HEY YOU GUYS!! I think I've finally gotten a taste of the emotional roller coaster this mission can be. This past week has been so much fun! I learned once again I don't have to let myself get caught up in someone else's choice of feelings.
I was on exchanges with Elder Farris, our district leader on Saturday. We were talking as we drove to contact a few refferrals and he was sharing some practical wisdom with me. "Some missionaries just get so cuaght up in things that they don't have fun. They let it get to them so much that they get so down and depressed about it. Some of us just need a reality check. Yeah, it's hard, but life is hard. Just pick yourself up and keep going. Don't stress about it if you don't have to." I don't know what part of what he said was what hit me like a ton of bricks, but suddenly I realized some of the challenges Elder Herrin has are just because of how he is. I've been stressing and worrying about so much, I've been drowning in not only my problems, but everone else's too. Elder Farris pulled me up out of the water and suddenly I could breathe again.
The next day was so calm inside my head. It was such a good day. Despite a bad day Elder Herrin might have been having or whatever might have been going on around me, I was happy and was happy to these around me. If something went wrong, no sweat, just roll with it, make the most of it and move on.
I had to adjust my attitude to accommodate and work with Elder Herrin's attitude. It was no big deal, I just should have done it a long time ago. It goes along with something else Elder Farris said: "If there's anything I've learned on my mission, it's that peope are SO different." I've come to realize the same thing. Thus, just because the way I did things worked with Elder Mose, doesn't mean they'll work with every companion. So, I've finally been able to adjust and find what works with Elder Herrin. It's cool to see how much I've learned about getting along with different types of people. Though it may seem like they are the ones who need to change for you to get along with them. There's actually a way to be happy no matter who you're wokring around by adjusting yourself.
...
Saturday, June 28, 2008
PART II: THE SUMMER CONFERENCE
This past Wednesday (June 18) was our mission's "Summer Conference". All 7 zones got together for lunch and a sports tournament-type thing. Each zone had two teams that played the other zones' teams at ultimate frisbee, volleyball, and kick ball.
Every year, each zone makes shirts for their teams. I ended up being the one to design them and figure out a cheap way to produce 17 for the whole zone. They told me they wanted to play off the "M" of the logo for Monster Energy drinks. (Some background: Energy drinks like Monster, Rockstar, Red bull, etc. have been popular among most athletic of missionaries since I was with Elder Cole. They've never really appealed to me, but apparently they became so popular that it came to our President's attention. In the last Zone Conference, he asked the mission to stay away from them as much as possible, though, he didn't ban all caffeine/energy drinks, but advised us to be respectful if it is something that would offend other members/investigators.)
With permission, I ended up working on them for a "couple 3" (Washingtonian for "a couple" or "3") days. The design was no sweat--figuring out how to put it on the shirts, was.
We first tried a stencil and spray paint, but it didn't adhere at all. The member at whose house we worked was an artist, so we tried some acrylic paints he had and successfully produced a bright green Monster "M".
The whole process was so much fun for me, it was like being at home again designing wedding announcements, except the whole time I was dying to hage the Mac with all its time-saving programs. Instead, I did it the old-fashioned way and went with Microsoft Paint/freehand. They came out looking fantastic. The stencil/painting process was a pain in the neck, (literally), because it involved pinning down and dabbing paint onto 17 shirts, so it was also time-consuming. BUT, they looked awesome and the zone loved them.
At summer conference the senior couples ended up voting on their favorite shirt, and our zone won! I was very satisfied with myself and at the same time was extremely grateful that I'd been given that talent from the Lord, for the blessing of others' lives.
The rest of Summer Conference was really fun. I said hi to Elder Cole and his new greenie, Elder Cordada. Our team went undefeated too! We were 5-0, but two other teams were 4-0, (when it came down to the championships.) The two 4-0 teams played each other and we played the winning team. It was the first team we'd played and had beaten before 7-3. Somehow, they ended up killing us in the finals 1-5. It was pretty disappointing, but I went home happy, 'cause even if we didn't play the best, we sure looked the best! :)
Every year, each zone makes shirts for their teams. I ended up being the one to design them and figure out a cheap way to produce 17 for the whole zone. They told me they wanted to play off the "M" of the logo for Monster Energy drinks. (Some background: Energy drinks like Monster, Rockstar, Red bull, etc. have been popular among most athletic of missionaries since I was with Elder Cole. They've never really appealed to me, but apparently they became so popular that it came to our President's attention. In the last Zone Conference, he asked the mission to stay away from them as much as possible, though, he didn't ban all caffeine/energy drinks, but advised us to be respectful if it is something that would offend other members/investigators.)
With permission, I ended up working on them for a "couple 3" (Washingtonian for "a couple" or "3") days. The design was no sweat--figuring out how to put it on the shirts, was.
We first tried a stencil and spray paint, but it didn't adhere at all. The member at whose house we worked was an artist, so we tried some acrylic paints he had and successfully produced a bright green Monster "M".
