What a great end to the transfer! This has been one of my favorite transfers thus far on my mission, not only are we teaching a bunch, but we are being obedient, and we are loving each other and the work. Elder C is such an awesome guy. During this past week or so I have been letting him take the lead during some of the lessons. He has really stepped up to the plate, and he does such a great job at teaching. He is heartfelt, and simple in his explainations. When he bears testimony, you know that he knows. It is great to be able to see, and to try and learn a little more from him.
So you know that saying, "use it or lose it"? Well that saying is true. Yesterday during our fast and testimony meeting we had the privledge of bearing our testimonies. As I spoke I again felt the confirming witness of the Spirit that what I was saying was true. I found myself stopping to listen to the words that I were speaking, and they took on a new meaning. I don't remember what I said, but I do remember what I felt, and it was a feeling that I would like to have more often. I know what I can do to have it more, and my goal for this transfer is to do it. I've written down a few steps to help me.
One of those steps is study. Someone in one of our wards yesterday said something about the study of scriptures, and how it should be more than just reading, and how we need to dig in their and feast! He recommended that as we read we ask ourselves the question "what does this have to do with me? Why did the prophet decide to include this?" As we look for the deeper meaning, we will start to find them. As we figure out why it is important to our life, it will become easier to apply because it has relevance. Study is one of those things that kind of goes up and down with me, sometimes it is more fruitful that others.
The work here is still going great. We can still see the Lord's hand directing the work her, especially in the Rock Creek ward. T D, our micacle, is progressing well. She has already cut her smoking in half, and is working hard to get off completely. We should see her on Tuesday. Our ward mission leader, however, didn't want to put her on the progress record Saturday night. He didn't feel that she was to the point of investigating yet, even though we had taught four lessons and set a baptismal date. When she came to church yesterday I think he changed his mind. I don't think he fully understands what the progress record is, he won't include less-active members on there, and he has a hard time taking people off when we are done working with them.
S is still doing great, and her less-active husband is progressing as well. He has been helping us to direct, and teach the lessons, and helping his wife to understand. After the lesson we were talking with him, and he said that what we were doing was great, and that he felt that he was getting in the way of her baptism. He finally said what we have believed from the beginning. I think he is starting to see the Lord bless him, and he puts forth his effort, and he sees her desires to follow Christ, and knows that she doesn't want to do this without him. We are going to try and get him to baptize her when he is ready. That would be a special moment for them.
Friday I had a great exchange with Elder B(he is from Japan) We had a fun day tracting, and biking in the first real rain of the winter. By the time we got home the rain had soaked through my waterproof shoes, my waterproof backpack, my gloves, and almost penetrated my waterproof jacket. It was a crazy day, it rained hard all day long. Oh, the joys of being in Oregon, on a bike, during winter.
I haven't been able to write A yet, but I am planning on doing that this week. I'm glad that you are enjoying Astro-Camp mom, that was one of my favorite fieldtrips when I was in school, I'm glad that you have the opportunity to make it a great experience for those who are going there now. I am confident that things will work out sooner or later, the Lord always takes care of his own. There are several promises made in the Doctrine and Covenants that also promise blessings for the service of loved ones. As I serve out here, you will be blessed. God does not lie.
It was neat this week to see some of the members who have been waiting to go now have the opportunity to leave now. One girl was worried about it now, because it was real now. She said that she wasn't sure if she could do it, because she doesn't know everything. We may not know everything, but we know that God lives, and that the Gospel is true, and thats enough. As we trust Him, he will help us, and fulfil the promise that we "will not be confounded before men". We don't have to know all of the details, or be an expert in doctrine. All you need is a testimony, and to be converted enough to share it, then you can be one of the "weak and the simple" that God has called to share His word. I hope we will all be able to be a missionary no matter what circumstance we may be in.
Love Elder Schultz
Also I am looking forward to another transfer with Elder C, he is such a great missionary, I love working with him.
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