Only 4 days left in the MTC, so next time you hear from me, I'll be in Chile!  

I hope you all had a wonderful 4th of July!  Our celebration here included basically the same schedule that we have every day (although we did have some pretty coordinated outfits going on), but at the end of the day, we got out of study early and all went down to the main building for a top secret fireside.  We all sang some patriotic hymns (My Country 'Tis of Thee, America the Beautiful), but it was incredible to hear the entire MTC body singing these hymns with such patriotic gusto as the organ pulled out all the stops.  The floor started shaking at one point.  Missionaries are a very patriotic bunch.  We then had a speaker who talked about the sacrifices many have made for this country and then watched the movie 17 Miracles, which is about the Willie Martin Handcart Company and their horrific journey across the plains.  While it was incredibly heartwrenching to watch these faithful saints sacrifice their lives as they tried to reach all the others Mormons in the Utah Valley, the movie focused on the many miracles they experienced while crossing.  It made me think of my ancestors who crossed the plains and lost family members to the sickness and elements while doing so, and I realize how little I've appreciated their sacrifice and conviction for their faith.  On tough days, I just think about them, and suddenly it's not too hard to endure anything I have too.  We then got to stay up PAST ten thirty (GASP) and go watch the fireworks from Stadium of Fire while standing on the edges of the MTC campus.  They passed out gourmet ice cream bars and as the firework finale began, all the missionaries began singing the Star Spangled Banner, kind of impromptu, and we ended with a rousing chorus of "land of the free and home of the brave" as the fireworks ended with a rather spectacular finale. 

A day before, my district had been asigned to clean them temple, as it is closed for renovation.  The hermanas got to go to a sealing room and take apart a huge crystal chandelier and clean it piece by piece.  Those things are incredible, and apparently when they get old, they smash them up and put them in the cement for the walls of the temple.  That is what you call recycling.

As my time in the MTC comes to an end, it's amazing to see how much I've changed - as well as my entire district.  I never thought I would grow so close to these people who are so different than me.  But there are some things you can't do without ending up liking each other, and knocking out a 14-foot mountain troll is one of them.  I've grown to love every single one of them, and I've come to learn that there is always something in almost everybody that you can grow to love.  Every one has incredible potential, but you have to see them that way and as you set high standards for them, they will reach them as you grow to love and respect them.  I wish I had time to talk about the many incredible experiences I've had here, but there never is time and some are very personal, but just know that the gospel of Jesus Christ changes lives.  Those are not empty words from someone is just grasping for something to believe in.  I have seen it work in the lives of many, and this is only the first month of my mission.

I love you all and tell my family I love them every chance you get, cause once a week is just not enough :)  Adios! Hasta la proxima semana!