The whole process was so much fun for me, it was like being at home again designing wedding announcements, except the whole time I was dying to hage the Mac with all its time-saving programs. Instead, I did it the old-fashioned way and went with Microsoft Paint/freehand. They came out looking fantastic. The stencil/painting process was a pain in the neck, (literally), because it involved pinning down and dabbing paint onto 17 shirts, so it was also time-consuming. BUT, they looked awesome and the zone loved them.
At summer conference the senior couples ended up voting on their favorite shirt, and our zone won! I was very satisfied with myself and at the same time was extremely grateful that I'd been given that talent from the Lord, for the blessing of others' lives.
The rest of Summer Conference was really fun. I said hi to Elder Cole and his new greenie, Elder Cordada. Our team went undefeated too! We were 5-0, but two other teams were 4-0, (when it came down to the championships.) The two 4-0 teams played each other and we played the winning team. It was the first team we'd played and had beaten before 7-3. Somehow, they ended up killing us in the finals 1-5. It was pretty disappointing, but I went home happy, 'cause even if we didn't play the best, we sure looked the best! :)
PART III: BEN WANTED TO BURN THE BOOK OF MORMON
I had a cool experience last night. We met with Ben again, for the fourth time or so. In the last appointment, he'd explained to us that it was funny that we were trying to convert him, because he was trying to convert us! We had only ever answered his questions or defended the faith (instead of teaching lessons) as we'd met with him, so we decided unless he was willing to make and keep commitments, that we were going to drop[ him. We really loved the kid, and wanted to clarify the misconceptions about the church, but we were also wasting the time we could be spending teaching someone who was ready to learn.
We said a prayer in the car (he excused himself the second time we met with him, when we asked if we could say a prayer) and met him on his front porch again. He showed us the new book he'd gotten from the Christian bookstore (The Facts on Mormonism or algo así,) and how it had references for all the quotes, etc.
He then asked to see my BoM, (he wanted to read some verse that proved it wasn't true.) As I handed ti to him, I asked what happened to the copy we gave him. He kind of smiled but ashamedly stammered "W-well, the real reason I wanted the Book of Mormon is so that I could burn it." He apologized and said he didn't want to offend us but he didn't want to lie either. At first I was really hurt - or wanted to be - but I wasn't, (or I didn't let it show that I was.) I calmly told him that was fine, he had the right to do whatever he wanted with it, it was a free country and he could do as he chose.
I calmly and honestly asked him why he did it. He explained that he hated the devil and that he hated anything that was meant to draw people away from the true word of God, or in other words, he hated all cults (anything that is not part of the orthodox Christian church.) He hated the Koran, he hated the Watchtower, etc. But he just ended up ripping up the Book of Mormon. Still, he apologized, telling us that he didn't hate us, he just hated those false doctrines.
We proceeded and mostly just sat there as he read quotes in the books he had about how Joseph Smith was an occultist and had revelations by looking at a seer stone inside of a hat (quoted by "Dr. Whitmer"); how we are polytheistic because we believe that "God the Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost are all Gods" (-McKonkie); how we believe we can become gods, how we don't believe in the creation of matter from nothing, how Joseph Smith was a polygamist (even though we explained to him that David and Solomon were too,) how we believe the Bible is "unreliable," (I quoted the 8th Article of Faith) and on and on. In all of it we occasionally would explain how things the book said were not true, but mostly we said, "Well, I know Joseph Smith was a prophet from the witness I received from God." He simply couldn't grasp how we could believe that when there was all this evidence in his hands to the contrary. He hadn't read the BoM, but all these scholars had, and they had so much proof that it wasn't true. I told him I'd take God's word over a man's any day. If God told me he was a prophet, he was a prophet. I went back to what I'd said before. The comforter of Holy Ghost was sent to teach us all things, and in Galatians it said the fruits of the spirit were love, joy, peace, etc. The same feelings I felt when I prayed about the BoM. He tried to explain what the real meaning of that scripture was. I explained it was what it was. We know through our feelings. He told me we shouldn't trust our feelings becaue we can lust after a woman and feel good, even though it was a sin. I told him it was a physical feeling, not a spiritual one.
We honestly and sincerely tried to explain it to him, not in a contentious way. He told us he wasn't trying to say we were wrong, but that the doctrine of the Mormon church was wrong. I pulled out my ministerial certificate and explained to him that I was a representative of that church, called by a living prophet of God and given power and authority to teach what really was the doctrine of our church, the true doctrine of Jesus Christ.
I finally said to him, "Ben, we really appreciate everything you've done to try and help us. We're glad that you're seeking the truth, but everything you've said hasn't changed the way we feel or the things we know. I know the Book of Mormon is true. I know Joseph Smith was a prophet and that we have a living prophet on the earth today. I know that you can also know these things for yourself if you go and ask God. I know he will tell you through the spirit, just as he told me. I know I have more authority to say that than any of these scholars. I know that even though you may have not converted us and saved us, I know he is happy with your efforts to choose the right and to help us. I also know you should at least read the Book of Mormon for yourself, because you will be held accountable for the things that are in it. Our time is valuable and we'd love to keep visiting you, but there are others who want to listen."
