9/23/2013

Hey all!

Guess what. 4 MONTHS IN THE FIELD! :D It's crazy. CRAZY. I'm really starting to see how missionary life just becomes life, and then it's really hard to get back into things when you get home. Good thing that won't be for another 14 months. ;P It's still not easy though, for sure. But it's fun. Gollee it's fun. :D So! To business:

An Update:

It was a bit of a slow week this week (numbers wise), but full of miracles and biking in the rain (it's starting. Blleeerrrgghh). We taught some really spirit-filled lessons, met some great potentials, had awesome member meals and met some really solid new investigators. Bah! The investigators were probably my favorite: one, Shannon (a dude) from Kentucky (accent and all). Works with the Navy, really into the Bible, but calls himself a Doubting Thomas (puts a lot of stock in Science's evidences of religion, etc.). Had a good sit-down with him about the Book of Mormon though; he said nothing we told him really violated his beliefs, but that he wanted rock hard evidence for it. We directed him to Moroni 7:15-17, and he said it sounded like something he would've written himself. We're going back on Wednesday. And AMBER, ran into her, had taken lessons forever ago with some Sister Missionaries (though we have no record of her in our area book), and said she wanted to take them again! Super prepared. We thought she was a less active member she's so ready. Very exciting.

An Experience:

Last night we had a crazy crazy lesson with this woman named Angie. Angie has been out of the church for 20 years, but lives a super put together life; very blessed. She drinks coffee and tea, and feel that going to church she would be very judged by the members. Turning point of the lesson was when the member we brought with us (Staci Walton) confessed to having smoked some interesting substances in her time of lapsed activity just a few years ago. Ha! She's got a couple tattoos as well (though she didn't share that in the lesson). Just does my heart good to see that people of all backgrounds and histories of activity can engage themselves in the church and the gospel. AWESOME.

A Spiritual Thought:

Christ asks us all throughout the scriptures to 'take up our cross' and follow him. I've always wondered what that phrase meant, what 'taking up our cross' really was. But! I got some insight on that this week.

Luke 14:27 (with JST)

"And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. Wherefore, settle this in your hearts, that ye will do the things which I shall teach, and command you."

What? Yes! Made the connection! 'Bearing your cross' is deciding to do the things Christ and Heavenly Father teaches and commands us to do. Often times that means doing them in faith; without knowing from the outset what will happen when we decide to change our lives to match what he asks. It also struck me that 'bearing your cross' is an awfully similar image to 'bearing Christ's yoke'. I think it's two images trying to get at the same thing; choosing to disregard what we want to do instead what God wants is a burden (or can feel that way). BUT. Giving all means we can receive all. We (our stubbornness, unwillingness to submit) are the limiting factor, and when we turn things over to Heavenly Father, we get it all back in return.

A Recommendation: 

ALL THOSE (Parents? Benjamin? Pre-Missionaries? Those on their missions? People with crazy lives? [I think that covers everyone]) who want to spend $7 (plus a little shipping) to change their lives and make it awesome, GO ONLINE AND PURCHASE THIS BOOK:

The Power of Everyday Missionary Work by Clayton Christensen

It's become a bit of a textbook for our mission, and it's awesome. Funny and down to earth for one, but also helps missionary work seem A) Desireable, B) AWESOME, C) Achievable (which I think is the most important thing). I wish I could go into it now, but so many great tools for how to do missionary work. And it's a quick read! Written by a super awesome Harvard guy. If he can have success in irreligious New England, you can have success anywhere. GO BUY IT.

Alright. Off the soap box. But for real, go get it.

I LOVE YOU I LOVE YOU I LOVE YOU ALL!

Sister Hale