My Month Marker

In a couple days I will have been in the MTC for a month. I guess I can say, half way there now.

It is really hard to form these emails because we only get an hour and I can't really remember that much that happened during the week, but I'll do my best.

My district has been struggling a lot. Mostly just the Elders. A ton more fights have been breaking out between my companion and another Elder about stupid subjects. Yesterday they were about to throw down because they were arguing about what a calorie is and how it's measured. We got a new district leader though, who is taking a lot more action than the last one, so we'll see if things clear out at all. 

We had some great devotionals this last week. The one we had last Sunday (can't remember who it was by) talked a lot about flirting and locking your hearts on your mission. Everyone was laughing, but everyone was also low key feeling awkward. He also talked about worthiness, which I thought was both important and ballsy. It was important to bring up because you can't be a hypocrite on your mission. You can't be telling investigators to repent and use Jesus Christ's atonement if you haven't even used it yourself. I also thought it was a bold topic (probably shouldn't use the world ballsy) because it isn't something a lot of people want to talk about. I heard that a ton of people went home the next few days, which is sad but also a good thing. It takes a lot of courage to go home and work things out.

The Japanese is really coming along. It is unbelievable how far along I've come along since I've been here. I know that without the hand of the Lord, I would be nowhere near where I am spiritual wise and language wise as I am right now. The lessons with the Practice Investigators are going great. I was able to share a personal experience and bear my testimony in one lesson. I had the practice investigator (who is our teach acting like an investigator) tearing up. The spirit was so strong and I've never seen or felt anything like it before.

This last week I prayed about one thing in particular, and that was recognizing the spirit. I've always struggled with that, and a few days after my prayer I felt like my prayer wasn't answered. A few days after (On Tuesday) we had our second devotional of the week. I felt like the speaker was directing his talk to me. He mentioned that sometimes you might not know if you're feeling the spirit or not. This is exactly how I was feeling. He then proceeded to talk about how if your heart is in the right place and you're doing the right thing you are feeling the spirit. I know it doesn't sound like much, but it hit me so hard. That experience was definitely an answer to my prayers.

Thank you for everyone who sends me emails and keeps me in their prayers.

Hope everyone has a great week 

Elder Scheidt

Week 3

I don't have much time, so this email is going to be a bit shorter than usual. 

This last week has been full of ups and downs like every other week, but this week seemed a little more brutal. We, as a district, have already held 2 inventories. Basically something where everyone goes around the room and gets something off of their chest that we need to fix. I got called out by my companion for being a little too relaxed with some of the rules. That's okay though. I'm doing my best and I'm praying to get better day by day.

This last week we had a devotional by a guy named William Walker. He was a former Mission President in Japan. That was exciting because he talked a lot about his experiences with missionaries from the eyes of a mission president. He mainly talked about 10 main points to being a happier, more successful missionary. As I was listening, I found that I really needed to work on all 10 of those things. It hit me hard, and now I'm striving to be better.

I had the opportunity to host 8 new missionaries yesterday, and boy was it exhausting. I had to take 7 of them to the 4th floor carrying all of their luggage. One Elder's key didn't work, so I had to go to the front desk and then back up to his room. Of course it didn't work again. Went back to the front desk and got another key. Nope! Dropped him off at his classrom, and I ended up being 2 hours late for class.

Our branch president got released this last Sunday and a lot of people were really torn up about it. Considering I was only here for 2 1/2 weeks when he got released, I wasn't as sad as the people who have been here 6 1/2 weeks. Our new branch president is super cool and you can really feel the spirit when you're around him.

Nothing else has really changed in this last week. I've seen a couple of people I know who came in yesterday, and I'm still on the lookout for Jarron Molen. (My brother in law's brother)

Anyway, thanks for all of your prayers and your support. Have you have a great week.

Elder Scheidt (シエトえｌでｒ）

LEVEL UP

Hello friends and family!　（こんいちわ）

This week has been crazy to say the least. I have some great stories that will be shared below. 

I had to say goodbye to some good friends this week. Elder Hiatt and Elder Orndorf who left for Korea, and Elder Schmidt who left for Brazil. My experience here at the MTC has been one to remember. I am constantly expressing my gratitude to the Lord and to the people who got me here.

The Japanese is coming along, but I definitely have a long ways to go. There is this girl in my district (class) who has had a lot of Japanese background before coming in. She already graduated college and knows a ton of Japanese. She said this to the whole class: "It's okay that you guys are behind, but you're not that behind. You probably only understand 10% of stuff and I understand 50%. So, I'm not that far ahead of you." Everyone was pissed off. I don't understand why she said it because everyone learns at their own pace, and she was just discouraging others. Now we just joke around with the comment and every time I answer something correctly I yell out: "LEVEL UP! IM NOW AT 12%!"

There was a fight in my room this week, but I think it was a good thing to clear things out this early on. Especially since we have 7 weeks left. Basically one elder said to my companion that his feet smelled terrible, and my companion got really offended. My companion pushed the other Elder and things escalated from there. I wasn't even there to see it, but when I came back to my room everyone was crying and I was so confused.

