Happy St. Patrick's Day y'all and happy late Pi Day [which was Elder Black's half birthday - 3.14]!
It's been 6 months since I turned 19, I don't feel 19, but I don't feel 20 either. I guess in many ways I still feel like a child, learning growing, and still trying to be the best I can be. This past week was filled with trainings, service projects, and appointments. I give thanks to the mother who raised me and taught me a thing or two on time management. She didn't know how to time manage, so I thank her for teaching me how not to time manage.
Just kidding, Mom [better be kidding!]. I actually learned quite a lot from her from the times she has planned and arranged flights and trips for our family:)
Elder Erich W. Kopischke from the First Quorum of the Seventy came to the mission last Wednesday and gave an incredible training or as he called it, a Revelatory Experience! Talk about being enlightened as well as being a little rebuked. It was so good though, and really an eye opening experience for not only me but also the other many missionaries in our zone. One important thing I learned and finally understood was that
"To be bold means to be clear!"
By being plain and simple.
Again, there were good principles and doctrine taught. And a definite reminder to me that the people we meet and teach are not just lifeless objects designed to get a baptismal date. They are individuals with purpose and identity, just like me. People who have been searching for truth yet know not where to find it.
He had instructed us to write questions before he started his address, and by the end of the 6 hour meeting he helped answer every question I had written. He taught like a true missionary. It was so sick [I think that means good!].
One thing else that I learned and I feel somewhat guilty of, is to just be you. Don't pretend, don't fake it. Just live it. My life is not perfect. There are days I look up at the sky and literally ask God, what am I doing? My trainee probably thinks I'm a freak for doing things like that :) but there are days I wanna just nap. Isn't that bad?
There come times where we fall down and still get up. The routine seems endless. Right now in fact, I'm writing for the relief of stress in my system. The mission is difficult. I worry sometimes I will end TRUNKY. The number one thing I hate most. The second thing I would hate is to end up bald, but looking at my hair carefully this morning it doesn't seem like I'm losing any yet! It did look a little odd two weeks ago when I cut it on my own. Again so many good things are given from our Father in Heaven, and in some ways we may not see it the same way he does.
This past week was definitely worth remembering.
We attended the funeral service for an amazing kid named Duncan. He and his family are in our ward and he recently died from brain cancer at the age of not even 2. Saturday morning we attended in request of the family, that we would be able to help any who may have questions after the service.
During the funeral service many testimonies were given. It turns out, Duncan was always a missionary. It influenced and helped so many people. So so so many people. I cried. The spirit was so strong. I cried as it testified to me that the great purpose and plan of our Heavenly Father are true.
Well All is well, and we are still finding people to come back and teach. The church is true, book is blue like the ocean and Jesus is the Christ.
Stay Classy y'all,
Love,
elder black
It's been 6 months since I turned 19, I don't feel 19, but I don't feel 20 either. I guess in many ways I still feel like a child, learning growing, and still trying to be the best I can be. This past week was filled with trainings, service projects, and appointments. I give thanks to the mother who raised me and taught me a thing or two on time management. She didn't know how to time manage, so I thank her for teaching me how not to time manage.
Just kidding, Mom [better be kidding!]. I actually learned quite a lot from her from the times she has planned and arranged flights and trips for our family:)
Elder Erich W. Kopischke from the First Quorum of the Seventy came to the mission last Wednesday and gave an incredible training or as he called it, a Revelatory Experience! Talk about being enlightened as well as being a little rebuked. It was so good though, and really an eye opening experience for not only me but also the other many missionaries in our zone. One important thing I learned and finally understood was that
"To be bold means to be clear!"
By being plain and simple.
Again, there were good principles and doctrine taught. And a definite reminder to me that the people we meet and teach are not just lifeless objects designed to get a baptismal date. They are individuals with purpose and identity, just like me. People who have been searching for truth yet know not where to find it.
He had instructed us to write questions before he started his address, and by the end of the 6 hour meeting he helped answer every question I had written. He taught like a true missionary. It was so sick [I think that means good!].
One thing else that I learned and I feel somewhat guilty of, is to just be you. Don't pretend, don't fake it. Just live it. My life is not perfect. There are days I look up at the sky and literally ask God, what am I doing? My trainee probably thinks I'm a freak for doing things like that :) but there are days I wanna just nap. Isn't that bad?
There come times where we fall down and still get up. The routine seems endless. Right now in fact, I'm writing for the relief of stress in my system. The mission is difficult. I worry sometimes I will end TRUNKY. The number one thing I hate most. The second thing I would hate is to end up bald, but looking at my hair carefully this morning it doesn't seem like I'm losing any yet! It did look a little odd two weeks ago when I cut it on my own. Again so many good things are given from our Father in Heaven, and in some ways we may not see it the same way he does.
This past week was definitely worth remembering.
We attended the funeral service for an amazing kid named Duncan. He and his family are in our ward and he recently died from brain cancer at the age of not even 2. Saturday morning we attended in request of the family, that we would be able to help any who may have questions after the service.
During the funeral service many testimonies were given. It turns out, Duncan was always a missionary. It influenced and helped so many people. So so so many people. I cried. The spirit was so strong. I cried as it testified to me that the great purpose and plan of our Heavenly Father are true.
Well All is well, and we are still finding people to come back and teach. The church is true, book is blue like the ocean and Jesus is the Christ.
Stay Classy y'all,
Love,
elder black