Week 2: Becoming bolder

So I have realized during my time spent here that we have so much to offer, so many answers to questions people have, and answer to living a happy life, and for all of these years I have been somewhat shy about it. I have left friends in ingnorance to the wonderful truth that I have. I intend to never conciously do that again. The MTC has been fantastic. It is like I have been told, "the days seem like weeks and the weeks pass like days." I have only been here two weeks and already my prespective on many things has changed. I have learned so much and felt the spirit so strong and so often it is truly the most fantastic thing I could be doing right now. Tagalog is coming along well. I really love learning it. By next week we should be starting to teach the first lesson in Tagalog. This week, all the mission presidents that are doing all over the world are getting trained so we have had many apostles here. We had a special fireside by President Monson on Monday, and then our devotional last night by Elder Uchtdorf. I know that I am not ready to go to the field yet, but I am very excited. One thing that I did realize is that we are really protected here at the MTC. Not many people are breaking rules; we have such a large concentration of people praying, reading scriptures, and obeying rules that it really protects us. I know that it will be harder when I leave here, but that is why they push us so hard here, so that we will be ready. Just know that I know why I am serving a mission and that is to do God's work in bringing souls unto Christ. I love it here. I love the gospel and the peace and joy that it brings. I know that this church is true and that by sinecre prayer we can come closer to God and gain for faith in Christ. I know this things to be true, I love them, and I will teach about them. I love you all and am grateful for you thoughts and prayers. I am working my hardest to bring glory unto God. With joy and love, Justin Benson

Week 1: The MTC

A mission is even harder and better than I imagined. We have such a tight schedule and exteremly long days, but I love it. The first day seemed like the longest day of my life, but it is starting to go by faster now. To get some of the details out of the way, my companion's name is Elder Murry and he is from Washington. He is a great companion although I think he gets annoyed with me sometimes. I don't have much time left. The spirit is so strong here, and I am learning Tagalog quite fast. It is a confusing language because it is backwards from English. I love being a missionary because I feel all the prayers that people say about them. I love you all, but have to go. Elder Benson

The best time

My mission begins soon. Time is moving fast. I am happy to begin.