Well, lets start off right at the beginning of this week, Monday morning we were playing soccer with the Spanich Elders, and I smashed my toe, the same one as I smashed last time. It was pretty painful, but it went away, and I was able to walk until my doctors appoinment Thursday. I also had my interviews with Sister Samuelian and President Samuelian. I feel that I was holding back a little, and I don't know why. I know that I am supposed to be here in this mission under his leadership, but I guess I was still holding on to President Morby. I have been thinking about that a lot this week, and have made it a goal to be more open and free with my comments, and feelings. In our interview he asked me to write about some of the things that I learned later in my mission that I wished I had learned from the start. One of those things was obedience, and obedience to the morning schedule in particular. Morning excercise, and diligent study really does make such a difference. It changes the amount of the Spirit that you have, and it changes your attitude. I found that whenever I was obedient to the schedule I was happier, that is a lesson that was slowly learned, and still not 100%, but I work on improving daily.
Tuesday we have an exciting miracle to share. Elder Porter, and Elder Lima called us, and asked if we would like to blitz with them, and we said yes. As Elder Mohler and myself prayed about where to go we both chose intersecting streets, so there we went. As we were traveling there the Spanish Elders told us it wasn't in there area, but since it was where the Lord wanted us to go, we went anyway. We tracted in opposite directions, and knocked on all of the doors on the two neighboring streets. When we were about done, we were finishing up the street that I had chosen, and we saw Elders Lima and Mohler walking towards us. We talked with them about how it had gone, and then asked if they had knocked on the corner house, they hadn't, so Elder Porter and I went for it. A young woman answered and agreed to hear our message, we shared about our Father in Heaven, how he loves us and has called prophets in every age, and how he has done so again today and we can know for ourselves. She accepted a copy of the Book of Mormon, and invited us back. Her house was on the corner of the two streets that we had picked, and it was the last house we knocked on. We had indeed been guided by the Lord.
Wednesday our big highlight was our lesson with sister Haws, we talked with her about charity, and that was a topic that she didn't grasp, and didn't think that she could ever have the kind of love that we were describing. We talked about the Atonement of Christ, how it was the ultimate act of charity, and invited her to use it in her life. She asked how she could know how, and I told her to study the scriptures. Everything we need to know is in the scriptures. Her response to that was that all she needed to do was to accept Christ, and the Holy Spirit. It was a very born-again Christian response. The topic then turned to if you accept him, then you follow him. I found a scripture this week that backs up the need for following his teachings, its Colossians 2:6
6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:
If we accept Christ we will do what he asks.
Thursday morning we went to the doctor to get my toe taken care of, and it turned out to be a lot worse than they thought. The doctor started to cut away the nail, and realized that it had ripped up the nailbed and wasnt detached. He was worried that it night have exposed the bone( that was not the case), and had to numb my toe, and take it off that way. The swelling was so bad, and the pain so bad that I couldn't put on a shoe or walk on it, and I was on crutches until Saturday. That was not the most enjoyable time, but we were still able to work, and now I can walk on it fine. Its still tender, but its managable.
Friday our zone meeting was a powerful experience for me. Talking about culture, and living the higher law( obedience with a purpose) really struck me. In the OPM we were focused on obedience, but it was just exact obedience, and there didn't seem to be as much of a purpose. Also we were focused on baptisms, not on changing ourselves. I like the new focus, and while the old was good, I know that for me this culture, and vision will help me to change my life. We went and buried our fears as well, which was also a good chance to really ponder what I was afraid of. They all seem like such unsignificant things, but they stop your faith. I hope that I will truly be able to bury my fears, and keep them there.
Saturday I conducted an exchange with the Woodburn 2nd Elders. I was with Elder Hayden. I really felt overall that I made a difference for him, and was able to teach him a lot. I looked back on the exchanges that had meant a lot to me, and I felt that I had done for him what those Elders had done for me. Elder Hayden is a good planner, and a great teacher. He really knows the doctrine, and cares for the people. In one of our lessons we had planned to teach lesson 3, but the Spirit guided us otherwise, and we both taught on the same page, despite the change in plan. he did a good job in following the inspiration received. Also that night we were able to sit down and teach a new investigator. We taught simply and powerfully the message of the restoration. At the end of the lesson we were able to help him see that the Spirit was there, and that that was what he needed to seek out. He was very prepared to receive us, and I am sure he will be baptized. As we ended the exchange I talked with Elder Hayden about what he learned, and about what the most difficult thing about being a missionary was for him. He said loving his companion was hard, so I shared with him something that helped me to love my companions. That is to write down something good about them each day, when you focus on the good, you will grow to appreciate them, and forgive their faults. Also he was worried about teaching with the Spirit, because he can't always recognize it. I shared a scripture in D&C 11 that says to " put your trust in that Spirit that leadeth to do good." The basic thing is if it invites to do good it is the Spirit. So if your teaching is inviting to do good, and you are learning new truths, and they are learning new truths, then the Spirit is there, even if it doesn't seem overwhelming to you.
i met your friend on Sunday, and yes she took a picture of Elder Mohler and myself. It is a small world isn't it? I'm not sure when I will find out whether or not I get to extend for sure or not. I asked President about it in my email. I imagine by the end of this week I'll know. Transfers is on Monday, Elder Mohler may be leaving, but we'll find out.
Love Elder Schultz
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