January 23rd, 2017 - BIRTHDAY WEEK REPORT
This week went by really fast, but a ton happened.
Monday, there was an emergency transfer and one of the
Elders in the other companionship in our area was getting transferred so we were a trio for a
day until Elder Ferguson arrived. We saw some miracles that day, one being that
we found 2 people to teach. Everyday we have the goal to talk to 25 people each
(it's a mission wide goal) and we didn't have much time at all (30 mins). And
we did it. We both talked to 25 people each and received 2 numbers to people
who might be interested (we shall find out =) ). It was amazing that we talked
to so many so quickly.
Tuesday, started with a full grown man sitting in a baby
stroller rolling down the hill we take on the way to the church. It was
hilarious. There is a wall on one side and trees in the other and he was using
his legs so he wouldn't hit anything. Then we went to a lesson with a family
that has interesting beliefs in religion and the role of it. The daughter (age
in the 30's) was asking how there can be a God if there is so much bad in
the world. And so I challenged her to find out for herself by reading a chapter
in the Book of Mormon... the one the came to mind was the wrong one! oops
So
this week I got to correct my mistake haha. And the chapter I gave on accident
was quite long, oh well. Tuesday was also the best meal I have had in Piso
followed by lasagna with members which was super good.
Wednesday, we picked up a shipment of Books of Mormon from a
shoe store which was apparently a UPS access point, it was a little weird but I
guess that's how they do it here. This day, I also recognized the spirit
working through me. There was someone I felt I needed to talk to but right when
I approached her she put her phone to her ear. I had already said hi and felt
super awkward so I started walking away but felt I still needed to talk to her.
Thankfully my companion wasn't scared of the awkward moment I created and got
her contact information. That's why we have companions.
Thursday, one of our investigators had her baby! So we
probably won't be meeting for a little bit. We had 2 of our 3 lessons this
day fail but right before the last lesson of the day I was hungry and I said to
Elder Hale, "can we pray and receive food?" The answer is yes. Our
last lesson of the day invited us to eat dinner with them without previously
talking about eating with them or mentioning it during the lesson. It was cool
to see how our Heavenly Father looks out for our simplest wants, it wasn't a
big thing but it showed me God was listening to my prayers, no matter how silly
my pleas may seem.
Friday, we contacted in a pueblo, Grado (little town). I
tried seeing if we could meet with María who Elder Chabot and I found while
knocking doors but she wasn't home. We had some great lessons, people willing
to do what they need to strengthen their relationship with Christ but some who
fear what their parents may think.
Saturday, my birthday. It started out a little crazy. I woke
up to footsteps in the hall. I thought it was my companion but I heard him
breathing deeply. I was terrified. I am told that I said "Elder Hale will
you turn on the light, please" and then I got tackled by the other elders
who came to surprise me and make breakfast with us. Elder Hale gave them the
keys. Thankfully the elders weren't wearing masks like planned because I don't
know how I would have reacted haha =).
We went to go do service in the mountains
today at a members house. We helped the husband lower trees down his steep hill
using two ropes (after he cut them). Ricardo (the husband) has a machete he
made himself out of a mower blade and I took pictures of it because it is super
cool. I received a call from my trainer (Elder Chabot), the Packs and a few
other elders who surprised me. All of our lessons that day failed but it worked
out. I ended up getting a picture next to a huge section of the main park here
in Oviedo where they cut out letter to form every day of the year. We had to
ask 25-30 youth to move out of the way because they were right in front of it
but thankfully they did it nicely and quickly =).
I want to share I quote from Jeffery R Holland in a talk
about the Atonement ("Do this in Remembrance of Me") that I really
liked. He talks about how we can remember the Savior better and how the
sacrament should be a time of reflection and spiritual feelings. He talks
about the Savior’s plea to His disciples the night of His suffering in
Gethsemane:
"One request Christ made of his disciples on that night
of deep anguish and grief was that they stand by him, stay with him in his hour
of sorrow and pain. “Could ye not watch with me one hour?” he asked longingly
(Matt. 26:40). I think he asks that again of us, every Sabbath day when the
emblems of his life are broken and blessed and passed."
I think this quote applies very well to my life. Sometimes I
get so distracted from the sacrament and think about anything but the Savior. His plea to us is to remember Him. Remember Him, think of Him during the
sacrament. Think of how we can be a better friend to others or making a new
friend that we need. Reaching out as He did. Think of His interactions with
others, his miracles, His father and mother - their roles in His life. As
members of the Church of Jesus Christ we have committed to remember Him always
when we were baptized so that we can have the Spirit with us as a constantly
companion.
My invitation is that we strive to remember the Savior more this
week and remember those who are struggling. Do one thing to reach out to
someone more than you usually would.
How can you be a better friend?
How can
you help someone in need?
Maybe it is a text of encouragement. An act of
kindness. I promise you that as you act as the Savior would and remember Him
just a little more, you will be blessed with more peace and happiness in your
life.
Another great scripture to read:
Luke 18: 9-14. If you feel
like you have no need to repent or that you don't want to change, go for it and
read it =) it sure helped me.
9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in
themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a
Pharisee, and the other a publican.
11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I
thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers,
or even as this publican.
12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I
possess.
13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so
much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be
merciful to me a sinner.
14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified
rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and
he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
Elder Openshaw