He looked like we'd just told him he failed some test. I knew he really was trying to help us, but he'd been blinded by the "craftiness of men". As I testified to him it came with such clarity and power as I'd never felt before. The words came out on their own. I wasn't even thinking about what I was saying or what I was going to say. I didn't have any doubts that what I was saying was true. I didn't have to double check, "wait, is this right?" Though I felt bad that Ben hadn't listened to the Spirit that I know was there when Elder Herrin and I tetified, we had done what we were called to do. We had reaised a warning voice.
It was an amazing experience. I realized there are a lot of pretty good arguments against our church. I don't know them all, I don't know all the answers to them, but I know I received an answer back when I prayed about the BoM. I knew I probably would have been shaken pretty badly if it weren't for the trust in God that I have, and the continual witness of the Holy Ghost that these things are true. I knew all the facts, reasons and explanations in the world wouldn't have been enough to convince Ben the Church was true. The only way he could know for himself would be by going to the source--asking God in prayer. Until he could humble himself enough to do that, he would never truly know.
So my beloved brothers, sisters and parents: If you ever wonder or have any doubts or questions, ask and you shall receive. And it doesn't matter how weak we may think we are, when it comes to preaching the gospel, the Lord will make up for what you lack.
Hopefully this helps oneof you. :) Either way, I love you, "the church is true, the book is blue, and God is a Mormon". ;)
LOVE, ELDER SEAN
We said a prayer in the car (he excused himself the second time we met with him, when we asked if we could say a prayer) and met him on his front porch again. He showed us the new book he'd gotten from the Christian bookstore (The Facts on Mormonism or algo así,) and how it had references for all the quotes, etc.
He then asked to see my BoM, (he wanted to read some verse that proved it wasn't true.) As I handed ti to him, I asked what happened to the copy we gave him. He kind of smiled but ashamedly stammered "W-well, the real reason I wanted the Book of Mormon is so that I could burn it." He apologized and said he didn't want to offend us but he didn't want to lie either. At first I was really hurt - or wanted to be - but I wasn't, (or I didn't let it show that I was.) I calmly told him that was fine, he had the right to do whatever he wanted with it, it was a free country and he could do as he chose.
I calmly and honestly asked him why he did it. He explained that he hated the devil and that he hated anything that was meant to draw people away from the true word of God, or in other words, he hated all cults (anything that is not part of the orthodox Christian church.) He hated the Koran, he hated the Watchtower, etc. But he just ended up ripping up the Book of Mormon. Still, he apologized, telling us that he didn't hate us, he just hated those false doctrines.
We proceeded and mostly just sat there as he read quotes in the books he had about how Joseph Smith was an occultist and had revelations by looking at a seer stone inside of a hat (quoted by "Dr. Whitmer"); how we are polytheistic because we believe that "God the Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost are all Gods" (-McKonkie); how we believe we can become gods, how we don't believe in the creation of matter from nothing, how Joseph Smith was a polygamist (even though we explained to him that David and Solomon were too,) how we believe the Bible is "unreliable," (I quoted the 8th Article of Faith) and on and on. In all of it we occasionally would explain how things the book said were not true, but mostly we said, "Well, I know Joseph Smith was a prophet from the witness I received from God." He simply couldn't grasp how we could believe that when there was all this evidence in his hands to the contrary. He hadn't read the BoM, but all these scholars had, and they had so much proof that it wasn't true. I told him I'd take God's word over a man's any day. If God told me he was a prophet, he was a prophet. I went back to what I'd said before. The comforter of Holy Ghost was sent to teach us all things, and in Galatians it said the fruits of the spirit were love, joy, peace, etc. The same feelings I felt when I prayed about the BoM. He tried to explain what the real meaning of that scripture was. I explained it was what it was. We know through our feelings. He told me we shouldn't trust our feelings becaue we can lust after a woman and feel good, even though it was a sin. I told him it was a physical feeling, not a spiritual one.
We honestly and sincerely tried to explain it to him, not in a contentious way. He told us he wasn't trying to say we were wrong, but that the doctrine of the Mormon church was wrong. I pulled out my ministerial certificate and explained to him that I was a representative of that church, called by a living prophet of God and given power and authority to teach what really was the doctrine of our church, the true doctrine of Jesus Christ.
I finally said to him, "Ben, we really appreciate everything you've done to try and help us. We're glad that you're seeking the truth, but everything you've said hasn't changed the way we feel or the things we know. I know the Book of Mormon is true. I know Joseph Smith was a prophet and that we have a living prophet on the earth today. I know that you can also know these things for yourself if you go and ask God. I know he will tell you through the spirit, just as he told me. I know I have more authority to say that than any of these scholars. I know that even though you may have not converted us and saved us, I know he is happy with your efforts to choose the right and to help us. I also know you should at least read the Book of Mormon for yourself, because you will be held accountable for the things that are in it. Our time is valuable and we'd love to keep visiting you, but there are others who want to listen."
