Letter dated 2Feb2012

[Dear family and friends, Here is the letter that we received from Weston today I hope you enjoy it as much as we did. We also hope that you enjoy the nest blessed weeks of winter that we will be receiving because of our furry friend in Maine. I hope that the next six weeks are as "severe" as the last couple of months have been! Send me a note and I will forward it to Weston. He LOVES hearing from you! Weston's editor - BWS] Dear Family, To begin, I just want you and everyone to know that this past month of my life has been a blessing and the greatest time of my life. It's been a bit difficult with all the studying and work that goes into life here at the Missionary Training Center but I love it here! I can hardly imagine what Spain will be like! I've enjoyed recieving letters from friends but as always, I would love (note the word "love") to hear more from everyone! Just reading small notes from people is nice because it reminds me how much you mean to me. It really is a blessing in my life to know so many wonderful and fantastic people and I hope to return the favor to each and every person that I call either family or a friend. Alrighty, so my life is definitely different and here's why. I feel like I am both the most mature I have ever been in my entire life of 19 years but also the most immature since I was 10 years old. The reason is because the things that all the other Elders and I laugh at are very childish and I doubt I would have thought the same things were funny a couple of months ago. But for the most part, I do feel like I am growing up little by little, day by day. Being so dedicated to studying the Gospel and the language has tested me (and is still testing me) on how I will work and operate once I arrive in the field. It's a crazy thought, but I feel like I'm partially becoming a child again so that I can learn the language but I'm becoming an adult to learn how to teach others what I believe. Reading the Book of Mormon has become my favorite part of my day and I'm in Chapter 42 of Alma and I was inspired by both Alma and Amulek in my readings. I want to try to be like they were in teaching and to be as strong in the Spirit as they were. [If you want to check this out -- here's a link! http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/42?lang=eng ] Now I'd like to share my experience I had this past Tuesday. January 31 marked the 50th year that the MTC [Missionary Training Center] has been operating and we had two members of the Quruom of the Twelve speak to us; Elder Jefferey R. Holland and Elder Russel M. Nelson. Both of their talks were amazing and it was special for me to listen to what they told us. I would share more about everything they said, but I only have a little bit more time to write this message. I just want to finish by saying that I know why I'm here and I know what I need to do in order to be prepared for the future. I'm going to be pushing myself harder than I ever have in my life but it's going to be fun doing it. I love you all and I know and testify that the Gospel is true and that He wants me to be here. I'm on His time and He'll make me strong when I feel weak. I hope to write more next week and remember that I love you! Always remember that! Love, Elder A. Weston Schindler P.S. I would have to say that during the week, I was very delighted to recieve a fantastic care package from Brigitte and Doug! I esspecially loved the stickers that were put in with all the other things (including the sweet pen!!)! The Kool-Aid packs though, mmmmm! I just want both of them to know that they made my week with that! Also, getting the lyrics to Go the Distance from both Joseph and Lindsey! All of you rock!