How are you all? Sounds like you have all been really busy taking care of everything!! Here are my thoughts of the past week:
 
At Sunday's devotional one of our speakers commented on the song: "I Am A Child Of God." Her comment was regarding the line "teach me all that I must do." If you didn't know, it was changed from teach me all that I must know to do way back when, but she said doing isn't enough. She changed the word DO to BE. That is because we must know to do to be. Think about that for a second, it is so powerfully profound!! Also, read Jesus the Christ. It is incredible! I have only finished the first 3 chapters including the preface, but I wish I could finish it! You would really like it. Next thought, Sister Tamang, my instructor, gave a powerful witness and chastisement on faith. She told us that speaking English is a lack of faith because we aren't trusting the Lord to put the words in our mouths. It was so powerful. Our whole district is now having an English Fast for the first half of the day: meaning that we will speak minimal to no English until Lunch. By then we will already be in the zone and continue with Ilonggo. So, remember that story where I messed up the scripture reference while teaching Cherry Mae? Well "Cherry Mae" was really Sister Tamang, one of our Ilonggo instructors. Anyway, anytime that I make a hilarious mistake in Ilonggo, it is with her. A few days back, I accidentally called her Our Father in Heaven instead of really saying I Have a Question. Super embarrassing, right? Well just wait, it gets worse... After two strikes already, I blew it. I was asked to pray and gladly accepted. Unfortunately for me, I started with the wrong words. I began by saying "In the Name of Jesus Christ" in stead of "Our Father in Heaven." No one caught my mistake until I paused and said let me start over. Everyone proceeded to burst with laughter! Which only caused more embarrassment. After a few minutes we proceeded to pray again, I was still the mouth of the class. You could consistently hear muffled giggles. Following the prayer, our instructor, Sister Tamang, was practically rolling on the floor laughing. As a district, we struggled praying together without laughter for a short while. It's okay, my small bit of ego has been restored. Nest; I have a scripture you all must read: Alma 10:2-3. After you read these verses, ask yourself: Who is Aminadi? Seriously dissect all resources in answering this question. Next week I will give you the answer I found. Here is a hint. The answer is 8in the Book of Mormon, however use all resources to aid your search.
 
Thank you Tatay for your letter. I truly enjoyed that. I will go and serve my mission in the Philippines.... in THREE weeks!!! I also really enjoyed your scripture reference!
 
So cool story: I have been praying to feel of Grandpa and Grandma Christensen's love and I finally recognized it. I've been looking for Elder Parker and couldn't find him. Tuesday, my schedule "coincidentally" was irregular and we happened to run into each other! It was great to see some family and I know that Grandpa and Grandma had a hand in it. It was a tender mercy of the Lord. Time is flying by quickly and I can't believe that I'm HALF way done with the MTC already! Only 23 fast Sundays to go!
 
Thank you Nanay for the package and letter! So funny thing, Maayong aga means "Good Morning." You wrote me at night so it would be maayong gab-i. I appreciated the thought nonetheless! Sorry it has been so hot! I have been able to keep fairly cool! Some days it gets pretty toasty though. Thanks for the pictures! I love them! The senior cotillion picture was hilarious! Everyone here was baffled by the girls, very impressed with my company. Which doesn't surprise me because they are all beautiful daughters of God. I told my MTC buddies to look out for Alden in a couple of weeks! The air fresheners were much appreciated. My district was thrilled! We have 14 people in a tiny room for 10 hours a day, they will definitely be used. I am glad your 4th of July was Great! Ours was kinda lame. No parade, lame view of fireworks, and tired the next morning. Thank you for your confirmation of my goal, however I have a long ways to go to be Christ-like.
 
Few Items of business: I get my travel plans next Friday. I don't know about airport calls yet. Where ever you want to send the emails to is fine. Sadly I don't have the Schmidt's email. Again, sadly I don't have a contact for Josh. Please have Alden get me that information somehow. I'm also very grateful for their friendship! I would love to hear from Josh! Also, thank you Jed for the Twinkies! A few members of my district were in awe to see real, Hostess Twinkies! It was fairly funny!
 
Here are my spiritual thoughts for this week. 1- I must be a bold missionary. that doesn't mean pushy or aggressive, but reserved and confident. The speaker of Sunday night's devotional challenged us to be bold missionaries. 2- God has a great sense of humor. When missionaries begin to become proud and disregard the Spirit in their lives, he humbles them in ways that are usually pretty funny. See my stories above... 3- All things denote there is a God. I was reading in Alma 30 yesterday, specifically Alma and Korihor's conversation in which the statement was made by Alma. I seriously pondered that greatly, contemplating the matters of nature and my eyes began to see how perfectly God has created everything. It was so wonderful!
 
Last couple of notes. There are birds everywhere on the MTC campus! I was wondering why there were so many this morning when I found out. There happened to be a couple of birds hopping around by my breakfast table and I decided to feed them little pieces of my bagel. Out of nowhere another 15-20 birds appeared to feast upon the bagel bits. I now know why there are so many birds here.  Anyway, that is all for today! I hope to hear from you soon! Please write and have others write too!
 
Until next week,
Maayong Udto!! (Good Noon),
-Elder Carver