Woof, what a week packed with a lot!
The Sun is setting earlier and it's starting to cool down a bit. I guess summer is ending :(
Zone conference this week!!
Elder Pearson and Elder Bangeter from the quorom of the 70 came and spoke with us, so it was a pretty big deal.
For preparation we were asked to study 2 talks by elder Bednar and then prepare a 3 minute talk on what we learned, on the off chance we would share it at the zone conference!! Ahh! This is probably how they do try-outs for the next RS President. Well, thankfully I didn't have to give mine, but I'm glad I was prepared. One of the talks is called "Converted Unto the Lord" in October 2012 conf. It is been about the difference between a testimony and conversion. Bednar teaches us that our testimonies are gifts from God, it is that spiritual revelation that we receive, but oh how easy it is for people to forget and get dissuaded or distracted. Conversion is constantly committing to Heavenly father.
I want to leave my mission being converted.
No coincidence, but both of the questions I went into zone conference having were completely addressed. My questions were 1. How can I turn my weaknesses into strengths and 2. How can I become a more consecrated disciple of Jesus Christ?
Those were the center themes on the conference. It was straight up just like 8 hours of listening to talks haha. Loong day, filled with the spirit, but loong! Walking out of there was a mix of feeling totally motivated to conquer the world, and also feeling like "wow I'm such a crap missionary and have so much to work on"
I am constantly striving to be more bold and I have that "desire" that everyone always says you need, and when it comes down to it, I choke.
We were learning about how we are agents, which means we are to ACT not be acted upon! Our thoughts are so powerful, and when we consciously try to change our thoughts (to Christ), then we can change our behaviors, our moods, ect. We are human and that's a lot easier said than done, but it is cool to be reminded how powerful and capable we are. That's how God created us!
Obedience was a big one. I've been focusing on that for my christ-like attribute this transfer and it has been so interesting to learn how key that is. It is obedience that led the Savior to perfection. He wasn't just born perfect, but he chose to do perfect. We don't have control over everything in life, but we can control whether or not we are obedient. That's a lot of responsibility we are given haha.
It was a little intense. Like I said, walking out was a lot of "I need to do more of this and this and this and this and ahh"
It was obviously needed and I want to actually learn and apply it, I don't want it to slip over my head and not change.
Haha so me and Krieger had a hilarious moment of going up to a door- We have been working on this list of ladies who no one has seen (and we are finding that there is a reason for that). So this ladies husband no joke came up to the door wearing only a t-shirt and his whitey-tidey James underwear!! It was all I had to contain my laughs! I couldn't stand it. He said to us he was just trying to keep cool haha no shame! I can't wait until I'm that old and can do that;)
The Bobby miracle! So it's been dry as far as having people to teach, which has been a bit discouraging. (Especially after that zone conference, it's hard to not think it's us, but I swear we are trying) Well so our most solid "possibility" has been Bobby. This guy is passionate about life and is way cool! We went over to try and talk with him. He slowly opened up to us. Just the day before that, one of his close friends totally back stabbed him and like sold his house or somthing? I'm not sure exactly but he needed to let it out. He is someone that is always helping his friends and never really expects help in return. We shared a scripture with him and he had totally teared up. He told us that it was meant to be that we came to talk to him at that the. Walking away was so rewarding to know that we were at the right place at the right time.
This week we did a youth sports night with the other missionaries. One of the best simple messages to youth I've heard. The sisters In our zone have incredible voices. They sung I'm a Child of God and they even did a verse in French with a harmony- oh my heck it was so beautiful.
Then we all pondered how knowing that we are children of God has helped us. The spirit was most definitely there. We closed it then with all of us singing I am a Child of God. It was powerful. That's because there is power in that knowledge
When it comes down to it, that is what matters.
While I was at church the members started to look familiar, but not because I have been there for a few weeks. It wad the familiar like I have known them before this life. The more I'm here the more I know I'm meant to be here. That doesn't change the fact that I miss and love everyone with all my heart, but it makes it endurable;)
I hit officially 6 months this week haha although ive been saying 6 months since it bit August. Today for p-day we are going to actually explore down-town and I am beyond excited!!
Love always,
Jax