He looked like we'd just told him he failed some test. I knew he really was trying to help us, but he'd been blinded by the "craftiness of men". As I testified to him it came with such clarity and power as I'd never felt before. The words came out on their own. I wasn't even thinking about what I was saying or what I was going to say. I didn't have any doubts that what I was saying was true. I didn't have to double check, "wait, is this right?" Though I felt bad that Ben hadn't listened to the Spirit that I know was there when Elder Herrin and I tetified, we had done what we were called to do. We had reaised a warning voice.
It was an amazing experience. I realized there are a lot of pretty good arguments against our church. I don't know them all, I don't know all the answers to them, but I know I received an answer back when I prayed about the BoM. I knew I probably would have been shaken pretty badly if it weren't for the trust in God that I have, and the continual witness of the Holy Ghost that these things are true. I knew all the facts, reasons and explanations in the world wouldn't have been enough to convince Ben the Church was true. The only way he could know for himself would be by going to the source--asking God in prayer. Until he could humble himself enough to do that, he would never truly know.
So my beloved brothers, sisters and parents: If you ever wonder or have any doubts or questions, ask and you shall receive. And it doesn't matter how weak we may think we are, when it comes to preaching the gospel, the Lord will make up for what you lack.
Hopefully this helps oneof you. :) Either way, I love you, "the church is true, the book is blue, and God is a Mormon". ;)
LOVE, ELDER SEAN
Monday, June 16, 2008
!FELIZ DIA DE PAPAS! (PADRES?)
Wow, it's been a crazy week. This transfer in particular has been quite the growing period of my mission. Almost like going through my greenie transfer again. It's kind of like I've been going through the fundamental, foundational (?) skills one by one and revising them-or checking them for accuracy. It's been a proving ground. The biggest impurities are being removed. Yet I'm not exactly sure what recent events cause me to feel that way--it's weird. I guess you'd have to be inside my head to understand :).
I had a great week! It was my turn at senior companion again. I've been working on goals. (I'm not sure if I mentioned in the last letter,) and using them as motivatino. For the most part, when we set goals they're mostly empty numbers. We decide during our nightly planning sessions - how many of each key indicator we can get the next day. But we never, (or I never), look at them again the next day. So I've been trying to go about the days saying to myself "okay, we gotta get two lessons with a member present." Then, if plans fall through, by loking, praying and having faith, teach a lesson with a member present somewhere else. ?Comprende? It was fun, and better yet, we had the best numbers we've had in a long time! It was cool.
Now, this week, (Mon-Sun) It's been a lot harder. We have a District Leader that goes home in two weeks, so he and his companion will come over and hang out at our apartment. It ends up being one of those situations where we jr. comps sit there, talking, wondering when we're going to leave for exchanges, almost killing time. You can drop hints and come out and ask "when are we leaving?" but we're at his mercy. (To a point) It stinks 'cause he's a fun guy and was a fantastic missionary, but he's opting for being "dead" his last transfer. His comp and my comp are 18 mo. and 15 mo. so they don't mind a break. It's just a new set of challenges for me to superar. :)
I'm still having a great time. I LOVE Mt. Vernon. We have more and more Spanish work! In the midst of some fo the gloom, there will be a ray of light! Nothing will be happening and then suddenly we'll find someone who will almost be expecting us. There are really cool experiences that'll happen every once in a while.
The other day Elder Farris (the district leader) showed us some people we could talk to that he had taught. I went with him to talk to one of them. It turned out they had moved, but the lady that lived there turned out to be a nurse at a dementia hospital. One of her patients was LDS and would always get frustrated while reading the Ensign. So this woman would explain to her (the patient) what was going on. So she told Elder Farris & I that she wanted to be able to explain things more clearly and had some questions of her own. She asked if we could please come back, though, since she had just gotten off work and had some things to do. Elder Farris and I walked away both with a strong Spiritual confirmation that we were in the right place at the right time.
CJ, who we've been working with is super-solid. His baptism was postponed though so his sister could come. We're excited for him though, because we know the gospel will have a big impact on his family. During the lesson we put him on-date, Elder Herrin later told me he "saw" his parents being baptized in the future! It was powerful.
Lots of our recent new investigators seem really promising too! I'm really excited. And we're only going to be working harder. If there's anything this recent adversity has caused, it's a greater desire in Elder Herrin & I to work harder.
My favorite thing has been maintaining a 'cheery countenance' no matter what the situation. It's fun, but harder than I thought--especially to really mean it. :) I think of Jessica Barry's effervecense, and try to emulate. :)
SPANISH: it's coming along, slow & steady. Speaking comes without too much effort. I don't have to think in English first, as much. Whenever I read though, I find myself feeling like I'm looking at a blurry picture. In order to get all the depth and clarity, I ahve to translate it in my head. It's the verb tenses that get me. Even when understanding someone else. When I speak, I can say it in the right tense, no problem. Subjunctive is still a challenge to work into my speech, but pase a paso, no?
One other thing (with Spanish)... well, I'll include it on a sticky.*
Meanwhile, THE GREAT ROOM LOOKS AMAZING! So do the new stove & fridge! I LOVE it! It's going to be fun to see in all its real-life glory. :) MUCHISIMAS GRACIAS FOR THE FOTOS!
Well, best-beloveds, I hope you're enjoying a relaxing summer. Please keep filling me in on the happenings at home, and I promise I'll have lots more to tell you proxima semana.
