More MTC experiences

So I know that pretty much every post I write is about the MTC in some way, but I just have the most incredible experiences there and I can't keep them to myself, so here is another one for you all to enjoy. I think the reason I have such amazing experiences there is because it is while teaching there that I am turning outward and serving and loving others unconditionally more than almost any other time or place. Anyway, now to the experience itself. I guess it was really the whole day a couple Fridays or so ago, and part of that Thursday as well, so I'll tell some funny things (funny to me at least haha) that happened over the course of those two days to provide some background, and then I'll share the best part last. So, the district I am teaching right now had only been in the MTC for about a week and a half at the time this all happened, which means they just finished teaching their first "investigator" and were beginning to prepare to teach both myself and my co-teacher as investigators. In order to make the experience even more real for them, we decided to try something a little different Thursday night during the class that was set apart for them to begin preparing to teach their new investigators. Typically I would just make a video introducing myself as their investigator that my co-teacher would share during her shift, but this time around I thought I would try going into class dressed in my street clothes and introduce myself as the investigator in person. It was awesome. First off, the look on their faces when 'Brother Mansfield' walked in wearing "normal clothes" was hilarious. The shock on their faces was so obvious I almost couldn't stay in character. My co-teacher explained to them (in English) that I was a referral from a local member, but that I didn't speak English and so would need to introduce myself in Tagalog, and she would translate if needed. She then turned to me and told me (again, in Tagalog so that it was more real) to tell them a little bit about myself. It was such a cool experience. As I introduced myself to them, even though they didn't understand everything at first, it was so apparent how hard they were trying and how important I was to them as an investigator. Anyway, the next day was the funny part. Somehow, they got the impression Thursday night that since they were going to teach me as an investigator, I wouldn't be their teacher anymore, so when they saw me the next day in my dress clothes and name tag, they all got really excited suddenly, exclaiming over and over again how mad they had been that I wasn't their teacher anymore (or so they thought). I learned yet again how much we can often influence those around us without even realizing just how much we are doing so, especially in my case as a teacher at the MTC. Even over the course of a few days and/or weeks, I somehow develop an incredibly powerful bond with, and a deep love for, the missionaries I teach. It's a lot like the experience that Dad and us older boys had as missionaries when we loved those we taught almost the instant (if not before) we met and taught them. It truly is a miracle. One that you will soon experience for yourself, Cherish Destiny! I am so excited for you! You will be amazing1 (Already are, actually, but will become even more so). :)