Oh, and you wouldn't believe how many people point out that I have only six months left. Anyone who asks how long I've been out actually. It's quite...I won't say anything. It's mean.
This week I've had a lot of things happen, and I was trying to keep mental tabs on them, but then...I was a missionary and had already lost my brain. Good thing I have a planner to help me out.
I've been going out on a limb in some of our messages with members at dinners lately. It's been a miracle actually. We plan something, and then at the last minute, it's not going to work and I hear the words "can we share a message with you?" come out of my mouth before I even have time to come up with a solid idea of what to share. And every time, I start opening my scriptures or my mouth, and the right thing comes out. It never ceases to amaze me. Wow. God asks us to take some steps of faith, and he always gives us what we need. Or something better. Many times, the thought has been the same as we'd planned almost, but it come out differently than I would have said it. But it's always perfect for the situation.
We have an investigator, Ramiro, who wants to get baptized, and has tried to come to church for three weeks, but due to rides falling through, flat tires and other things, he hasn't been able too. He also lives about a half and hour away (like everyone in this area), and we haven't been able to meet with him for a few weeks. We were finally able to got a hold of him and set up an appointment. When we got to the house, his mother told us he was not there, and so we got into our car and started looking at our back ups. We were about to drive away, when I saw a man in a blue sweatshirt walking up the street. Ramiro had left his house to go and shoot hoops and to pray in a park near by. He's been struggling with family problems and needed some time to think things through, he didn't think we would be there, but then when he got back, our car was outside. Luckily, we hadn't driven away yet. We had a lesson on the Gospel of Jesus Christ outside, and invited him to be baptized on the 23rd of February, and he said yes. Two days later, we found out he doesn't actually live in our area and we would have to pass him off. It's the bessssst. No. We're going to be working with the Palo Alto Sister's actually in the YSA branch to pass him off instead of the Family ward, so I'm not to sore on the idea.
Speaking of which, I'm in my old district. And the Palo Alto Sisters got doubled in since one sister had to go home for sugary. It's been interesting to hear about old investigators and people. Interesting to think about how I am back in the same district, at the same time Sisters are doubling in and need some help...I've talked a little bit with them at meetings about things we did when we opened the area, hope it's helpful.
We also are trying to teach the girlfriend of an inactive member in our Spanish Branch. I invited her to be baptized, and after an awkward pause, my companion turned to her to explain that I had asked a question...yessss...I've very good at Spanish. How embarrassing. It's okay, Conner had to have the question repeated to him, and he got baptized haha.
We've found a new investigator, Michael, while looking for his niece actually who is a member. She doesn't live there anymore, but Michael was interested in our message. We've taught him three times this last week. After sharing about the first vision, he said "why, that'd be the biggest lie ever told. It's got to be true!" and when we invited him to be baptized, he jumped up and said "well sure!" We're going to have to be working with him a lot, he was smoking during our first lesson and it is very deep into his skin. Literally, he's very frail. We're planning on reviewing quite a bit and helping him understand everything fully.
Last Monday, I decided to read a letter that we'd been given in Ward Council the week before. Elder Scott and Elder Parry had had a video conference with our stake President in November and had responded with a letter of instruction for our stake. Now, three months later, the stake president would like to know what the wards have put into action from the letter. I read it while eating breakfast about a week after we'd gotten it and was blown away by it. Why hadn't I read it sooner? I should have, to incorporate things better. I read it several times, highlighting parts and connecting ideas that President Slaughter has been trying to emphasize already. Then again, Saturday night, I read through it. This bullet point caught my attention.
"Members and each stake/ward council must understand the principles of hastening the work of salvation and make the effort to have it happen in the stake/ward."
It caught my attention, because I had thought that I understood what "hastening the work of salvation" meant. But what did it mean, "understand the principles of hastening the work of salvation and make the effort to have it happen"? What are the principles of hastening the work? I also was corrected in my thinking. I had thought the phrase was "hastening of the work of salvation." It's not. The word "of" is not in that sentence. The work does not just hasten and we get to jump on board and hitch a ride into the second coming. No. Rather, we have to be pushing and pulling, and grunting and running and shoving forward. We're God's hands this hastening.So, I'm curious, what do y'all think are the principles of Hastening the Work of Salvation? This isn't rhetorical, I really want to hear your thoughts on it.
Here's a head start : http://www.lds.org/training/
So yesterday, I was fasting to understand better what it meant to "understand the principles of hastening the work of salvation and make the effort to have it happen" and you know what? I had a bad day. A really awful day. I think I worked myself into a fit mooding over everything, and wondering around everything. All six hours of church I felt like flopping under a desk and hiding my head under our binder. I just felt sick and stuck. How are we all suppose to catch this vision enough to really hasten the work?
While out trying to contact less-actives, and again being the person no one wanted to see (especially during the Superbowl), I asked Sister Rodriguez, how do missionaries hasten the work? I've had all this ideas that members can, and what I can do when I go home, but when it comes filling my planner with productive things to do during the day, I feel stumped every day. And so I pondered all over it on our half hour drive home. And I've come to some conclusions. A few weeks ago, I wrote about an experience Elder Bednar Shared, I wrote to y'all
"One of the things he talked about was the question "what would it be like if...?" He talked about how his father was not a member and at one point he asked himself 'what would be like if my father was a Melchizedek Priesthood holder?' After that he started to live a little differently, to act like things were the way he wanted or felt they should be. It was really interesting to see a different perspective, to think about all of the 'what would it be likes' in my life and then think about how i would act if they were that way, because that's how we achieve them."
I thought about that again while driving:What would it be like, or what would I do, if I was a missionary, serving in the last days while the work needed to be hastened? Then I thought of all of the things that I could do better at, or do more of or let go of. The things I would put more effort in, and the people I would talk to better. And ya, know, it's a good thing I don't have to wonder "what would it be like if...?" with this situation, because I actually am a missionary serving right now.
After thinking about that, more ideas started to come, things I could do but was maybe too nervous or afraid or lazy or whatever reason it was, I didn't do.I thought again of the dream I had my first night in Pleasanton as I told an old companion "Remember, the most important thing for you to do right now is to teach the members how to be missionaries too." Today, I talked to the cashier at the store about her name and school and things, and then gave her a mormon.org card before I left, something that's been difficult for me to do on my mission. As we walked out to our car, I felt like I had helped hasten the work right then. I believe that girl will look at the web site. What would it be like for you, if...?
We can overcome these fears, and we get to be a part of this time. This time, in Elder Parry's words ranks with the great events in the history of the church. I started another Book of Mormon study, "Hastening the Work of Salvation" this one is going to be my favorite. I'm highlighting how members, missionaries, leaders, non-members and God hasten the work together. Good things are happening, and I'm so excited to be a part of this. Are you?
I love y'all, and have been praying for you. I don't think you live boring lives, because I eat up everything you have to say, whether about six-packs, tile floors, teaching sunbeams, graduate programs, finding jobs, good 'ol Penn., I love it. Y'all are my favorite people and I love hearing from you :)
Much love,
Your still learning, Texan Sunbeam
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