Hey Mom, a quick one this time, as I still don't have too much time. Transfer week is always like this...especially when half your district is moving. It was a huge move all throughout the mission, with Elder Wright and I being one of the only static companionships.
This week has been really slow when it comes to missionary work. Unfortunately, there have been pressing worldly matters, such as making sure that we have a place to sleep. A lot of our time has consisted of doing flat inventories, deconstructing wardrobes, tables, chairs and the like, as well as arranging a way for us to move said heavy things. Wow, that's like the most boring paragraph I've ever written about my mission :)
Anyways, the point is we now have all of our personal stuff moved (painfully by hand across town, just in case you were wondering) and will have a van in tomorrow to move all of the disassembled things into the new flat. Most importantly, it will be bringing a bed, a washer, and a fridge; things I often find essential to living :)
A lot of our investigators have wonderful potential, but it seems as if none of them are choosing to progress. It always takes sacrifice in order to truly find God in your life. Those who decide to make that sacrifice end up seeing the blessings of the Lord and are able to overcome things like addiction, lack of work, and family problems. Those who don't end up stuck, with one foot out on the water and one still in the boat.
Satan has perpetrated a clever conundrum that I've seen around every corner we lead investigators to. It is that of commitment versus time. Bob is out of the job because of a smoking addiction that is consuming both his time and money. Missionaries meet Bob, and begin helping him to keep commitments, such as coming to church, reading the Book of Mormon, and keeping the word of wisdom (or in other words, stop smoking). Bob feels as if the commitments the missionaries are giving him are too much time and effort to ask for, but doesn't realize that they are exactly what he needs in order to overcome the challenges placed in his way.
It makes sense really. Often, going to three hours of church or reading a 531 page book doesn't seem very related to finding a job or breaking an addiction. Yet, I've come to know that the commitments missionaries give people are the most effective way to solve these types of trials. Those who follow the commandments of God are blessed so much that they "have not room to receive." Those who search the Book of Mormon with the intent to help the relationship they have with their family will find examples and answers. Those who come to church with questions about finding a job or breaking addictions will find exactly the sermons and the people to help them. If you want help, seek the blessings of heaven :) We know where to find them: right over there, side by side with keeping the commandments.
Well, I'm just about out of time. If I told you more about my week anyways, I fear you'd fall asleep at the keyboard, gently lulled off by the details of moving house :) I love you all, and council you to continue to help the missionaries and pray for them. We need all the divine grace we can get out here.
Cheers, Elder Foster
This week has been really slow when it comes to missionary work. Unfortunately, there have been pressing worldly matters, such as making sure that we have a place to sleep. A lot of our time has consisted of doing flat inventories, deconstructing wardrobes, tables, chairs and the like, as well as arranging a way for us to move said heavy things. Wow, that's like the most boring paragraph I've ever written about my mission :)
Anyways, the point is we now have all of our personal stuff moved (painfully by hand across town, just in case you were wondering) and will have a van in tomorrow to move all of the disassembled things into the new flat. Most importantly, it will be bringing a bed, a washer, and a fridge; things I often find essential to living :)
A lot of our investigators have wonderful potential, but it seems as if none of them are choosing to progress. It always takes sacrifice in order to truly find God in your life. Those who decide to make that sacrifice end up seeing the blessings of the Lord and are able to overcome things like addiction, lack of work, and family problems. Those who don't end up stuck, with one foot out on the water and one still in the boat.
Satan has perpetrated a clever conundrum that I've seen around every corner we lead investigators to. It is that of commitment versus time. Bob is out of the job because of a smoking addiction that is consuming both his time and money. Missionaries meet Bob, and begin helping him to keep commitments, such as coming to church, reading the Book of Mormon, and keeping the word of wisdom (or in other words, stop smoking). Bob feels as if the commitments the missionaries are giving him are too much time and effort to ask for, but doesn't realize that they are exactly what he needs in order to overcome the challenges placed in his way.
It makes sense really. Often, going to three hours of church or reading a 531 page book doesn't seem very related to finding a job or breaking an addiction. Yet, I've come to know that the commitments missionaries give people are the most effective way to solve these types of trials. Those who follow the commandments of God are blessed so much that they "have not room to receive." Those who search the Book of Mormon with the intent to help the relationship they have with their family will find examples and answers. Those who come to church with questions about finding a job or breaking addictions will find exactly the sermons and the people to help them. If you want help, seek the blessings of heaven :) We know where to find them: right over there, side by side with keeping the commandments.
Well, I'm just about out of time. If I told you more about my week anyways, I fear you'd fall asleep at the keyboard, gently lulled off by the details of moving house :) I love you all, and council you to continue to help the missionaries and pray for them. We need all the divine grace we can get out here.
Cheers, Elder Foster