So I want you guys to know what I went through today in order to get to the library to send you this email. First I will tell you a story of something that happened a couple weeks ago.
The P-day a couple weeks ago when we went back to Tigard to the mall there, while we were coming back we met a guy on the bus, and started talking with him about our church, and God. In the course of our discussion he mentioned how he had dreams that sometimes came true. He told us that he had a dream that the wind was really bad, to the point that it was blowing cars off of the ground. When we left him we were thinking he was a little crazy.
We woke up today to gray skies. Nothing unusual for Oregon. Then the wind started picking up. It has since been very windy, to the point that small branches have blown off and hit the side of the house. So when we left to bike to the library we were biking against the very strong wind. During the course of our travels a tree broke and covered the entire half of the road we were one, causing us to bike around it into the oncoming lane. Luckily for us there was only one car, and he was a long ways down the road.
Anyways the moral of this story is that I have had an interesting time geting to this library, and I hope that you are apreciative.
So this week has been a really great week. We did something that has never been done in this area, and I have never done before on my mission. We met the mission standard of excellence by teaching 20 lessons in a week. Not only that, but we taught 21. We also got free Thin Mints, which was a very welcome icing on the cake.
So Thursday, which is often on of our slowest days, as we stay inside for half of it planning for next week, we taught 6 lessons. It was a very impressive feat, and we both felt awesome. Of course we realize that it is not all us, and a majority of the credit really belongs to Him, but nonetheless it is a good feeling when you do that well. Pride comes naturally in such a situation.
Friday was also a great day. While we didn't teach six lessons, we were able to set a baptismal dat with one of our investigators. So I am happy to announce that we should be having a baptism on the 5th of May.
Sunday we had a really great Sacrament Meeting, and Priesthood. They talked about adversity and priesthood. I'll add more to that later. That night though we were able to have a lesson with a new investigator. He is dating a member in our ward, and has been coming to Church for the last several weeks. He says he want to be baptized, and he is excited to learn more. We hope to be able to set a date with him soon.
So in Church on Sunday they talked about adversity, and these ideas stuck in my mind.
The way we percieve adversity affects how we deal with it. If we see it as coming from a negative source, then we face it with a negetive attitude. If we see it as coming from a positive source, then we face it positively.
There are three ways adversity come into our lives:
1.As a result of our own agency.
2.As a result of the agency of others.
3.As a result of natural events that are beyond our control.
Sometimes we make decisions that bring adversity into our lives, and while we may not like what is happening, we need to remember that the situation is a direct consequence to our actions. We are free to choose, but not the consequence.
Sometimes the choices other make affect our lives. For example, in the case of an abusive relationship the victim does not choose to be abused, but the abuser does make that choice and it affects the victim just the same. We can't stop others from using their agency, but we can surround ourselves with those that use their agency to do good things.
Lastly some things are beyond any of our control. Things like natural disasters that affect our lives, that we can do nothing to stop. Sometimes bad things just happen. These time especially it is important to remember that all of our adversity will "give us experience and be for our good" D&C 122:7. Trials are part of the plan. We knew that we would face them when we accepted that plan. We should always remember that He is in control, and that if we turn to Him, we can conquer anything.
I know that to be true, and I know that as we focus our thoughts, actions on Christ that, even though trials will not alltogether disappear, we will be strengthened, and our burdens will become light. Alma 24:14-15.
Thats all for this week. As I am almost out of time, and my campanion is waiting for me. Love you guys, hope you are doing well.
Elder Schultz
PS. By the way guess what I had for dinner on Thursday. Cow tongue tacos, and they were way good. Authentic Mexican is the bomb!
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