Hola Todos!
Espero que esten bien. It was a crazy up and down
week, but this week is a new one and I´m ready to be so much better than I was
the last. Where to start...? Wednesday was the "down" of the week- for some
reason I just felt discouraged that afternoon. As I thought more and the day
went on, I wasn´t as dilligent as I should´ve been and didn´t spend my time very
productively. By the end of the day, I was really feeling the full weight of all
my choices. I felt terrible. Cried a little, prayed a lot, and studied
repentance and dilligence the next day. I worked a lot harder, and obviously I´m
still a work in progress. There is so much I want to do as a missionary, and
such infinite potential in this missionary work. I feel much more comfortable
with Lirquen, the geography, the ward, etc. and now I feel ready to dig deeper
and do more. I´ve never been a very detail oriented person (You can ask my Mom
if you don´t believe me!), but now is my time to step it up and start being one!
Oh boy, it is going to be a bit of a struggle for me, but I will really try to
focus during all of our planning sessions to cover everything that needs to be
done, to make lists to remember everything, to study our area even more in order
to be more efficient, to organize our information, to make phone calls, to
measure our time more exactly. And through all of this, to be confident in
myself as a missionary and ALWAYS listen to the Spirit. Oh my, so many ways I
could improve.
As you all know, this weekend was General
Conference!! It was so wonderful and exactly what I needed. I daresay it was the
fastest conference I have ever experienced. We made lots of plans and called
lots of investigators to come with us, and as of Friday afternoon, we had two
investigators committed to come, Rosa for Saturday morning, and Aurora for
Saturday afternoon. We also had another possible investigator, Scarlett, for
Sunday morning. Yayy!! Saturday morning, we went to pick up Rosa, a middle aged
woman with a baptismal date but a lot of remaining doubts about the gospel. As
we visited with her, she basically told us that she had "visits" to make, that
she didn´t feel the need to come, that she didn´t feel the need to seek an
answer to her prayers, and that she didn´t want us to teach her anymore. Perhaps
stop by to visit, but she has no interest in being baptized. That morning I
brought only some personal questions to conference, but they were all
answered.
As for the setting of my General Conference, all us
English speaking missionaries gathered in a little classroom, and it was
wonderful. We had a few snacks, had a little English break to speak and joke
around, and it was a great bonding time. It felt like a little family.
As for
General Conference talks, I loved Elder Cardon´s about forgiveness. It was
exactly what I needed to hear after my "weak" week, and I cried. I can´t
remember exactly which authority suggested that youth preparing to go on
missions should defer their college admission, but I laughed out loud when I
thought of all the reprecussions that could have for the Admissions Office. Is
Cecil preparing a statement to respond to that? I also laughed a bit during
Elder Clayton´s talk about marriage- I could vividly imagine the playful banter
in between Mom and Dad in the living room downstairs as they listened together
to the counsel of the Lord.
I wrote down several questions before
conference, but there was one that I dismissed, choosing not to add it to the
list. Part of me wanted to ask if my family was really being watched over, if
you are really being cared for and protected. I didn´t write it becauce I
already know the answer to that question! Like Elder Holland said, we need to
acknowledge our faith first, not our doubt, and I have all faith that the Lord
is watching out for you. However, Elder Eyring addressed this exact topic in his
talk, promising that the families of those who serve are blessed, protected,
shielded by the arm of the Lord. You should´ve felt the intense spirit in that
classroom as our small group of missionaries sat and quietly absorbed all the
significance of that promise.
Also enjoyed Sister Wixom´s talk
about the effect of words on children. I don´t remember any exact words by which
my parents raised me, but as I thought of them and all they continue to teach
me, the overarching statement I draw from them is something like this (excerpt
from my conference notes) "You are strong and bright and good. You have gifts
you need to share, many roles you must assume, and a light that you must shine.
Take the gospel to the world! Have it always in your heart and we will be here
by your side." I am so grateful for my parents and the love they´ve always shown
me.
Very struck by President Monson´s remarks as well. OBEDIENCE.
This is so applicable to us all, and so very very applicable to me as a
missionary. We have so many promised blessings, but we can only receive them if
we "hear and do" the will of the Lord. Anyone else notice that the story of the
Wiseman was mentioned three times throughout conference? Hear and Do, build on
the right foundation, be ready for storms, and we will be alright!
Really don´t have much more time to write. I love you all and pray
for each of you!!
Hermana Oldroyd
Hermana Oldroyd
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