The Field is White (Literally)

Hello friends and family!

Another week down, so crazy!! It was a great week!

On Thursday I had my first TRC which is where I teach a lesson to returned missionaries from Latvija. It was nice to have people from the "outside world" come in to know life still exists outside the MTC haha. But I didn't really understand a lot. They speak soooo fast and don't slow down so I just nod like I know what's going on and always just say labi (good) which is the most common used word in Latvian I think and is said after like everything haha. But I was still able to feel the spirit and learn through the spirit which was a great experience and huge testimony strengthener. 

The biggest highlight of this week was our Tuesday night devotional. We knew it was going to be big because in choir we sang Praise to the Man. Sister Christensen and I were convinced it was either going to be Elder Utchdorf or President Nelson. Right before they told us this devotional would be broadcasted to all the MTC's and so we had to go over a bunch of rules of what to do and then they announced who it was and ELDER JEFFREY R. HOLLAND came!! No one could contain their excitement haha. It was such an amazing night. Elder Holland talked a lot about what an amazing opportunity our missions are and how we will never get another chance like this again so we can't waste a single second. Every waking second we need to be focused on the work and the reason we are here. It was really powerful to hear, especially because so early on in the mission we don't see it like that. He wants our missions and the gospel of Jesus Christ to be part of our souls so that nothing, no mountain or fire, can shake that. Even those who don't serve missions can learn from this because we all need the gospel to be part our souls and part of who we are. Each day I know I need to recommit to spending every second of my time bettering myself as a missionary and working hard to find those who are ready to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ. After we had sung the closing hymn, prayed, and Elder Holland walked out not one person in the room moved for like two minutes because the spirit was so strong and no one wanted to have the moment end. It was one of the most spiritual experiences. I wish everyone could have been there because my words don't do it justice!

We also got lots of snow this week and it sounds like everyone else did too! It was so fun to watch it fall from my classroom window! It made everything so much more exciting and so much colder as well haha. I still don't know how I will make it through the next winter in Latvija because I am already done with the cold here haha. 

The Gift of Tongues is real! In one of my lessons the spirit directed me to go another way and so I did, being terrified too because I wasn't sure if I would be able to talk about it in Latvian, but I was able to express everything I needed to in Latvian and answer all his questions! Without the Lord, the spirit, or the Gift of Tongues I would not have been able to do that. It was a great learning experience and big confidence booster I needed! So thank you for the prayers!

In my personal studies this week I found so many scriptures about God's love for us. And I have never felt His love so strong as I do now. I know Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ know and love each one of us individually and if you aren't sure about that read the Book of Mormon with that question in mind and pray and I promise you will feel that love. God is all powerful and yet he still knows and loves each of us individually and perfectly. We have a plan on this earth and God wants to help us, we just need to be willing to listen and pray and then act as we are told.

I am so grateful to be a missionary and be here at the MTC learning so much and strengthening my testimony. I know this church is true and there's no place I'd rather be than sharing this wonderful message and I can't wait to get to Latvija and share it with the people there! I love this gospel and I love my Savior, Jesus Christ and what he went through so we can one day return to God's presence, be cleansed from sin, and never have to walk alone on this earth. 

Love,

Māsa Bruner

Mormon 5:23

Know ye not that ye are in the hands of God? Know ye not that he hath all power, and at his great command the earth shall be rolled together as a scroll? 

Pic 1: The cute shirt my fam gave me for Valentine's Day and just an awkward selfie :)

Pic 2: Our white field :) Also, please appreciate this pic because it was really cold and we got snow in our boots for it haha
Pic 3: Temple and my tag
Pic 4: At the Temple
Pic 5: Valentine's Day!
Pic 6: Plaid Day
Pic 7: Loving the snow - From INSIDE!
Pic 8-15: District/Zone Pics