Continuing to Grow, Learning Restraint

Good afternoon everyone,

It seems that many things are going on at home. Life continues to move forward whether or not we are ready. Here in San Antonio, we've receive an excess of rain, especially this recent Saturday evening. If you ever wonder what the weather is like down here, guess "raining" and you'll likely be right.

Transfer news is here. 10th Ward is being combined into one area, and I'll be staying. Elder Hill and Elder Drennan are both leaving, and Elder Drennan will be going to the boarder somewhere. So using proper deductive reasoning, Elder Black will be my new companion, and he will take Elder Drennan's place. Elder Drennan is sad to leave the area, but he's also excited. I'm not going anywhere new, but we will cover the whole ward instead of a single half. Even when we stay put, things change.

I've been with Elder Drennan longer than any other Companion

Now for a review of the week:

This past week we had a great mission conference with Elder Allen and Elder Evans of the Seventy. What might of been more of a meeting to learn how to use Ipads became something much more. These servants of the Lord taught us of the importance of developing righteous digital habits. It struck me how often they used the scriptures to teach us how we should prepare to use these tools. They helped me to strengthen my understanding that the scriptures were written for our day, most especially the Book of Mormon.

Last Monday while we were out in the evening, we approached a Hispanic man who was working on his car. When we offered our help, we learned that he was a preacher for a church in the area, and we shared a little bit of our beliefs. Rather soon, however, we lost control of the situation as his Spanish out classed ours in fluency :). While frustrated towards the end, I did my best to respectfully exit the conversation, when we met Chris and Darian outside. We followed them to their home and shared something with them. It turned out that work among other things made it difficult to meet with them. We hope to continue to meet with them in the coming weeks.

When Elder Drennan and I were with Elder Pope on an exchange, we met a man named Ray. He expressed sincere interest in a modern day prophet, and we had set to come by this past week. He wasn't there when we first tried by, but on another day we knocked on the door and met Ray again, with his brother, Clay. After sharing the Restoration with them, Ray explained that he and his brother were talking about prayer just before we knocked on their door. I knew that God was mindful of them, and I felt honored to be his tool.

Outside of the weather this week, our weekend felt long. We set up appointments with many of the people we've been in contact with in this area, but nearly all of them fell through. In a scenario like this, it's easy to think to yourself "It's all right, in the evening we'll see a miracle" but the miracles were harder to see. When we got home, I was reminded of my "weakness" as we read about often in Ether 12 : 27. The difficult day drove me to my knees figuratively, and I felt myself relying more on the Lord to remain positive and to continue to work my best. Minimize the Lords role in missionary work, and get focused on ourselves and our own strength. I can no more take credit for giving a priesthood blessing to someone else than a hammer can expect payment after a construction job involving nails.

And so, though the week was difficult towards the end, I won't lose focus in the reason why I serve. I can't serve looking for recognition, or serve in the hope that I will become a leader in the mission field. Whether I serve as a leader or not, I will have a happy and successful mission.

Questions and Answers

Has weather impacted your work this week?    

In a variety of different ways. Saturday had plenty of rain that came off and on throughout the day. Towards the end of the evening, we received a few severe weather alerts, but we were able to get home before the worst of the rain got us.

The rain tends to make things hotter outside because of the moisture. Summer is on it's way.

How are Yesenia and her family, and Bro. H. and his grandchildren, and Karla and Joe and Adam?   

Gregg took us out to dinner this week at a Chinese place nearby. The food was extremely quick, but the restaurant played some distracting music off of the radio. It offered me an opportunity to practice focusing myself on the people, rather than the food or something else. We only met with Bro. H's family once this week. As we read from the Book of Mormon with them, other members of their extended family and such went in and out. Combined with other sounds, it was difficult to hear them. Regardless of the other difficulties, I was glad to see their faith grow as a family.

Karla's family is difficult to find. Elder Drennan and I joke that it's easier to catch the rest of her family at home than her. Because of the other people that we are working with, I believe that we may have to move on from her family, and only drop by occasionally.

As a side note, I learned from Elder Vergara that Tony and Staniel should have been baptized this past Saturday. If all went well, as I can be sure it did, they should be members of the church.

How has the Spirit helped you in times of change in this past while?      

Well, I feel like this is a rather deep question.

This past week was rather difficult. I feel that the studies we have every morning to a great amount to help me to survive the day, spiritually. I read recently from Alma 29. The chapter taught me that I need to be content with the work I have to do, because I am immensely blessed to have this opportunity. I feel the happiest when I can discern the needs of others and work to serve them through the guidance of the Spirit. The times that I feel down are the times that I want to serve others. This helps me to feel the Spirit.

How do you say 'enjoy the journey' en Espanol?

I could try and translate it literally, but I think I'll have a better job studying it this week and answering again next week.

What is your favorite tie?

I like this one. Not sure if I have a favorite tie. (This is a photo of us in front of the chapel. This is the only chapel in our mission boundaries that has the church's name in Spanish)

The only picture I managed to get after the mission conference this week. Elder Hart (far right) was Elder Downer's companion (middle) in the MTC. Elder Hart was Elder Olsen's and now Elder Bertelsen's companion.