Dear family & friends,

Days feel like weeks, weeks feel like days - the missionary time warp thing is real.  

This week was my first full week as a missionary. Being here is...well... one of the STL's in our zone calls it an emotional blender. She is not wrong. However, the Holy Ghost is always here and so is peace that surpasses all understanding. So thankful for that.

Elder and Sister Zwick spoke to us on Tuesday evening. They are so good and faithful. She talked about how "instant is not the way of eternity". Both she and Elder Zwick invited us to have patience with ourselves and to continue doing our best.


Elder Zwick shared 4 principles of being a kingdom builder:
1. Create a vision for what the Lord expects and wants you to become.
2. Remember that your faithful example is a powerful tool.
3. Increase your faith and do not fear.
4. Open your heart and mind to receive promptings of the Spirit.

Right after devotional my district had devotional review with our branch president, President Williams. He told us that President Martino (MTC President) feels that the Lord is impatient to hasten His work. Changes will soon take place at the MTC to better prepare missionaries to bring souls unto Christ. Hopefully I will get to see these changes. I know that the Lord needs righteous and noble kingdom builders all over the world. Lift where you stand. Pray about your role in preparing the Earth for Christ's personal reign and ministry. The Spirit will teach you what God needs YOU to do, wherever you are.

On a kind of related note, I learned the coolest thing in my studies this week. In the Bible dictionary under the word Earnest it says, "As used by Paul (2 Cor. 1:22; 5:5; Eph. 1:14) it means that the Lord gives us His Holy Spirit in this life as a foretaste of the joy of eternal life. The Spirit is also the Lord’s surety that He will fulfill His promise to give eternal life to the faithful." If that doesn't encourage you to always have the companionship of the Holy Ghost, I don't know what will! Heavenly Father has mansions and glory prepared for those who are faithful - such immense joy that we cannot comprehend it. But the Spirit knows all things. I have come to better appreciate the role of the Holy Ghost in my life while at the MTC. I am constantly seeking for revelation and understanding that I cannot have without the Spirit. At the MTC I say or am part of at least 15 prayers a day. In each one we pray for the guidance and strength that the Spirit provides. It. Is. Awesome.

Love you so much. The church is true!!

-Sister Gore :)

Emma & her MTC District

Laundry time

The giant map at the MTC - a right of passage... :)

The MTC (Missionary Training Center) is the happiest place on earth. The Holy Ghost is here always. It is so wonderful to be surrounded by courageous young men and young women who know the truth and are eager to serve the Lord. The words "we have been taught, and we understand" have been in my head for about a month. They are why I am here. I have been taught the truths of the restored gospel and I understand the great importance of making them known to all God's children. I want to aid in this cause and serve my Savior.

All over the MTC there are pictures of the Savior and underneath the photo "Become as He Is" - that's the goal! To be like Jesus Christ. As missionaries, we are so blessed to wear the name of Jesus Christ next to our own on our name tags. It is so humbling and has reduced to me to tears of gratitude more than once. I am coming to understand that I am standing in the Savior's place as a representative of Him in inviting His children to follow Him. It makes me think so carefully about everything I do - how I walk and talk and treat others and even think.

Sister Shakespear [my companion] is so cool. She comes from a family of 6 kids, we're the same height and shoe size, and we basically jog at the same pace which is bueno. She's not nearly as outgoing as I am but we are learning to connect and be friends and teach through the Spirit. It is a challenge but it is one we welcome. We find great strength in praying together often. I have never prayed more frequently or earnestly in my life and it's wonderful!

Our branch president, President Williams, shared this quote with us that I'll close with: When obedience ceases to be an irritant and becomes our quest, in that moment God will endow us with power. --Ezra Taft Benson

Strive for this! Be obedient in all things - it is a sure way to have peace and joy. Study the Book of Mormon as individuals and as a family always. Be peacemakers. Pray for charity. Follow the example of Jesus Christ in all things. The Church is true. The gospel is true. Heavenly Father & Jesus Christ love you more than you can comprehend. Seek to please them.  As a missionary I literally get to wear the name of Christ, but each of you has also taken His name at baptism and each Sunday as you take the sacrament and renew that covenant. Remember that.

Know that I love you dearly...

Love,
Sister Gore

Sister Gore and Sister Shakespear

Sister Gore & her District at The Provo Temple

The Sisters.  :)