Week 4

So C.J.'s been about 4 solid weeks now. He says he's gained 15 lbs. I think that's crazy considering He's tried to gain weight before and never could. Seth Roberts got to see him last Thursday when he went to the MTC to help the missionaries practice their Tagolog. C.J. thought that was pretty cool. I asked Seth if he looked heavier, and he said yea, but not to worry cuz he'll lose it when he gets to the field. He said he's never seen a missionary go to the Philippines and gain weight. He also said C.J. made good small talk :) I hope that they get to do that again before C.J. leaves the MTC. So the next group has come in so he's not the newest anymore and I think he likes that. His companion has been sick so he got to give him a blessing and nurse him back to health.
The big thing C.J. learned this week was how to teach by the spirit and he's found that it's a pretty remarkable thing. He's also loving being able to go to the temple every week. I think the anxiety has worn off and he's getting used to things and still very anxious to get into the field.

Week Three

6 weeks left in the MTC. He says it's starting to feel, (as his cousin Dane pointed out to him it would) like a prison. But, he tries to think of it as more of a boarding school. He'd like to remind friends that they can send letters through Dear Elder for free and his mailbox number is 305. This week they heard from a member of the Seventy, Elder C. Scott Grove. He's trying to take advantage of all of the learning opportunities that are there and is looking anxiously forward to sharing the gospel with those in the Philippines.

Week Two

C.J. enjoys going to the temple which he does on his P-day, Mondays. He enjoys the "temple walks" that they do on Sundays. He's now able to bear his testimony in Tagalog. He says that they've received word that his mission will be split in July. The new missions will be Panay and Negros Occidental. He's hoping he'll get to serve in both areas before he's assigned to only one. He feels slightly frustrated that he's learning a language he won't be using in his mission, but is trying to take advantage of the learning opportunity he has right now. Maybe he'll retain some Tagolog and find use for it anyways. Elder Richard G. Hinckley spoke to them this week and that was a highlight.

Week One

C.J. enjoys his Branch President, President Smith. Apparently he tells lots of stories. His companion is Elder Gardner, who apparently likes to sing a lot. C.J. is learning to sing along, which isn't a problem for him I'm sure. He says the MTC is like being at EFY, only longer. He's disappointed that he can only introduce himself and pray in Tagolog. I think that's pretty good for less than a week.

MTC

CJ reported to the MTC on 1/27/2010 and embarked on the beginning of his new adventure..MTC PROVO. He was assigned a companion and attended orientation and meetings where he was able to sit just a few feet from Pres. Uchdorf and listen to his wise words of wisdom to new missionaries. The number one piece of advise from C.J.'s grandfather as well as others was "Be Obedient." And these are words that C.J. is determined to live by. Therefore, he has asked that we should forward his e-mails to any that want to read them, but he will only respond by written hand, as he has been counseled to only e-mail is family.

Before arriving at the MTC, we enjoyed time with family (and Seth) at the Outback in Orem. A walk through the University Mall was the chosen activity for the morning of, and the moments were made memorable as a young boy walked slowly by C.J., staring, then running to his mom saying "Mom, is that a missionary?"