Well, this week was
kind of stressful! Very good, but stressful. Why was it stressful
do you ask? We had something big going on almost every single day
including Zone Conference, a Mini-Mission and my first ever talk on the mission
(in TWO meetings).
Zone Conference was
super good this transfer. Zone Conference is when all the missionaries in
the area get together and get training from President and others of our leaders
and lasts all day long. It happens only every other transfer so it's
something we always look forward too. This one was really good though,
our focus for the past two transfers have been Christ-like attributes.
Not only what we are doing, but who we are becoming. So we talked a lot
about Christ and how we personally can become more like Him. It's always
good to have that reminded of who we are and who we represent. We aren't
out here just to baptize people or get them to church, we are here to invite
others to come unto Christ. Those others is everyone we meet, member or
not, and includes ourselves as well. Chapter 6 in Preach My Gospel talks
more about them and it has become a focus in my personal study each day.
If you have some down time (and even if you don't ;)), you should check it out
and read through it. It's pretty amazing. And if you don't have a
PMG, you can find it on LDS.org, it's a pretty legit book. But even
though Zone Conference is so good, it wears you out. It's a long time and
a lot to take in!
And no time to
recover. The next morning we had to wake up even earlier than usual to to
go take part in the mini-mission that the stake was putting on. All the
youth ages 16 and up went out with us on splits. Can I just say, it was
SO weird not being with my companion all day? Once, the girl I was with
didn't let me know she was using the restroom and just disappeared. I had
a mini-panic attack before I realized where she had gone. Oh, the things
that happen to you once you become a missionary. Anyway. It was
great fun though. Sis Irwin and I split up and each took a girl with us
so we were able to get twice the work done in our area. It was a bugger
planning for two plans plus backups x, y and z but we had a super busy
day! I of course, took her to see all the crazy people we have in our
area, it was lots of fun. I am used to their eccentrics by now but she
was definitely taken back by many people we went to visit! haha I
love people. One lady told us about alien abductions and government conspiracies.
We got into lots of houses that we have never been able to get into before so
that was a miracle in and of itself but made for a long, long day. I was
pooped. More than usual. I told President he should start allowing
siestas, but he didn't really like that idea too much. Unfortunately.
I also had the GREAT
opportunity to speak in church this Sunday, not once but twice. We
also go to the nursing home every Sunday for the service they hold
there in addition to regular church. And they happened to ask me to speak
the same Sunday that I did in regular church. On a different
topic. So I gave a talk on prayer and a talk on the miracles that happen
in missionary work. Both twenty minutes. It was great.
Learned a lot though! It was really sad though, it felt like I was giving
a farewell again, pretty sure it was God giving me a heads-up with what will
happen in two weeks. We can always hope not! Also, the bishopric
gave me a hard time because apparently I was shaking bad enough that they could
see it (at least my voice wasn't shaky!) but they all told me that they didn't
have me pinned as someone who got nervous about speaking in front of
people. Man, I had them fooled! Haha. Nice end to the week and at
least I don't have to worry about it again for another several weeks!
Another plus though, is that it got people to church!! It was so exciting
and made me so happy to see some people that we have been trying to get to
church forever walk into the building. Maybe we should made Sis Irwin
give a talk soon ;)
It was a very spirit-filled
week though, which was much needed. Sometimes you just need a little bit
of a jump to life! Missions are not a cake-walk but I have seen my
relationship with my Savior grow so much, it's been one of the greatest experiences
ever. And I just wanted to sign off today with a quote I found this week
by Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley: "Do you want to be happy? Forget
yourself and get lost in this great cause. Lend your efforts to helping
people...stand higher, lift those with feeble knees, hold up the arms of those
that hang down. Live the gospel of Jesus Christ."
And with that thought,
I hope you all have an amazing, happy week and go find someone to serve! :)
Love,
Sis Rae
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