Week 66

Mon, Sep 23, 2013 at 10:44 AM

Hola family, 

Sounds like y'all are enjoying the rain.  We have had absolutely gorgeous weather here this past week.  Oh my goodness, no joke.  It's been lovely :)  Sounds like your ward is grand sized.  When do they split wards...is that why Elder Ballard is coming in November? (which is lucky too, by the way; however, he came to my stake conference once already, so ha! )  

This week we have definitely seen some mighty miracles occur.  We found 6 new investigators this past week.  The work we are doing with members has grown tremendously.  I'm definitely growing in this area.  The Lord gives us certain obstacles or challenges that, if we let them, create growth.  On a mission, I know that He puts us in certain areas with certain companions to serve certain individuals both for their and our benefit.  I'm definitely learned a lot about working with the fantastic members of the ward here in Wake Forest.  Lots of good things are happening.  We're still working on helping our investigators take the step of committing to being baptized, but it's a work in progress.  I know that I've grown a lot over the course of my mission, and I know that I do well in various areas of missionary work, but I still see all my flaws and failures, and it kind of stinks.  I wish I could be more bold at times when I'm not.  I wish I could set better expectations with those we teach...I wish I knew that fine balance that seems to be ridiculously elusive in all areas.  I know the doctrine...that's not a problem, but I wish I could be a better teacher, asking better questions, listening better...sometimes I feel like I'll never get there...nevertheless, I press forward.

I got a letter from Ricky last week, and mom 66 and grandma.  Ricky's letter was very timely because we actually changed, as directed by the spirit, our lesson that night to one that revolved around that letter.  It was very good and very powerful.  Something I don't like as a missionary is how much I take for granted the spirit.  I try to recognize and appreciate the spirit, but a lot of times I don't even realize how powerfully present the spirit is in a lesson for instance.  Others, particularly our members do, but we'll come out of a lesson, slightly disappointed or frustrated sometimes and our members will comment on how powerful and spiritual of a lesson that was...

I really wish everyone knew what I know.  I really wish everyone cherished the truths that we have.  

Last week, we helped a young man with his eagle project.  That was good.  We helped him dig some post holes manually, and then we put together some picnic tables.  I'm realizing more and more how right Engineering is for me.  Just as a side note. :)  This coming week, I will be on exchange 3 days this week.  2 of them I'll be here with another missionary, and then the last one I'll be somewhere else.  This week is going to blow by.  as they usually do, but faster.  I honestly have no idea if I'll be transferred or not.  It's Oct. 8 by the way; they might leave us together for 3 transfers, especially because we'll be dealing with setting up the additional sisters, which is something they might want a little more experience for, or I could leave if there's something the Lord needs me to do elsewhere.  Who knows but Him?  Probably president, but besides that :)  It'll be interesting if I stay 6 months in 3 areas...my first boy turned 1 year the other day...weird.  Everyone I know is going home too...everyone is so new...

I don't really know what else to say...

Missionary work is a roller coaster...

I have truly come to love the New Testament on my mission.  The teachings in there are so wonderful, and the insight I gain is tremendous.  It truly is a special testament of Christ.  However, I also have come to realize that people in general, but a lot of people who claim to be Christian, really don't know the bible.  There are some ridiculously plain and simple truths outlined in the New Testament that seem to just get by-passed.  I've realized that a common plague in our society today that has just been passed down and magnified over the generations is that a lot of people simply don't look for truth anymore.  They just look to be satisfied.  A mindset that I really like that I semi learned from one of the members of our ward is what every Christian should have.  You should never be satisfied until you feel with everything you've got that you've found the true church of Jesus Christ.  Every Christian is morally obligated to seek and search it out with every drop of energy they can muster.  But the problem in our society is that people settle.  As long as they can sleep good that night and their church doesn't preach Satanic doctrine, they're good with it.  It's a sad state of society we live, where instead of we, as divine sons and daughters of God, conforming our lives to His will, we confirm His will to our lives.  and I fear that it will only worsen.  My hope is that we can all, as members of this church, fulfill our moral responsibility to help and succor our brothers and sisters, discovering the ones that still hold divine truth close to their hearts.

That's all I've got today.  I love you all though.  

Love,

Elder Patty