Elder Mark Ensign: Week 9: September 9, 2019

大家好!

It's been a really good last week! I don't even know where to begin, so I'll start with this: We're supposed to watch 12 Safetyzone videos before we leave the MTC, which are basically missionary training videos centered on keeping us safe. I kinda didn't watch most of them until this week. So this past week I've had to watch a safetyzone video pretty much every day. Truly a great time haha. They're cinema gold, or at least they are now haha.

There's so much I'm gonna miss about the MTC! The green place: where my whole district would study together everyday. I'll miss the devotionals, and all I've learned from them over the past 9 weeks. I'll miss service- setting up and taking down the devotional was hardly a chore, it was essentially a social activity, so much fun haha. I'm definitely gonna miss exercise time - volleyball, my early morning death runs on the track, and OF COURSE 4-square!! 4-square is literally the funnest thing ever, I'll have to start something in England haha. And studying at the fountain! Every saturday night pretty much my whole zone would study together at the fountain. I've honestly gotten to know so many people here, and I'm a little sad to have to leave them behind.

My teachers! My teachers have honestly been so great. We started off with 2 main ones: Guan Jiemei and Ai Jiemei. I've learned so much from them. But about 3 weeks ago, Guan jiemei got assigned to a new class, so we've had a couple different teachers to replace her, mainly Ma dixiong and Mao Jiemei. They're honestly all super good, I've enjoyed being taught by all of them. I'm gonna miss not having someone I can ask questions about Chinese, I'm sure it'll be hard, but I'm sure I'll learn a lot in England.

And most of all, my district! My district has honestly been so amazing these past 9 weeks, they've essentially been my family! One of my teachers wrote a poem about us, and I'll share just a short portion cause I feel like it describes my district really well below the surface:

From Xia JM (Sister Sheffield) I've learned more about prayer. About how to ask for help when you need it, especially when it's hard.
From Dai JM (Sister Davis) comes joy, jolly stories and a sweet sense of humor to brighten our moods. Every day.
Gao ZL (Elder Ensign) taught me through quiet diligence about what it means to truly give one's time and energy to the Lord. What it looks like to be a walking VP 書。
Li ZL's (Elder Beam) testimony is an inspiration to me...even amid difficulties with his family he helped me to see what it looks like to be increasing in conversion to the Lord.
Lu JM (Sister Low) showed me patience and persistence. Laughing in the middle of hard times, and bringing laughs and smiles to others.
Bo JM (Sister Berglund) shared her grace and wisdom each day, perhaps without knowing how wise she really is.
From Bi ZL (Elder Bickmore) I was reminded about the importance of planning; of humbly asking questions and always seeking to improve.
From Lin ZL (Elder Lindsay) I learned about faith. Humility. And trust in the Lord that if you just keep trying, God will help you.

I'm sending this email out as I'm literally minutes away from leaving the MTC which is why it's so early. I can't wait to get to England! 我爱你们!

英国!!!

-Elder Ensign (高长老)

Last time in my classroom haha

My district in front of the map. Left to right: Elder Bickmore (Singapore), Sister Sheffield Sister Berglund and Sister Low (Taiwan Taichung), Sister Davis and Elder Lindsay (Arcadia California), Elder Beam (Scotland and Ireland), and me!