December 30th, 2017

I have about a week and a half left in the CCM (that's the Spanish abbreviation for MTC). It's been a really good experience. Over Christmas we got to hear Elder Neil A. Anderson speak. It's amazing to hear and be near an Apostle of the Lord. This week I tried to focus more on reading the Book of Mormon. I read in 2 Nephi 28 through about 2 Nephi 30 one day and that is some powerful stuff. It prophesies of the rejection the Book of Mormon and what the Church will face. The chapter is truly awesome and prophesies with exactness. Also, I encourage everyone to read Mosiah 4. It is about King Benjamin and it is AWESOME. My personal favorite chapter. Our TRC (that man we are teaching in Spanish), Rolando, has accepted the invitation to be baptized on the 20th of January. It was kind of difficult because when we asked him he said he wanted to be more prepared, but I had the prompting to ask again. I asked if he would be ready to be baptized January 20th and he thought about it and accepted. Always follow those promptings. 

My Spanish has improved a ton this week. We get to speak with the native speaking missionaries every once in a while and they help me a ton. This week I've been pretty fired up and motivated to learn. Also I'm still going on the whole cereal thing. Mostly Cap'n Crunch. 

This week I realized that I am on a mission and am possibly fulfilling covenants/promises I have made with people I knew in the life before this. I have been striving to be more obedient and patient this week and with the help of the Lord, I have, I hope, become way more patient and obedient. 

I love you guys and pray for you always. 

Elder Ogden  

Me with my Spanish speaking district on Christmas Eve Day

 Do you see how many fingers we are holding up? Yeah, that is how many bowls of cereal we ate that day. Gotta put on a little weight before we hit the cold of Missouri.