I learned a ton this week. I memorized the missionary purpose in Japanese, and I'm trying to learn it super fast so that I can impress the newbies coming in next week. Specifically, my brother in law's brother Jaron Molen (IDK how to spell his name). I also learned two of the 40 character alphabets that we have to learn on our own. Yes thats right! The annoying little letter things. Those Japanese characters all look the same and it seriously took me forever to learn them. Apparently the third alphabet is most prominent in Japan, and that alphabet has over 50,000 existing characters. I think i'll just learn 5. 

We had some awesome devotionals this week and even broadcasted Elder Packer's funeral. It was such a sad, but spiritual experience for everyone that watched it. Everyone that doesn't know who that is, google him. He was such an inspiring man. 

Thank you to everyone who emailed me and keeps me in their prayers. I'm loving my experience out here and can see how much I've grown. I attached some pictures below of the shenanigans I've been pulling since I've been here.

Hope everyone has a great week!

Sincerely,

Elder Scheidt (シャイトチョロ)

First Week at the MTC

Konnichiwa mina san! Watashitachi wa matsujitsui seito iesu kirisuto kyokai no senkyoshi desu.
(Hello everyone. I am missionary from the church of Jeus Christ of Latter Day Saints.)

Well I made it a whole week, which I guess some of you didn't think I'd do. Yes Dallin, I made it more than two days here. I guess now that I've been here more than 2 days I can go home now.

Nah I'm just kidding.

This first week has been unbelievably busy. Immediately after being dropped off and taken to my room by my host, my companion (Elder Sawka) and I got taken to an orientaion.We seriously didn't even have 2 minutes to sit down and unpack our bags. After being welcomed to the MTC (Missionary Training Center) by everyone we walked by, we went to our first class. Our teacher, Carlyle Sensei, only talked in Japanese the whole 3 hours, and I didn't know any going in, so I was about ready to pack up and go home right then and there. In my room is what is known as a district, consisting of 5 sisters (shimaitachi) and 5 elders (chorotachi). I love each and every person in my district. Everyone is really nice, but a lot of them had Japenese expeience, which you could imagine was frustrating. I started off pretty behind, but I caught up pretty fast and am getting it really well now. After the first two days I could say the phrase at the top of this email by memory. After the 3rd day, I could pray in Japanese. However, the prayers are the most simple prayers I have ever said. I basically say, "please bless my family, please bless the prophet, thankful for family, thankful for prophet, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen. (Iesu Kirisuto no mina niyotte o-inro shimasu, amen)

Our schedule basically consists of waking up,  exercising, eating, and then 3 hours of class only taught in Japenese. Then eating again, and 3 more hours of Japanese. After eating for the last time, we have personal study, companion study, and language study for 3 more hours. The first 3 days are apparently the hardest days of the MTC, and boy can I attest to that. Nevertheless, I can see how much easier it is getting just after the first week. I'll be honest and say that after the first two days I really wanted to go home. I was being very selfish and wanting to be home with all of my stuff. Now I can truly say I am happy to be here and am very excited to give up 2 years of my life to preach the gospel I love.

This place is the most spiritual place I have ever been to in my life (besides the temple). I have learned so much and can see myself growing every day. There are so many pretty girls here in the MTC, so I have to constantly remind myself that I am here to serve The Lord, and not lose focus on my purpose. It isn't easy, but it is getting easier the more I am here.

I constantly see people that I know from BYU. It seems like my whole ward back at school is here with me right now, or have been here and already left. I live in the same building and floor as Elder Schmidt. We're only 3 doors down from each other. I see Elder Hiatt all the time too becuase he is going to Korea and is basically on the same schedule. Plus, he is the floor above me in our classroms. For those who are not part of the faith I believe in, I am going to be in this training center for 9 weeks because I am learning an Asian language. That being said, I probably won't be in Japan until the end of September Before I even got here, I thought that I would be studying Japanese all day every day. However, we find a good balance to read the scriptures and study the gospel more than I ever have in my whole life. I was challenged in my priesthood session to read the whole Book of Mormon while here at the MTC. In just two days I read 70 pages. I kind of slowed down after that, but it is amazing how much I feel the spirit and love what I am doing.

I am so grateful for this opportunity to find people in Japan and teach them the thing that makes me the most happy in the world. I can truly say that I was called to Sapporo, Japan for a reason, and know that I was foreordained by God. This gospel makes me so happy and I don't know where I would be without it.

I would love it if some of you guys would email me individually. Feel free to ask me anything at all. Thank you to all who read this and to all those who have helped me become the person I am today

Love you guys,

Elder Scheidt (Scheidt Choro)

First Post!

Hello everyone! This is Meggie, Steven's sister! For the next 2 years, I will be posting on this blog all of the emails Steven sends and any pictures of his mission, usually every week. For the first 9 weeks, he will be in the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah where he will learn the language and how to teach the gospel. After those 9 weeks, will fly out to Sapporo where he will serve the people of Japan. He's so excited, and we are too! Thanks for all of the love and support you all have given Steven throughout his lifetime. He wouldn't be the man he is today without you!