So I thought that I would just let you all know how my week went. It was pretty eventful and thought that you might like to hear it.
Monday-PDay. Oh yeah. I did basically nothing besides clean the apartment and write you all! I considered it a success. But in the night we went out tracting in another area in our Zone, all of the elders from the zone went to work in one area to look for families to baptize. I found two families really quick, talked to them for a little bit, and then put another appointment with them. After that we started walking around looking for other families to teach and we stumbled upon the Evangelical mother of a recent convert. She started talking to me about why I shouldn't go contacting around her house and why she doesn't like the church. The more I talked with her I felt more love and more concern for her and how she viewed the church and more specifically temple work. I asked her a question about the vicarious work for the dead and its reference in Corinthians. I asked this woman, "Did Jehova command us to not worship other Gods before Him? Are you keeping that commandment? Did Jesus Christ command us to redeem the dead? Are you keeping that commandment?" She just stared at me and responded, "I have no answer to that." So I said that if the Lord asks us to do something, we should do it, no matter what it is or if we understand it or not. She then explained to me that no other missionary that had ever been to her house had talked to her like and equal, nor had they explained things to her the way I had. I was very grateful for that experience, it helped me to feel the Spirit so much, as everything I said was what He wanted me to say.
Tuesday I had district meeting and we discussed a few things, but what I remember most is how we all learn together by the expeiences that we share and the stories we tell one another. I like to take the time to discuss a principle and then ask for stories/experiences that other missionaries have had, then we discuss how we can apply those examples to our own lives and our missionary work. Then I went on divisions with some members of my district to get to know some of their baptismal possibilities. Their possibility fell through the cracks because of something silly, so I went to talk to her and see if she would still get baptized this last week. She couldn't, so I went to go visit another...and he didn't want to get baptized this week either. So, I was super depressed and then I had to sleep in another Elder's aparment because we worked too late, and in the morning I found out that my comp was sick. I had to take care of him and lost so much time, so I called the Zone Leaders and asked them to help me get some stuff done, and we got everything done that I needed to get done. I was amazed, but the Lord blessed me so much.
Thurday we planned an entire wedding while I went to go help out another Elder in my district, and then it all fell through. This one girl I'ce been trying to baptize for almost a month now and she is fine until we get to the date of the wedding and then the world seems to blow up. This week I'm going to talk to her and her man and see what we can do to make sure that everything is fine between them and how I can help them to get married with as little problems as possible.
Friday was super stressful and I don't really remember what happened, all I remember is that I found a new family to teach and they are super receptive, they are so golden. Saturday I helped out with an emergency wedding for another companionship, and that chewed up part of my day. Sunday was chaotic as well, but I LOVED the devotional. They spoke pure, simple truths that a lot of us need to remember about Christmas time and what we need to be focusing on during this season.
This week has been so busy, but I have loved it. I love all of the experiences that I am being blessed with (the tough and easy ones). I love that I can see my progress and my growth as I go back and read my journal and reflect on my previous experiences.
I love all of you so much and hope that you know that I am greateful for you love, prayes, thoughts, email and stories. I am grateful to have you all in my life.
Love, Elder B
