Elder Chase Herrmann: 8/15/16 - District Leader of "District Alpha"

When I thought that the MTC couldn't get any busier and harder, it did. Our district was too big so so they split us into 2 groups, and assigned me to be the district leader. So now in our zone there are 4 districts; District A, District B, District F, and District Alpha (my district). I came up with the name District Alpha because it sounds sweet and not lame like the other districts and the branch president approved! haha. Being a district leader is hard work--you have to be a good example always and care for everyone in your district. The best part about getting split up was I received 2 amazing teachers, Irmao Sears and Irma Gunnerson. They have helped me so much with Portuguese. I know that the way you learn the language the fastest is going all out and speaking up, even if you might say something completely wrong. So I am constantly trying to answer the questions in Portuguese. The Portuguese is coming along as I have memorized 300 words and can bear testimony, pray, and share an experience in Portuguese.

I love my zone, we are the crazy, fun, and annoying zone. For example, we just set up a missionary wrestling league (with the permission from our Branch President of course!) We made it official, calling it the MSD (Missionary Smack Down) with sponsors, candy bets, refs, and announcers. I am an announcer because you already know that I am not risking getting hurt and being delayed getting to Portugal. But it's all good fun, just playful, and a good way to relieve stress. Also, my fellow Elders and I made up this game called “apostasy-ball”! We play it on our break...my team is called the “gosballers”. We sit around in a circle and we have a tennis ball and hit it around without it touching the ground, seeing how many hits we can get. The gospballers hold the record with 98 hits! I remember my father's advice of making the mission fun. Many people think you can't have fun and be spiritual but after this week I know you can do both!

One of my favorite parts about the MTC is the devotionals. This Tuesday we had ELDER ANDERSON speak! He speaks with such power and conviction. I KNOW that he is a disciple of Christ. He spoke about how our flame of faith needs to be burning. He gave really good quote about missionary work, "a mission is not complicated, but it's not easy." I feel that is so true, I am here to bring others unto Christ and to be a representative of Christ. That is so simple yet it is not easy. This gospel is so simple and yet we make it so complicated in our daily lives. This week I learned about how the power of prayer blesses your life and helps your relationship with Heavenly Father. I teach about oracao (prayer) in almost every lesson, as it is essential in the gospel. Before my mission many of my prayers were not said with real meaning and intent but seeing how the power of prayer can change and bless my life--now I pray all the time! Praying gives me a chance to get closer with my Heavenly Father and it feels like a conversation!

I love being a missionary because you are focused on everyone else and not yourself. It's weird but it brings me more happiness thinking and trying to help others. I know this gospel is true and brings TRUE joy! God loves you and wants you to be close to him. By the way I baptized my 2 fake investigators!

Atraves de orarcao podes receber respostas (Through prayer we can receive answers!)

-Elder Herrmann

P.S. The Portuguese zone has a rivalry with the Russian zone in sports. Actually it is not much of a rivalry... because we slaughter them in every sport. They say not to keep score in the MTC but I'm too much of a competitive person to not keep score. There is something about the MTC--maybe the food, or the spirit or something but I love it here!