WITH LOVE AND SOME WASHINGTON RAIN (IN JUNE!),
ELDER SEAN
So I noticed in letters from Mom & Melinda a different way of accenting commands than I'm used to. I was wondering if it was a Guatemala thing or just a principle/rule I haven't learned yet.
*EXAMPLES:
Cuidate------Cuidate
hacelo------hacelo
dejalos------dejalos
no te preocupes------...preocupes
asegurate------asegurate
segui------sigue
They keep popping up so I assumed it wasn't a mistake. But I'm confused, so if you could, ayudame (ayudame?) Thanks!
I had a great week! It was my turn at senior companion again. I've been working on goals. (I'm not sure if I mentioned in the last letter,) and using them as motivatino. For the most part, when we set goals they're mostly empty numbers. We decide during our nightly planning sessions - how many of each key indicator we can get the next day. But we never, (or I never), look at them again the next day. So I've been trying to go about the days saying to myself "okay, we gotta get two lessons with a member present." Then, if plans fall through, by loking, praying and having faith, teach a lesson with a member present somewhere else. ?Comprende? It was fun, and better yet, we had the best numbers we've had in a long time! It was cool.
Now, this week, (Mon-Sun) It's been a lot harder. We have a District Leader that goes home in two weeks, so he and his companion will come over and hang out at our apartment. It ends up being one of those situations where we jr. comps sit there, talking, wondering when we're going to leave for exchanges, almost killing time. You can drop hints and come out and ask "when are we leaving?" but we're at his mercy. (To a point) It stinks 'cause he's a fun guy and was a fantastic missionary, but he's opting for being "dead" his last transfer. His comp and my comp are 18 mo. and 15 mo. so they don't mind a break. It's just a new set of challenges for me to superar. :)
I'm still having a great time. I LOVE Mt. Vernon. We have more and more Spanish work! In the midst of some fo the gloom, there will be a ray of light! Nothing will be happening and then suddenly we'll find someone who will almost be expecting us. There are really cool experiences that'll happen every once in a while.
The other day Elder Farris (the district leader) showed us some people we could talk to that he had taught. I went with him to talk to one of them. It turned out they had moved, but the lady that lived there turned out to be a nurse at a dementia hospital. One of her patients was LDS and would always get frustrated while reading the Ensign. So this woman would explain to her (the patient) what was going on. So she told Elder Farris & I that she wanted to be able to explain things more clearly and had some questions of her own. She asked if we could please come back, though, since she had just gotten off work and had some things to do. Elder Farris and I walked away both with a strong Spiritual confirmation that we were in the right place at the right time.
CJ, who we've been working with is super-solid. His baptism was postponed though so his sister could come. We're excited for him though, because we know the gospel will have a big impact on his family. During the lesson we put him on-date, Elder Herrin later told me he "saw" his parents being baptized in the future! It was powerful.
Lots of our recent new investigators seem really promising too! I'm really excited. And we're only going to be working harder. If there's anything this recent adversity has caused, it's a greater desire in Elder Herrin & I to work harder.
My favorite thing has been maintaining a 'cheery countenance' no matter what the situation. It's fun, but harder than I thought--especially to really mean it. :) I think of Jessica Barry's effervecense, and try to emulate. :)
SPANISH: it's coming along, slow & steady. Speaking comes without too much effort. I don't have to think in English first, as much. Whenever I read though, I find myself feeling like I'm looking at a blurry picture. In order to get all the depth and clarity, I ahve to translate it in my head. It's the verb tenses that get me. Even when understanding someone else. When I speak, I can say it in the right tense, no problem. Subjunctive is still a challenge to work into my speech, but pase a paso, no?
One other thing (with Spanish)... well, I'll include it on a sticky.*
Meanwhile, THE GREAT ROOM LOOKS AMAZING! So do the new stove & fridge! I LOVE it! It's going to be fun to see in all its real-life glory. :) MUCHISIMAS GRACIAS FOR THE FOTOS!
Well, best-beloveds, I hope you're enjoying a relaxing summer. Please keep filling me in on the happenings at home, and I promise I'll have lots more to tell you proxima semana.
WITH LOVE AND SOME WASHINGTON RAIN (IN JUNE!),
ELDER SEAN
So I noticed in letters from Mom & Melinda a different way of accenting commands than I'm used to. I was wondering if it was a Guatemala thing or just a principle/rule I haven't learned yet.
*EXAMPLES:
Cuidate------Cuidate
hacelo------hacelo
dejalos------dejalos
no te preocupes------...preocupes
asegurate------asegurate
segui------sigue
They keep popping up so I assumed it wasn't a mistake. But I'm confused, so if you could, ayudame (ayudame?) Thanks!
Monday, June 09, 2008
3 WEEKS IN 1: FROM 15 MAY TO 24 MAY TO 5 JUNE
--15 MAY--HOME: I'm pretty sure this is the first time I haven't written you. Wait-so last week I didn't send the letter, but I did write it! Sorry to leave you in the dark for a bit there. I figured with the Mother's Day call, it would make up for it.
