Another Day in Paradise

Seriously? I've been out a month?! This doesn't seem accurate. I really still feel like I just got here yesterday! It's so crazy to look back and see all the things I have done in just a few short weeks. All the Korean speakers are in the same zone, divided into Senior Missionaries (those who came to the MTC the rotation before us) and us Junior Missionaries. I know I mentioned this in my last post, but the Senior Missionaries are leaving on Monday! TO KOREA!! Then we will be the Senior Missionaries! Before you know it, I will be in Korea too! :) :)
I felt like I was hitting a roadblock with the language a lot this past week. I wouldn't understand new concepts taught in class, I would struggle preparing my lessons, and when I tried to speak Korean, I couldn't form intelligible sentences. I felt like I had not only stopped progressing, but I had started backtracking as well. Needless to say, there were lots of prayers sent skyward in regards to my struggle. A few days later, my answer was given as to why I was struggling. We had a combined district meeting where we talked about goals for learning the language and how to be more effective. While you'd think that the lesson alone might have been what resonated with me, it wasn't. During the discussion I had the story of Matthew 14 come to my mind where Christ walks on water and Peter goes out to meet him. He walked on water for a bit, but when he started thinking too much about the reality of his situation and replaced his faith with doubt, he started sinking. It was the same with me, I had been doing well with the language, but then I started doubting I could learn it well enough to be functional before I left the MTC. I stopped having faith and as a result, I stopped progressing. I came to realize that as long as I did my part, the Lord would help me progress to exactly where I needed to be before I leave. It was a really good wake up call for me.
Also, this past week we went to what's called TRC, or teaching resource center. Basically, it's where we go teach actual Korean speakers, no role play at all. We taught two natives back to back, and let me just say, I LOVE KOREAN PEOPLE. Even though I only talked to 2 Koreans, I have developed an amazing excitement to go to Korea and talk to every single Korean in my mission. That's my new goal!
I really wish there were more exciting details I could share with you, but as I have said before, it's always business as usual here at the MTC.
I love you all and appreciate hearing from so many of you! Keep the faith :)
Love,
Elder Jakob Tyler Fund
Also, I will try to put up some pictures a little bit later today, so stay tuned!

NOTICE: This email message is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy all copies of the original message.