First Day in the Mission Field

(Email sent to Dad from the mission home or office.)

So I just got to Ogden today and have already done one hour of practice tracting. It was really scary but really cool too. Hopefully someday soon I will be a little less shy and more confident in sharing the gospel. 

I will get my new companion/trainer tomorrow and find out where in the mission I will be going to. My P-day is officially going to be Tuesdays here in the field. 

In the MTC my testimony has grown tremendously and specifically my testimony on prayer. I never really prayed a lot before but now I feel like I pray a hundred times a day and I know that I am being blessed by doing that. For example, one day in the MTC I forgot to pray before teaching an "investigator" and me and my companion bombed that lesson. Another night I forgot to pray before going to bed and I was like I'll just miss one night and pray in the morning. Bad choice I stayed up for an hour before finally giving up and praying and soon after I was asleep. :)

My companion in the MTC was Elder Ervin and he is from Mesa, Arizona. Do you know where it is? Im not sure but I think its near pheonix ;)

The biggest thing I learned at the MTC while I was there was the power of the Holy Ghost when teaching. Without the Holy Ghost missionaries are nothing and they wont teach anybody. When we teach the Holy Ghost tells us what we need to say and then he will help confirm to the investigator that what we are teaching is true. I have a testimony of that as well. 

The transition to MTC time and schedule wasnt that difficult. Except for this morning because I had to stay up last night to finish packing and then wake up at 4:00AM for my train ride.

The schedule there at the MTC was crazy. It was class, class, and more class for 12 days and then they threw me out to the world. I was there less than 2 weeks but I walked out feeling like I had a lifetime of knowledge. I know that this is the true church because no other church could even dream of doing something like that and we do it every week now. I know that the Lord loves everyone and that I need to help the word of His gospel and that they will be blessed for letting the Lord into there lives.

I love and miss y'all more,

    Elder James Curtis

MTC Letter #2

(Here's an email he sent me, his sister Lindsey, on his last day in the MTC.)

Hey so I thought you liked to know that I was able to go to the temple both times and did put your name in the prayer box. Im am also praying for you multiple times a day. I cant tell you how much my testimony has grown here at the MTC. I was super scared that I wouldnt be ready in time since I am only here 2 weeks but its crazy how the Lord works. I have been praying for you and for me and the whole family while I have been here and my testimony on prayer especially has grown tremendously. The first 5 days were pretty brutal but ever since got past the first sunday time has been flying and the Lord has blessed me with the comfort that I will be able spread His gospel to the people in the Utah Ogden Mission tomorrow.

I love you Linz,

   Elder James Curtis

 

P.S. - I leave tomorrow at 5:00AM for the mission field!! :)

          The MTC limits the time on the computer for emails so sorry its so short but I'm still praying for you and the family continuely.

          The MTC also wont let me attach photos so I wont be able to send y'all pics till next monday.

MTC Letter #1

Dear Mom,

  Hey, hey are you?  How are things in Texas?  It's been snowing up here at the MTC for a couple of days.  It's been really fun and really hard so far.  My teachers are really cool and really awesome.  They are amazingly spiritual and love what they do with their whole heart.  My district is really awesome as well.  We all get along and work well with each other.  My roommates (Elder Durant, Elder Dale, Elder Ervin, my companion,) are pretty cool too.  WE work great together.  Even though I'm still really scared to go out there and teach people, I believe that with the help of my classmates/district and my roommates and my companion that I will be ready to teach others of the gospel and invite them to come unto Christ. I know the people in the Utah Ogden mission have been waiting for me and need to hear my words and I know that with the help of the Holy Ghost, they will not be able to deny what they feel and hear about the words of Christ and his teachings.    Love, Elder Curtis

Alma 5:46

   Behold, I say unto you they are made known unto me by the Holy Spirit of God.  Behold, I have fasted and prayed many days that I might know these things of myself.  And now I do know of myself that they are true, for the Lord God made them manifest unto me by his Holy Spirit; and this is the spirit of revelation which is in me.