9/12/16 - Last week in the MTC

Well it’s here! This week has gone by so fast, which I did not think would happen. It kept hitting me that this time next week I’ll be living in Portugal.  I realized that I was going through the same cycle over and over again. First, excited, happy, ready to go, next, feeling overwhelmed and nervous, then realizing how much I love the MTC and don’t want to leave, and lastly, understanding how much better the field will be than the MTC. Then the cycle would start again and go round and round. But finally I have decided to just focus on the part of the cycle that is excited, happy, and ready to go! 

This last week we learned all about subjunctive in Portuguese, talk about trying to scare a missionary before they leave....SUBJUNCTIVE IS HARD, and English doesn’t have it so it’s difficult to really understand. But it’s all good, the Lord is on our side. It was sad closing up our fake investigators this week. Even though they were fake, I truly did love them and pray for them and think about them all the time. My teachers, Irmao Machado, and Irmao Sears have been such a blessing in my life. They have taught me so much and I will miss them a whole lot. Machado said that when I am married that I can go down to Brazil and stay with his family whenever. Looks like I know where the "go to trip” is. The last day of class they just showed pictures and told stories of their missions and it got me so excited to go serve! 

I love and will miss my zone so much. We were the smallest zone with only 26 people, and we have grown so close to each other! We can just talk about anything for hours... I have been so grateful for my zone.

I was spiritually blessed this week with not 1 but 2 APOSTLES (Elder Russel Ballard and Elder Todd Christofferson) Something I have noticed is that when they bear testimony of Christ it’s so powerful and real. We sing “Called to Serve” like every day so it kind of lost its hype, but when we sang it for Elder Christofferson is was like we were his army and he was our leader going into war and it got me so pumped!  Another thing that has changed my life this week was reading the Ricciardi Letters (IF YOU HAVE NOT READ IT GO READ IT NOW). It changed my whole perspective of a mission!! Something that he said that hit me really hard was, "To find yourself, you have to lose yourself." Over the next 2 years I want to lose myself in the work in order to find myself.

I want to mention my favorite missionary, and that is Ammon, what a STUD! The way he is so humble and so dedicated to the Lord and preaches with such power is amazing! So please read ALMA 17!! 

My time at the MTC is over and now it’s time for the fun to begin!! In all reality, I truly did LOVE the MTC, it’s a very special place that I will remember forever. I have learned, felt, and laughed more here than anywhere else and that is because of the Spirit and sacredness that is here. There are no outside influences from the world and I have made so many great relationships with so many great people who will change this world! I have learned to recognize, follow, and teach with the Spirit here. It’s so amazing how the Holy Ghost works through us and I can’t wait to have him work through me with the people of Portugal.  I just have to be prepared and ready to receive it. The funny thing is, if you told someone if they could volunteer to go to a closed campus with no communication with the outside world, a whole lot of rules, being in class for 9 hours out of 16 hour days, for 6 weeks they would look at you and say you are crazy.  And that is exactly what we are. We are crazy enough to leave everything behind and go help Gods children. "The field is WHITE and ready to harvest." I am so excited to share the truth and happiness of the gospel of Jesus Christ!  Elder Ballard told us yesterday that the missionaries are more ready now than ever before and that the children of God are more ready now to hear the word then ever! 

I am so excited to be in Portugal even with no idea what they are saying and the frustrations and hardships of a mission. I am excited for the relationships and memories, and I am most excited to help people come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. That is my purpose.  I am honored to represent and serve Jesus Christ, my savior and redeemer. I love this gospel and love you all! VAMOS!

Elder Herrmann My teacher, Irmao Machado! Love him!

SaveSave
SaveSave

9/5/16 - Changes "mudança"

If I could describe this week in one word it would be “mudanca” which means change. So first off, my zone got kicked out of our building because of renovations which is sad because we had the whole 4th floor to ourselves and it was so fun! Also, since they are trying to fit us all into empty spots they split us up. We are all in the same floor but not with each other but with random people. I've learned that on the mission you just have to go with the punches and not be upset. We have made the most out of it. For example my comp Elder Day and I moved in with 4 guys who are going to Tonga! They are really chill and fun. But man, I thought that my previous room was dirty but it wasn’t even close to these guys... haha

Another thing that was new or a change this week was that we finally received our FLIGHT PLANS!!! I was so excited when I received that letter in the mail! So Next Tuesday I will be flying out of SLC at around 5 pm to PARIS!! (I love that Portugal beat France in the Euro cup finals.) Then from Paris to Portugal, LISBON where I will be living for two years!! This next week can't come fast enough. I am so excited to share this amazing gospel with everyone!!

Next changed thing was that we got a new teacher, Brother Machado. He is from Brazil and probably the coolest man I have ever met! When I think of Brother Machado I think of the guy on the Dos XX commercials "the most interesting man in the world". Literally there is nothing this man has not done! And when he tells me stories about his mission it gives me chills! He is a very bold guy and one of the stories is that he would go and stop soccer games right in the middle, hold the ball and tell everyone to sit down and listen! He got a couple baptisms from doing that. I want to be bold like that and tell everyone about the gospel. I feel a great bond with him.

