. So shout out Hermana.

Hermana Melanson: She's like Hermana Moulton's bestie, so like that's cool. She's apparently super good at guitar and singing and didn't tell anyone. And just posts a fire Facebook video. So when I tell you she's suspicious, she's sus. She is so sneaky and secretive. It scares me.

Hermana Trash: She's really chill. I don't know her that much, but she's got a sweet heart and a kind soul. She's always willing to help anyone. She's very charitable, and that will get her far. She's really good at going out of her way to help us with Español when we have questions too.

Hermana Stonks: All I can say is I love her to death. She's so sweet. (second picture)

This week, we had a Spanish learning session, and it was so awkward because Elder Topham and I, both having ADHD, were put in a room together and had no idea what was going on. Our teacher joined us with disappointment, saying, "Elder Tewie, I told you three times to choose 'escoger.' Don't worry, I won't forget now." I laughed because she said "mental" instead of "mentally" since English isn't her first language. Then, Topham said something in Spanish, and she left, leaving me alone in the room. She asked, "Elder Tew, are you okay in the mental and emotional? Are you doing okay?" At this point, I was about to burst with laughter and replied, "Hermana, I am fine. I have ADHD and can't easily focus, especially on Zoom and when I don't understand the language. I'm trying, I promise. Just be patient with me." She said, "Okay, that's what I figured, and what Elder Topham told me. But I didn't want to be rude and ask. Good to know." Then she left, and I laughed so hard because she said "are you ok in the mental" (I think my humor is ruined because of the MTC).

I got to visit my co-workers this week while shopping with my parents (sorry Brandon and Bobbi, you weren't there). But I loved seeing everyone again. I miss working with them; they're so fun and happy.

We had our last workshop with Hermano Alarcon, and it was sad. He is truly the best ever! I think he's my favorite teacher we've had. He's my amigo, and I won't ever forget the funny moments we shared, like when he put me in a breakout room alone and joined when we had a minute left. I was just staring at the wall, and we had a funny conversation. I also accidentally added him to my email list and sent him a frustrated email about my other teachers, but I'll definitely keep him on the email list. He even mentioned that I'm invited to his wedding (don't ask). I'll update you when I get the invite. He's the best, and I'll miss his classes (and Hermana Tew... if you know, you know).

I got to go to the temple last night again, and it's absolutely amazing every time I go. The temple is truly the prettiest building(s) I have ever seen. They're so peaceful and awesome. I feel at home and at peace when I am there. I think I can truthfully say, and this might sound crazy, I like the temple more than Disneyland. Don't hate me, but I am obsessed with the spirit that is there.

I got to go golfing today, and that was super duper fun. I love golfing; it is so peaceful. I'm glad I was able to go a few times while I was at home in the MTC and play with my dad, grandpa, uncle, and cousin. It's been fun being home and being able to do this. I shot 8 over, which wasn't the worst considering I don't play a lot anymore.

On Monday, we had class, and we were talking about the Atonement. Like I said, I am really going to miss my district. They always have the greatest thoughts on things, and when we all get to share, it is so spiritual and amazing. That's probably why I like the devotionals so much too; they have everyone's insights. One thing I really liked that I was thinking about was how much love Christ actually has for everyone and how he has that love. Well, he knows us from before this life. He knows who we really are. I was thinking about that love as I remembered the Atonement. One thing that stood out a lot is the fact that He didn't finish completely when He was in the Garden of Gethsemane; He stopped and finished on the cross. He was on the cross suffering for 6 hours. I don't know about you, but that would take a lot of love to suffer for 6 hours, suffering from 9 am till 3 pm. That sounds awful, especially for everyone. I don't know about you, but I wouldn't do that for Hitler or someone like that. But guess what? Christ will, and He did. You know why? Because He knew who Hitler was in the beginning, not who he became. Elder Weaver reminded me of Malchus, who was the servant of the high priest. Jesus had just finished suffering in the garden (He wasn't completely done yet, but He was done for then), and He was about to get arrested by the priests and the Romans. Peter jumps out and cuts off Malchus' ear, and immediately Christ heals him. That is another example of love. Christ didn't have any hate or anger towards him, and He immediately healed him. One, because of who He knew Malchus was in the beginning, and two, because He had just suffered the pains of the world, so He knew what Malchus was going through. He could say, "I feel you, bro." That thought made me extremely grateful that we will be judged perfectly and fairly in the next life because He understands what we are feeling and going through to a 100% accuracy, and no one else can ever relate that well.

We were also talking about the nail marks in His hands and how He's perfect and resurrected but still has those marks. They are a symbol of who He is and what He does. They are evidence of His existence. They are also a symbol that He died for the sins of the world to make us clean and able to return to God's presence. It is also a symbol that we are never alone; He will always understand and be there for us (John 14:18). Lastly, Christ was perfect; He always has been and always will be. So those scars He got in His feet, palms, and wrists are on Him because it is His perfect form. I mean, He was perfect when He was on earth, so His suffering in Gethsemane and dying on the cross is His perfect form; it is His perfect body.

Something I thought of in a discussion: God chose us to preach, teach, and be instruments in His hands because we had a desire to serve, so we are called (D&C 4). When she was talking about instruments, I started thinking about a guitar in God's hand and a guitarist getting a new guitar (missionary). When you first get a new guitar, it needs to be tuned to sound good, but the guitarist still chose the guitar for a reason. He knew its potential and what it could be and what it would do for him. As missionaries, sometimes we feel unworthy, and most times we are, but God knows how to tune us for certain songs and ears. He knows what we were and could be when He picked us. I liked what she was saying about Alma the Younger and the brothers of Mosiah. I was thinking, why were they such good missionaries? It truthfully all comes down to a change of heart. Their hearts were changed, and they knew how to love and work diligently. We can do that too. God and the gospel of Jesus Christ change lives because they change hearts. I know my heart was changed because of this gospel and Jesus Christ and His Atonement in my life. And to Elder Putnam's question, "How do I know if I'm worthy to preach repentance?" Well, personally, as I started thinking about it, I said, "Yeah, how do we know?" And then immediately, I got the thought and impression from the Spirit that there's no better person to preach repentance than an imperfect, unworthy person. And it's because we know what it's like to have to repent because none of us are perfect. We all know how to be an instrument, and we are more worthy than we think we are because we understand. I mainly like the thing about tuning because truthfully, none of us are worthy to play the music at first, but God knows how to tune us. He knows what He's doing. He knew what we were when He picked us up, so we've got to trust in Him.

I know that sometimes we feel unworthy for a calling or a job or a certain thing like, "I'm not worthy to help that person" or "I'm not worthy to teach people." But truthfully, you are. God knew what you were when He chose you. He gave you your talents for a reason. He wants us to spread the good news of the gospel, and He knows a lot better than we do. So trust Him! Easier said than done, but for reals, do it!

Pictures:

Me golfing.

My dog kept biting my foot in class.

"Hermana Stonks" memes.

Meme of Elder Too and Spanish rules to be respectful with teachers.

Some stupid video because they think I look like Sid from Toy Story, but the video is funny. lol