We've hit a sort of "post-Christmas" lull, I guess you could say. We just had trouble getting out, in the pouring rain that has been this whole week, and finding people to teach. Most of our progressing investigators have been on holiday, and therefore not available. And the one who isn't on holiday is a postman :) So, basically, we could teach Ian, but only if we got bikes and shouted as we rode alongside the insanity that is Christmas/New Years Royal Postal Service delivery.
I have come to learn that sorrow almost always precedes joy. The phrase Lehi teaches us, "opposition in all things", makes so much more sense to me now. I know that I've said this before, and re-emphasized it, but you truly wouldn't know joy without sorrow. So, it follows that because a mission is the best two years, it is also the worst two years. Time sometimes whips past you in a whirlwind of teaching and baptizing, and other times it's like you're swimming through syrup.
This understanding has also improved my general determination. Sometimes you can tell something good is coming because of how hard Satan is working against you or your investigator. There's always something to look forward to, something to hope for :)
Lastly, I've seriously found my teaching to be better because of an understanding of sorrow. For example, from the beginning of my mission, I never liked teaching the beginning of the Plan of Salvation. I always wanted to get to the good part: eternal families and the purpose of the Earth :) But there was always Adam and Eve. Why do we teach about them? Because without their decision, the whole thing would be for naught. We wouldn't have joy, because we would know no sorrow. We wouldn't have a redeemer, because we would have remained in a state of innocence. We wouldn't learn, because there wouldn't be trials. Take a look back on the trials in your life, and compare with what you have become. I promise you that you will see great benefits from them, especially from some of the harder ones :)
---
Anyways, despite the many hardships and changes of plans that accompanied this week, there were also a few miracles :) Matt has accepted the invitation to receive the priesthood. That was such a wonderful lesson. We brought a member along, and his testimony of the priesthood brought the whole lesson together. It was really wonderful, and increased my testimony of not only the power of the priesthood, but also the power of member present teaching opportunities.
Have I ever said what I love the most about being a missionary? Well, remind me to tell you next week, because I don't have enough time :)
Hope everyone is doing well.
Cheers,
Elder Foster