I LOVED hearing from you! So it was different from the other calls, (in a good way) but still fantastic! You seemed just a block away, instead of two states. But that's pretty much a block.
I was surprised how much everyone sounded just the same as always! I'm surprised I expected everyone to have changed a lot! :) It was so cool to hear everyone so happy! I think I called at the perfect time.
I guess the reason I thought everyone had changed was because I feel I've changed so much! This learning process. So much has internally re-arranged. Few things are more satisfying than recognizing the careful pruning I've received from the Master of the Vineyard. It has been such a refining process, but I LOVE knowing I'm becoming better because of it!
I love practicing and improving upon my Christlike attributes and so many other aspects of life! I love having the TIME to even THINK about it! Whether its listening carefully to spiritual whispers, or just trying to maintain a "cheery countenance;" listening for and using the subjunctive tense in my Spanish or knowing the scriptures well enough to find the right one in a time of need.
I'm continually grateful to the Lord and to Mom & Papa that I can even recognize what a sweet experience this is. I wish more Elders out here could find the happiness in all the possibilities. Though I have to thank them for helping me to finally see it.
I think it's tough to see how much our labors benefit those we help onto the path to Eternal Life. We leave before we get to see the difference it makes in their lives. We plant so many seeds that we often never see sprout. Yet, we come across healthy trees that aer the result of other missionaries, and it helps add some hope to the faith. I've personally had a fantastic time seeing a family of recent converts
--24 MAY--
...grow in their knowledge and understanding of the gospel, as well as grow in the LDS culture. i laugh at how different it really is (or seems), and never have I been able to see that difference so distinctly until now--as they discover it. (It's the Engel family by the way. Those I mentioned on the sticky from last letter.)
Well, to quickly wrap up (since it IS Saturday), yesterday I'm pretty sure the Lord took some pity on Elder Herrin & I, because the prayer I'd offered at the close of our uncharacteristically energy-draining weekly planning session was totally answered before we came in at 9:00pm.
I asked the Lord to help us get excited about doing the work in this area (not because the area's bad, but simply because we didn't have much going on, and we were getting really lazy and sloppy.) I couldn't figure out WHAT it was that was getting me down so much, but I had decided I was going to endure it patiently and ride it out. I was having NO fun, and was on empty as far as my desire went.
So, we left and decided to go hit up some referrals. It had been a GREAT mail day (two for E. Herrin, two for me-both from Olivia-and NO junk mail!) and two media referrals had come in the mail as well--both English.
The first guy wasn't home, but it was fun joking about how Elder Herrin would have to do all the talking, since when I teach in English it gets awkward.
The SECOND guy, however, ended up being right next door to a strong member family. We started to conjecture, (as we sat in the car deciding our plan of attack), if maybe the members were playing a joke on us. We walked down the long driveway to the door, and as soon as we knocked, three boys came around the corner of the house, all about 13 years old. One we recognized as a member from the family next door. They asked what we were doing.
"Uh, we're looking for Andrew Day?" I asked.
"Huh? No one lives here named Andrew..."
Dang it, we thought, someone IS tricking us...
--5 JUNE--
So we drove off, got a couple of blocks away and decided to call them. Someone answered and said he WAS Andrew. We confirmed the address and it was the same place that we had just been! We pulled up again and walked toward the house. This time a boy came out the front door to meet us. He apologized, and told us his name was really Ben, (an 18 yr. old) , he just didn't like giving his real name out like that.
We began talking on his front porch and he explained that was doing some kind of research for a project he was doing, and wanted to ask us some questions about our faith. He then proceeded to question us on a few random parts of the gospel, things I had never even CONSIDERED someone would be interested in. Elder Herrin & I skillfully and simply did our best to answer his questions (which I had thought he was being very honest and sincere about), and continually bore testimony. He definitely knew the basic doctrines (as he had been taught and had read about in the Bible.) He was a non-denominational Christian, or so he said. But it was amazing how the Spirit would bring up new insights etc. AS we were talking. He wasn't really wanting to bash either, so we were able to talk and discuss without contention.
We left without having taught a lesson, mostly just having answered his questions, but we were recharged with the spirit from almost defending our faith. Not to mention we'd also set up a return appointment. I couldn't have been more happy afterwards though, for the renewed excitement to be a missionary. Once again, our prayers had been answered!
(sorry for the crappy ending to the story. I just found this letter & wanted to quickly finish it off, so I rushed through what was once terribly exciting, and it kind of lost it's umph in the transition.)
--STILL 5 JUNE--
So, this past week... The compromise that I worked out with President has been working marvelously. It's now back to me and I've felt a TON less stress.
This past Saturday we got a chance to hear Elder Ballard speak! It was our mission, the Tacoma mission, and the Seattle mission PLUS every ward's Ward Mission Leaders and bishops. So, unfortunately it was not as intimate as the time Elder Scott came. And his comments were mostly directed towards the ward leadership. But it was still really cool.
THANK YOU much for the recent package! The pictures hit the spot! Not to mention the photo album was PRICELESS! The great room looks SO good! How long ago was it that you replaced the TV?! Did Papa finally get his wish?
