Hello everyone! Things are going well. Valentines' week was super successful -- we found three new investigators! Sister K. and I are working very hard. Our quest for obedience is bringing a lot of blessings. "Sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven!" Missions were never meant to be easy -- that's why they're awesome.
R is at a bit of a standstill. She is frustrated that she hasn't received her answer about the Book of Mormon yet, so she has emotionally and mentally pushed away. Sister K. and I told her that if she wanted an answer, she was going to have to sacrifice. She hasn't been reading the Book of Mormon or coming to church, so she can't expect an answer. Missions are basically Parenting 101. You love these people so much and want to help them, but they refuse to accept your help or do the things that are required. You want to take their face in your hands and put your face really close to theirs, and explain how important and wonderful the gospel is! I can imagine that parenting is very similar. Love you Mom & Dad!
We spoke in sacrament yesterday, which was really cool. I like being oober prepared for sacrament talks -- well, not in the life of a missionary! We only had 10 minutes or so to prepare. I was super nervous but the Spirit helped me get through. I spoke about President Uchtdorf's talk "Forget Me Not" from the general RS meeting last conference. Every time he said "the gospel", I changed it to "missionary work." So it sounded like this:
"Sometimes in the routine of our lives, we unintentionally overlook a vital aspect of missionary work. In our diligent efforts to fulfill all the duties and obligations we take on as members of the Church, we sometimes see missionary work as a long list of tasks that we must add to our already impossibly long to-do list, as a block of time that we must somehow fit into our busy schedules. We focus on what missionary work is and how we might do it, but we sometimes forget why.
"My dear brothers and sisters, while understanding the "what" and "how" of missionary work is necessary, the eternal fire and majesty of missionary work springs from the "why." When we remember why we commit to making it a foundational part of our lives, missionary work ceases to become a burden and, instead, becomes a joy and a delight. It becomes precious and sweet."
"Let us not walk the path of discipleship with our eyes on the ground, thinking only of the tasks and obligations before us. Let us not walk unaware of the beauty of the glorious earthly and spiritual landscapes that surround us. My dear brothers and sisters, seek out the majesty, the beauty, and the exhilarating joy of the "why" of missionary work."
The Spirit was physically tangible -- it was so cool! One of the coolest experiences ever. I was exhausted afterward, but being a conduit for the Spirit was totally worth it. Later that day we had a missionary fireside where the youth asked questions to a panel; we were part of the panel. That was exciting! It was definitely a busy day!
Sister K. and I discover every day just how much we are the same person. Seriously, though -- it's crazy. Recently we found out (don't ask how) that we both loved Barney when we were young. Hence the subject line!
No comments:
Post a Comment