it always seems so easy to write these letters, because even though the week may seem slow there is always things happening that help you to progress. I find that there is almost not enough time to write everything that I do, and I don't even write everything that happened. This week was really good. We started off by teaching a FHE lesson to the Lalliss family on obedience. The parents speciffically requested that one, and they even helped to teach it. We gave each of the kids a specific commitment on what they can do to help make their home a happier place by obedience. It was really cool to be able to bring the Spirit into that home, by teaching the Gospel. While the mother reported that they didn't make it through the whole week, they did make it longer than they have in the past.
Tuesday we had the best district meeting ever. The zone leaders asked specifically if they could do the training, and I agreed. They trained us on goals and accountablility. It was just the thing that I needed to hear. The planning, and goal settings are seen in a different light, and the accountablility has really helped. One of the things I started to do was to use my journal to account for all of the days activities, doing this has helped me to be diligent in keeping my journal. And also, every night I have been saying a vocal prayer, and giving an accounting of my day to the Lord. I have seen a difference already. I don't want to write down, or tell about anything that wasn't what it should have been, so I have done a much better job at doing all that I can to help others, and further the work. We were able to have our lesson with Liz, and sister Haws, which went well, we invited both to read and pray about the Book of Mormon. Liz wouldn't. She said that she knew Catholicism is true, and she doesn't need to, and to do so would be against her religion.
Wednesday our miracle was our lesson with Don. It was a really good lesson, we asked him what he wants in life, and he replied peace. We had taught the Seminary that morning on how to find peace in a troubled world, so the topic was fresh on our minds, and we knew that the only way to have peace is to live righteously. We invited him to be baptized, and he said he would, if he could quit smoking. He has alreaady done so once, but he doesn't think that he can do it again. We told him about the Atonement, and how Christ knows what he is going through, and how to help him. The Spirit was there, and it was really cool to see. Hopefully we will be able to continue to have experiences like that with him. Also I was studying on the Fall in order to answer some of Sam B's questions, and what I learned is that I don't teach that very well. Heavenly Father set up conditions so that the Fall could occur through the use of Agency. He did not cause it, or he would be an author of sin, and cease to be God, but he knew that it would happen, so he planned for it to happen in his favor. In our lesson that evening I was able to explain that in a way that he understood. We also finished the rest of the Plan of Salvation, and that brought up a whole bunch of other concerns. Including the necessity for baptism, the kingdoms of glory, and missionary work in the spirit world. One step forward three steps back with him.
Thursday we had a good planning session, and we were able to set our baptism goals according to Elder Grow, adapted by Elder Buhler. We also tracted for the first time since I've been in this area. We were able to give out one passalong card, thats it, but we will continue to work. We are going to start small and tract on half hour each day. One other thing that is learned was this: You can't have redemptive work done without work done on both sides of the veil-teaching in spirit world, temple work on earth. The same is true with missionary work. Missionary work doesn't work, unless there is work on both sides-the members, and the missionaries. Also a cool quote "You become what you want to become by consistantly being what you want to be."
Friday we were able to meet Kelly D for the first time. She was really nice, and happy to see us, and she invited us back. She is the mother of a less active family, and she has been brought up a few times for us to go see, and we were finally able to. We were also able to do more tracting, no luck this time.
Saturday we were able to see sister Haws without Liz this time. She said that she would really like lessons of her own, and we agreed. she has a new desire to find out whether or not this is true. We are going to teach her all of the lessons, and then help her deepen her understanding by going more in depth one topic at a time. We were able also to see the Walkers, and she has been flying through the D&C, whether she is getting anything out of it I'm not sure. Everytime we ask her what she thinks about scripture she just says "it just reinforces".
Tuesday we had the best district meeting ever. The zone leaders asked specifically if they could do the training, and I agreed. They trained us on goals and accountablility. It was just the thing that I needed to hear. The planning, and goal settings are seen in a different light, and the accountablility has really helped. One of the things I started to do was to use my journal to account for all of the days activities, doing this has helped me to be diligent in keeping my journal. And also, every night I have been saying a vocal prayer, and giving an accounting of my day to the Lord. I have seen a difference already. I don't want to write down, or tell about anything that wasn't what it should have been, so I have done a much better job at doing all that I can to help others, and further the work. We were able to have our lesson with Liz, and sister Haws, which went well, we invited both to read and pray about the Book of Mormon. Liz wouldn't. She said that she knew Catholicism is true, and she doesn't need to, and to do so would be against her religion.
