This week had a lot of exciting things in it. Monday night we went over to the Walkers to do some service, and we got there just too late, and they had already done what they wanted us to do. They knew we were coming, but didn't want to wait. Their daughter was moving back in, because she is getting a divorce. We were able to talk with her for a little bit, and it was good exposure fot her. She is a member of the church, but has been attending a different church with her soon to be ex husband. She is not to keen on the church right now, but she seems to like us, and we will hopefully be able to help her as she goes through this trial in her life.
Tuesday night we had our weekly splits with ward members, I went out with our EQP, and we say the Barnetts. We spent some time getting to know them, and then to involve the kids a little more we played the "Restoration game". That is where you have everyone draw a picture of something, and then you pass it, and the next person interprets the picture with a sentence, and covers the picture. THen you pass again, and draw a picture from the sentence. By the end of the game the picture is completely different. We used it to teach the apostasty, and the need for the restoration. We bore testimony of the restoration, and how each of us are able to know for ourselves.
Wednesday's zone conference was great. I have a bunch of notes from things I thought or felt during the meeting. One thought I had, and I'm not sure if it was spoken or not, but its that true repentance doesn't happen until you disregard all worldy reputation or appearance, and accept the consequences, and steps of restitution. You must forsake all of the world, and follow guidance from above. When you do this, repent regardless of worldy consequence, then you have the Atonement take power in your life, and you can feel the power of redemption. It was Elder McMullin's birthday as well, and we had bought a pinyata, and broke it open before the meeting. We also got him a birthday card. It was actually a fathers day card, but we edited it to make it work. It had a man in a shirt and tie, that when you pulled a tab turned into superman. We used a sharpie to color over the man, and make him a missionary. It fit perfectly with our district meeting from last week with being a hero for Christ.
Thursday we met with Don D, we started teaching him the plan of salvation, and he had a lot of different ideas of how it was. We tried to correct him, but I'm not sure if we got through. He doesn't have a very strong foundation, so we are going to focus our next lesson with him on the basics. We also met with Damin, he told us that there was no point in meeting with us, because he is not going to join our church, and he doesn't see any difference. The Bible is the authority, and you don't need anything more. He is curious to see, but he has no real intent. I asked him if he was willing to forsake the world to follow Him, and he said no, he lives in the world. My heart sank. You will never know if you are not willing to follow.We bore testimony, and told him we were always there, and he is always welcome. I am sad to drop him as an investigator,but I feel good about how our last lesson turned out.
Friday we moved into out new apartment, We are short a desk, and our washer and dryer aren't there yet, but it was ready, so we did it. We have it all set up, and it has been nice to be in the ward, and close to people. We fit all of our luggage, food, and desk supplies in the back of our Toyota Corolla. The only things that didn't fit was a dresser, and our whiteboard.
Saturday morning started out fine, but turned out a little different than expected. I was cutting a piece of cardboard to line the drawer under the over, and I cut my thumb open. It didn't bleed right away, so I was able to see how deep it was. I probably got a good quarter inch slice. I washed it out, put antibiotic on it, and put gauze over it, and wrapped it up and drove to Newberg for urgent care. They put three stitches it it. I have to keep it covered, but I can use it fine. We went to the funeral of the Yamhill police chief, that was a good thing, lots of people from the city were there, and a lot of nonmembers. It was an interesting experience for me as well, it was the first nonmormon funeral I have been too. No one was dressed up, they were in t-shirts and shorts. It was a constant dron of remember what he did, because this life is it. Mormon funerals are much better. People dress up to show respect, the talks are uplifting and hopeful, and the Spirit is there. It was another testimony to me of the Plan of Salvation. Also I had this thought during one of the talks. They were speaking about living in memory of the deceased. I thought about how people will remember their deceased loved ones, and live in memory of them, but not very many remember Christ, and live in memory of Him. That is what you are supposed to do, the sacrament reminds us of that weekly, but do we really live in His memory?
Our ward council on Sunday we spent the whole time talking about how to accomplish the vision of spliting the ward. It was very productive. New ward missionaries were called. Good things are happening. I am excited to see how things unfold.
Thats all that I have time for, that you for all that you do. Love you.
Elder Schultz
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