Wow... so, I feel kind of out of things to say... but I KNOW there's a TON of stuff that's happened... Oh! I finished another journal a few days ago! I'm on to my FOURTH for my mission! Thankfully, I brought lots of unfinished journals, so I got that base covered.
FYI: random letters from a long time ago showed up a week or two ago. One from Olivia postmarked 10 April (lots of monkeys & animal stickers), that arrived with another from Olivia that WASN'T postmarked, that she dated May 20 (with sacred grove picture) Also, an AMAZING one from Calvin that he dated May 6. (It arrived sometime after Mother's Day.) I also got the one from Unufe/Price. (And one from the Sunbeams!)
Meanwhile, it's cloudy and rainy today. In JUNE! But we've had some good days too. I can't believe its already June. OLIVIA & BEN GET MARRIED TOMORROW! That's nuts! CONGRATULATIONS by the way!
We have a baptism this Saturday! He's a really cool kid named CJ, 15 years old. (Have I mentioned him?) He's been the most golden investigator I've had so far! It's been SO cool working with him. He's had a tough life, but he's overcoming it now, and the gospel is playing a bigger part than he realizes.
SO, there you have it. I'm pulling myself back into the routine. I've stopped complaining to myself about the problems I've been having and I'm DOING something about them. But of course, the same struggles I've always had, begin to arrive as the to-do pile stacks up. In an effort to clean/organize my desk, I forget to finish this letter. While tidying up my closet, I misplace my last black Sarasa.
But seriously, if there's anything I've learned the past week, it's that I really have nothing to complain about. I wake up in the morning, read my scriptures, jump in a car that isn't mine, with gas I don't have to buy, drive around town and talk to people! No worrying about job, school, bills, food (most of the time), relationships, etc. So of course, I should forget about myself, go out and work. I came here to serve, not to be served.
So family, if you want to be happy, lose yourself in the service of others! (See quote by Hinckley, PMG p. 168)
LOVE, ELDER JUAREZ
Sunday, June 08, 2008
THE CLOUDS OPENED UP AND GOD SAID, "I TOLD YOU SO"
FAMILY: Oh man! It's been a good week! I just had to be patient, endure, and accept the Lord's timing. He's working hard behind the scenes.
We had our interviews with President Showalter this past week, and with his help we came up with a quick fix. We're going to try it and see what happens.
I've had some trouble this past transfer adapting to the new style of work. Elder Herrin's had a bit of trouble figuring out exactly what his role should be as a jr. companion. He found he was stressing about a baptism we had, because he didn't understand how I was planning on doing the many things that need to be done for us to be prepared properly. Basically, after the baptism, he was annoyed with himself because he had been stressing over things he didn't need to be stressing about, or things that weren't necessarily his "job". 'Then, what was his job?', he thought.
He went into an odd funk, where he kind of decided not to care, so that he didn't stress about anything. The problem for me, then, was that I felt I had to make all the decisions, and make sure everything got done. It's amazing the difference in the feeling of the load when your Jr. comp will say, "I think we should do..." when his opinion is asked, or "I want to do this...". Even simply, "I can do that" or "I'll call them" or "we should probably..." or "let's say a prayer." Instead, I was getting, "I don't care", "It's whatever", "It's your decision", "It's not on my head", "It doesn't matter", or "it's whatever you want." It became very frustrating. Then, because he was trying not to think about the work so that he didn't overstep his bounds, he thought a lot about his many friend-girls.
Though it was tough for me, I understood his dilemma. I tried to explain I wouldn't yell or be annoyed with him if something he suggested didn't work out. Plus it must be tough becoming a sr. comp, a district leader, a trainer, and then going to jr. comp to Elders that got ticked if you made suggestions. Then me, who only knew one style of doing missionary work.
His perpetual wishy-washy-ness (which is not his personality normally) was bumming me out. I was exhausted all the time and finding it difficult to be excited about the work for the both of us. We began staying up later, sleeping in, and missing the morning studies, which was sucking the life out of us. The disobedience was subconsciously stressing us out because of the guilt. Not to mention we weren't entitled to the same portion of the Spirit, so we weren't as happy. We had just enough work to fool us into thinking that despite our faults we were being good missionaries. We were quickly forgetting the Lord.
After some prayer the night before, I finally decided I should just make Elder Herrin the sr. for a while, so I could take a break from the load. maybe many other things could be resolved that way too. I'd understand what he was used to expecting from a sr. comp, and I could show him how he could support and advise as a jr. comp. Then hopefully we could reach the ideal (to me) of an equilibrium in work.
When I told him he was going to be sr. comp, he laughed. "Thanks, but I'm going to have to decline! I would if I could drive. That's your job!" It was metaphorically a punch to the gut.
Then, there was hope!
I sat down with President this past Monday and explained. He asked some questions, like what I thought Elder Herrin would like (in the situation), then proposed he and I switch off week by week, being sr. comp AND driver. Then the clouds opened up and God said, "I told you so."
So far, it's working! Suddenly, if nothing gets done, it falls on him, so he feels the responsibility, as well as the ability to control (without worry) the situation.
