This week has been awesome. We have had a bunch of success, even with lots of disappointments. Our week started like normal, with nothing really to report on until our lesson Tuesday with sister Kaufman(although I did smother a mouse in a glue-trap on Monday). The lesson with sister Kaufman was good, we talked about scripture study and prayer. Two things that are so little that we seem to overlook, but no matter how small, they make the biggest difference sometimes. That night I went with Jerri B to see Dirk M and his wife. We talked with them for a while, and I was able to share with her about missionary service, and our purpose as missionaries. She accepted the invitation to take the lessons, but she wants to wait until after she has the baby on the 28th. Understandable I think. Brother B also taught her a little about eternal families. She is eager to learn, and I can see her progressing well.
Wednesday we helped Dirk out with some yardwork, mostly pulling weeds, but I did get on his roof and clean out his gutters. That night, we had our first lesson with Joey, and it was awesome! She is so ready to hear the gospel. She talked about how when she came to church for the first time she felt like she needed to be there. She is really anxious to learn, and when we talked to her at church on Sunday she had read in the Book of Mormon already. Our lessons that night was just her, and her boyfriend Daniel, who is a less active member, but this week we hope to be able to involve the rest of her six kids.
Thursday was depressing. We spent the whole day in Lafayette, and all of our plans went through, so we turned to the ward list to start visiting everybody. We went through every member in Lafayette, and didn't talk to anyone. We had our dinner at 5, and from that point on it was a little better, but it was a hard day.
Friday we had a temple trip, and it was amazing. I love the new video. I learned so much from being in there. It was a great time to relax, and ponder. Elder Sykosky hasn't been through the temple, due to his trial mission, and so he waited in the car with our member for three hours. He has a lot of strange circumstances regarding his mission.
Saturday we started the day with service, pulling out blackberries from the Elementary school, then we had our district meeting. As part of that we talked about using our strengths to share the gospel, and we watched the video of Elder Kane, who is in our district. I don't know if you have seen it or not, but it is worth looking up I think. If you search for McMinnville Farmers Market, and look for mormon missionary beatboxing you should be able to find it. We had a stake BBQ that night, and he performed for us there. I have never heard so many noises coming out of someones face at once. Its crazy.
Sunday we reviewed our ward goals for September, we didn't reach a lot of the goals, but we have improved a lot. It is really cool to see. Sacrament was awesome, I got to speak, which I love doing. We had two youth speakers, a rest hymn, and my companion go before me, and I was left with 20-25 minutes. I was super happy. I spoke about redemption. I can't share all of it, because I don't write things down, but the just of it I can share.
I asked everyone to picture themselves in chains, sitting alone in a damp dark cell. There is no way for you to escape. You feel hopeless. Then someone comes to you, and sets you free, inviting you to follow him, and come into the light beyond the open door. What do you do? Do you follow him, or do you put the chains back on. In regards to redemption that is exactly how it is in a spiritual sense. We are all in spiritual bondage due to our fallen state. Because of Christ and the Atonement, everyone on earth is set free from this spiritual bondage, which includes all of the effects of the fall. Everyone is resurrected, and everyone is brought back into the presence of the Father to be judged. The second part of Christ's redemption for us is our individual sins. He asks us to redeem ourselves by following Him. If we do so, we are set free. If we do not, then we are in essence putting the chains back on. When you think of it like that the choice is easy, but often times we don't make the correct choice. I talked about how the Gospel is how we redeem ourselves, and how missionary work is how we redeem others. I also talked to those who think that the are "too far gone", by reminding them of Alma the Younger, Saul, and the Anti-Nephi-Lehis, all of whom were "too far gone", but were still able to repent, and be forgiven. I got lots of compliments on it. I am excited to speak again in a month.
Sunday night we met with the Smith family, a part member family of nine. We were able to teach them, and they are going to continue meeting with us. They are way fun. We were going to have a lesson with Summer, but her grandparents, both active members, kind of talked her out of it it seems. She is willing when we talk to her, but not when they do. They told her that if she's not ready to be baptized that she can't meet with us. That is false, and hopefully we will be able to remedy the situation.
As for what to take out of my room, I have no idea. I'm not sure if I remember what even there. I do only have three weeks left, so if you can wait that long I can look through, and we can do it then.
Elder Sykosky is such an awesome companion, he is keeping me on the right track; working hard, and being obedient. I am grateful to be able to end my mission on such a good note.
Love Elder Schultz
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