你们好!
Wow, what a week this has been. God is proving to have a real sense of humor, and he is really pushing me to my limits even in my last few weeks.
Thank you all for your prayers for Chad! We had a great week with him. He had taken the week off so we decided to take full advantage of the opportunity. We took him to lunch, and it was nice to be with him in more of a casual setting. We also went to the Visitors Center with him, which, though a very last minute decision, led to a really inspiring lesson. We viewed a lot of the displays, and he said that slowly and surely he is feeling something powerful, feeling God's love. We have been praying to give him opportunities to have those feelings a lot now, and this trip was definitely a spiritual one. It was undeniable. Ome of the moments on my mission I will never forget.
We also started teaching a new person this week. Diego has been attending the YSA Ward for a long time now, and has found a lot of friends there. Our lesson with him was an interesting one. He came across as challenging the Gospel, although I don't think it was intended. Teaching him is going to make me face a great fear that I have. Relationships are very important to me, and I absolutely loathe disappointing people or getting people mad at me. I've been scared that as we continue to teach Diego, our friendship will suffer. But, as I've thought about it and studied courage and faith, I've realized that this exact kind of situation is something Heavenly Father does with each of us. He loves us immensely, but expects us to grow. In order to accomplish that purpose, he doesn't coddle us or shy away from what is right just to keep us happy and our relationship with him on good terms. Instead, he throws us into the deep end, but is ever watching us as we rise to the surface, pleading with us to rely on him and his divine help to go the distance. I continue to be in awe of how much God knows me, and how willing he is to throw curve balls at me to help me grow and turn my specific weaknesses into strengths. It's inspiring.
I've been thinking a lot about the future lately as well. The phrase "the future is as bright as your faith" came to mind several times throughout the week. I need my faith to be stronger as I move forward into the unknown that lies ahead.
Elder Raymundo is doing great. He's a really caring guy, and is super willing to lend a listening ear and go the extra mile for the members of our Zone. This week he taught me how to make lumpia, a really good Phillippino dish. We were able to help out a family whose home was burned in a fire, buying them lunch and offering kur services. He's also had some good talks with me. I admire his selflessness and faith, not to mention his testimony. We faced some awful "bashers" this week, and he bore powerful testimony of the Restoration. One of the greatest witnesses I've ever heard.
I also had tthe chance to go on exchanges with Elder Hall, one of the missionaries in our Zone. He's a dedicated, motivated, and humble guy who really knows his job as a Missionary and wants to do it well. It's refreshing working with someone who has a much fire as he does.
We've been trying to do a lot of finding lately, really trying to utilize more creative methods of finding, and open people up to the Book of Mormon. It's had some successes, but some lows as well. We keep trying, but we definitely had a miracle filled week.
All in all, things are good. God continues to mold me, and I hope I can be the servant he needs me to be. I am excited to have the chance to hear the words of the leaders of His church this week. I hope it provides a lot of answers to a lot of questions, both yours and mine.
Have an awesome week!
Elder Butters/包长老
No comments:
Post a Comment