Kamusta kamo?!
Things are still going great in the online MTC. This week we've had lots of great classes and spiritual experiences, and lots of memorizing Hiligaynon stuff. It's been really fun so far though.
One of my favorite things we did this week is we actually got to go on a virtual tour of Carthage Jail, where Joseph Smith was killed. One of my MTC teachers knew one of the sister missionaries that is serving as a tour guide there, and she was able to get us a tour right during our class time so it worked out perfectly. It was really cool to learn more about the prophet's last days and take time to remember the importance of him and his brother Hyrum's sacrifice. You could still totally feel the Spirit of the place even over Zoom, and it totally strengthened my testimony of Joseph Smith as a true prophet of God in modern times. The sister missionaries at all the Church history sites are doing virtual tours that are super cool and interactive too, and I would highly recommend doing one. They are open to the public and are completely free. You can find more information about them on their websites.
It is also really fun just spending time with my district during our classes because we are all continuing to become better friends. This week I realized how grateful I am for the district I have, because everyone is actually super cool. No one is super awkward or too intense, and everyone is just really chill and friendly. We have made so many inside jokes of just random stuff in Hiligaynon that we say all the time, and when I think about it it's really dumb, but we all think it's hilarious.
Funny story that happened this week. So my companions and I get to do practice teaching appointments, called TRCs, where we have a Zoom call with someone who is a member of the Church but pretends to be a non member so we can practice teaching them something about the gospel and invite them to come closer to Christ. They're actually really cool, and my companions and I have done a couple in English but this week we decided to try one in Hiligaynon. The girl we taught in Hiligaynon was super nice and when we were just getting to know her she said she was from Bacolod in the Philippines, but now she lives in Orem, Utah. I thought that was super cool because those are both the places that I'll be serving my mission haha. Anyway, she asked me where I was from after that, but my internet glitched or something so I didn't hear her ask that, so I just responded with "Can we start with a prayer?" She and my companions all started laughing and Elder Rydalch said "Elder Snyder, she asked where you're from." And then instead of saying "I'm from California" in Hiligaynon, I said "I am California." They all started laughing again and I immediately corrected myself but it was still pretty funny. My companions are not gonna let me live that down any time soon haha.
I had a fun pday yesterday too. My sister Elly and my cousin Josh came to visit before they went up to Provo for school and so it was fun to hang out with them. We helped my aunt and uncle move, and then we played pickleball at the park. I went to a wedding reception that night too for some friends from high school that just got married. It was kinda weird being dressed as a missionary at a wedding reception, but I guess that might just be another perk of the online MTC haha. It was good to see people from my home ward and stake though because we still haven't had church since March.
Anyway, kinda long letter, but thanks for reading to the end if you did! I know that this gospel is true and is how we are able to live eternally with our Father in Heaven and with our families. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet called of God to guide the Lord's church here on Earth, and that our prophet today, Russel M. Nelson, holds the same power and authority to direct the church as Joseph Smith did, and that all the ancient prophets did as well. God loves you and He wants you to succeed!
Love you all!
Elder Snyder
p.s. Sorry, no pictures this week. Also, shoutout to the Texas Snyders for sending me my first care package on the mission!