Wednesday our miracle was our lesson with Don. It was a really good lesson, we asked him what he wants in life, and he replied peace. We had taught the Seminary that morning on how to find peace in a troubled world, so the topic was fresh on our minds, and we knew that the only way to have peace is to live righteously. We invited him to be baptized, and he said he would, if he could quit smoking. He has alreaady done so once, but he doesn't think that he can do it again. We told him about the Atonement, and how Christ knows what he is going through, and how to help him. The Spirit was there, and it was really cool to see. Hopefully we will be able to continue to have experiences like that with him. Also I was studying on the Fall in order to answer some of Sam B's questions, and what I learned is that I don't teach that very well. Heavenly Father set up conditions so that the Fall could occur through the use of Agency. He did not cause it, or he would be an author of sin, and cease to be God, but he knew that it would happen, so he planned for it to happen in his favor. In our lesson that evening I was able to explain that in a way that he understood. We also finished the rest of the Plan of Salvation, and that brought up a whole bunch of other concerns. Including the necessity for baptism, the kingdoms of glory, and missionary work in the spirit world. One step forward three steps back with him.
Thursday we had a good planning session, and we were able to set our baptism goals according to Elder Grow, adapted by Elder Buhler. We also tracted for the first time since I've been in this area. We were able to give out one passalong card, thats it, but we will continue to work. We are going to start small and tract on half hour each day. One other thing that is learned was this: You can't have redemptive work done without work done on both sides of the veil-teaching in spirit world, temple work on earth. The same is true with missionary work. Missionary work doesn't work, unless there is work on both sides-the members, and the missionaries. Also a cool quote "You become what you want to become by consistantly being what you want to be."
Friday we were able to meet Kelly D for the first time. She was really nice, and happy to see us, and she invited us back. She is the mother of a less active family, and she has been brought up a few times for us to go see, and we were finally able to. We were also able to do more tracting, no luck this time.
Saturday we were able to see sister Haws without Liz this time. She said that she would really like lessons of her own, and we agreed. she has a new desire to find out whether or not this is true. We are going to teach her all of the lessons, and then help her deepen her understanding by going more in depth one topic at a time. We were able also to see the Walkers, and she has been flying through the D&C, whether she is getting anything out of it I'm not sure. Everytime we ask her what she thinks about scripture she just says "it just reinforces".
Sunday was weird. It was fast sunday, but I didn't even get to do a full fast, because we still had lunch with the Dodges at noon. I'm going to do another fast on Wednesday, so that I can have a whole one. I also left church right after the sacrament was passed to go with the Elders Holland and Pihno to SPC. Elder Mohler stayed with Ethan G. Spc was good, I enjoyed seeing President Ward again, I will miss him as well when the mission splits. We were able to discuss the strengths and the weaknesses of the wards, and what we could do to help. One thing that I liked was something that the Silverton sisters have been doing. They have been teaching active families through the ward mission process as well, so less active members don't feel singled out, and also it gives the members a way to invite others, by being able to share what their experience was, and even inviting them to their home. I want to see if we can implement that more in this ward. It will help build ward trust, and get the work moving.
Elder Mohler and I are getting along great. Its always nice when you are able to have fun with your companion, and to still get work done. We are also working on improving,and there is a lot of work, but we'll get there.
I sent a tote home. The Blacks from Hillsboro came and picked it up for me. They are going to be driving down to Utah for a wedding on the 4th, and said that they would probably drop it by on the 5th. I gave them the house phone, and mom's phone, so that they can call, and see when you will be home to receive it. It just a few things that I want to keep, but that I won't have room to fit in my suitcases. Time seems to be going way to fast, I want to stay out longer, would you hate me if I extended?
Love Elder Schultz
No comments:
Post a Comment