So on that note here are some of the adventures I had this week!
Oh so today I got a call from President and Sister Tateoka! They sang me happy birthday! Love them so much! Also their little grandson was with them so he also sang! So cute!
Do you remember Moses? He is a little boy we were teaching. His baptism had to be canceled the week of and it was just a whole stressful crazy situation. Well guess what? The situation... Took care of itself? I can't really say specifics but he has gotten permission to be baptized!!!! But Moses now wants to wait to be baptized on his birthday.... In September... We are just a little frustrated but that's OK ultimately it is his decision but I am so excited that it is now even a possibility!!
This week was all about finding, and being bold and brave. I've reflected a lot on the strange things we do as missionaries that I would never have even considered when I was home. Such as talking to people... Ya it's nothing crazy but I honestly would have never even really said hello to someone I passed on the street now it's my job to stop everyone we see and talk about religion which is something most people really aren't open to talking about.
On exchanges this week I got the chance to go to Forest Grove. We talked to a bunch of different people, but the most interesting situation we found ourselves in was when we went to dinner at a retirement home. There was a nice member couple who invited us over and took us around showing us off to all their friends. Have I ever told you that old people scare me? Not one on one but when there is a sea of old people staring at you it's a little intimidating. It's said that old people are stuck in their ways and it is impossible to change, but we were brave, opened our mouths, and found a new investigator right there in the retirement home!
On the opposite side of the scary spectrum is teenagers, they are perhaps the most intimidating to approach and they always travel in packs! Well we saw a group of teens coming our way while we were out walking and I told myself just don't let them see your fear! And then I took control of the situation, turned on my salesman side (which I didn't think I had) and had a good gospel centered conversation with the whole group.
Another way I had to be bold and brave this week was in tracking down in-active members. Ones who are on our records but no one really knows them or where they are at with their relationship with the church. So when you go to knock on their doors you really don't know what to expect. There are those few doors who will just not open, others (though this hasn't happened to me personally, to put your mind at ease dad) threaten you with a gun if you ever come back, but most of the time when finding inactive members they let you in are glad for your company but will talk to you about anything other than the gospel and why they stopped coming to chruch.
Well on one of these situations I opened my mouth and said "We are here to help you get back to church, what is holding you back?" We had just met this lady and she was one who would talk about anything other than church. Well she stopped and actually thought about it for a minute, she couldn't give us an answer but we are invited back to continue to meet with her. I'm discovering more and more how being straight forward is the best way to go about things. You can't do anything until you are on the same page as the person you are teaching.
Way too often we have investigators who don't know they are investigators and that feels very wrong to me. We had another situation this week where we flat out asked this part-member family we are sort of working with if they wanted to take the missionary discussions. They are still thinking on it, though they said that they feel in their hearts that it is the right thing to do.
For district meeting we followed 1 Nephi 3:11 and cast lots to see who would do the role play in front of everyone. Luck had it that we would draw the short stick. Role playing is not one of my strengths, it's like improv, and the whole district gets to watch. Oh and the scenario was teaching someone who has absolutely no knowledge of God or Christ. Well we survived and it was actually OK. I am slowly learning and concurring fears!
One last fear I worked on this week was bearing my testimony in Sacrament meeting. For some reason it just does not come naturally to me to stand up in front of a bunch of people and share what is in my heart. But I knew the Holy Ghost was prompting me to stand and I am glad I listened. When you are prompted to do something you will not be left alone to do it. This is the thought I received as I stood and spoke. I'll share it as my spiritual thought today.
Spiritual Thought:
Life is full of times and seasons. There will be good times, bad times, joyful times, and times of despair. That is just life. In my life I have been searching for the key to continual uninterrupted lasting happiness, and the more I search the more I am discouraged at my inconsistentcy. I am also coming to realize however that the happiness I am looking for is not to be found in this life. That kind of never-ending happiness comes in the next life. This life is a time of testing and trial. We are to endure to the end and then the blessings come after the trial of our faith. This life is the trial of our faith.
We do know however that this life is meant to be enjoyed not just endured. There are things we can do to grow through our trials and to find happiness even in the darker moments. God has given us the guide to happiness, as far as it can be achieved in this life: keep the commandments. Do the little things every day! Don't despair, rely on your Savior. His atonement opens the gate for us to be able to receive the blessings of eternal life but he also provides the way to happiness in this life. He will support you and comfort you as you turn to him.
I love you all and I am sorry I know this email is a little scattered. Have a great week!
Pictures:
-Pioneer themed Relief Society anniversary dinner! Borrowed this from a member.
-homemade pineapple upside-down cake (or what's left of it) from an amazing member family!! Also they birthday serenaded me with bagpipes!
-pond trip last pday!
-the end of a really long day! Nuff said.
-role playing the restoration to President Nelson...
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