Week 2 at the MTC

Good Afternoon,

It's a beautiful day here in Provo, UT! We just got back from going to the temple today and it was awesome to be able to take a break from our crazy schedules and spend some time there. 

This past week has flown by! I feel like it was only yesterday that I was I was writing y'all. This week has been super busy just like last week. Our schedules are jammed pack with classroom instruction, zone teaching, and us teaching investigators. They have several people that they have come to the MTC for us to teach, some are members who are converts that come and just act like they are non-members so they can help us, but a few are actual nonmembers who are interested in the church. This past week we were suppose to teach an investigator with 2 other companionships (since there are so many missionaries and few investigators) but they pulled me and my companion aside right before we were going to meet with him and said they were going to have us teach a different guy. We ended up teaching a guy named Eric, who use to be a taxi driver in Washington. He was a really cool guy and was definitely interested in what we were teaching. His wife joined the church a few years ago and that is what had him interested in the church. He said he had not been interested in religion since he was very young. I honesty think that he is already a member and just came to the MTC for us to be able to have some practice teaching. But, after the first lesson he committed to baptism and seemed to really love what were were teaching him as we continued to get him to pray, read the Book of Mormon, and start to apply Christ teachings to his life. It truly was an amazing experience as I was not only able to apply what I was learning in class about teaching but was also able to see the Holy Ghost guide me in the words that we were saying to him. It is an amazing feeling being able to allow the Holy Ghost to take control of the lesson and teach exactly what the investigator needs to here. There were several times where I would say something that I had never even thought about before and it was exactly what he needed to hear. I cant wait to get to Michigan and meet all of the people that The Lord is preparing for me to teach. 

Last night we said goodbye to all of the missionaries in our zone that are going to Farmington, NM, including my companion. Its crazy to think that I have only known those guys for a week and a half but we were able to bond so much and get so close during our time here at the MTC. There are several guys that I know that I will definitely keep in contact with during my mission and will be good friends with after my mission. 90% of our zone was sick at one point or another this past week with an upper respiratory infection. I ended up getting sick Thursday but was able to go to the clinic here on campus and have been taking medicine to help me feel better. It seems like everyday a new person is sick and they are getting medicine and getting a blessing of healing from one of us. This past Wednesday a missionary in my district was having a hard time and so me and a few other guys in the district decided that we were going to fast for her and really pray for her to be comforted and continue to enjoy her time here. We were able to see the blessings of our prayers the next day and she has been doing great since then! It is amazing how I have been able to see The Lord work through fasting, priesthood blessings, and prayer. The Lord is definitely aware of all of us and he takes care of those that are doing his work. It is amazing how I have been able to see The Lord work through me and I have had some amazing experiences seeing His hand in everything that I do!

Wednesday morning we are leaving the MTC at 3:30 a.m. to go to SLC to get on a plane to our mission. I believe there are 13 of us going to Lansing, 6 from my district and 7 from another zone that meets on the same floor as we do for class. We have gotten to meet them and talk to them a few times. I don't think our plane leaves until 7 something but they want us to be super early to make sure that we can get through security and to our gate in plenty of time. We are flying on Delta airlines to Detroit and then to Lansing. I think we get to Lansing just before noon on Wednesday! It's crazy to think that it is so close and I cant wait to get to Michigan and start hasting The Lords work there!

I'm so glad that I made this decision to serve a mission. I have learned SO much and I know that this is where The Lord wants me to be and needs me to be! Last night after our Sunday night devotional we got to watch a video of a talk that Elder Bednar, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, gave a few Christmas' ago. It was titled "Character of Christ" and it was an amazing talk! It focused on how the Savoir always "turned out" when the natural man would be selfish and turn in. Even in the hardest times of the Saviors Earthly ministry he was serving the people around Him and focusing on them and not himself. A few of the examples was Him praying for others and not for himself when he was meeting with the disciples, when he healed the ear of the guard that was taking him away to be crucified, and his concern for others when he says "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do." It truly is amazing studying the life of Jesus Christ and trying to apply his teachings to our lives every single day. I know that as we try to find ways to "turn out" in times that we are struggling instead of focusing on ourselves, then I know we will be blessed and will be able to see The Lord do miracles in our lives!! I can't wait to see the miracles that The Lord has in store for me! I know that the work that I am doing is important. Thank you for all of the letters, emails, prayers, and support that I have received! I know that I wouldn't be able to do it without y'all! I have been praying for y'all and will continue to think and pray about y'all as I continue to serve the people in Michigan! Again, I'm sorry that I couldn't send pictures this week but I promise I'll send some once I get to the mission field!