This week my goal was to obey with EXACTNESS and man there are so many blessing from obeying that way. If only I knew that before my mission (mom, sorry it took me so long to realize this).  I also want to tell you again about the Book of Mormon...WHY DO WE TAKE THIS BOOK FOR GRANTED!!! It’s so amazing and is such a blessing in our lives! I finished the books of 2 Nephi, Jacob and Mosiah this week and wow.... that is all I have to say, WOW! There are so many amazing teachings in those books, and they can change your life. A part that hit me hard was in the end of Jacob talking about the allegory of the master and the vineyard. It was confusing at first, but then I got what it was saying and how it relates to me. God is the master and we are the servants...we are here to help the vineyard grow before it’s too late. Also, I loved Mosiah and his willingness to serve and how he feels serving God is a privilege.  It is a privilege to serve a mission for him, not a sacrifice but really a privilege! I challenge all of you guys to read 2 Nephi 31 and the allegory of the master and the vineyard this week in the book of Jacob. I am so excited to serve!!! The MTC has been an amazing experience but I am ready to start!!! I love you all so much! 

Boa sorte em a semana!!

Elder Herrmann

My flight plans came!

My cross fit buddy

I cut my own hair

Hair cut

My parents sent me year old chips hahahaha

Last night in the old building and sleeping in the halls (we got a little in trouble)

8/29/16 - Dom Das Linguas (The Gift of Tongues)

This week has gone by the fastest.  I don’t know if I am more excited or nervous to get out of here! I am learning many things that will apply to my whole life.

First off, I realized how excited I am to do the Lord’s work.  I woke up on Thursday feeling really sick but I decided to tough it out and go to class.  When I was in class I was coughing the whole time and the teacher sent me back to the dorms. I took a nap and woke up and realized how much stuff I missed in the 3 hour block of class and without hesitating I got up, put on my tie, and went out the door to the second 3 hour block of class. I decided that I will not be sick and stay and the dorms here in the MTC because I have so little time to prepare for my mission and I can’t be just sitting in the dorms!

Next, if people say that the mission changes your sense of competitiveness, let me just say, “It does not!”  For those of you who know me well, know that I’m a very "passionate" person.  During exercise time I am so competitive and want to win that sometimes some elders have to say, "Elder Herrmann, take it easy man."

During my study block from 6:30-9:30 my companion and I like to study outside since we are inside all day. We found this really nice spot in the corner of the MTC that is very beautiful and we can feel the Spirit so strong. But there is now a problem. Every Friday and Saturday I am studying away having a good ‘ole time until I hear the drums and cheers and announcer for a football game...I then instantly lose my focus and start thinking about football. Man, I miss football a lot. Once I hear the marching band start playing my comp knows its game over.  So from now on we do all our studying on Friday and Saturday inside!

This week as a district we made some goals, one of our goals was that 2 days out of the week we were going to have an "English fast" where we only speak Portuguese! Our teachers said it brings blessings but I was skeptical at first. My comp and I spoke only Portuguese all day (which meant there wasn’t a lot of talking) and we got the hang of it. We had a lesson that night with Fabio our investigator and the Spirit was so strong!! We were speaking so clearly and with so much power and conviction! I know that Dom Das Linguas (The Gift Of Tongues) is a real thing and that we need to put in effort and faith for us to have this gift!  Another goal was to "Be a Do it All Missionary."  This means being the best I can be and working my hardest the whole time!! Not just when it’s convenient. The next goal was "Don’t compare, Don’t compete, Don’t Complain!"  When I pondered this quote I realized how much happiness it can bring me if I follow those 3 simple steps.

The thing I love the most about the MTC is the clarity that is found here. You really do learn how to "follow" the Spirit in everything you do. One thing I have learned is that you teach by the Spirit not with the Spirit, I want to be the tool the Spirit can speak through.  We had a devotional this week that really hit me. It was from a very humble man who lived in Peru and is a convert to the church. He told us some very profound things. His talk was based on D&C 4:2, which means a lot to me. He told us is that when you read the Book of Mormon you should feel peace, joy, and understanding, through the Holy Spirit. Also, as a missionary I need to talk less and DO more! Because the Spirit is the strongest when the investigator takes action. Lastly he said that we all have blessings or gifts from our Heavenly Father and that during the next two years we will discover many of them and that just made me so excited!!

Lastly, I want to tell you guys about the importance of the Book of Mormon. I have gained such a love for the Book of Mormon here, it is so amazing! If only I knew how amazing it was before my mission!!!!  I know that if you have a problem or a question and you pray to the Lord that he WILL answer you. And the way to find that answer is through the BOOK OF MORMON! I promise you it works, try it out!  It’s like magic! haha I have learned so much and love the principles and doctrine the Book of Mormon teaches. 

I want you guys to know how much I love you and how much I know that this gospel is true! I have no doubts!! May God be with you this week!  

-Elder Herrmann

PS The package Mom and Dad sent was awesome! One thing though, don’t send me anymore food because I am getting too fat!  Also, congrats to Tessa and Sammy!  Awesome picture!

Portugal Swag

Flashcard Temple

I can sorta see the BYU football stadium from this room

Doing work :)

SaveSaveSaveSave
SaveSaveSaveSave
SaveSave