11 Feb 2013. I've been a missionary for ten months today. I'll be a quarter of a century old in under a month, and then about a month after that I'll hit my year mark. Time flies, and the days are just packed.
I have no idea what I'm doing. But apparently I'm doing something right, because "RP" is getting baptized tomorrow. I'm still unsure as to who he wants to speak, and if he realizes that he can't wear board shorts (unless they are white). But we're going to fix that soon! I'm just super stoked that he passed his interview with President Smart. He's so excited that he's invited most of his coworkers to the baptism and to church next week. Hopefully his parents will see how great we are and they will want to take the lessons, too.
I really can't get over how long I've been here. I've long held the belief that I don't experience the passage of time the same way most people do, but the concept of time on the mission is even odder. I feel like I just barely got here. But I am so completely and thoroughly a missionary, to my very core, that I can't imagine what my life will be like when I'm not a missionary. Adjusting back to civilian life is going to be an interesting process.
I had a really rough time emotionally this week. I'm starting to accept the fact that I am still imperfect, and that I offend people sometimes. Perhaps I can change for the better. But if my intentions are pure, and I am keeping the commandments, then I don't need to worry about what God thinks of me. I think it's a matter of perspective. Reading 2 Nephi chapter 2 helped me a lot in that regard. There is indeed opposition in all things. And it is the ups and downs of life that makes it meaningful and enjoyable.
I can now add a Smith & Wesson tactical pen to the list of cool gifts I've received on my mission. Apparently our High Priest group leader is a sales rep for them. He used to be a cop, and then he sold for Glock. I imagine his gun safe is full of all kinds of fun stuff.
I'm glad that my companion gets to watch the entire teaching process all the way up to baptism with "RP". And he also gets to perform the actual ordinance. That's something that you don't always get to see as a greenie. Luckily for us, God has provided a way for him to have that experience.
I've really considered myself lucky so far on my mission. Or I guess blessed is a better word for it. I should be sure to acknowledge God's hand in all things. But I also don't need to be so down on myself, when I've really seen a lot of cool stuff so far. For example, the new investigator we picked up this week. She walked into our lesson and threw out all kinds of anti doctrines without giving us time to talk about anything. But with some love and smiles, we were able to get her to listen as we explained things from the bible one point at a time. Now she's committed to reading our side of the story, and I think she's turned around a lot of the opinions she held about us before. It is easy to love those that treat you well, but it is far more Christlike to love those that abuse you. I think she picked up on that. Also, the wonderful brother from the Spanish branch that has attended our meetings with that family has wowed us all with the power of his testimony every single time he attends the lessons.
Well God bless, and Happy Valentine's Day!
No comments:
Post a Comment