I'm so grateful to be serving The Lord,

-Elder Bloskas

First Week at MTC

Greetings, 

Well my first week here at the MTC has been super busy! Our schedule is jammed pack and we go from one thing to another. Right after I was dropped off we got a welcome packet that had my name badges, room key and some study materials. We went straight to my room and I left my suitcase there and went straight to a classroom and started with a class as soon as everyone got there. The first day and a half were rough but everyday has gotten better as I have gotten use to the schedule. I honest feel like I have walked more stairs in the last half of a week than I have in my whole life. But, I guess it is getting me use to missionary life and I will be ready to hit the ground running once I get out into the field. My companion is Elder Houston, he is from Austin, TX. Its good to have a fellow Texan to be able to share my love for the good ole Lone Star State with. We are getting along pretty well. He is actually headed to the Farmington, NM Mission. We are the only companionship in our district that are not going to the same mission. I know that Heavenly Father put us in a companionship for a reason. He knows that there are things that I need to teach him and that he needs to teach me. It is amazing how much I have been able to see just how well Heavenly Father loves us and puts people in our lives for our benefit. I love my district. I was called at the district leader, so I have to conduct all of our meetings and lead all of our classes. I also make sure that everything is running smoothly in companionships and that our district gets along well. I am the one who gets all of the mail for our district, even though I still haven't figured out how to work the lock on it and my companion always has to do. My district has me and my companionship, another companionship of Elders going to Lansing, MI with me, a trio of sisters also going to Lansing, MI, and a set of Elders headed to Farmington with Elder Houston. I have learned SOOOOOO much since I have been here. I feel like I have had my mind blown away as I have continued to gain a better knowledge of The Gospel of Jesus Christ. We have learned how to recognize The Spirit and to use it in our teaching. I feel like I have learned more in 4 days about teaching others about Christ than I have in the last year or so. My zone (made up of 1 other district that came in to the MTC the same day as me, and 2 other districts that came a week earlier and leave this week) love that I'm a convert and I feel like I have told them about me joining the church a million times since being here. I love the MTC, The Spirit here is amazing. Its great to be surrounded by thousands of young Elders and Sisters that have the same goal that I have and are so dedicated to the work.
We were given our travel plans this past week. I am going to be leaving the MTC around 2:30am next Wednesday morning (I think its the 30th) for a like 5:30 or 6am flight to Lansing, where we will get there right before noon on Wednesday. I think the church probably picks the cheapest flights and put us on them but its okay, I don't mind getting to the mission field earlier. I will send y'all the exact times of my flights next Monday when I can email again. But I do know that we are flying on Delta and we have a stop in Detroit.

I was going to include pictures of my district and my companion but I dont have a cord for my camera yet and the computers here dont have a spot for my SD card. Just know that I look great as always and the pictures show just how much fun I am having. (including a "selfie" that I took that has probably 20 missionaries in it)

But, I hope yall know that I am excited to be a missionary. It is the greatest thing in the world! I love the work here and it truly will be an amazing 2 years. I know that it is going to be hard, since it has already been extremely hard, but I know it is worth it. Its an honor to be able to wear the name of Jesus Christ across my chest right next to my own name, and I know that he will be right there beside me in every step of my missionary work. The Church is true! The Lord really does love us more than we could ever know. I have a stronger testimony of my Savior his gospel, and Heavenly Fathers love for all of us than I have ever had in my life! Continue to send me mail using the MTC address I posted online! Its awesome getting mail throughout the week while I'm here.  I love all of yall!

-Elder Bloskas

Check in day

Checked into the Missionary Training Center today!

Countdown

The countdown is down to hours. Its crazy to think that something that I have spent several month preparing for is just a few days away. I have spent many hours in the last few weeks reflecting on my short time as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the joy that it has brought me. I have also spent several months thinking about the type of missionary I want to be when I spend two years in Michigan teaching the restored gospel of my Savior, Jesus Christ, to people there. I have spent several hours praying for the people I will come in contact with and have the opportunity to teach. The last several months of preparation has lead to the next two years of my life as I allow myself to be a tool in the hands of The Lord and go under his direction to serve in Michigan.
During my mission my parents will be posting my emails home on here so that anyone can hear about the amazing things that The Lord is doing in my life and in the lives of all of those that I come in contact with. I'm thankful for them and for the Christlike influence they have had my whole life. If it wasn't for them, I know that I would not be the person I am today and I am thankful for them raising me with Christlike morals and desires that have shaped me into who I am. I'm also thankful for all of my friends and family that have supported me and loved me throughout my live and in my decision to serve a mission. I know that it is not easy seeing me leave for two years, but because it is what I know it is something that The Lord wants me to do, they support me.
I want to share my witness that I know that our Father in Heaven loves us. He loves us beyond anything that we could ever imagine and he is aware of us and everything that we are going through. I know that my Savior, Jesus Christ, lives and because of him all of us will be able to live once again with Him and our Father in Heaven. I'm thankful for the atoning sacrifice of Christ that has been able to transform my life and give me more joy than I ever thought possible. I know that through the atonement of Jesus Christ everyone can not only be cleansed of their sins but can also be comforted and strengthened in every aspect of their lives. I have seen it in my own live and I know that anyone that fully turns to The Lord can see it in their lives also. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and that Joseph Smith was a prophet of the Lord. I testify that living prophets, like in ancient times, lead and guide Christ church and Jesus Christ is at the head of that church and still speaks to prophets today. I encourage everyone to not take my word for it but to find out for themselves. The only way to know for sure is to read it and to ask our Heavenly Father if it is true or not. I have been able to receive that answer for myself through the power of the Holy Ghost and that the Book of Mormon has been a huge blessing in my life. I cannot deny the testimony I have. I bare record it’s true. I testify that as we listen and apply the words of living prophets to our lives we will be blessed and find comfort and joy. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints truly is The Lord's church restored on the earth. The gospel of Jesus Christ is for all of God's children to be blessed. There is peace in this gospel. There is hope in this gospel. There is joy in this gospel. There is a fullness of truth in this gospel. I love this church. I love the leaders of this church, and I love all of the members of this church. I truly am thankful for this gospel and for the opportunity I have to be able to share it with others. I know that the next few years are not going to be easy but they will truly be the best two years of my life. Thank you in advance for the letters, emails, prayers, and support as I spend the next two years in full service of The Lord. I love and care about all of you and am thankful for your roles in my life. I'll see y'all in two years!

 The Church is true. The Book is blue. And now I'm a missionary too.