As for me? I can rejoice in his successes, support him how I'd like him to support me, and sit in the passenger's seat writing letters! I can learn from him by watching him do it. And I can anticipate having to pick up where he leaves off this Monday, & vice versa! Personally, I feel it will be better for the both of us.
Looking back on it, it seems like another Brother of Jared experience. I went to the Lord for help, devised a solution, then went to the President, and with the power and authority he's been given by the Lord, he lit up my white stones.
So family, when something's wrong, maintain your faith and prayers, but in the meantime, do everything you can to fix the problem. And finally, be patient! You'll never be faced with a challenge greater than you can bear. AND, be obedient, so you can be spared from worrying your suffering is because of disobedience. Obviously, it's easy (it seems) to be obedient to the big commandments, but remember that what Mom & Papa ask of you are commandments as well. It's tough, but try it, you'll love it. :) (CALVIN & HOBBES...)
Thanks for all you do. You're continued prayers are much appreciated. Sorry for the rambling. :)
How are you all at home? Big plans for summer? Wedding prep. getting crazy?
LOVE,
ELDER SEAN
We had our interviews with President Showalter this past week, and with his help we came up with a quick fix. We're going to try it and see what happens.
I've had some trouble this past transfer adapting to the new style of work. Elder Herrin's had a bit of trouble figuring out exactly what his role should be as a jr. companion. He found he was stressing about a baptism we had, because he didn't understand how I was planning on doing the many things that need to be done for us to be prepared properly. Basically, after the baptism, he was annoyed with himself because he had been stressing over things he didn't need to be stressing about, or things that weren't necessarily his "job". 'Then, what was his job?', he thought.
He went into an odd funk, where he kind of decided not to care, so that he didn't stress about anything. The problem for me, then, was that I felt I had to make all the decisions, and make sure everything got done. It's amazing the difference in the feeling of the load when your Jr. comp will say, "I think we should do..." when his opinion is asked, or "I want to do this...". Even simply, "I can do that" or "I'll call them" or "we should probably..." or "let's say a prayer." Instead, I was getting, "I don't care", "It's whatever", "It's your decision", "It's not on my head", "It doesn't matter", or "it's whatever you want." It became very frustrating. Then, because he was trying not to think about the work so that he didn't overstep his bounds, he thought a lot about his many friend-girls.Though it was tough for me, I understood his dilemma. I tried to explain I wouldn't yell or be annoyed with him if something he suggested didn't work out. Plus it must be tough becoming a sr. comp, a district leader, a trainer, and then going to jr. comp to Elders that got ticked if you made suggestions. Then me, who only knew one style of doing missionary work.
His perpetual wishy-washy-ness (which is not his personality normally) was bumming me out. I was exhausted all the time and finding it difficult to be excited about the work for the both of us. We began staying up later, sleeping in, and missing the morning studies, which was sucking the life out of us. The disobedience was subconsciously stressing us out because of the guilt. Not to mention we weren't entitled to the same portion of the Spirit, so we weren't as happy. We had just enough work to fool us into thinking that despite our faults we were being good missionaries. We were quickly forgetting the Lord.
After some prayer the night before, I finally decided I should just make Elder Herrin the sr. for a while, so I could take a break from the load. maybe many other things could be resolved that way too. I'd understand what he was used to expecting from a sr. comp, and I could show him how he could support and advise as a jr. comp. Then hopefully we could reach the ideal (to me) of an equilibrium in work.
When I told him he was going to be sr. comp, he laughed. "Thanks, but I'm going to have to decline! I would if I could drive. That's your job!" It was metaphorically a punch to the gut.
Then, there was hope!
I sat down with President this past Monday and explained. He asked some questions, like what I thought Elder Herrin would like (in the situation), then proposed he and I switch off week by week, being sr. comp AND driver. Then the clouds opened up and God said, "I told you so."
So far, it's working! Suddenly, if nothing gets done, it falls on him, so he feels the responsibility, as well as the ability to control (without worry) the situation.
As for me? I can rejoice in his successes, support him how I'd like him to support me, and sit in the passenger's seat writing letters! I can learn from him by watching him do it. And I can anticipate having to pick up where he leaves off this Monday, & vice versa! Personally, I feel it will be better for the both of us.
Looking back on it, it seems like another Brother of Jared experience. I went to the Lord for help, devised a solution, then went to the President, and with the power and authority he's been given by the Lord, he lit up my white stones.
So family, when something's wrong, maintain your faith and prayers, but in the meantime, do everything you can to fix the problem. And finally, be patient! You'll never be faced with a challenge greater than you can bear. AND, be obedient, so you can be spared from worrying your suffering is because of disobedience. Obviously, it's easy (it seems) to be obedient to the big commandments, but remember that what Mom & Papa ask of you are commandments as well. It's tough, but try it, you'll love it. :) (CALVIN & HOBBES...)
Thanks for all you do. You're continued prayers are much appreciated. Sorry for the rambling. :)
How are you all at home? Big plans for summer? Wedding prep. getting crazy?
LOVE,
ELDER SEAN
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