Its crazy to think that week five is already over. It seems that the more we are doing the faster time goes, which is a good thing I guess, but sometimes I wish that it would slow down just a little bit. Our Monday morning put us off to a good start, we met with Sam B, and read a couple chapters in the Book of Mormon with him, and we also saw the Lalliss family. It is a lot more of the same with them, though there is gradual hints of progress.
Tuesday we had a really good district meeting, where we were trained on teaching the MIT. It really kind of clicked in my head the importance of that, because if you don't have the Atonement, then you don't have the Gospel, the Plan of Salvation doesn't work, and there would be no need of a restoration, and no motivation to keep the commandments. Truly the Atonement is cetral to everything. I have tried hard this week to try and apply the Atonement more fully in my life, and I have seen a big difference. I started going through the Addiction Recovery book during my studies, and it has helped me a lot to understand what I can do to overcome weaknesses, and to use the Atonement. The way it is set up has really helped me realize a few things. One of which is that set backs are ok. When you first do something you are never perfect, you have to keep practicing and practicing, until you improve, and become perfect. Life is nothing more than practicing for eternal life. We are not perfect, but we need to keep practicing until we are. A while ago I was studying virtue in PMG, and to be honest I didn't find most of the scripture very helpful, because they just told you to be virtuous. I knew I needed to do that, but how was my question. This week I found the answer. I must "practice virtue"(D&C 38:24) until I become perfect at it. This changed my perspective my reassuring me that I don't have to be perfect all at once as long as I am still practicing.
Wednesday we were able to break new ground with one of our investigators. She is an elderly woman named Iris S, and she has told us that she doesn't want to be mormon, but she loves us coming by. On Wednesday we committed her to read the Book of Mormon, and she said that she would, and that she was really excited to do it. It was a big step for her. Also we went out with our WML, and visited a couple less active families, one we set up a return, and the second we taught a lesson, and Brother Gleason invited him to be taught the lessons by us. It was really cool to see it flow like that. Thats how the ward mission process should work; the member invites.
Thursday night we did splits; Elder Mohler went out with President Nelson, and I went out with one of our priests. They went and saw Sam Bible, and from all reports it was a really good, Spirit filled lesson. Sam seems like he may be coming around. I went and saw the Sharrows, we were able to watch some of the Bible Videos, and talk about Christ's Ministry. There are some really powerful videos there.
Friday we were able to see the Duffels again, and we set up to come back and do service this week. We also stopped by and saw the Taylors, and were able to give all three of them blessings, I love giving blessings, it is always a testimony to me of the reality of the priesthood. We had our coordination that night, and were able to work out another night to do splits with Brother Gleason for this week.
Saturday I was on exchange with Elder Buhler, and in the morning we had Elder Petersen with us while his companion Elder Thomas took the ACT. We did service with the Sharrows, helping them to clean out their garage. After we reunited Elder Petersen with his companion we went and had lunch with Brian and Asia. We tracted into Brian on Tuesday, and he invited us back. We tried to do service, but he wouldn't let us. Instead we had lunch, and then talked about what we do as missionaries, and answered a few of their questions. They are a really cool couple, and they told us to stop back anytime, so we will. That night we were also able to see the Walkers, and we had a great lesson on Jesus Christ. It is always cool to take time and just talk about the Savior, because He truly is incredible. I can hardly fathom sometimes what He did, but I know He did it.
Sunday I was able to speak in church. I didn't preapare anything, as I usually don't, but I felt inspired to talk about humility. As I was listening to the sacrament hymn "Thy will, O' Lord, be done" the Spirit testified to be that that was indeed true. A sweet reassurance that this is right. I started my talk with that, and then related the scriptures in Alma 32 about being blessed by being compelled to be humble, and being more blessed by humbling yourself. I then shared my own experience with being compelled rather that willfully humbling myself. I got a lot of compliments on my talk. I also saw Rachel L from Fanno Creek ward there, and it was cool to see a familiar face from a past area. We also attended the EQ presidency meeting, and instructed them on how the focus five should work, and we helped them to get it started by talking the three names that they had on their list, and making assignments to invite them to be taught. We are planning on doing this same thing with all of the other quorum and auxillary leaders.
That is a nutshell of the week. It was a good one, and it has gone by fast. I am excited to see what happens with transfers this week, as well as our Mission Tour on Friday. It should be a week full of the Spirit.
Love Elder Schultz
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