Week 2 - The MTC
Heya!! Sorry I didn't send out an email to everyone last week, my p day got kind of crazy, and I wasn't able to find the time. I've been having a great time here at the MTC! I'm leaving on Thursday, and most of my district is leaving tomorrow. It's pretty sad to see them go, but I'm so excited for the good all of them are going to do. I know each of them are going to bless so many lives. In case anyone is curious about the food here, it's eh. Not super good or bad, just eh. The chocolate milk on the other hand, amazing.
On the topic of last p day, I'd like to talk about that. I think the best way to do that would he to share my journal entry about it: "Sister Lisota is probably the softest, kindest, most compassionate and caring person I've ever met. You probably wouldn't look at someone like her and immediately think of the word "strong." But she's the strongest missionary here. Today I witnessed that strength firsthand. This morning, in the cafeteria during breakfast, we were all eating as normal, and Sister Lisota had what appeared to be a seizure. She did not sustain any physical injuries during this occurrence, but it was clearly scary for her. It was scary for many of us with her as well. One of the first things she made clear to the EMS team was that she did not want to leave the MTC. She wanted to serve a mission no matter what. After they made sure she was ok, and there was no immediate danger, they just left. They listened to her and didn't try to take her to a hospital. We gave her a blessing, then continued our p day ad normal. Sister Lisota took a nap in her room, and she was her normal smiling self at lunch. Personally, I wasn't too worried about her after this happened. She was still smiling, and I knew she'd be ok. But then it happened again. As I'm writing this, she has arrived safely to the hospital in an ambulance, accompanied with a picture of her and her companion smiling. I wasn't there to hear it, but I've been told by one of the Elders that was there that one of the first things she said once she was awake and talking again was "it's a great day to be a missionary." I can't begin to describe my admiration for her. Not only was she going through something I can hardly imagine experiencing myself, not only is she still dedicated to serving a mission in spite of that, she's smiling and saying, "it's a great day to be a missionary." Right now, it's easy to feel bad for her because of what she's going through, and wish it was me instead. But I'm pretty sure she's handling it much better than I would. I have a lot to learn from her example. Oh. And I forgot to mention, after the first occurrence of whatever these episodes are, she sent a text to all of us to make sure WE were OK. She had a feint memory of possibly hitting someone, and wanted to apologize, as well as apologize for anything she may have said while she wasn't fully mentally present. None of us needed, or wanted, any form of apology. But the fact she was so selfless in that moment, and in all the trials that followed. I can't think of anything to say other than, I have so much to learn. Her faith, her selflessness, and her strength far surpass my own."
For clarification, apparently, they're not seizures. They're some kind of muscle spasm paired with fainting. She's had them before, stopped having them, and recently started having them again. Doctors don't know what it is. Whatever it is, the only dangerous part is physically injuring herself when she falls. Which hasn't happened. She has had a couple more of these episodes, but she is staying strong and still intends to go to Canada. At this point, I'm not actually sure she should. She had another one just a few minutes ago. But I know she will bless many lives regardless of if she goes to Canada or not.
On a positive note, I'm very excited to be going to Canada this Thursday! The MTC has been amazing, and I've learned so much.
Love you all,
Elder Hays