Hey Home,
The Highlights of last week:
Transfers are tomorrow and the new comp is Elder Whedon. He's from California, a Spanish speaking white missionary and all around great guy. I'm very excited to work with him, but gosh dang I will miss Elder Johnston for sure. It's been a good 4.5 months serving with him.
After much time, and after a long and what seemed unclear 4.5 months in Winder, I'll be truthful and say it hasn't been easy. Trying to find that greenie fire I once had, Elder Johnston and I have talked recently how we're trying to improve, really consecrate ourselves, be better people all around. It's a blessing to know that with the restored Gospel and the Atonement all those faults can be made whole. The words and lyrics to "Where Can I Turn for Peace?" have played a hear'ts lament. And like Nephi, passionate words of requiem are thrown up to heaven in mighty prayer. I see the stubborn, sarcastic, and cynical character will never feel true glory. He'll never know victory like Nephi did, or even Jesus Christ did. The character who focuses only on the process instead of people will put his destiny to submersed levels as well. It's those who strive faithfully, willfully, with patience and always carry a good laugh who will receive glory.
"Ours not to reason why, ours but to do and die." Alfred Lord Tennyson
Thanks for the letters, and hope you have a good week! Love you and keep doing all the good stuff you're doing, very proud and honored.
Sincerely,
elder adam black
The Highlights of last week:
- Two exchanges, with the Jefferson Elders and the Monroe Elders - taking a trip back to the past. In Monroe we visited and saw people who I had taught before! Seeing that members were even more involved with helping the missionaries, seeing that they had team ups and game plans and that the members were doing more of the teaching, it lit me.
- Pulling off a Zone meeting after being notified 1 day beforehand. Being able to bring eveybody together, to have everyone teach one another and then leave with really good spirits. A definite pat on the back for that one.
- Getting able to build relationships with Members. Though I wasn't there for part of the week, we've been seeing loads of members before Elder Johnston signs off. The members here now are even starting to shift and really want to help us even more. I'm excited to see where this Ward will go in the next transfer and if it will become even more missionary oriented like Monroe has become.
- Remember that time when I wrote about MLK day, that day was Monday our Pday, and I wrote that goofy greenie letter? This year we worked on MLK day, hence why it's Tuesday and I'm writing now... My point? Seems like yesterday we were just kids.
- This morning we woke up at 5:30 am, headed over to pick up the other elders and then to the church to play some basketball and soccer. Had some nice games, then afterward drove to Waffle House (kinda like Dee's or Denny's) for breakfast. Having no wallet, I only ordered a water. Feeling very stubborn and sleepy cause it was still 7 am, other elders offered to buy me something but I played the humble card and just said I'll eat later. Well, the guy who made the food -we'll call him the chef cause that's probably his title- came by and gave me a plate with a waffle on it and simply said in a smoky voice, "We made an extra, we don't want to throw it away.". The chef placed it on the table then left, as I replied thank you sounding appalled and grateful. Suddenly I feel the spirit really strong, and it's confirmed to me that God really loves me even when I'm not in the best of moods, and not feeling the spirit. He works through others and all of us have need to show a little more love like The Chef. Afterwards when we left I went to him expressed a deep amount of thanks, then we left. Good way to start of the day, I think yes.
Transfers are tomorrow and the new comp is Elder Whedon. He's from California, a Spanish speaking white missionary and all around great guy. I'm very excited to work with him, but gosh dang I will miss Elder Johnston for sure. It's been a good 4.5 months serving with him.
After much time, and after a long and what seemed unclear 4.5 months in Winder, I'll be truthful and say it hasn't been easy. Trying to find that greenie fire I once had, Elder Johnston and I have talked recently how we're trying to improve, really consecrate ourselves, be better people all around. It's a blessing to know that with the restored Gospel and the Atonement all those faults can be made whole. The words and lyrics to "Where Can I Turn for Peace?" have played a hear'ts lament. And like Nephi, passionate words of requiem are thrown up to heaven in mighty prayer. I see the stubborn, sarcastic, and cynical character will never feel true glory. He'll never know victory like Nephi did, or even Jesus Christ did. The character who focuses only on the process instead of people will put his destiny to submersed levels as well. It's those who strive faithfully, willfully, with patience and always carry a good laugh who will receive glory.
"Ours not to reason why, ours but to do and die." Alfred Lord Tennyson
Thanks for the letters, and hope you have a good week! Love you and keep doing all the good stuff you're doing, very proud and honored.
Sincerely,
elder adam black