I look back at my last letter I wrote and I feel bad because I probably made it sound like the mission is the worst thing ever. Well don't worry, even though you will definitely have your hard weeks and companions, the lessons and teaching learned in those experiences bring the most joy and the most gratitude. Gratitude for the Lord and his mercy! His willingness to forgive and to bless you! For the rules and knowing that they are only there for your benefit. For the knowledge, strength, patience, love, the list goes on and on. This last week has yet again been really hard. But my whole mind set has changed and I realized that I was dwelling too much on the bad times and the problems that were going on such as: We still have no investigators to teach, the weather is HOT, appointments fell through, and investigators are being dropped.
I am now trying to focus on the good, and the miracles that are happening around us that we don't always pick up! Even in my journal, everyday I write three positive things that I learned or experiences that happened and I find myself noticing all the good that I am still doing!
For example: A woman in our ward that has been a member about 2 years. We love her dearly! Recently we found out that she has been having a really hard time. Her understanding of the gospel and all of the principles missionaries had taught her had been forgotten. She hasn't taken the sacrament for over 2 months now because she's always "LATE", and she doesn't read her scriptures very often. This is definitely a problem so we decided to re-teach her the lessons, and set her up with a Book of Mormon mentor. (Member who reads and discusses the BOM with them often to help them understand better) I was pondering and praying on who would be right for the job! After a few people came to mind, one specific name stuck. I was shocked and wondered if this was right because I'll be honest, we don't really have the best past. She almost got me emergency transferred for telling the bishop I was flirting with the young woman. BUT I WASNT DON'T WORRY! Anyway, I called her up that night and told her another member was coming to my mind for some reason. A week later she told me that she used to be her home teaching companion so they were really close. She went over to her house that night I called to receive a key and ended up discussing the BOM mentor. Finds out that this other member has been really struggling lately and this is exactly what she needed. What a miracle! The lord is merciful and blesses us with miracles each and everyday! we must only open our spiritual eyes and see them!
Elder Welsh and I get along fantastic. We have never gotten into a fight or even had an argument since being companions. We have an identical pasts, which is quite freaky, and so we understand life and each other in ways others don't. We have become really close in our experiences and are planning on going hunting when we get home ha ha. We both are now self conscious about our weight and so we are working out hard now with our bench and squat rack that we stole from some other Elders. Soon most likely we are going to steal a Bow flex from the YSA sisters ha ha I will send you picks. We are drinking protein again and eating a lot better. Planning on dropping 20 lbs in 2 weeks!
On the 4th of July I went to a members home that I have grown close with and had a mini firework show ha ha. Its nothing like home but I still had a great time. Monday night I also had my amazing uncle Brian and kids set me up for dinner! You should have seen my face as I though I was opening "Brother Jones" car door when I saw that it was Brian ha ha. I could not believe it!! He gave me good incites and a boost to keep pressing on in finding the people I promised to meet in the pre-existence! My family never fails to surprise me!
Love you all! Talk to you next week.
No comments:
Post a Comment