Autocine

 Oh boy what to say about this week.

We've been working a lot more with a new friend of ours, Susana. We stopped by on Monday to give her a picture Book of Mormon, per her request because she prefers it to just reading due to her dyslexia. She's honestly great, every time I've been to her house she's been so happy to feed us and talk with us.

We also very recently made a new friend, Zulmin. She has so many struggles right now with both her help and being a mother. Sometimes I wonder why people we've just met confide so much in us. But she is so willing to learn and so eager to receive support from God. I ask you all to pray for her.


Now I'd say the next part is another highlight of the week. Our ward had set up a drive-in movie theater for Friday night, and we were involved all throughout the process. Helping acquire the device to transmit the radio signal, to helping test the screen and wiring, to eventually being there and seeing the fruits of our labors. I will remember that night forever simply from the sheer satisfaction and finality it brought. You might also ask what exactly us missionaries did there. Well, we provided the only other service you can at a movie, food. We served hot dogs to everyone who came there. And the Best part was we had plenty of our friends join the movie too! It was a wonderful experience just to be a part of something just purely fun. Just that feeling of satisfaction will stick with me for my whole life. Serving others brings such joy. 




One other wonderful thing was that we had stake conference. It was absolutely wonderful. I wasn't in the greatest state of mind at the time, there's been a lot of times where I've felt like I've been completely at my lowest, like I didn't deserve to be here that I shouldn't be doing what I'm doing because of my lack in ability. Then I heard a joke during the talk of our steak president. He said: " How many bishops does it take to change a light bulb? One. Just one. The light bulb just had to really want to change." Everyone burst out laughing at that one. But it really stood out to me, because I felt I couldn't change, forgetting how that is my purpose as a missionary. To help people take the steps necessary to change their lives for the better. 

 


There's a quote I love that I've tried to make my life goal: "If you ever feel like you lack ability, remember that life isn't about doing things perfectly, it's about doing things intentionally". That joke, and that whole talk reminded me of that quote. I invite everyone to truly look at everything they do and to truly choose to do the things we do. Choose to do them because they are good, Choose to do them because they are right, Choose to do them because they will help us grow. I know that choosing, that being intentional with our lives makes our lives a more joy-filled experience because of the choices I've made. I promise you that choosing to do the good things in your life will bring you so much more joy as it has for me.

Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

I know as we choose to put the Lord first in all we do all things will work together for our good and the good of others.  

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

First few weeks in LA

Image
¡Hola Todos! Getting into the mission was a unique experience for me. Going from speaking English all my life to speaking only Spanish for like 3 days was really hard. My companion and the other companionship in the apartment I think noticed and it's been more 50/50 lately. Spanish has been a challenge for me. I understand maybe 50% of most conversations I'm in, and everything I say is probably understood less than 50% of the time. It's a long learning process, but less than half understanding now is better than almost none 3 weeks ago.  Along with that, teaching has been a different experience. I don't understand a lot so the amount I can contribute is limited, but I've felt nearly all the time it's been to a great benefit from each lesson I've been able to involve myself in. Most of the people I have been teaching have also been a new experience, disregarding the language barrier. A decent portion of them read a lot or at least understand a lot about t...
Read more

Weekly Email 3

Image
  ¡Hola amigos!   This week has been an interesting ride for me. My district finally transitioned into all Spanish, so I've only been speaking Spanish in classes for the past few days. Definitely as hard as I expected it to be, but a great joy as well.  On another note, my older brother Fletcher came home from his mission and we were able to be companions for around 3 hours. It was a very fun reunion. (see pictures below.)   Something that stood out to me from my studies this week was that we as missionaries are taught to teach in the way that Jesus taught by asking questions, sharing stories, and expounding upon doctrines. An example of this is found in The Book of Mormon by a missionary named Ammon , he went to live among his enemies and asked to be a servant unto them. Because of his great Christlike service, the hearts of both the king and the people were softened and they desired to know how Ammon was and why he was...
Read more

Last weeks email

  ¡Mi compañero se fue! This week has been pretty good to me. Honestly not to much to say. I got to be with another Elder for a day in the area I teach in, so somewhat running things for a day was kinda interesting. Also the missionary I was with 1. Is named Elder Maus, super cool dude, 2. Is learning Portuguese, 3. Is going to Brazil in a week!(more or less). Anyway, I hada lot of fun with him because we just went trying to talk to people for a while and he also got to practice some of his Portuguese with a member friend that we had a quick lesson with. But uh, the real big news is that my companion/trainer is leaving today. He got reassigned to a new area, so I'm just going to be with the other elders in my apartment for this week. Our areas are just going to be merged for the week, what happens next week? I have no idea. I'll probably end up having to run my teaching area next transfer. A little bit nervous about that, but I'm hopeful for whatever comes next.  Something ...
Read more